Disclaimer: teen wolf does not belong to me. Yay another chapter up, well a massive shoutout to cecld16, suzii3499, suntan140, lolsmileyface6, Iste, guest, guest, guest, babygirl2000aldj and Tazytara for reviewing, you all rock hopes like this one X

"I just realised how blue his eyes are"

Stiles was watching her steadily from where he knelt opposite her whilst she perched at the edge of his bed, staring down at the floor blankly. He cradled her hands in his larger ones, soothing the stone cold skin with his burning fingers. He was never normally this patient, he usually never had the capacity to stay still longer than two minutes let alone not end up putting his foot in his mouth but he stayed silent, listening to her speak.

"Did you see them? His eyes? I don't remember seeing anyone with eyes like that before... So blue, like the ocean"

"Yeah Kaylz... Yeah I saw" he nodded gently, flashing back to when the psychotherapists dragged Brian away, bundling him into the back of a padded van as he screamed and thrashed, his skin pale, his whole body seeming small and frail and his eyes... Stiles shivered, they were the worst. He was so used to Brian looking threatening and cocky, his gaze normally so dark, sometimes black, but when Stiles met his gaze it looked terrified and also very human. He saw how broken he was, his eyes wide with insanity and Stiles was met by the startling realisation at how blue they were. He had never noticed before, normally too wrapped up in his hatred for the guy, but now Kayla mentioned it yes... Yes they were an eccentric electric blue, shocking even but they still held a tone of softness around the edges and if Stiles didn't know who he really was then he would believe he was a genuinely nice guy.

"You know... When I went on that date with Brian-" his whole body clenched at that, his hands subconsciously tightening around hers, "-I didn't think then we'd be in this situation now... I just thought he was a jackass guy wanting into my pants... Never thought he would try and kill my friends"

"I called it" he muttered with a small smirk, trying to lighten the mood, "I saw his jackassness miles away"

She kept her gaze on the carpet though, her mouth twisted into a grimace, "and then I... I'm sorry" she apologised, "I shouldn't have kissed him"

"It's not like you wanted to" that he was 110% certain about, "he had to ingest the poison, you did what you had to do and it worked, your quick thinking paid off... Brian's gone Kaylz"

"I should've found another way" she whispered, "I should've..." She trailed off, pure guilt and confusion laced in her tone as her whole body froze.

"What? Let him beat you bloody? Let him break your bones again or-or force you into something?" He demanded, his voice as hard as rock, not so much frustrated at her but rather the situation, the fact that Brian, even though locked away, was still coming between them, "because if you didn't do what you did, if he laid another hand on you, I would've killed him" he vowed, completely serious as Kayla snapped her shocked gaze to his, "he had the upper hand and he would've hurt you again... badly" he raised a clammy palm to rest it across her cheek where a dark bruise was already forming from where he backhanded her with so much force he knew it jolted her neck painfully.

"And do you have any idea how that would've made me feel? Do you? Having to watch as he hurt you and hit you or-or touched you. I already have all these awful images in my head, replaying on repeat, imagining how you screamed as he broke your leg or how shameful you felt as he forced you into wanting him, I can't stop thinking about it. Every time I laid my eyes on him all I saw was how he hurt you, how he touched you... So you know what? If anyone dares tries to hurt you again, or make you do something you don't want to do or even looks at you the wrong way you do what you have to. I don't care how, just stop them. Use whatever ability you can because I will literally go out of my freaking mind if anything happens to you, do you hear me?" He didn't even pause for an answer before he let his hands grasp her shoulders tightly, shaking a little as this pure frenzied worry settled over him, "Kayla do you hear me?" He demanded as her eyes widened at how fierce and loud he was being, his nails curling into the skin of her bare shoulders.

"... Y-Yes" she answered but her tone was meek and quiet as she stared at him like she had never seen him before, her guarded green gaze clouding over with wariness.

He breathed a sigh of relief, the tightening tension in his chest loosening at her answer as he glanced down at his hands gripping her bare and fragile looking shoulders, gulping back the disgust he felt at himself as he dropped his hands, sometimes forgetting his own strength.

"I-I'm sorry" he apologised, cringing as she shuffled back on the bed a little, further away from him, "I shouldn't have shouted, I just-" he slowly shook his head, glancing down at his hands that had turned sheer white with anger and rage, "-I don't want you to feel guilty for doing something that protects you... I don't like seeing you hurt"

"I don't like seeing you hurt either" she whispered back tiredly, slowly reaching out to tangle her fingers through his hair before tilting his head up that had dipped down in shame.

