Chapter 11
"So, New York, huh?" Stiles noted, trying not to sound impressed, but he couldn't help himself. New York was impressive. He looked around, trying to take in as much as possible. "What are we doing here?"
"Elijah seems to think there's a witch here powerful enough to help with your little problem." Nicklaus informed him as the two of them wandered down the bustling street. Stiles turned a raised eyebrow on him and Klaus shrugged. "I'm not sure if I believe him, and even if he could find a witch he deemed powerful enough, how on earth would she even know where to begin when you won't tell anyone what you are?"
Stiles burst out laughing, and the sound relieved Klaus, despite his worry about the ever present dark circles that had been under the boys eyes since they'd left Mystic Falls. He'd asked them not to let him sleep, and they'd complied, though it went against their wishes to keep him unharmed.
"Any witch worth their salt will know what I am without having to ask. And they'll be wary." he paused, giving Klaus a shrewd look. "How does Elijah plan on solving my anchor problem?"
"He wants to see if a new one can be made." Stiles went still, freezing mid-step, and Klaus had to grab him quickly before he could get pushed over, bringing him carefully to a spot where they could stop. "You alright there, love?" Klaus asked, and Stiles gave a rueful smile.
"I think it's kind of funny." he noted, and Klaus frowned.
"Funny?"
"Yeah, that despite the fact that you literally tore me away from everything I care about and everything that kept me sane, you seem to be genuinely worried about my wellbeing."
"That's because I am genuinely worried." Klaus snapped irritably. He hated it when Stiles made him feel vulnerable like this.
"Hey, I'm not criticizing. Whatever keeps me alive, right? But I find it odd. History hasn't exactly painted you as a saint."
"Sainthood isn't all it's cracked up to be. Ask Elijah."
Stiles snorted out a laugh, but before Klaus could move away, Stiles slumped forward, his forehead hitting Klaus' shoulder. Klaus just moved in closer, keeping Stiles on his feet, and Stiles wondered for a moment if this would be okay. If he could be given a new anchor and had to stay with the originals for the unforeseeable future, would he be able to manage this? He leaned into Klaus, allowing the original hybrid to support him as he tried to keep himself awake, and though he hated it, he figured he could manage. He knew his pack was safe; no vampire could hurt them now because if they did, he'd be free. Not that Klaus knew that, mind, but since all those associated with Klaus couldn't do his pack any harm, that meant no vampires since every vampire could be traced back to this original family, and since even if they weren't a descendent of Klaus, they were descendent of someone who shared his blood. Man, did Stiles ever love those vaguely worded vows that provided such loopholes. Of course, he also knew that until now, the pack hadn't faced that many hostile vampires, in fact, he was fairly certain they hadn't faced any now that he thought about it, so it was likely he'd be remaining with present company for a while.
"Perhaps we should get you off the street." Klaus suggested, softly, touch gentle as he pulled Stiles away from the wall he was leaning against. Stiles shook his head, managing to stand.
"Better to keep going." he finally managed to say, though his face was drawn. "If I sit down I may fall asleep. I'd rather just continue avoiding that if we can." Klaus frowned, but knew better than to argue. Of course, he was surprised when Stiles turned a beaming grin on him. "How 'bout compelling me some caffeine pills?" he asked brightly, and when Klaus sighed indulgently, Stiles finally answered his own question with a resigned yes. He would be able to deal with this just fine.
An hour later and Stiles was eating a mint chocolate chip ice cream, caffeine pills tucked safely away in Klaus' pocket since he was sure that if left to his own devices Stiles would take too many. He wasn't wrong, so Stiles didn't bother arguing.
"Is this what having a sugar daddy is like?" Stiles asked with a smirk, and Klaus found himself nearly moved to tears with laughter.
"Only for the ones that are any good." he replied, and Stiles rolled his eyes but grinned.
"So what your saying is, yes, this is what it would be like for me." he said it with a shit-eating grin that just worked to drive Klaus mad, and the hybrid smirked, looking away from what had become a very suggestive display of ice cream eating. Stiles burst out laughing, accidentally dropping his ice cream as he gripped a hand to his side. Klaus caught it in an instant, not a mess to be had, and Stiles stared in shock before beaming like a child. "Dude, good catch." he accepted the cone, leading the way outside again. "Elijah's taking forever." Stiles complained, and then looked at Klaus. "And where's Rebekah anyways? She disappeared awful quickly."
"Probably tired of the constant switch between your griping and picking on her. I'm sure she probably thinks you're worse than Kol at the moment." Stiles rolled his eyes.
