Understandable Connections
Chapter 7
"A First Kiss"
WARNING:
This chapter contains some material some may consider strong. Dealing with child abuse issues. I tried to not go in too deep because that's just not cool. There is nothing here of the sexual nature. At least not this chapter! Plenty of fun stuff however!
Scott has been planning this for days. Nothing has worked so far. This has got to be the craziest plan he has ever had. But he will do this because now that Stiles has been so involved with the whole Derek and the pack thing all the sources of information he has is his bad research skills and a surprisingly willing Isaac to work with. The same Isaac he dragged into this plan. They are in the library, strategically placed to do this in between two large bookshelves. This is perfect. It is right by the table Allison sits on around this time. They are both waiting, the only thing they need for this plan to work is each other and an unsuspecting Allison. The things a man does for love. He looks at Isaac now. Strangely calm considering what they are about to do.
"You sure you're ok with this dude? Because Allison is almost here and I can't have you chicken out at the last minute." Scott has to admit he is a little nervous. He is actually glad Stiles is not here. He could not bear to have Stiles see him at his worst moment.
"You can trust me Scott, It's not like this is a big deal or anything." A strange look passes Isaac eyes. If Scott was quicker with making sense of things he would probably figure it out. But that's not important, because just as they expected Allison walks in, books in hand ready for her study session. And everything is just as it should be except for one thing. Stiles is coming with her. His life is over. But he is in too far and had to bribe god knows how many people to get this chance. He is not going to waste it. As Allison sits down with Stiles, they spring into…action?
-(^_^)-
Stiles had not had a chance to catch up with Allison in a while, and a study session seems a good excuse as any to get some information of what has been going on with the Hunters. So as he enters the library he immediately notices two things. One Isaac is somewhere in here, and two he is in some sort of weird mood. So while Stiles cannot immediately go to Isaac he pin points his location as he sits down on the table. He finds him quick enough. And he thinks his eyes are going to pop out of his head. Isaac is making out with Scott in between the bookshelves.
"Stiles what's wrong?" Allison asks turning her head to follow his gaze. Disaster! Just what the hell is going on in this god forsaken place! Everybody is gay now? "Oh my god Stiles, I have to go." Stiles would expect her to be doing anything but smiling. The girl is giggling as she runs out of the library. Just what has happened in this school while he was too busy with his own stuff! Is this some other reality? Just what is wrong with everybody! Stiles gets up and walks over to where his pack member and his best friend were just making out at. Livid.
"Just what the hell is going on here Scott?" Stiles asks Scott but he directs his eyes at Isaac. Staring him down. Isaac has that devilish smirk he gets that's so many levels of fluffy. But fluffy don't work with stiles.
"Stiles, Stiles calm down, this is not what it looks like." Scott stutters his statement. He is smiling. Smiling!
"In all honesty Scott, you see that?" Stiles points at some random point behind him, he notices both Scott and Isaac looking wherever he is pointing at. " That's where all the fucks I give are. How could you do this? Do you have to beat me at everything!" Stiles knows this is probably a selfish thing to do but he is truly angry. " First you get cool at lacrosse, then sex, and now you even kiss a man before I do!" Stiles may have said that a little bit too loud. He is self-conscious now, this is a library after all. And everyone is staring at him, and Scott, and Isaac. And all faces go red, except Isaac's he seems to be enjoying this a bit too much.
"But Stiles, it worked, she was smiling! She liked it. It's just like I read online, girls dig man on man action. I might get her back yet!" And just like that all hopes that his best friend still had any working brain cells went to that place the fuck he gave was. Isaac is laughing, and Stiles just about had enough.
"Isaac, thanks bro, I owe you one!" Scott says as he flies out of the library. He is left there with Isaac, that devilish smirk still on his face.
"You I will deal with soon enough, and do not think for a second you had me fooled. I know you liked that more than you have any right too, see if I don't tell Scott he has been played." At that Isaac has the decency to blush. Seriously, he would not put it past Isaac to have planned the whole thing himself and let Scott believe he planned it. "You-argh – forget it. I have class to get to. But you better be at the station later today, me and Derek have some things to talk to you about." And with that Stiles leaves the library.
"Stiles!" His name comes out more as a whisper from whoever is calling him. A girl, he is sure. He feels a hand grab his arm and turn him around. He is now face to face with Lydia.
"Oh, hey Lydia, long time no see! Ran out of prospects to torture with your beauty on this new school year yet?" Stiles jokes because that's what he does best, particularly when he is nervous. Lydia rolls her eyes, playing with that strand of strawberry blond hair with her finger. Stiles can't help imagining himself as the symbolic strand of strawberry blond hair, just something for Lydia to play with.