"Just... Just promise me if you ever need to you'll do it again?" He asked, watching as she audibly gulped nervously at that, her face paling.

"Kissing shouldn't be a weapon Stiles" she sighed.

"If it saves your life? Then yes, it should"

"Stiles-"

Turns out that poison Deaton made up, the one with Brian's dead parents DNA, shouldn't have had that effect on Brian after all. It was only designed to strip him off his powers, to make him worthless and weak, to make him human, it wasn't meant to leave him a shattered mess, his mind jumbled up so much he couldn't even speak without blabbing about the stars or the bees. Turns out that was Kayla. All Kayla. She lost control, she got mad and kissed him with so much anger and resentment it did something no one really expected. She stole his sanity.

He remembered an extract from a research book he read way all those many months ago about encantados, about their abilities.

"Lips of an angel but the kiss of a devil"

He never really understood that before now. He just played it off as some whacko babbling about old fairytales but he got it now. Encantados had the enticing and endearing ability to capture the attention of many around them, able to charm and seduce but underneath that they could take away someone's whole being just by the faintest touch of lips against lips. A power so innocent looking it was deadly, like a poisonous flower in a meadow full of daisies.

But he didn't care about any of that. Why should she apologise for who she was? She didn't ask to be this way, she was born with it and people either had to accept that or shut up and leave her alone. He had accepted it a long time ago.

"Kayla, please. Don't argue with me on this okay? I don't want an apology and I don't want you feeling bad about the fact you kissed a guy to save your life, I just want you to understand I don't hate you for being who you are"

Immediately he regretted his choice of words, wincing as it made him sound like he was implying all she did was go around kissing and seducing everyone. She flinched like she had been burnt, her eyes narrowing as she dropped her hand from threading through his hair, his body hating the loss of contact.

"Seriously? Who I am?" She demanded, "you think that's who I am? Are you fucking kidding me Stiles?" She didn't sound mad per se, more exasperated and betrayed, "I hate doing this, I hate having to do this and don't for one second think I enjoy it"

He gulped, apology written all over his features, "I know-"

"Clearly you don't" she snapped, "I am not one of them" she was breathing heavily, obviously referring to her encantado ancestors, "I've done stuff I'm not proud of, especially when we were broken up, I mean I almost had sex with Brian for crying out loud but don't you dare accuse me of being capable of doing that willingly to you, don't you dare"

"I didn't mean it like that" he sighed, throwing his hands up in the air, "me and my big mouth... I just meant I don't want you feeling guilty or ashamed of where you come from. Come on Kaylz, you know I love you for that"

He watched as her jaw clenched tightly, her nostrils flaring and then he realised he put his foot in his mouth - again, "whatever - me and my inability to stop dropping my underwear are leaving"

"Kaylz-" for flip sake, why couldn't he talk properly tonight? His words coming out wrong and twisted and harsh as he tried to ramble out an apology as he stood up quickly, trying to grab her wrist but she pulled it from his grasp before he could hold on, storming towards the bedroom door.

Panic welled up in his chest, tripping over useless words as he darted in front of her, pressing his back against the door and holding his hands up.

"Just-just wait okay?" He asked gently, "I didn't mean it like that, I wasn't implying-"

"Stiles just move" she snapped, shaking her head at him, "I'm not in the mood. Just let me go before we end up arguing"

"We're not arguing" he claimed, "please just stay"

Her jaw clenched, her arms folding across her chest in a very defensive stance, "okay, whatever, you didn't mean it. Can you move now?"

He let out a dry chuckle, allowing his lips to quirk a little at her bluntness "come on... Please?" He pouted a little, his eyes softening, "you know my mouth always runs away from me before I have time to think, I've never thought like that and never intend to"

She studied him carefully, her eyes cooling down ever so slightly, "don't do that"

"Do what?"

She sighed as she met his soft gaze, "make me not want to be mad at you"

He couldn't help the lopsided grin that pulled at his lips, his body unclenching as he realised she wasn't mad, just hurt. The reminder of what she was and where she came from unnerving her and getting under her skin.

