Authors Note: HEYO! XD Please tell me what you think; I would love to know XD I own nothing and no one, apart from the following: Sam Campbell, Charlie Jones, Zane, Chase, Gabriel, Ben, Mia, Veronica, Xavier Jason Danvers, Harlequin,Stiles' fox = Melrakki (Rak), Stiles' wolf = Okami (Oki), Derek's wolf = Cana.
JUST SO YOU KNOW: like everyone else, I have no idea what Stiles' real name is, so I'm going along with what everyone else puts :) and I've made his middle name up XD
Please, please review XD
You guys are all so amazing and I love you all! In a non-creepy non-psycho kind of way XD
Chapter 45 - Part 1
Stiles
I woke up far later than I intended to on Thursday morning. I could hear everyone talking downstairs, my door still open just a crack - I just lay there for a while, after I had come back from the bathroom, staring at the ceiling for a while. I just smiled to myself, shifting slightly in my bed, just thinking back on everything that lead me to this point.
It was crazy and it had nearly been a year! It had been eight months and fifteen days!
So much had happened and it hadn't even been a year yet. So much had happened...and I finally had a home. It had made a massive difference to, not only me, but to Okami and Melrakki as well - my wolf and fox were both far calmer than they had been before, the two of them not as high-strung or on their toes as they used to be. The three of us were just relaxed.
"And about time." Melrakki yawned, stretching out. "I can actually sleep now."
I couldn't help but smile harder. It was a huge weight off of me, knowing that I - we - were safe, knowing I had people that would have my back whenever I needed them. I liked knowing I had friends.
As I lay there, I just let my mind drift, not really thinking about anything. I never really had a lazy day before, just spending a little more time to just lie around in bed. I kind of liked it... It was strange, don't get me wrong - I was used to being up and out of bed way before anyone else! But I liked it.
I couldn't really tell you how long I lay there, before there was a knock on my door - it wasn't like I was watching time go by. I grunted a vague questioning noise, giving whoever it was the go ahead to come on into my room, which, thankfully, was what they took it as.
"Stiles?" Harlequin whispered, softly.
Turning my head to look to the door, I found the kid standing just inside my room, the door pushed slightly shut behind him. He still looked so unsure, still just a little scared of everything - and why wouldn't he? It actually caused me physical pain to see this little boy so worried.
Before I said anything to him, I beckoned the kid over to me, getting him to climb up onto my bed and lay down next to me, my arm around his shoulders. He was still clinging onto the elephant, his thumb rubbing back and forth along the body of it subconsciously.
"You ok?" I asked once he had gotten settled.
As he nodded, the Fairy shuffled closer into my side, his head resting in the dip of my shoulder. He just lay there, no expression on his face - completely relaxed.
"He kept staring at me." Harlequin sighed, his free hand grabbing onto my t-shirt. "He was thinking about sending me away, again."
"Who was?" I frowned, moving my hand back and forth on his arm slightly.
"The one that used to be a lizard."
Now, yeah, that surprised me... No one had said that Jackson had been a 'lizard'. No one had mentioned anything about him being anything other than a werewolf. So how the hell did he know about it? Had someone mentioned it when he was around? Had someone said something to Jackson?
"They didn't say anything." Harlequin admitted. "I read his mind."
"You can do that?" I asked, eyes wide before frowning again. "Does this have something to do with the being able to see into people?"
I just felt a nod against my shoulder, the small boy slumping slightly.
It was amazing just how easily Harlequin could fall asleep, to be honest. If he was comfy and if he felt he would be safe, the kid would be out like a light! It was hard to wake him up though, but that could be a good thing...
Smiling to myself, I gently shifted until I could get both arms under the kid, picking him up so I could carry him downstairs - there was no harm in letting him sleep for another hour or two...
Letting Harlequin sleep on the couch in the living room, the rest of us gathered in the kitchen, sitting around the table to have a late breakfast - obviously I put some aside for the boy in the room next to us.
It was rather quiet - not an uncomfortable quiet, but a familiar and relaxed silence. Everyone was just content to just be. I had already warned everyone about the new insight into Harlequin's powers, adding to the list of things I had told them before from my research. It may have made some of them a little more wary of the boy, but at least it wouldn't surprise them later down the line.
Leaning back in my chair, I glanced off to the side at the open kitchen door. The sky was cloudless, the sun easily shining down and casting shadows, inching slowly to the west as the Earth spun around. Even from where I sat, I could feel the sun's rays on my skin, could feel myself heating up lightly. The heat was pleasant - not like in Dallas where it felt like you were burning alive! No, this was a nice heat. Though it would have been nicer if the heat was drier. I closed my eyes, breathing deeply for a moment as I kept myself facing the door.
It would be nice to do something outside today...
"Stiles?" Allison's voice asked.
Opening my eyes, I turned my face back to the group and hummed slightly.
"Would you be offended if I said you reminded me, a little, of a Disney Princess just then?" she queried.
"Course not!" I grinned. "I've wanted to be a Disney Princess since I was, like, four!"
All eyes turned to me then, everyone looking a little taken aback. Some looked as if they wanted to laugh - not viciously, but just because of the absurdity of the situation.
"When you're a kid you don't really think about the whole gay and straight thing. You just see on TV that girls and guys are with each other." I explained. "I always watched and thought I would love to be a Disney Princess - live somewhere nice, have great friends, get the guy... I mean, come on, Disney Princes are hot!"
"You're nuts." Erica laughed, affectionately.
"It's true though! Look at Prince Eric; Flynn Ryder; Aladdin; Shang... Look me in the eye and tell me they aren't good looking animations!"