"As if. Nobody could be worse than Kol."
Klaus blinked in surprise, pausing a step and having to quicken his pace to match Stiles' again.
"How do you know of our youngest brother?" he asked, and Stiles shot him a look that screamed are-you-serious?
"You know. Legends. Histories. Rumours. The like. And you know, had a little sort of chat with your mother the witch on the other side. She's awful loud, for a witch whose been dead for centuries." Klaus had gone pale and Stiles frowned at him. "What? Did you not think she'd be in the void?" Klaus shrugged, unsure of what he'd expected.
"To be completely honest, I'm caught on the fact that you said you had a sort of chat with her?"
"Yeah, indirectly. I have a friend who can hear the dead. She passed along the message."
Klaus gave a hum before turning away from the subject. Speaking of the members of his family that weren't with them made him uncomfortable.
"Rebekah's probably shopping," he said instead, and Stiles rolled his eyes.
"She's worse than Lydia." he muttered. "I don't understand why they think they need so many clothes. It isn't like they'll ever actually wear it all."
"Actually, darling, I wasn't shopping for me, I was shopping for you." Stiles jumped at the sound of Rebekah's voice, nearly falling over, and Klaus caught him easily, though when Stiles leaned ever so slightly into him, he didn't move away. The boy was growing weaker by the hour.
"Why were you shopping for me? There's nothing wrong with my clothes." Rebekah looked as if he'd staked her.
"You must be joking. You stink. You've been wearing the same clothes for the whole trip. It's vile."
Stiles just glared.
"I am not going to be treated like a life size ken doll by you, barbie. If I want new clothes I'll get them myself. Who knows what you'd make me wear." Rebekah just scoffed, tossing a bag at him. Klaus caught it before it could hit Stiles, and glanced inside.
"Surprisingly enough, love, I think this will be to your liking." Obviously suspicious, Stiles looked into the bag, and then managed a grin.
"Alright, I've changed my mind. Continue buying me clothes."
They ended up checking into a hotel so Stiles could shower and get dressed in some of the new clothes Rebekah had bought him; jeans, a minimalist Captain America t-shirt, a brand new red hoodie (how had she known?), and outdoors clothes; a lovely black peacoat and a red scarf. He wasn't sure if the red was a joke on how he'd been in a pack of wolves, or if it was some sick vampire joke, but either way, he liked it. When he'd showered and dressed, he looked in the bathroom mirror, wiping it clear of steam. He looked terrible; darks circles very pronounced under his eyes, though at least now he looked clean. He looked pasty too, the moles and freckles that dotted his skin stark against the almost sickly pallor. Elijah needed to find that witch, and soon. He stepped away from the counter and cursed as he felt his knees give up. His head spun, eyes going out of focus, and he waited to hit the ground. Before he could, strong arms caught him, lifting him off his feet. His mind no longer able to focus, he forgot momentarily where he was.
"Derek, I'm so tired." he mumbled, curling towards the one who carried him, and he sighed happily when he was set down on a bed. Surprised that the boy had confused him for Derek, Klaus frowned, not sure whether or not to speak and break the illusion or allow the boy his comfort. When he began to drift to sleep though, Klaus had no choice but to speak.
"You asked me not to let you sleep though, love." he prodded gently, and Stiles opened exhausted eyes.
"I can't stay awake any longer." he breathed, clearly pained by the idea.
"How can I wake you if begin to lose control?" Klaus asked, and Stiles winced, but closed his eyes again.
"Pain. You'll have to hurt me." before Klaus could argue, the boy was asleep.
Elijah arrived at the hotel later in the day and found Klaus pacing the bedroom, watching the sleeping boy.
"He finally succumbed to exhaustion?" Elijah asked, and Klaus just frowned at the sleeping figure, pausing from his pacing beside Elijah.
"Yes. He nearly fainted in the washroom and seemed to decide enough was enough. It's been four hours now though, and nothing has happened."
"Don't speak too soon." Elijah warned, but after a moment of watching Stiles sleep in silence, nothing happened, and Klaus spoke again.
"Did you find the witch?" he asked, and Elijah nodded.
"I did. He's very curious to meet our guest. He wishes to conduct a meeting after supper. He told me it would be best if he was as strong as he could be for the process so suggested a healthy meal first." Klaus nodded, deciding it was time to leave the room and allow Stiles to rest without his nervous energy. There was still a couple hours until they would have to prepare for dinner, and he thought they might as well let the boy sleep until then. He certainly needed it. He and Elijah left the room, closing the doors behind them to find Rebekah flipping through a magazine on the couch.