"Brian's gone Kaylz" he reassured her, "and it doesn't matter how because he can't hurt us again... He can't hurt you" he slowly reached forward, his fingers searching for her hands that she allowed him to grasp, her skin shockingly cold, "he's gone"

"For how long this time?" She whispered, meeting his gaze steadily, "how long before he's back and out for blood? He's done it before"

"That's not going to happen" he answered fiercely, "he's in Eichen House, he's crazy Kaylz, there's no way he's getting out of there and even if he did what's he going to do? Drool all over us?" She flinched at the reminder at how much Brian had gone completely insane, guilt crossing her features, "he's never coming back"

She broke their stare, her eyes falling to the floor, "I sent him crazy... I... I kissed him and he ended up insane... I ripped Kali's neck open with my teeth... I almost killed them... What the hell is going on with me?"

Stiles faltered at her helpless tone, rubbing the back of her hands with his thumbs. He knew what was going on with her, he saw it every time he looked in her eyes. He saw it no matter how hard she tried to hide it from everyone but he knew. He knew better than most. He was going through it with her.

"You're... You're grieving Kaylz" he answered simply, his tone soft and quiet as she snapped her gaze back to his, tears pooling behind her lids as she realised what he meant, her body stiffening at his words.

"You mean... You mean the b-baby?"

Yeah, their baby. He nodded a little, his chest tightening at her broken look, her expression beginning to crumple before she composed herself by biting down hard on her bottom lip, glancing to the side but he still saw the tears shimmering in her eyes, the light from the lamp reflecting off her glassy stare.

"Its only been a week Stiles"

'A week too long' he felt like saying, tired and hating the dull ache it left in his chest, wondering when the pain would start to fade, if only a little.

"Remember what you said? About talking to someone? I think that would be a good idea" she opened her mouth to reply, no doubt about to deny any help but he cut her off, "for you and me both"

She looked shocked at his admittance, her brows furrowing, "you still... Want to? Talk to someone I mean?"

"Yeah" he nodded, "it couldn't hurt" any more than it already was.

She watched him carefully, studying him like he was a complicated maths equation and Stiles suddenly felt flushed, like all his deepest darkest secrets and fears were unravelling in front of his very mind, like she was able to read him as easily as an open book.

But she just nodded, "o-okay... I guess"

"Emotions are linked to your power, just like it was like with Scott before he learnt to control it. Your anger... Your pain it's-"

"-making me unpredictable"

"Making you stronger" he corrected gently as her brows creased in confusion, "I saw what you did back there... You kicked the asses of three Alphas, Alphas okay? As in really freaking powerful werewolves, you have a lot of power Kaylz... You just need a little help to control it, that's all"

"And a human shrink is supposed to help with that?"

"Yeah, help you, us, deal with emotions in a healthy way and then I'll help you control it" he raised a hand to run it through her hair, trying for a gentle smile to lighten the situation, "after all, I am your anchor right?"

A smirk began to tug at her lips, her eyes rolling, "yeah yeah, don't get too cocky over that fact Stilinski"

"Too late" he grinned, "now come on, let's get some rest-"

But she shocked him as she grabbed his arm before he could slink around her, gently pushing him back against the bedroom door and wrapping her arms around his neck, her fingers slipping into the thick tendrils of sweaty hair as she kissed him and Stiles' mind went blank.

He missed this kind of contact, so much in fact that just the fact she was kissing him shocked him to the core. For the past week she hardly let him touch her or when she did he would always feel her clench up, her muscles tightening like it was a reflex to push his hands away which he understood, he totally got it, but whatever had changed with her was unexpected and made him still, his hands uselessly held out in front of him.

But she mistook his shock for reluctance, her lips breaking away from his to cringe at him, her arms loosening around his neck to slide down his chest.

"Sorry... You probably don't want to kiss me right now, or for a while... Or ever" she stepped back, her face screwing up like she was pretending to punch herself repeatedly, "I probably taste like blood or-or him or something, it was stupid-"

No, she tasted like herself and that was enough for him.

She cut herself off with a gasp of shock as he pulled her back towards him, his arm slinking around her waist and the other threading through her hair, supporting her against him as he kissed her deeply, stopping her from doubting herself.

It worked if the fact she kissed him back was anything to go by. Her hands fisted the front of his shirt, pulling him flush against her as he felt his fingers dancing across the bare skin of her waist from where her torn and bloody top had ridden up, the other sliding down to cup the back of her neck as he spun them around so he was now pressing her back against the door, his lips feverish and needy on hers.