They all just laughed, giggling quiet as they grinned at me.
"Like animations, do you Stiles?" Jackson snickered.
"Fuck yeah! You don't even want to get me started on Anime guys!" I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "There are too many Animes to name and way too many hot guys in them - Sebastian Michaelis, Eren and Levi, definitely Rin if he was a little older - hell, even Yukio; I'd be a twin sandwich! Hm, maybe even L and Light, Kirito - though I suppose I should call him Kazuto... And definitely the guys from the Host Club! Well, maybe apart from Honey... Not that I've read any of them yet - I really need to do that..."
Ok, so sue me, I was an Anime/Manga fan... It was awesome! Plus, no one could say it was for kids! I mean, come on! Black Butler, Attack on Titan and Death Note were hardly for kids! All the death and stuff... I don't think any of those are suitable for children.
"I have no idea who any of those people are." Isaac muttered, hums of agreement spreading around the table.
Yeah. Bad thing to say to me...
"What?!" I squeaked. "No, this won't do! We are getting those DVDs and I am forcing you all to watch them!"
"Why don't we check Netflix first?" Lydia suggested.
"Neta-what?"
"Netflix. You pay for an account and you can watch any movie or TV show that's been uploaded onto the site."
"And you're only just telling me?!"
It was around lunch when Harlequin woke up. He wasn't overly hungry, but I knew that would change as soon as food was put in front of him. It was around this time, when everyone was trying to agree on what to eat, that Sam and Charlie strolled into the house.
"Sup, bitches!" Sam yelled gleefully as she bounded into the kitchen, letting go of Charlie's hand to jump on my back.
I caught the blonde easily, hooking my arms around her legs to keep her from falling off, rolling my eyes as Harlequin giggled.
"We tried calling, but none of you were picking up." Charlie smiled, waving to everyone as she walked fully into the kitchen. "Wanted to know if you all wanted to grab something to eat with us at Johnny's."
Johnny's was the new diner that had opened up. Well, I say new - it had been this rundown, boarded up place ever since I had moved to town, nothing going on with it as far as I could tell. Then, all of a sudden, only a few weeks ago, Johnny's had opened in that exact spot. It was this 1950s style diner, looking like it had come straight out of Grease. We hadn't had the chance to stop in there, but we had all heard great things about the place...
A silent agreement rang out through the rest of us, no one having to ask if we were all cool with it. To be honest, if Sam and Charlie didn't turn up, it probably would have ended with us going out to eat anyway!
I liked how no one needed to speak for us to know what the others were thinking. It was something that I had never had the pleasure of being involved in before. I remembered that, when I was younger and in Dallas, probably elementary school age, I would see groups of friends hanging out and messing around with each other. I would see how they all would be able to agree on what to play, where to go, what to do without saying a word, all of them linked somehow that just let them know what they others were thinking. I remember sitting there, seeing all of it, just wishing that that could be me. I just wanted that to be me - the one with friends that friends like that...
It took a while, but I finally had my wish...
"Just give us a sec to get ready and we're there." I chuckled, bending my legs so Sam could get off my back easily.
"We need to go home and grab some things anyway." Charlie sighed, wrapping an arm around Sam. "Someone decided that dragging me out of the house, without our bags, was a good idea."
"They weren't answering their phones!" Sam protested, pouting slightly - though she would deny it if anyone mentioned it.
"Why don't we just meet you at the diner? Whoever gets there first can grab a table." I suggested. "That way, there's no rush."
With a small glare in my direction, Sam agreed, muttering to herself as she and Charlie went towards the front door. The redhead called back a 'See ya in a bit', giggling slightly as her fiancée dragged her out.
Shaking my head slightly, I couldn't help but grin. Sure, it had only been a few short months since we had known the two girls, but I couldn't help but feel as though I had known them for just as long as I had the others. It was strange, but that was how I felt.
Turning my attention back to everyone else, I watched as some started to make their ways towards the stairs to finish getting ready - Lydia, Allison, Jackson - whilst others went to sit in the living room to wait - everyone else apart from Harlequin and I. Looking at the group in the living room, I couldn't help but laughed when I noticed how bored they already looked. I would admit, Lydia and Jackson were awful when it came to getting ready - the strawberry blonde trying to find the perfect outfit for the outing and fixing her hair and makeup to go with it, whilst the blond fussed with his hair - but they had gotten a little better as time went on. Grinning to myself, I put an arm around Harlequin's shoulders, walking with him towards and up the stairs.
"Can I take Phantasia with me?" Harlequin asked as we walked, looking up at me with hopeful eyes.
"Course you can!" I told him, smiling. "I won't tell you no."
It took me all of ten minutes to shower - it was amazing how fast you could be when you didn't have to deal with an incorrigible hardon! It was ridiculous how many boners I had been getting since April 6th, the day I had my wet - in more ways than one - dream about Derek... It was like, ever since then the gates had opened! Though, I suppose, five years of having no 'self loving' had to go somewhere at some point...
Sighing, I grabbed some clothes, throwing them onto my bed before digging out some boxers, slipping them on underneath the towel before throwing the wet fabric into the hamper. I know I could had threw the towel off before putting on my boxers, but it was a habit I couldn't break - besides, you never knew if someone was going to walk in without knocking and waiting for you to let them in. You had to love them.
As I walked towards my bed, reaching out a hand to grab my jeans, I caught a glimpse of myself in the full length mirror that was attached to one of the doors of my closet.
Huh...