"Don't be ridiculous, I need to talk to you." She looks around the hallway. "But not here, meet me at the lacrosse field after school." She let's go of him and then leaves. Swinging those hips in a way that makes Stiles wonder how is it she has not dislocated a hip bone yet. He shakes himself, and slaps his face with both hands. He should not be thinking about these things. Didn't he tell Derek he wanted to be by his side? She's a girl though. Would this be considered cheating? I mean, the equipment is all different and what not. Doesn't make it any less attractive he thinks. Besides Derek doesn't seem like the type that would let Stiles top, maybe he is doomed to bottom for Derek for the rest of his life. He pictures himself as the next 40 year old virgin. Because it doesn't matter what anybody tells him, a man is a virgin until he actually fucks someone. The bottom thing would not count, not on his book. And just what in the seven hells is he thinking about now? Wow, he needs help. As he walks back to class he can't help but feel that little pang of anticipation as to what Lydia wants to talk to him about. Wouldn't it be ironic if all of a sudden she confessed? Maybe Scott does have a point and man on man action turn girls on. But that's a stupid idea. Lydia would never find him anything more than a tool, to use as she saw fit. The symbolic strand of strawberry blond hair.
Class goes slow, as it usually does when you want them not to, but the bell rings and he is finally out. He walks, or rather runs, to the lacrosse field. He gets there to an empty field, nobody anywhere, apparently there is no practice today. Maybe he should pay more attention to the schedule. But he is not here for practice, he is here for Lydia. As if calling her at the thought, she shows up. Looks around the field and the moment she spots him she quickly walks towards him.
"So…" Stiles greets. "What is this about?" He wants to make a joke about Lydia confessing but he can't bring himself to do it. You don't expose something so sensible like that. He is a bit frustrated at the fact he still cares.
"It's about Jackson, Stiles, what else?" She answers. He is angry at himself now, because he shouldn't be disappointed. But he is, and it's not fair. He wished feelings for other people would disappear the moment you start caring about someone else. But it doesn't work that way, because Lydia is Lydia and Derek is Derek, and they do not replace each other in Stiles heart, they just own very different parts of it.
"He's been acting strange lately, and I know it probably has to do with being a werewolf and all but I can't help him, and I know you must have helped Scott, or you can maybe talk to Derek and see if someone can help him." And there it is. The jealousy he feels for this man that had everything Stiles ever wanted. He wants to tell her to get help somewhere else. That Jackson being the ass that he is will find a way to get over it, but he can't. Because he cares, about both, Lydia and the man who had everything he wanted. "Stiles, he is so alone in this werewolf thing. Just what have you guys been doing that is so important that you can't help him?" And Lydia starts crying, Stiles embraces her, holds her because no matter how much of a tool for use she thinks he is, he is a friend first. And they have been through a lot. All of them, and he wished he could take the pain away. But that is no longer his job. His Job will be to explain a lot of things to Derek, because he can feel Derek is close.
-(^_^)-
Derek decided to go to pick up Stiles at school. No particular reason for it. He just felt like it. Maybe they could go grab something to eat. Maybe call it a date? He doesn't know how to get things started. Stiles told him he wanted to be by his side. But Derek wanted to make sure Stiles knew he was willing to make an effort. Get outside his comfort zone. Because all of this is outside his comfort zone, he is ok with his feelings, he is over denying something he feels so strongly. And he hasn't died yet for showing emotion. But that doesn't mean it's an easy thing. It all comes out easily when he is with Stiles, because all he can do around Stiles is feel, but when he is alone he can't help but have his mind wonder. What if Stiles is just caught in the moment of all this? What if he really doesn't know what he is getting into? Suddenly he feels Stiles, he is in some sort of distress, his feelings are a jumble to Derek but he can recognize this jumble of feelings, it's very similar to the one he felt from him the day he almost kissed him. He parks his Camaro and gets out so quickly he leaves the door open. He knows Stiles is in the direction of the Lacrosse field, so he heads that way. As he gets closer he stops dead. Stiles is embracing Lydia, and then suddenly the jumble of feelings make sense. This is the girl he has been in love with for most of his life. She is crying, and Stiles is holding her, and the love is so obvious to Derek he has to hold his wolf back. He knows his eyes are turning red.