He felt her breathe out a warm sigh as his tongue traced a line along her bottom lip before slipping in to touch her tongue, fireworks exploding across his brain. See? Brian hadn't ruined everything after all and now he never would.

He felt her hands slither down from his chest to grab at the belt loops of his slacks, pulling his lower body flush against hers so their hips met, his lanky legs intertwined with hers.

"Stiles" he was sure he heard her whisper against his lips, her fingers digging into his hips, "I don't think I'm ready for, you know, that-"

He pulled back instantly, his eyes widening as he blushed wildly at the implications, "I know, I know" he rushed out, "I wasn't expecting you to-us to... I wasn't meaning we should... That's not, I wasn't-"

"Stiles" she laughed lightly, delicately, like the sound of chime bells, "I know you weren't, relax"

He breathed a sigh of relief, dropping his hands from her cold body, "I just... Uh, don't want you to feel you have to... Take as long as you need, I don't mind" he answered honestly, not caring about that side of their relationship, just as long as she was happy and comfortable then he was too.

The faintest of smiles was playing on her lips as she stared up at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement and adoration, "I know... That's what I love about you" she took ahold of his hands, guiding them back to rest over her waist, "it's not about sex for you, never has been"

Just because he loved sex it didn't mean he loved it more than her, that was impossible.

"And it's not you" she continued, "God it's definitely not because of you, it's just..." She trailed off, glancing past his shoulder as she started to look uncomfortable and he felt like gently covering her mouth and telling her that it's okay, he understood but she carried on before he could open his mouth, "... After loosing the baby... It just feels strange and-and worrying... I guess I'm just being wary"

"Perfectly understandable" he nodded gently, "Kaylz don't worry about upsetting or offending me, I totally get it okay? Take as long as you need to heal"

She bit down on her bottom lip, her eyes latching onto his gaze, "being wary isn't very sexy though"

"Kaylz, you're sexy no matter what you do" he answered honestly, "take your time okay?"

She ran her hands up his arms, rubbing his biceps as she shrugged, "okay but when we do... Can we use condoms? Just at the start I mean, the doctor's changing my birth control but I can't take it until I get my first period and then it will take a couple of weeks to settle and, if I'm honest, I really don't wanna get pregnant again... - ever, like never ever again. I know you don't like condoms because you're scared you'll forget to wear one but-"

"Whatever you need" he interrupted softly with a gentle smile, "I'm chill alright? I am the definition of chill" she sent him a small thankful smile, looking relieved he was so chilled about it all, "what pill are they putting you on this time?"

"I have no idea" she just laughed a little, shaking her head, "something that will make me even more grouchy and irritable every damn month no doubt"

"Oh no" he joked, "better find cover"

"Har har, hilarious" she replied dryly but a smile pulled at her lips and soon enough she was full on grinning, "it's only for five days out of the month, I'm sure you can handle that"

"For you? I'd deal with that every day of the month" he smirked, sending her a playful wink.

"Sap" she shot back, tugging him forward towards the bed, "do you enjoy being so undeniably gushy and cliche?"

"Only when I speak the truth"

"Oh my gosh" she laughed and he felt a spike of amusement spread through his veins at her laugh, so carefree and so like her old self before all this crap happened to them, "c'mon babe, you hate when I get in those moods, in fact you're terrified, don't deny it"

"You get cutely aggressive and adorably psychotic, just as long as it's not aimed at me then we're all good here"

"Note to self: don't murder boyfriend no matter how annoyingly cliche he gets" she chuckled, quickly stripping off and climbing into a pair of long fluffy red pj bottoms and an equally fluffy fleece top that clung to her skin and covered her all up and at his confused look she just shrugged, "what? I get cold easily these days"

He just cocked an eyebrow at her attire again, still slightly taken aback by her outfit choice for California because this wasn't flipping Canada but he let it slide with a smirk, "yeah, I noticed, but luckily for you I'm pretty hot"

She slipped underneath the duvet, an eyebrow raised as she gave him a thorough once over, "I noticed that too" she said cheekily which made him laugh as he stripped off into a thin pair of plaid pj bottoms and pulled his shirt off and yanked his tee clumsily over his head, leaving him bare chested as he pulled the covers over him, holding out his arm, waiting for her to scoot over and lean on his chest.

He jumped a little as her cold feet intertwined with his own, holding back a small gasp as her cool hand came to rest over his bare chest, her head tucked under his chin.