Even though I still looked like me - pale, scarred, tattooed - I couldn't help but notice it. I knew that I looked different than what I did when I first came to Beacon Hills, but I never thought the change to be this much. Or maybe it just seemed like a lot to me... My hair was definitely longer, not by much, but enough to be able to style it a little; I had put on some weight, no longer looking anorexic like I use to...well, technically I was anorexic, but that was beside the point; though I still looked pale, it wasn't this sickly, ghostly looking pale, rather a healthy pale, not that that really made sense; my eyes didn't look so sunken in or dead, there was actually some life in them again.
The entire time I had been thinking it was only a mental and emotional change I had gone through... Not once did I think of the physical change. I actually look healthy, I looked alive. For the first time since my mom died, I looked alive. And that was a lot to handle.
I honestly never thought I would get back to this - get back to looking like a person and not something that crawled out of its grave. I never thought I would live to see my twentieth birthday, but here I was only two months and twenty one days away from it. I thought that I would have killed, or at least have killed myself, by now...
But I hadn't. I hadn't done any of that.
Sitting down on the edge of my bed, I couldn't stop looking. I knew some people would think I was being vain, but I just couldn't get over the change in me. So I just sat there, staring at my reflection as I let a few ears fall down my cheeks, not being able to hold back the small sobs or the relieved smile.
I just sat there and let myself cry.
I let myself cry for my mom.
I let myself cry for my dad.
I let myself cry for all the shit I had gone through.
I let myself cry for the wonderful people I had come to know.
I let myself cry for me.
I just let myself cry.
I couldn't tell you how long it took before I had pulled myself together enough to get dressed - not that I had stopped the tears just yet. I continued to wipe my face as I pulled on every item of clothing, including my shoes, hoping they would stop before I went down stairs.
Sniffling slightly, I ran my hands down my face, grabbing some toilet paper from the bathroom to blow my nose. Honestly, I was such a wreck! Chuckling to myself I made to grab my jacket. I was just about the grab the material when a knock came from my door. Before I had a chance to move, my door opened slightly, just a crack - well, at least they didn't just walk in...
"You decent?" Derek's voice asked through the gap.
"Yeah, you can come in." I croaked, my voice rough from the tears.
Instantly, Derek pushed the door open, his face pulled down into a frown. As soon as he saw the tears on my face, the Alpha wolf was in front of me, lifting his right hand to cup my cheek to brush them away with his thumb. Subconsciously, I leant into the gentleness of his hand, loving the feel of his skin on mine.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice as gentle as his hand, concern flooding his scent.
"It's nothing." I sniffled, chuckling slightly as I grabbed my jacket. "Nothing's wrong."
Derek's head tilted to the side, his left hand lifting a little to rest against my ribcage before my arm could drop against my side again. I couldn't stop my face from heating slightly, not that Derek would be able to tell considering the redness from the tears. I couldn't tell whether Derek knew what he was doing when he would hold me like this, if he knew that he was doing these innocent things that people would think of as very coupley with someone he wasn't dating - and probably wasn't interested in.
"Then why are you crying?" he frowned.
"They're happy tears, Derek." I sighed, contently. "I'm just...happy."
More tears leaked out of my eyes, a few hitting the edge of Derek's thumb. He just continued to brush them away, his frown easing up until the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"And what, pray tell, has you this happy?" he muttered, stepping just a little closer.
"I've changed." I grinned, tears flowing over my face. "I've changed in so many ways and it's just... It's all good. Everything's good."
I watched Derek's face as he took the information in, his eyes softening far more than I had seen before. With just a little tug, I stumbled slightly into Derek, the Alpha's arms coming up to wrap around me - his left arm around my waist, his right hand cradling the back of my head. Dropping my jacket to the ground, I shifted until I could get my arms around the man in front of me, my arms sliding around his torso and my hands gripping the back of his t-shirt. The Alpha wolf didn't seem to care his t-shirt was getting wet as I cried, his only reaction being to hold me tighter against his solid frame.
"You've come a long way and it hasn't even been a year." Derek whispered, running his fingers through my hair. "You've changed and, in turn, it's changed us. You made things right."
My hands gripped Derek's shirt tighter as I pushed my face further into his shoulder. I couldn't stop the tears, even if I wanted to. I couldn't tell what was wrong with me - why I was acting like this. I had never been one to just randomly start crying... The only time I would cry was when Dad or Zane were, or had, beat me. This happy crying was all new to me.
But I liked it. I preferred happy crying to any other kind of crying.
By the time Derek and I got downstairs with Harlequin, we had already got a text from Charlie saying that she and Sam were at the diner. We all quickly made sure everything was in our possessions before we left the house, locking the door behind us as we all jumped into the cars - Jackson, Lydia, Danny and Isaac in Jackson's car; Allison, Scott, Boyd and Erica in Allison's car; Derek, Peter, Harlequin and I in Derek's car. It was easier just using the three cars instead of spreading out more, making parking a whole lot simpler.
It took a lot for Harlequin to sit back and let Derek drive us, always insisting that it would be much quicker for him to fly. Of course, we had to sit him down and explain why that wasn't such a good idea, but he still mentioned it every time. Thankfully, the kid could hide his wings, as well as dim his fire burning eyes to a point where they could look something close to real. It was handy for when we went out and it didn't seem like it was something that hurt him, unlike the acting as if he was an actual fourteen year old. He had his stuffed elephant, Phantasia, with him, just like I said he could. The blue toy was clutched in his hands tightly, as if someone or something was going to take it away from him. To be fair, I had been like that with Wolfy too, never wanting the wolf toy out of my sight, so I could understand.