He stops himself from wolfing out, just hanging by a thread. It takes all he has not to turn around and just go. But that was the old Derek, he is not going back to that. He just stands there. Fighting a battle he never thought he would fight. The battle with a love Rival. If he runs away now he loses. Somehow he knows that. So he stupidly stands there, waiting. He may look stupid to everyone around him, but right now he is fighting for his life, in that space that is himself. He will not lose Stiles to no one. And the he starts to worry, because the embrace is lasting too long, and he doubts himself. But he will not give up, and suddenly he feels so stupid, because he is just standing there, while Lydia ravels on the feeling that is having Stiles so close. And he feels his wolf want to come out and rip her to shreds but he holds it in check, but if that bitch does not get away from Stiles soon he will end up in jail and then he won't have to worry about bending over because that's the real reason men fear jail. And he wonders why the hell he is thinking about that. He is sure steam is coming out of his head, his perfect hairdo won't last long under this stress, neither will his heart. But then Stiles ends the hug, and he feel like he can breathe again, and Stiles is walking towards him.
"Derek I…" Derek will care about whatever Stiles was going to say later. Now he just grabs him by the shoulders and pushes him in. And lands a kiss on Stiles that he hope will erase Lydia off every cell of Stiles body, because Stiles is his. And only his.
-(^_^)-
Stiles lost his ability to think. Derek just kissed him. In front of Lydia. And he thinks this is probably one of those wolf possessiveness issues but he can't bring himself to care. He feels Derek's lips against his and ravels in the feeling, everything is Christmas lights, and rainbow and fluff balls. A lot of them. He feels the links of everyone get stronger. He feels himself get stronger. He does not want this kiss to end. He can see the shapes Derek talks about now. A yellow cross, a purple fist, a black shield, and a red dagger, and clear as no other is the Golden Crown that is Derek on his pack link. But all of that is nothing compared to the physical reaction of his body. He feels the heat radiate from every pore, the smell of Derek, the wetness of his tongue paying games with his. And it feels like Derek is going to move away but Stiles is not done, he puts his arms around Derek making it a prison. Because Derek is his. His. And no one else's. He feels a burning on his heart like his skin is falling off. But he doesn't care.
"Erm" Lydia's voice wakes him up. So he lets go of Derek, and they both can breathe now.
"Fuck!" Derek breathes. His chest raising and falling in rapid movements. Stiles knows exactly what he is feeling. He can't even talk.
"I know these things are usually hot and all but I feel like I should point out that your shirt is burning Stiles" And Lydia is pointing at his chest. And it's true. He starts flailing with his hands, because there's smoke everywhere on his face. But it is Derek who finally gets his shirt off him in one swift motion.
"Holy shit, what the hell was that." He asks, and then he is looking at Derek, and Lydia, and both of them look like their eyes are going to pierce holes in his chest.
"What, never seen sexy muscles like these before?" And he poses.
"Stiles…." Derek begins.
"There's a triskelion on your chest." Lydia finishes.
Stiles looks down. And sure enough, a dark swirling triskelion is right above his heart. And he is sure he has seen one before, but he can't bring himself to think clearly. He shakes his head because everything is weird. He looks at Derek's face, a slightly guilty look on his face. And suddenly Stiles knows where he has seen it before, that time his cousin "Miguel" was putting a shirt on his room. This is exactly like Derek's triskelion.
"Derek, what is this? Did you do this?" He asks puzzled.
"Wow, talk about being possessive." Lydia says.
"What do you mean?" He asks looking at Lydia.
"Are you clueless Stiles? Have you not done research on werewolves at all? That's his family brand. You have been marked as his. Or at least that's what I read somewhere." And she looks away and goes to playing with her hair curls. Derek has the decency to blush.
"Is this what this was about Derek?" Stiles is not liking this one bit. Wait. So Derek was making sure to stake his claim in front of Lydia, so Derek was jealous? That's cute. What? No. Indignation, that is what he should be feeling. "Derek what the hell man?"
"Stiles, no…." But he is choking on his own words. " Well yes and no." He has heard that before.
"You know what Derek, right now I don't care, I have to go home. My dad is waiting and I have to cook something tasteless and incredibly healthy for him just to annoy the hell out of him, oh and maybe put some damn aloe vera on this property brand because it burns like a bitch." He sees Derek flinch at the property part. But he just leaves.
-(^_^)-
Derek watches Stiles leave. His bouts of word-deprivation show up at the worst of times. As he watches Stiles go he hears Lydia speak.
"Are you going to tell him he marked you too?" The girl is as perceptive as ever. Derek looks at the back of his right hand. Still smoking, a perfect circle with a spark of lighting decorates it. Such an appropriate symbol Derek thinks, a spark of pure energy barely held by a prison of skin, Stiles indeed. Derek sighs.
"Eventually. I gotta go." He says.
"No you don't, you took my one chance of help away and now you're it. You're coming with me." Lydia says, with a sense of power and finality. This girl is a dangerous love rival to have.