"Wow... You are cold" he observed, "jeez Kaylz"

"Its okay though, I've got my hot water bottle now" he felt the smirk playing on her lips as she buried her face into his chest, his heat seeping through her skin, "night Stiles"

He trailed a hand up her back to tangle it in her hair, gently pulling his fingers through her loose hair and trying not to shiver as his flushed skin came in contact with her icy fingers that was slowly ghosting across his bare chest, tracing patterns over his freckled skin and despite the initial discomfort he soon settled down, raising his other hand to rest it over hers, warming her up.

"Yeah..." He smiled, breathing slow and even as he felt the weight of her on his chest, "night Kaylz" everything fell silent, the only sound was their breathing and the gentle ticking of the clock next to them on the bedside table, "but uh... Not to ruin this incredibly romantic moment but I kind of have a dead arm"


"Camden! Camden! Oh for the love of god-" Isaac ran after his brother as he stumbled down the street, just about ready to put a leash on him if he didn't stop acting so stupidly, "it's two am, where do you think you're going?!"

"I've told you" he slurred drunkenly, his feet crisscrossing as Isaac grabbed his arm, hauling him to his feet steadily, "I'm going to give those bastards a piece of my mind"

Not this again. For the love of Christ almighty-

"Yeah because you can totally swing straight" Isaac muttered sarcastically, grabbing his brother tightly before he tripped again, "come on Camden, let's just go home-"

"Home? Home?" His brother slurred loudly, "we don't have a home, remember?"

Isaac flinched at the reminder, not even bothered by the fact his brother reeked of gin and vodka, "maybe not but I have a family... You could too if you stop acting like such a jerk"

Camden stopped at that causing Isaac to almost slam into his back, "family? You think they're your family?" He demanded, his blue eyes were glazed over but fuelled with aggression, "they're not... They don't give a rats ass about you... Or me"

Isaac tried not to show how much Camden's words stung, his grip around his arms slackening.

"I'm going to ignore that jab because you're drunk-"

"Don't" Camden growled, "I'll still mean it while I'm sober now lemme go-" he pulled away from Isaac clumsily, stumbling at the sudden jolt and almost falling over, "-I'm going to give that pack a piece of my mind"

He started off again, wobbling about like he was on stilts and Isaac felt like just leaving him be, let him get what was coming to him for being so ridiculous and stupid enough to get off his head and leave the loft unprotected but his brotherly instincts won over - he had just got his brother back, he wasn't about to lose him again.

He darted forward again, just managing to catch Camden before he fell on his ass, "fighting the Alphas right now isn't such a good idea, in fact it's the stupidest idea I've ever heard. Not only are you human you're totally wasted"

"Don't remind me" Camden grumbled, struggling in Isaac's grip, "they deserve everything that's coming to them"

"I agree" Isaac said, his tone full of certainty, "but not by you... And anyway you heard Derek, Kayla already dealt with them"

Camden sagged at that, his back hunching over a little, "yeah? And how long do you think they'll let her get away with that?" Isaac frowned at that statement, worry flaring up in his chest, "Deucalion doesn't like to be undermined and she has a smart mouth. I'd watch my back if I were her"

"Is that a threat?" Isaac asked warily, the sting of betrayal leaving a bitter tang in his mouth.

"No" Camden scoffed but he ended up spitting everywhere drunkenly, "it's a fact... I know Deucalion... He's twisted"

"Kinda gathered that" Isaac grabbed Camden's arm, slinging it around his neck, "come on, Stilinski doesn't live far from here, he's letting me stay in the spare room - you can crash there"

"I'm not crashing anywhere" but never the less he let Isaac guide him along the sidewalk, the half moon overhead shining down and lighting their way, "I'm going to... To kill them"

"Sure" he decided to humour his drunk brother, anything to keep him settled and quiet, "I'm sure you will"

"I will" Camden declared loudly, "I'll rip their heads off... Deucalion should've just let me die"

Isaac flinched again, his grip around his brother subconsciously tightening, "no... No don't say that Cammy"

"Why not?" He asked miserably, his tone bland and bleak as he dragged his feet forward, "they hate me, your friends hate me, Laura hated me, you hate me, I hate me... Not a lot to live for"

"Shut up" Isaac immediately snapped, "just shut up, stop in the misery and self pity. I know people that have died, good people, and I've already lost too many people, I'm not loosing you too" he shot his brother a sideways glance, "no matter how pathetic you're acting right now"

"Pathetic" Camden chuckled drunkenly, "that's me - pa-thet-ic"

Isaac rolled his eyes, adjusting the grip he had around Camden as his walking became more sluggish and lazy to the point where all of his weight rested on Isaac's side and despite his werewolf strength he struggled to stop them both falling on their asses.