As we took the fifteen minute drive to the diner, Peter would turn to face us from the passenger seat, making sure to include the young Fairy in every topic of conversation. Peter, Derek and I seemed to be the only ones that really tried to get the kid to open up, trying to make him feel a little more comfortable and wanted. Harlequin was all up for it - when it was just the four of us and, sometimes, Sam and Charlie, though mainly Charlie. But, hey, what was I to do? Harlequin had only been with us all for a few days, it wasn't like I could flip a switch and everyone would get along; I couldn't flip a switch and get him to come out of his shell. It didn't work like that; it would take time.
"So Stiles tells us you can hear our thoughts." Peter smiled, a few minutes before we were supposed to get to the diner.
"I-I don't mean too. Sometimes I can block it out..." Harlequin sighed, staring down at the elephant in his lap. "Some people just think louder than others. I'm sorry..."
"Oh, it's perfectly fine, my boy - no harm done. I was merely curious. Does it hurt at all?"
"Only a little now. When it first started, it hurt a lot... I got really bad headaches."
Harlequin lifted a small hand to his forehead, rubbing it slightly as his shoulders slumped a little. The three of us noticed this - Derek looking in his rear-view mirror.
"How bad did they get?" I frowned, shifting so I was turned towards him.
"I wouldn't be able to stand up." he whispered.
"Do you have one now?"
"It isn't so bad; it's only small."
I practically felt Derek and Peter stiffen slightly at the change in his heartbeat. Sighing slightly, I raised my hand so I could gently move it through Harlequin's white hair - my mom would always do that for me when I was a kid, the soft motion relaxing me and dulling the pain. At first, the boy flinched at the contact, the pressure obviously building in his head a little more. But, after a moment, he leant against me, closing his eyes to block out the light.
"How bad is it? On a scale of one to ten - ten being you can't walk?" I whispered to him, knowing he could hear me.
"A six, maybe?" he confessed, his had still rubbing at his forehead a little.
"Here, let me try a little something." Peter murmured.
Harlequin opened his eyes slightly to see Peter extending a hand towards him, slowly. The boy just sat there, trusting the older wolf - and me - letting him do what he wanted. Peter's hand landed softly on the side of Harlequin's head, his veins slowly turning black as the kid whimpered slightly. Peter took as much of the pain away as he could before we pulled up in front of the diner.
"How does it feel now, my boy?" Peter asked, smiling warmly.
"About a four." Harlequin sighed, relaxed. "Thank you."
Even though he said it didn't hurt as much anymore, I still made sure to carry the boy into the diner, just in case...
We spent, about, three hours in the diner, eating and talking and, with some food and orange juice, Harlequin's headache dwindled down to nothing - thank God. Surprisingly, the kid actually talked to the others, without having to be encouraged by someone - sure, he didn't say much, only a sentence or two, but it was a big step for him!
So, anyway, it was getting close to four o'clock when we all left the diner, all of us agreeing to just walk around for a bit before heading home. Everything was fine, everyone popping into a few stores every now and then if it interested even just one of us. It just gave us all something to do that was calm and fun. I mean, it beat just sitting around the house bored.
But, because of Sam and I, things didn't always stay fine for long.
People in the town still didn't like us. Sure, some people kind of brushed everything off or realised we hadn't actually done anything to hurt anyone, others weren't as smart. Nine times out of ten, whenever we went somewhere, someone would make some sort of comment.
This time was no different.
We had all just been walking back to the cars, Sam resting her head on Charlie's shoulder as we walked, their hands laced. It was one of those relaxing moments where no one had to say anything, we were all content with the silence between each other.
And then this fucking dick bumps into Sam, calling us 'fags'.
Naturally, because it's Sam and I, you expect us to go bananas. To be honest, I was just about too, completely forgetting the affect it could have on Harlequin for a second. But it didn't happen. Sam surprised me too much by what she did.
The blonde huntress had this massive smile on her face, straightening up to face Charlie.
"Babe! Did you know we're fags?!" she yelled, excitedly.
"What? No way, Babe! When did that happen?" Charlie gasped, her tone full of faux-shock.
I just watched the two, unable to keep my laughter in as they continued to talk about them being 'fags' and talking as much shit about this asshole as possible. This guy's face went so red, the anger rising in him. It was so strong in his scent that I don't think you needed sensitive smell to smell it. However, underneath it there was a different scent - embarrassment. He seemed to be embarrassed by what was going on...
As soon as Sam realised, she just smirked wickedly, jumping into Charlie's arms and wrapping her legs around Charlie's waist, pulling her into a kiss that really should have been given behind closed doors. As we all chuckled, Charlie spun Sam around slightly, keeping a tight hold of her fiancée.
"WE ARE FAGS! WE ARE FAGS!" was the muffled chant that came from Sam as she was spun, pumping one fist into the air as best she could.
It didn't take long before Danny and Isaac joined in, the two couples flooding the streets with their yells.
No one but me realised that the asshole had made a run for it.
"Why did you do that?" I grinned as soon as everyone had settled down. "I thought you didn't appreciate being called that?"
"No point in being ashamed." Sam shrugged, panting slightly. "Being gay isn't the problem, people are. If you give power to a word, the world will never learn."
And that was so true. How many words have been given that kind of power? How many people had suffered at the hands of a word that had been given too much power? Too many.
Before I could outwardly agree with my friend, a little hand tugged at my shirt. Glancing down, I found Harlequin standing there, frowning slightly in confusion.
"What's a 'fag'?" he asked, unsurely, as soon as he noticed he had my attention.