-(^_^)-
Scott feels deflated. After spending the whole day running after Allison the best he could get was a giggling reaction and a quick escape. Maybe the man to man action was a bit too much, even from him. He is not even going to think about that kiss and how it felt. Because it's not important. Young men react to anything, hormones. That's what he tells himself anyway.
He is jogging on the park. Release some tension. There was no practice today but he has to burn away some steam. What? No, no steam, he just wants to keep in shape that is all. Suddenly he is knocked out of the trail. When he has time to see what is going on he sees that someone fell on him, or more accurately someone was thrown at him. That someone gets up, Scott notices long bleeding cuts on their arms, his shirt looks like a mess of shredded fabric, when he looks at the face of the crouching werewolf he is shock to see Isaac's face covered by weak streams of blood. Scott follows Isaac's eyes, and sees the cause of his friends wounds. He is enraged, he is wolfing out, he rushes at the other werewolf standing a few feet away. Not caring that this wolfs eyes are shining the Alpha red. Nobody hurts Isaac.
The alpha is strong, but his rage is stronger, he tackles the surprised Alpha, clawing at him. He knows he got him, but the Alpha rolls around and it's standing again, fangs sticking out. He charges Scott, but is met with another tackle, this time from Isaac, bleeding and obviously in pain. But Determined. Scott takes advantage of that moment the Alpha is pushing Isaac away and takes the opening. His Claws extended he gets the Alpha in the gut, Shredding muscle and blood is everywhere. Unfortunately that in itself gives the Alpha an opening, because Scott is not strong enough to push him back. With both hands the Alpha rakes down. Opening wounds on Scott from shoulder to waist. They don't seem to serious now with all the adrenaline but he is sure his life is in danger. The Alpha raises his claws in victory, howling. But Isaac is up again, sneaking his way behind the Alpha he puts his hands under him and holds him in place. A face of determination.
"Scott now!" Isaac yells, a gurgling sound that makes Scott sick, his friend is drowning in blood. Scott feels the rage swell up. You don't mess with something that is his. Friend or whatever the hell. Scott will protect Isaac, even if it cost him his life. The Alpha is trying to wiggle away, but Isaac is all strength and determination, an unmoving tower. Scott swipes his claws at the Alpha's neck, noticing the look of fear in the Alpha's burning red eyes. He swipes and brings with his claws skin, veins and muscle. A shower of blood follows, showering Scott in it, but Scott is not done. He notices Isaac beginning to falter, but he is livid. As the alpha lifeless body begins to fall Scott pierces his heart with his claws. Because he deserves death after death. Scott howls now. A surge of strength and violence fills him. This howl feels different now, it is a howl of rebirth of second chances, of new beginnings. As he revels on his victory he looks as his friend, and his heart skips a bit, Isaac is laying on the ground, open eyes staring at him, a smile plays on his bloody lips. And then his eyes are closed.
-(^_^)-
Stiles reaches the station with his heart on his neck, every swallow hopefully preventing it from coming out of his mouth. Something is terribly wrong he knows. He can feel Isaac's link beginning to fade. His friend is dying. He burst through the door to the station and takes in the scene.
Scott is laying on his knees, holding an unconscious Isaac on his lap, there is blood everywhere. Derek's hand is on Isaac's chest. A weak rising and falling can be seen. Scott looks at him then, eyes red as rubies, a perfect match for all the blood his friend is sitting on. He rushes to them.
"What the hell happened?" He is so scared he can barely speak. He is all business though, he doesn't know what to do but he has to do something.
"An alpha was attacking him, I helped him kill it, please do something. His wounds are not healing, Stiles please." His friend's angry red eyes contrast with the falling tears. Stiles heart is hammering on his chest. He needs to do something.
"These are Alpha wounds, they won't heal as quickly, normally that is not a problem, but his wounds are too much, he is bleeding to death because his wounds won't close, Stiles, we have to save him, this is my fault, please." Derek's voice shakes, such guilt his wolf deals with. Stiles looks at the hand Derek is laying on Isaacs chest. A strange symbol there. It doesn't look familiar but it feels familiar.
Mine.
He shakes his face. He has to do something. He places his hand on Derek's and focuses on the link they share. He knows his eyes are glowing because Scott opens his now red eyes wide.
"Let's meet Isaac Derek." He states. And just like that they are gone.
-(^_^)-
Derek opens his eyes and is immediately confused. They are on the same kitchen Peter was cooking burritos on. For a second he doesn't understand.
"Isaac's house." Stiles explains, sad golden eyes look back at him. "Look." And stiles points at the table, where a very young Isaac is sitting. Clearly shaking with fear. Across from him is his father.