"Camden come on, work with me here" Isaac gasped, lifting up his brother again, "it's only just down this street"

"Y-You never met Laura did you?" Camden asked quietly, seemingly out of the blue as Isaac frowned down at his brothers bowed head, "she was... She was lovely"

He felt a sympathetic pang in his chest at Camden's saddened and distraught words, having not seen this vulnerable side to him in a long while.

"But we... We fell out... Apart of her hated me for who I was... Who I am" Camden slurred, "I-I killed and she couldn't deal with that... And then she died. She was killed and the last thing I said to her was 'just go and check on Zac and quit complaining'... Why-why did I say that? Why did I say that to her?"

"We all say things we don't mean" he knew better than a lot. All the things he said that he didn't mean would forever haunt him.

"Have you ever.." Camden started but ended up almost retching, stopping and doubling over, "have you ever loved someone?"

Isaac stopped short, his jaw slackening as these questions got just a little too personal for his liking.

"... Not exactly" he held his brothers' shoulders tightly, steadying him, "at one point I thought I did but I didn't... Not really"

"And did you lose them?"

"Almost, but no" a small smile tugged at his lips, "she's my best friend now"

"Then you're lucky" Camden was quiet and his tone was low, coated in misery, "when I lost Laura... I couldn't grieve, Deucalion thought it was a sign of weakness, I couldn't even come home to lay flowers on her grave... Being back here? It's like loosing her all over again. I see her everywhere"

"Yeah" Isaac whispered softly, "when you were out of it you thought Kayla was Laura"

Camden flinched at the reminder, placing his hands on his knees, "she looks just like her... Same eyes, same bad attitude"

Isaac snorted at that, "isn't that right"

"I just... I miss her" he admitted, the drink making him sappy and emotional, "I miss her keeping me in line"

"Well...-" Isaac coughed to clear his dry throat, "-you've got me for that now. No matter how big of a dick you are I'll still be here keeping you right and that's a promise"

He didn't expect his brother to stand up at that, his legs wobbling underneath him as he placed a strong hand on Isaac's shoulders, his nails digging into his shirt.

"Zac... I..." Isaac waited on tender hooks, waiting for his brother to say something back, anything, a thank you, an insult, even a drunken rambling would be enough as long as he saw a sliver of the old Camden in there but what he didn't expect was his brothers' face to screw up in disgust and hunch over like he been punched in the stomach, emptying the toxic contents of his stomach all over Isaac's sneakers.

"Cammy for the love of fuck-"


"You can join me if you want" Cora called out as she dangled her legs over the edge of the loft building, looking down over the quiet town, the lights dazzling her brown eyes. She wasn't stupid, it was rare for people to creep up on her but luckily for the girl watching her from the shadows she knew she wasn't an enemy otherwise the outcome wouldn't be all that pretty.

She felt the blondes' embarrassment even with her back turned and Cora couldn't help but smirk, biting back her smile.

"Sorry" Erica apologised, walking up behind Cora with a sheepish look on her face, "I didn't know anyone was up here and you looked to be in your own world"

Cora waved off her apology, keeping her back turned on her friend, "it's fine... Free country"

She felt Erica's presence as she took a seat next to her on the ledge, allowing her long legs to dangle off the edge and both fell silent. It wasn't awkward silence - it was surprisingly comfortable, like they both basked in the quietness.

Cora hadn't known Erica all that long but she liked her. She seemed the type of person that could hold her own and wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. Cora admired that in someone.

"What were you thinking about?" Erica asked quietly, keeping her gaze fixed on the horizon ahead, "not too be nosy or anything but Hales all have the same poker face that I still haven't figured out yet"

Cora's lips quirked proudly, her plain brown hair gently blowing in the wind, "that's one of our traits"

"Ive noticed - Derek, Kayla, you, you're all very similar... Freakily similar actually"

Cora flashed back to the many arguments they had all had, some more lethal than others, "yeah, sometimes too much" sometimes they just clashed too much, "and Boyd to answer your earlier question... I was thinking about Boyd"

She felt Erica clench at that, her body tensing, "me too... I was thinking about how much I missed him"

Cora held her composure though she felt it slipping. Boyd had been her rock, which was something Cora didn't like to admit, the whole time in the vault - he was cool and calm and collected and would talk to Cora about what anime he liked and didn't and what comic book was next on his wish list. She remembered them talking about Deathnote and how Boyd used to collect all the old superhero figurines. He took her mind off things, he made her forget that they were trapped in a vault with no one knowing where they were and made her laugh like any friend would do.