"It's a mean name - an insult - some people call gay people." I explained, sighing slightly. "Not everyone use it, just the mean people."
At this, Harlequin's face fell. His eyes became wide as his mouth pulled down at the corners. It wasn't hard to tell the kid was upset, anyone could see.
"I don't like it." he whispered.
"Neither do I, buddy. Neither do I." I told him.
The sun was slowly moving towards the west as I sat in the living room, just staring at my laptop screen. It was one of those days where I wanted to go out and do something, but I just didn't want to be around people other than the Pack and Harlequin - especially after what happened on the way back to our cars... Which was why I had been researching old dykes - it was like a dock, only there was no place for boats to come it. A weird thing to call it yes, but that was its name. The only problem?
I couldn't find one secluded enough.
Then again, I suppose looking up the working one around us wasn't the best idea. As soon as that thought popped into my head, I simply went on Google Maps, typed in our address and started looking at the area around the house, seeing if there was anything close to us - hence, the staring at my laptop screen.
I paid no attention to Jackson and Danny's roughhousing.
I paid no attention to Allison, Erica and Lydia whispering - though I did hear mine and Derek's names quite a lot.
I paid no attention to Boyd and Scott discussing their jobs.
I paid no attention to Isaac trying to convince Derek of something or another, with Peter adding in a few unhelpful comment.
I even paid no attention to what Harlequin was talking about to his elephant, as he sat on the floor and leant against the armchair I was on, my hand carding through his startling white hair - it seemed to calm him; make him more relaxed around the others.
I just focused on what I was doing, trying to find somewhere for us to go! I mean, come on, there had to be somewhere in the Preserve to go!
And, after almost an hour of searching Google Maps, I found it. It wasn't too far into the Preserve - not to mention on the opposite side of where we found Harlequin, so that should be a plus. The only reason I didn't find it sooner? Well, I hadn't looked on that side of my screen...
Tapping Harlequin on the head, I waited for him to look at me before stretching my arm to the side. The kid just jumped up, crawling onto the arm chair with me, sitting half-on-half-off my lap. Wrapping my arm around his shoulders, I turned my laptop until he could see, pointing at the area I had found. He looked at the place, frowning slightly as he bit his lip, turning to face me with a curious look. Instead of saying anything, wanting his opinion before I said something the others could head, I tapped my head, silently letting him know it was alright to read my mind if he wanted. It was a gesture I had worked out with him that afternoon when we were driving back home, something that Derek and Peter had quickly agreed to as well. We didn't want to make him think it was wrong to use these powers that were so unique to him - it was like telling us not to use their strength or heightened senses, telling all of them not to use their healing to help others, telling me not to use mine to absorb the panic.
Subconsciously, Harlequin smiling a little - just a little twitch of his lips, but a smile none the less. His eyes unfocused a little as he focused solely on what I was thinking. It only took moments for him to hear what I was thinking, his head tilting to the side - oddly enough, it looked exactly the same as when Derek did it...
"What do you think?" I asked, quietly, once his eyes refocused.
"I think it could be good." he whispered back. "W-Will they?"
"Will we what?"
Turning my head around, I found Derek stopping next to me, leaning against the side of the armchair as he gave a small smiled to Harlequin. I was rather surprised how well he reacted to the kid. I mean, sure, he had been good with me when I was still living in Beacon Hills as a child - and Peter had also told me stories about Derek and his own girls - so why wouldn't he react well to a kid? I don't know how else I expected him to respond, however.
"Like the idea of us all going fishing." I grinned. "I found a place not far away - secluded. We could pack some food, grab some gear..."
"That, my boy, is a marvellous idea." Peter grinned, calling from across the room. "I'll pack the cooler."
We had to make another trip into town since there was no fishing equipment - none whatsoever - in the house. A few of the Betas even raided - and by raided, I mean went into and paid for things - a nearby store for more food and drinks, dragging Derek with them so they could get a few more beers and soda.
It didn't take long, however, until we were at the little place I had found, getting the map up on my phone so we didn't lose our way, our cars at the edge of the Preserve. It was fairly easy to set up, laying out blankets on the grassy bank, only setting up a couple of chairs nearby.
There wasn't much to look at - just grass, trees and the water. However, with the sun slowly going down - though nowhere near sunset just yet - it still looked nice. It was probably made better because of the people I was with, but still.
Smiling a little, I cracked open the lid of the cooler, plucking out a beer as I set up my fishing rod, baiting the hook with ease. It may have been a while, but I still remembered how to fish! I dug the edge of my rod into the ground, keeping it up and steady as I fell down onto the blanket, resting on one had as I opened my beer with another, taking a long gulp of the bitter liquid. It took moments before the radio Danny had been fiddling with sprung to life, a soft tune playing from its speakers. I hummed along quietly, content to just sit there and relax, just waiting for something to take a bite.
Now, it took me a little longer than it should have to realise it. I know it sounds strange, but it did - I was just too wrapped up in my own little world to notice. But, as soon as I realised that only Peter, Derek and I were the ones really fishing, I couldn't help but ask why.
"Well, none of us have actually fished before..." Allison admitted, quietly, rubbing the back of her neck.
"What?! How could you have never fished?!" I squeaked.
But they all just shrugged their shoulders.
Before they could even blink, I had them all sitting in front of me, all with hooks in their hands and the bait near them, taking a hook of my own as I taught them how to bait a hook. I took it slow, doing it step by step and letting them follow me. It was strange having to slow it down so much, just used to getting it all done as quickly as possible, but for them I would.