"What did I tell you Isaac?" And his dad gets up." Didn't I tell you to do as I say? Why is it you must push me. After all I do for you. Despite the fact that it is your fault your mother left me. I take care of you, and this is how you repay me, by disobeying me? I think you need a lesson." The evil on Isaac's father's voice resonates through the room as he closes in on little Isaac. They hear Isaac's little screams, choking pleas of forgiveness. He didn't know better. He will behave now. Please just stop.
Derek hold Stiles tighter, clearly holding back his anger. This is a memory, still if he could he would fight this off for Isaac. He feels guilt and regret, because he was no better as an alpha than Isaac's father was at parenting. He is ashamed.
"Stiles, this…. I- I don't know if I can…"Derek chokes. The guilt is too much, he feels like he is going to drown in it. Stiles comes around his back, crossing his arms around Derek's waist, linking them together in his mid-section, his chin laying on his left shoulder.
"I'm here, If you knees falter I'll hold you. If your heart stops beating I will lend you mine. We can do this. We have to save Isaac." And the words are like a balm to Derek, calming his soul, and giving him strength. A blur shakes them, they are on the basement now. And Derek feels his heart freeze. He knows where this is going.
"Stiles, please, I'm not that strong now, I can't hide my feelings like before, don't make me do this." Derek chokes on his words, tears falling freely.
"I'm sorry Derek, we have to take responsibility for our mistakes. Knowing how badly we err is only half the battle, the hard part is not this. This is Isaac's past, not yours. I am here." Derek feels tears fall on his shoulder.
Isaac is way past the screaming now. No point when no one is listening. As his hands explore the darkness of the small box that is his prison. He can feel the dents his own nails dug on them. But he is done fighting. He knows it's his fault. He just has to be a better son.
Another blur. And they are in the cemetery . The night Derek met Isaac. Or rather, the day Derek targeted Isaac. His shame at the thought is suffocating. He took advantage of Isaac.
Isaac is scared, he thought this was not possible anymore. He is so used to fear he is surprised he can feel anything anymore. He is going to die here. He knows this as surely as he knows the sun will rise tomorrow, but he is at peace, he has fought fear before, maybe death will free him. As he waits for the inevitable a face shows up at the corner of the grave he is laying at. He offered help, he talked about a better life, about a way out of his fear. He can be free. And for the first time in his life he understands what hope means. Hope was coming into his life in the shape of a darkly handsome man.
Derek is sobbing now. How could he have done this? He did want to help Isaac, he really did. But he really had no idea what it meant to Isaac. He looked up to him, and all he did was hurt him more, break his bones, tie him down with chains. He really was no different than Isaac's dad. He is a monster.
"You're not a monster Derek, not anymore, not ever." Stiles presence brings him back from the self-pity party. "You were lost too, you were dealing with your own pain, when we are in pain other peoples pain mean nothing. Nothing hurts you more than your own pain. You have a chance now to make things right, which is a lot more than what can be said about Isaac's dad." Stiles is pointing at Isaac, sitting down on the grass in the ever present forest. Derek nods. And walks over to Isaac, sitting down with his back to a tree, holding his knees close, eyes staring at nothing in particular. Derek gets down beside him and embraces Isaac, Derek will protect Isaac, not because he is pack but because he deserves it.
"I'm sorry Isaac, I failed you. I will protect you from everything, from yourself. This is not your fault, it never was, I will take this burden from you and carry it for as long as it takes." Derek knows it's a long road ahead but he is determined to do this. He will walk it, he will pay for his sins, he will run himself dry if he has to. He feels Stiles arms around them both, and he knows then he won't have to walk alone. Isaac's wall breaks. And he cries, and laughs at the same time, because he is not sad or afraid, he is not alone.
Derek sees with the corner of his eyes the Grey wolf that is his and Stiles curled around a beautiful white wolf cub. And the white thread that now connects him, his mate and their cub Isaac.
-(^_^)-
Scott is perplexed as he sees Isaac wounds begin to heal. Faster even than is normal for a werewolf. Derek and Stiles are still sitting down with their hands on Isaac's chest. They seem to glow. Scott is holding a breath he didn't know he was holding until Isaac opens his eyes and he lets it go. Shortly after Derek opens his, the golden flare fading. Stiles, however doesn't, he just slumps down on Derek's arms.
Notes:
I understand I should probably warn people whenever there is some strong material on a fic. I Do not have a way to do so. So I will put notes on the top of this chapter to let everyone know. Things are getting exiting no? Now I have another Alpha in the game! Thanks for your reviews, comments. Hope you enjoyed this!
G-D-W-T-S