"Finally decided to stop hovering like a mother hen, did you?" Rebekah teased, and Klaus ignored her, moving to poor himself a drink. Before he'd even reached for a glass though, they all heard Stiles begin to toss, the uneasy energy building again. Klaus rushed back to the room, Elijah on his heals, just in time to see Stiles open his mouth to scream. Quickly as he could, Elijah sped forward, clamping a hand over the boys mouth to stifle the scream, and they both moved to hold him down from thrashing. Remembering what Stiles had said about pain, Klaus motioned for Elijah to hold him steady before grabbing his wrist. Wincing at the need to do so, he held his breath, and quickly snapped the bones.
Stiles' felt the pain through the darkness, and it yanked him back into the light. His eyes flew open, tearing with the pain, and instead of screaming he looked at both the originals with wide, pained eyes.
"Would one of you mind?" he croaked, and Elijah immediately bit into his wrist, offering it to Stiles. Though he hesitated, he looked at Klaus who still held his wrist gently. "Set it first." he asked softly, and Klaus did so, watching as Stiles bit back a scream before grabbing Elijah's wrist with his uninjured hand and bringing it to his lips. He took but a taste before he pulled away, relaxing as his wrist healed.
"Thanks, both of you." he said, and Elijah raised a brow.
"You asked to be injured?"
"I knew it was the only way I'd be able to wake up." he shrugged, but then he shivered, curling in on himself suddenly.
"What is it, love, are you cold?" Klaus was immediately asking, moving to push him under the blankets, but before he could do any such thing, Stiles grabbed hold of both him and Elijah, pulling the strangely close as he turned so he was sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Sorry." they heard him mumbling, but neither moved, not wanting to break whatever fragile hold Stiles had gained back.
"Since when have we become a cuddling family?" Rebekah asked from the doorway, and Stiles gave a huff.
"They're humouring me." he said, and both originals were surprised that he didn't deny her taunt. When Rebekah didn't respond immediately, Stiles continued, clearly teasing now as well. "If you're jealous, feel free to join. There's plenty of love to go around."
Rebekah scoffed, but stepped tentatively closer.
"I only ask because I do not understand – why?"
Because she'd finally asked politely, Stiles finally sat up, releasing both the original brothers in order to stand.
"I may be human, but I'm still part of a pack, and more than that, I'm the alpha's mate. I need physical contact and casual intimacy about as much as I need food and water." he paused, giving her a wink. "It's a wolf thing." he wandered towards the door, stretching as he gave a yawn, oblivious to the stares he was receiving from all three originals. "Man, I'm starving. I would really love a steak. And fries. And probably a salad just to soothe my conscience." he glanced over his shoulder, giving them all a surprisingly cheerful smile. "Which one of you lovely folks is buying?"
They ended up at a steakhouse, watching Stiles eat what seemed his fill and then some. By the time he was full, he'd eaten at least double of what they'd thought he could, and looked the healthiest they'd seen him since they'd met. After dinner, the three originals guided him to the home of the witch, able to recognize it now when the youth went on alert.
"Do you think it will be safe?" Rebekah asked Elijah in a whisper as they followed Stiles and Klaus up the front steps, and much to her surprise it was Stiles who answered.
"It's going to be painful, so you guys are going to have to do your best not to interfere." At the mention of him being in pain, Klaus scowled, moving to stand between him and the door.
"Why?"
"Why what? Will it hurt? Because I'm still anchored to Derek. He's my true anchor. I'm literally going to be tearing the part of me that's linked to him away. It's like ripping my soul." the look he levelled at them then was dark and cold. "I suggest you keep any further thoughts on the matter to yourself though, because this pain is all your fault. So just stay quiet and stay out of the way." he brushed past Klaus at that, moving to knock on the door. Klaus caught his wrist before he could make contact, and Stiles lifted a brow at the surprising action. What was the hybrid thinking? Before he could ask, or Klaus could explain, the door swung open and a middle-aged man appeared, smiling brightly.
"You must be Stiles. It's nice to finally meet you. When Elijah told me he had an unusual type of magic user on his hands I must admit I expected one such as yourself. Of course, seeing you now, I never would have guessed how young you are from everything Lucian's told me about you." Stiles blinked, and then gave a smile of his own.
"You must be Calum! Luc told me he had a friend in New York, I just never figured that I'd end up running into anyone that actually knew specifics about me." he offered his hand, smile widening when the older man accepted it. "It really is a pleasure. Lucian said most of what he taught me about teleportation came from you. Gotta say, it comes in real handy."