It only took a few minutes before they all had their rods lined up with mine, Peter's and Derek's.
"Derek, I can't believe you never took them fishing!" I scolded. "You love fishing."
"I guess I forgot how much I enjoyed it." he shrugged.
I took a few hours - and the sun was setting - when everyone had caught a fish. They newbies needed some help reeling their lines in but, all in all, they did a great job on their own. I was thankful when I wasn't the only one to give praise, Derek and Peter jumping into say how well they had done for their first tries and comparing it to the disasters they faced when starting out - of course, back then, Talia decided it for the best for them to try and figure out for themselves fist... I think she just liked the laugh!
Even Harlequin offered words of praise, surprising everyone. I don't think the kid noticed just what he was doing, emboldening him slightly.
As we were securing the last fish in the container we had brought with us, I was asked just how much I had been fishing over the years. So I told them.
"My dad loved to fish. When I was three, he took me on our first fishing trip, showing me how to do everything, helping me catch my first fish... We would do it every summer, even when we moved to Dallas. Mom would come with us sometimes, packing some sandwiches and stuff. We would always catch a fish for dinner; just having some fund family time." I told them. "It's one of my favourite memories of the three of us together - before she got too ill, before my dad went into a spiral of depression..."
It was one of only a few things I could remember doing with both of them when I was a kid; dad worked a lot, so we never saw a lot of him... But our fishing trips were a must every year - no ifs, no buts, no coconuts!
"But that was then; gotta live in the now!" I said, jumping up. "And, right now, I'm sweating my ass off."
Getting up, I walked towards the stereo, turning it up just a little louder than, probably, necessary. It was enough to leave your ears ringing after turning it off, but it didn't hurt those with sensitive hearing.
"Careful, you'll scare the fish away!" Peter called over to me.
"So what?" I grinned. "We're done fishing."
And, with that, I jumped off the dyke and into the water.
Under the water, I heard the muffled cries of everyone calling my name. Honestly, they should know to trust me!
I broke the surface only moments later, shaking the water from my hair like a dog as I bobbed, laughing at the shock on their faces. You would have thought, after everything, that they would realise it'd take more than water to end me. Bless their little hearts.
"Jump on in guys! The water's great!" I chuckled. "Or are you all too wussy?"
As soon as the word left my mouth, all the guys jumped in with a battle cry, leaving the girls on dry land with Peter, Derek and Harlequin. The force of their combined splashes was enough to soak us all, though.
The girls, however agitated they were at getting wet, had no problem jumping in, trying to dunk everyone in reach, huge grins on their faces as they swam after everyone.
Derek and Peter? Well, they were dragged in by Jackson and Scott, the two eldest wolves spluttering as they resurfaced, speeding off after the others.
As they continued to try and dunk each other, they moved a little further away from where we had all first jumped in, leaving some calm waters for a certain little kid. Harlequin looked nervously at the water, not knowing if he wanted to get it or not, every now and then taking a step away and a step forward.
"You don't have to come in." I told him, gently. "If you want, you can just take your socks and shoes off, just put your feet in and sit on the bank."
"I do want to." he sighed. "I just... I don't want Phantasia getting wet."
"No, we can't be having that! Why don't you go put him in my backpack? That way he can stay dry and safe. Yeah?"
Even though he perked up a little at that, I could still see some hesitance.
"He'll be ok?" he asked, cuddling the toy closer to him.
"I promise." I nodded. "He'll just be having a little nap."
Just like that, Harlequin ran over to my backpack, quickly giving the elephant a small kiss on the head and placing him inside before running back over to me. He skidded to a stop just on the edge of the bank, looking at the water curiously.
"I've never been in water this deep before..." he admitted.
"It's ok. I'll be right here." I promised, reaching out my hand to him.
After a little thought, he took my hand, sitting down on the edge of the bank slowly as he placed his legs into the water, up to his calves, squealing a little at the coldness. He stopped like that for a moment, kicking his legs lightly as he kept hold of my hand, tilting his head curiously as the water.
Letting go of my hand, Harlequin reached out his small arms to me, his eyes large and hopeful as he looked at me. Chuckling slightly, I wrapped my arms around him, lifting him into the water as his arms wrapped around my neck. Even when he was in, he didn't let go, content at just being held in the water. To be honest, I was a little worried about letting him go anyway, just in case... I mean, I didn't know how deep the water was! But he seemed to enjoy it, giggling softly as he watched the others play around.
Derek
It was late when we had gotten back to the house. Everyone had stayed in the water for an hour, maybe two, before drying off on the blankets for a bit, packing up little bits as we were there. By the time we were dry, it was dark.
Peter, Stiles and Harlequin rode with me, just like that afternoon at lunch. Only, this time, Peter drove with the boy in the front, Stiles and I in the back together. Of course, that was mainly due to the fact he had fallen asleep against me. Every now and then, the Fairy in front would turn to look at Stiles, grinning and giggling a little. The kid wasn't so bad - a little distant some times, unless with Stiles, but not a burden or anything. He actually seemed to help Stiles a bit, giving him someone to focus on - I mean, he hadn't had any nightmares or flashbacks since the kid had been with us! Besides, Harlequin was a sweet kid. Naive as hell, but sweet.
As he glanced towards me, grin still of his face, I brought my finger to my lips, winking slightly. It only made him giggle more, trying to muffle the sound with his elephant as he turned back around.
Sweet.
Stiles shifted slightly as he rested against me, his head falling fully onto me. Using the arm I already had around him, I dragged him a little closer, kissing the top of his head. I couldn't help that little contact... It was the only way I could get away with it. I had done it before, although those time he had been awake, and he hadn't gone running like he had all the times when I had accidentally kissed him. I suppose because it was his head and not his lips, he was a bit more comfortable.