"He just got out and then he died... It wasn't right" Cora muttered through clenched teeth, "you know, he wanted to study in Washington, he had family out there. History major" Cora mumbled quietly, "and now he doesn't get to"

"It's not fair is it?" Erica whispered gently, "he was a good person"

"The best person" Cora corrected, "before I found Derek and Kayla, before I saw they were alive and hadn't burnt to death in the fire he was all I had"

"You have them now though... Kayla and Derek, they're alive"

"Alive but broken" Cora smiled sadly, still avoiding Erica's steady gaze, "I didn't just come to beacon hills looking for a pack, I wanted my family back... But I was foolish to believe things could just go back to how they were before. Things change, people change"

"They love you" Erica soothed, "I had never seen Derek happier than when he realised you were okay and Kayla? She looked like a massive weight had been lifted off her chest, like she could breathe again"

"Well one runs away to his girlfriend's to avoid me and the other hates me, we are just the perfect little suburban family" she commented dryly but to her surprise Erica laughed, the sound carrying through the still night air.

"Having a perfect family sounds boring" she joked, "trust me, things will get better"

Cora tilted her head to the side, catching the blondes gaze and holding it steadily, "is that so?"

Erica gulped, looking shy and flustered but remained staring deep into Cora's eyes, "I-I'm sure" she nodded, "things have to get getter eventually"

"Wasn't aware you were such an optimist"

"I'm not, I'm just talking from my ass and hoping to get you to smile" and shocking herself and Erica both she did actually laugh. She didn't know why but she felt a bit of tension leave her body, and soon she found it hard to stop. Maybe it was stress, or nerves, but either way Cora Hale laughed freely and Erica was sure she had never heard anything more beautiful.

"I like you" Cora decided, sending Erica a friendly nod, "I can see why Derek chose you... You're a lot like Alice"

Erica paused, a frown pulling between her brows, "Alice?"

"Our older cousin... She was in the fire" and it was clear tone of voice she didn't want to go into any more details than that, "Rose's daughter... You remind me of her"

"I guess that's a good thing?" Erica asked hesitantly, wincing as she realised what and come out of her mouth - stupid, stupid, stupid.

Cora didn't seem offended though and just nodded, "a bit rough around the edges, a little wirey but she had a good heart" Cora tilted her head to the side, their gazes clashing again, "just like you"

"You don't know me that well"

"I know you well enough" it seemed Cora had an answer for everything and her posture was eerily still and calm, her stare boring holes through Erica's, "if Derek and Kayla trust you then I do too"

"Not at the start she didn't... Kayla" she added when Cora's brows creased, "we hated each other"

"Kayla hates everyone" Cora waved her hand dismissively, "when we were eight she pushed the friend I had since kindergarten from the tree house, even back then she was a little psychopathic" Erica's lips quirked at that, "but she trusts you now, that's the main thing"

"So I have your blessing?" The blonde joked earning a small but strong single nod from the brunette, "thank god, I don't want to be on the bad side of any more Hales"

"What side do you want to be on then?" Cora asked slyly but casually, turning back to watch the moon dazzling and sending silvery light floating through the still night air but didn't fail to notice Erica's bug eyed look.

"W-What?" She asked in shock, her face flushing.

"What?" Cora smirked, playing dumb.

"Did you just... Was that you hitting on me?" Erica asked, frowning in confusion.