Calum led Stiles into his home, keeping firm hold of the younger boys hand. The instant they'd made contact he'd felt Stiles' slowly slipping control, and so he kept the contact in order to aid the young man in staying in control. What he'd also felt upon contact was the message Stiles wished to convey.
"Tell the wolves I'm okay." Had been the message, whispered into his thoughts alongside an image and the feel of the mind he would be searching for, and it made Calum angry. Stiles was clearly separated from his pack against his will, and he decided to get to the bottom of why.
"Not to be rude," Calum drawled, pulling Stiles further into his home, and the originals followed, aware of how powerful the witch was by how the house moved around them without the witch breaking conversation with Stiles. "And not to pry, but Lucian did say you ran with a pack of wolves. Imagine my surprise when you appear on my doorstep with the original vampires instead." Though he said vampire, his eyes lingered on Klaus, and Stiles just shrugged.
"I do – did." Stiles corrected, and Calum frowned.
"But I was told you were anchored to them." Stiles slumped, and though Klaus moved to step forward, he was forced back with only a glance from Calum. Calum put his hands on Stiles' shoulder, not ignoring how the youth winced.
"I am."
"I did mention before that this was the reason we were here." Elijah noted, but there was something of a warning in his tone.
"I do not recall asking you to speak." Calum intoned slowly, and Stiles looked up at the witch in surprise. He'd been able to hear the power the witch held, and he was impressed. When the witch looked back at him it was with soft reprove. "Why have you separated yourself from your anchor? You know what it does to you." Stiles nodded, taking a breath. He was good at sharing thoughts, but in his state, he had to use all of his focus.
"It was safer." he said out loud, but in the witches mind he said "If I didn't they would've been hurt."
"But now you're being hurt." was the reply, and Stiles gave a mental shrug.
"Better me than them." Calum spoke next aloud.
"I will help you. But it will not be easy." Stiles swallowed, giving a nod.
"I'm ready." Calum gave a laugh though there was a worried tone to it.
"Though I am glad for it, I myself still need to prepare."
"What do you need?" Elijah asked, though more cautiously this time.
"That will depend." Calum looked back at Stiles. "I'm assuming you want a new anchor?" Stiles nodded and so Calum continued. "Had you thought of material?"
"I was thinking onyx. Though I'll have to shape it." Calum frowned.
"Would it not be easier to pick something already formed? Like a jewel – even jade I could form on my own." Stiles gave a tired smile, and though he was grateful for the offer, he shook his head.
"It'll be steadier and sturdier if it's something I shape. And I like onyx." Calum just nodded, looking towards Elijah. Giving a nod, Elijah disappeared. Calum moved next to the kitchen, gently guiding Stiles with him. He sat Stiles on a bar stool in his surprisingly modern kitchen and moved to the cabinet to pull out a bottle of milky looking liquid. He handed it to Stiles.
"Drink this. Then you can sleep in the spare room."
"I'm f-"
"If you say fine, you'll be lying and I don't need you unstable for such a dangerous casting. Do not argue with me since we both know I am capable of making your life much more difficult." Stiles hadn't even realized Klaus had reacted until Calum's power momentarily thrummed through the room. "Do not think you can threaten me, hybrid. I am trying to keep him alive which is more than can be said for either of you." Stiles stood, drawing all attention to himself, and feeling the tension drain when the two powerful beings were no longer facing off.
"I think it would be best if I took this at the hotel." he waved at the air so Calum knew he meant it was to release the tension. "Any suggestions on what to do for this to be the most affective?" though Calum frowned, he was glad for the suggestion. He had work to do.
"Just make sure you are not alone while you sleep." he looked at the Mikaelson siblings. "Stiles needs the energies of other people around even in his sleeping hours to feel stable. Being without them would set him on edge and therefore breed further instabilities." Stiles gave another tired smile, finally accepting the bottle.
"I told them about the intimacy thing." Calum nodded and led them to the door, not missing how Stiles passed the bottle to Klaus and the hybrid made sure to steady the young adult. He found it curious that while all of the originals desired to be around Stiles and his spark, it was the hybrid who kept the closest; seemed to care the most; be the most affected. When they moved to step out the door, Calum once more put a hand on Stiles.
"Do you wish to return to them?" he asked, and Stiles thanked him aloud even while he replied in his thoughts.
"Of course. But I made a vow." he let the vow itself flow into the witch's mind, and the witch gave his shoulder a squeeze, allowing him to move outside and back into the care of the originals. Calum closed the door behind them and then set to work, blocking his home off from the outside world with a wave of his hand. It was time to do what needed to be done.