It was torture. Trying to hold back and not take him into my arms and kissing him; trying not to lock him in my room with me; trying not to claim him every time I saw him. It was driving me insane!
"Well... We could." Cana whispered in my head. "Just shift him around a little bit and BAM! We can sink our teeth right into his pretty neck!"
"Oh God, why are you up?!" I growled back, jaw tightening slightly.
"Your thoughts are getting exciting, do you really think I'd go to sleep now?"
"You're an asshole."
My wolf just shrugged, grinning smugly at me.
Honestly! Now, I won't lie, I love Cana. He's my wolf, of course I love him! He's always been there for me. But he could be such an annoying little shit! I swear to God, it was like he was still the sixteen year old version of me - only more annoying! And hornier... I didn't know what was up with the horniness, I was completely fine!
"Says the guy who hasn't had sex since Kate." Cana whispered - like that made a difference when he was in my head.
"Don't say her name, we never say her name!" I yelled. "Besides, just because I haven't had sex doesn't mean I've never done...stuff."
"Oh, I know. First there was the hand job from that guy Jake, in the local library, back in New York at nineteen. Then the blow job from that Joey, at the movies, back in New York at twenty - God, he had a wicked tongue! What else? Oh! The dry humping with that girl Crystal at that bar, on our twenty first birthday, again back in New York. And that was it. Apart from that, it's just been you and your hand. I'm surprised you don't have carpal tunnel."
Clenching my eyes tightly shut, I tried valiantly to ignore the mutt in my head, trying to focus on something to get him to go away. All I needed was for him to fall asleep, then there would be no waking him until the morning.
It was going well. I was just sitting there, ignoring the beautiful guy leaning on me, keeping my attention on the plans for Jackson's birthday in only ten days. Much like Peter's, we had planned a party for him - though, hopefully, we'd have no food fight. Whilst that had been fun, the clean up was a bitch.
Mentally, I went through a list of everything we needed, making sure everyone had gotten their present for him or at least what they were doing for it, making sure everything would be ready. Of course, that's when:
"HELLO!" Cana yelped, his eyes widening slightly as he started panting.
As the car went over a bump, Stiles had been jostled enough for his hand to shift and land in my lap... Right on top of something it shouldn't have been. Like a switch had been flipped, my back went ramrod straight, my eyes turning into saucers, trying as hard as I could not to make a sound - whilst Peter could tell what was wrong, due to the looks I got in the rear view mirror and his quiet chuckling, I really didn't want Harlequin to wonder what was going on and turn around.
Not happening, not happening, not happening.
"Oh, but it is!" Cana sang.
"This cannot be happening!" I screamed.
"I very much like this development."
I was sure Peter purposefully went over bumps after that - there was no way there was that many bumps on the way home! Every bump in the road meant Stiles moved.
Stiles moving meant his hand moved.
Stiles' hand moving meant the tiniest amount of friction going.
That little bit of friction meant an erection.
I was dealing with a boner and I had to, not only get myself out of the car, but Stiles as well! And walk past everyone and letting them in on the fact that I had a boner! By some small miracle, Harlequin was asleep, so Peter just picked the kid up and carried him inside. There was one small comfort!
Sighing, not wanting to delay the moment for longer than necessary, I opened my door, and slid out, careful to hold Stiles steady so he didn't fall. Careful not to wake him, once I was out of the car, I took him into my arms, adjusting him after I kicked the car door shut, heading for the house.
If I walked funny, no one said a thing.
If I heard quiet snickers as I walked into the house, well...I just had to think of some 'fun' training exercises, didn't I?
As I walked, I cursed whoever invented stairs.
I also cursed Peter for convincing me to renovate the house to exactly what it was like, before the fire! There were far too many stairs to walk up when dealing with the issue in my pants, that issue not being helped by the half-wolf-half-fox in my arms!
The fact that I made it to Stiles' room in one piece was nothing short of a miracle, quickly placing the nineteen year old on his bed before running into my room, closing the door before running into my bathroom, making sure to lock that door behind me.
As quickly as I could, I set the taps for my shower running, stripping out of my shoes and clothes as fast as I could, taking out some clean towels and placing them on the counter ready.
Thank God this house is soundproof!
After remembering to test the water, just in case, I jumped into the shower, feeling my entire body relax under the hot stream. The pressure did wonders for the tension I carried in my neck and shoulders.
Of course, I still had a problem to take care of.
Groaning slightly, I decided that washing my hair and everything else could wait... This problem had to be dealt with. Before I exploded.
Leaning a hand on the wall in front of me for balance, I used the other to take hold of the thing that had been bothering me the entire ride home! Sure, water probably wasn't the best form of lubrication to use, but it worked! I had no time to get anything else.
Slowly moving my hand, I fell into a familiar rhythm, closing my eyes as I let my mind race.
Stiles.
Stiles smiling.
Stiles laughing.
Stiles talking.
Stiles moaning.
Stiles panting beneath me.
Stiles walking.
Stiles bent over.
Stiles naked, jerking himself off.
Stiles riding me as hard and fast as he could possibly go.
Stiles.
So many images jumped into my mind; so many images of what I wanted to do if and when the time came. I wanted to lay him out on my bed, panting and moaning, his skin flushed from pleasure as I kissed him all over. I wanted to hear him calling my name, hear him begging for something, anything.
I wanted him.