"Depends if you wanted me to hit on you"

Erica sat there bamboozled, her legs dangling off the drop of the building, "I... I don't know"

"Never mind, you're probably straight, all the kickass girls seem to be these days"

"I... I don't know to be honest" Erica cursed her stupid answer, "I never really put much thought into it. I guess I was too busy crushing on Stilinski to notice anyone else"

Cora cocked an eyebrow disbelievingly, "Stilinski? As in Biles...? He seems to be quite the chic magnet"

"Stiles" Erica corrected, "and he is now... He got hot and buff over the summer"

"Hmmmm" it was clear Cora didn't really understand, "not really my area of speciality"

"I figured" Erica held back her grin, "but I was too caught up in my schoolgirl crush to explore... Or figure myself out" she bit her lip, glancing at Cora shyly, "when did you know? Y'know, you were-"

"Gay?" Cora shrugged, "my whole life I guess but I started crushing really badly on my classmate in sixth grade, Lindsey something or other, always wore her hair in pigtails. I guess that's when I knew I was... Different"

"Nothing wrong with being different"

Cora shivered, remembering the names she got called, the sly remarks by anyone that turned their nose down on her just because she wasn't "normal" - "I don't care anymore, I used to but now if anyone makes a comment I'll just slash their throat open"

"Another Hale trait" Erica grinned widely, "unnecessary use of death threats"

Cora chuckled quietly, swinging her legs back and forth like she used to do when she was a little girl and her parents would take them to the lake or the beach, her bare feet swishing back and forth through the crystal clear water.

"Do you want to figure it out? Who you are?" Cora asked, "because I can help with that"

"You can?" Erica asked hesitantly, "how?"

"Close your eyes" Cora said, her voice softer than usual. She knew how hard and worrying it was not knowing who you really were, how confusing it was so even if she could give Erica a helping hand it would mean she did something right.

Erica looked nervous but obliged, allowing her long lashes to flutter shut, bracing herself against the ledge as Cora leaned forward a little, her warm breath fogging the air up around them. She glanced down at Erica's lips, soft and shiny with lip gloss, slightly parted as small quick breaths of air were forced from the small space and Cora just gently allowed her lips to touch Erica's, passing off the jolt of electricity that passed between them as nothing more than shock and anticipation. She felt Erica still against her, letting out a small gasp before her breathing stopped completely. Cora didn't know whether to take that as a good or a bad sign but Erica didn't pull away in disgust so that must mean something right?

She pressed her lips harder against Erica's, just for a few seconds before she pulled back, hiding her smirk as Erica still sat there a little gobsmacked, her eyes still closed and her eyelids shut.

"Did that help?"

Erica snapped her eyes open, jolting back in shock and almost tumbling off the ledge.

"Uh... I don't know"

"You seem to be saying that a lot"

"You're confusing me" Erica shrugged, "making me questions things"

"Is that a bad thing?"

Erica paused, a thoughtful look crossing her expression, "... No... No not really" she bit down on her bottom lip, hyper aware of the fact her palms were sweating nervously and her heart was racing in her chest, "but I wouldn't mind doing it again" Cora raised her eyebrows, a smirk dancing on her lips, "you know... For scientific reasons"

A laugh bubbled in Cora's chest but she pressed it down as she grabbed Erica's chin and pulled her back towards her.

Maybe it wasn't such a bad night after all.


Meredith Walker was having another 'episode'.

The type of episode where the doctors and nurses had to physically restrain her, forcing her into restraints on the bed while she thrashed and kicked about wildly, her distressed screams echoing down the corridor.

They tied down her feet first, struggling with the sudden strength her lanky arms possessed, her terrified wide eyes boring into the ceiling.

"No... No... You have to let me tell them, you have to let me tell you, you have to-you have to-" she cut herself off with a scream as a large burly man pierced her delicate pale skin with a needle, bruising her skin, "no-no-no- they have to know... The darkness-the darkness is coming... It's coming-" her panicked voice almost deafened the people around her, her busy thrashing on the bed like a fish out of water, "they'll die.. They're going to die... Three will die, three-three-three-three-three-"

Her voice was getting weaker and more slurred, the sedative kicking in but she still pulled wildly at the leather bounding her ankles and wrists, "three will die... He lets the darkness in and three will die... It's his fault, all of it will be his fault-"

Meredith cut herself off with a shocked and pained gasp, her torso and chest exploding in agony, like a knife or a blade had punctured right through her very body, like three swords had cut her open.

"Three... Three will fall... I have to... I have to tell... Tell them... Three will fall" and with that she gasped before the drugs overtook her system and she collapsed back against the mattress, her face wet with tears.

A)n) I'm so sorry it took so long, so busy with college and stuff and placement but I sure how you all liked and please please let me know what you think, see you next time X

Also updated bedroom adventures the other day, check it out ? and follow me on tumblr, same name as pen name X