Gradually my pace grew faster, twisting my wrist on the upward stroke, my claws of my other hand digging into the tiles.
I could feel the pressure building, I could feel the need to just let go. But I just needed on more little thing!
Stiles, laid out on my bed, panting and flushed. Covered in his own cum, mine pushed so far inside of him he could almost taste it. The two of us tied together by my knot, his neck bleeding from the Mating Bite.
Mine.
I was gone.
I had spent, about, half an hour to forty five minutes in my bathroom. I had been so close that I didn't need much time to just whack on out. However, I hadn't been expecting another to pop up after I had finished washing. This one, of course, took far longer.
I was so tired by the time I got back into my room, just wanting to collapse onto my bed. And then I remembered I had left Stiles door wide open. Groaning, changing into some sweats, I left my room to go to the one next to mine, intending on just closing the door and heading back to bed.
As soon as I got to Stiles room, I heard a soft noise coming from inside. Frowning, I walked in, closing the door behind me. In his sleep, Stiles face was screwed up tight, whimpering and trying to cower away from something.
More like someone.
Walking over to his side, I couldn't help but reach out a hand, moving a lock of damp hair out of his face, the back of my fingers passing over the soft skin of his cheek. How could he look so scared, yet look so gorgeous? I just wasn't right!
As he whimpered again, flinching slightly, I cupped the side of his neck, slowly leaning towards him to brush my lips across his forehead. For some reason, to me, it seemed right. Almost immediately, his face slackened, the whimpers stopping.
Of course, though, he had me in a death grip.
Looks like I'm staying here tonight.
Rolling my eyes a little, I carefully moved both Stiles and myself until we were both laying comfortably. He lay with his back to my chest, his head tucked under my chin, both hands grasping the arm I had around him.
Like this, I couldn't help but think how nice it would be to end everyday like it. Lying next to him and watching him sleep. It was a nice thought, but one I didn't think would happen for a long while, if at all.
Sighing slightly, I just pulled him back tighter against me, his scent surrounding me, even with the water from our swim clung to him. I was sure I could pick his scent out in the busiest city! It was a relaxing scent, a sweet scent. It was the scent I loved the most.
I couldn't help but bury my nose into the top of his head, nuzzling slightly as I started to settle down.
I was doomed when it came to this boy.
Completely and utterly doomed.
Stiles
When I woke up, I was surrounded by warmth. It was more than just being sleep warmed, it felt more like being cocooned in blankets. Though it was strange, I couldn't help but curl up into it further, just wanting to stay that little bit longer in the comfort of the warmth.
Of course, I didn't expect the warmth to be, well, solid.
Blinking, dazedly, I tried to turn around, to see just what was going on. But I couldn't move. That had never happened before, I had always been able to move freely when I woke up, nothing preventing me from turning over...
Did I put something there last night?
Last night...
I didn't remember getting home last night.
I remembered being in the car, starting to drive home. I remembered Harlequin grinning, as tired as he was, chatting away to Phantasia and even Peter at times. I remembered feeling exhausted, trying to stay awake.
That was all I remembered.
Frowning slightly, I went to sit up as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. There had to be a reasonable explanation!
I didn't get very far.
As soon as I had started moving, I had been pulled back against the solid form of what was behind me. That was when I glanced down and saw the arm that lay across my side, the hand attached to it resting against my chest.
Derek's hand.
"Well, looks like we missed out on some fun last night!" Okami snickered, stretching out as he woke up. "Oi, Rak! Look what Stiles did!"
"About fucking time." Melrakki yawned, burying his face deeper into Okami's fur.
"Guys, we didn't do anything!" I growled. "At least, I don't think we did..."
Far more awake than before, I managed to gather what little strength I had to turn over, facing Derek.
Derek looked far younger than twenty five as he slept. He was relaxed, peaceful, not having to worry about keeping everyone safe. Lifting my hand, I couldn't help but reach out with a finger and lightly trace his face, moving some hair out of his eyes as I went.
God, he's gorgeous!
"Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him!" Okami chanted, quietly.
"How about, no." I glared.
"Why not?!"
"One, he's asleep. Two, we're not together."
Okami rolled his eyes, huffing as he dropped his head onto his paws.
"But he's our Mate." Melrakki offered. "He wants it too."
"No he doesn't. Now, shut up, the pair of you!" I groaned.
Sighing slightly, I knew I had to wake him up. As much as I wished we could stay like this, we weren't together. And Derek wasn't even bisexual - as far as I knew, anyway.
So, shifting until I could grab his shoulder, I started to shake him gently, calling to him to get him to wake up.
All I got for my efforts was a groan, the arm around me pulling me against him even tighter.
"Derek, you're kind of crushing me." I whined, trying to push the wall of muscle away.
Again, the arm tightened.
"Derek!" I yelled, hitting his arm as hard as I could.
The Alpha wolf yelped, jumping so hard that he rolled out of the bed as he let me go, landing in a heap on the floor. He landed with a massive thump, grunting as the wind was knocked out of him. Sliding over to the edge of the bed, I peeked over to look at the heap of werewolf on my floor.
"You ok?" I asked, cautiously.
"Yeah... 'm fine." he croaked, clearing his throat. "Why are you in my room?"
"Derek, you're in my room."
That was enough to wake him up.
He was up on his feet, eyes wide open, as soon as the words left my mouth, looking around to see that, yes, he was in fact in my room. He frowned for a moment, his head cocked to the side, staring at nothing as he tried to piece together what had happened.
It was not fair, how he could be so hot and so cute at the same time?!
Please, please review XD
Thanks a lot everyone XD