So this is a purely fluff piece dedicated entirely to Isaac. After I specifically stated that shouldn't happen. Oh well, I'm a lying liar who lies.

It does have the side effect of developing some truly underdeveloped characters.

A week after the whole Fenris fiasco, during breakfast with just the two of them, Isaac said to Derek, "I have a difficult discussion I need to have with you."

Derek had been astounded by the changes in Isaac in the past week. He wasn't reacting in fear, he was rarely anxious, and he seemed more confident. Derek said, "Whatever you need to say, I'm here to listen."

Isaac said, "I merged with Camden. Which means I have memories from his time in high school."

Derek nodded. Camden was two years older than he was.

Isaac said, "He saw you then with Kate. He knew something was wrong. But he didn't know who to tell and this was before me too. Male victims of sexual assault weren't given nearly enough respect. He had suspicions about the fire, but was scared of speaking out. Knowing everything now, we are afraid he had the power to stop the fire."

Derek sat silent for a long moment. "There was a time this would have been more upsetting. But I've really worked through much of my rage this week with the whole Ken thing. We can't drown ourselves in could haves, would haves, should haves. We move forward the best we can. Camden was a kid. Speaking out against Kate likely would have put him in danger. I'm happy you told me this, had the confidence to tell me this."

Isaac nodded. "It's a lot easier to have confidence now. It's not Camden's confidence, necessarily. Camden loved me unconditionally. And I loved him. So that connection being internal, it's the same as self love. And that was why I didn't have confidence, I didn't love myself."

Derek said, "You've taken this whole merge thing very well. Did you know you and I have the strongest bond in the pack? I think Camden is a separate member, in his own way."

Isaac asked slowly, "Wouldn't that make me a beta and a gamma wolf?"

Derek said, "Quite possibly. We'll have to see at training this afternoon."

Isaac said, "I want to do a few things before training. Mind if I leave for a few hours?"

Derek said, "Go ahead." He paused. "Are you 16, 25, or 41?"

Isaac said, "Yes? I guess wouldn't count 41, since life experience below age 13 definitely doesn't count twice. Maybe 28? Maybe 16 going on 25? My life is beyond bizarre."

Derek said, "you chose a unique path. Go on, I'll clean up."

Isaac ran very slowly over to the Stilinski house. It was very hard to slow down to human speeds when he knew how fast he could really go. This was probably still full sprint for most people, but still technically human speeds. It was only 2 miles. Isaac hadn't even broken a sweat.

Isaac politely knocked on the door. The sheriff answered the door and said, "Hello, Isaac. Stiles is with Ken and Jackson right now."

Isaac said, "I wanted to speak to you, sir. Would you mind taking me to the gun range?"

Stan was confused, but moved towards the car. "Ok. But why?"

Isaac said, as they got in, "Did Stiles tell you what happened a week ago?"

Stan nodded. "Stiles keeps me in the loop. I said I would handle the fireworks display where you were at to keep police involvement minimal."

Isaac said, "Camden was in the Army. I want to use those skills as well.' A variety of responses to a variety of situations' is something his drill Sergeant said."

Stan said, "'the correct tool for the correct situation' is what my police academy instructor taught. It's why locally, the cops don't draw their guns first always. Werewolves have a habit of being hammers, and seeing every situation as a nail. No offense."

Isaac laughed. "We utilize our gifts without necessarily covering our weaknesses. In gaming terms, I'm hoping to be a 'switch hitter.'"

Stan scrunched up his eyes. "I know this one. Capable enough at short and long range?"

Isaac said, "particularly since I'm a 'glass cannon', bordering on a 'speedster'."

Stan said, "You seem hardy enough, especially now that you're eating well."

Isaac said, "I'm the weakest wolf. Objectively. I promise I'm not putting myself down. I'm super fast though."

Stan asked, "Have you considered adding a martial art based on that to your repertoire?"

Isaac said, "No. That's something I should do. Camden was just a kickboxer. And CQC."

Stan said, "CQC is pretty relevant. Swapping closed fist with knife for open jabbing claws seems easy enough. And CQC is based on building on the basics yourself."

They arrived at the range. Isaac put together several guns with military precision. He had tight clusters with a 9mm. Less precise with longer range weapons, but still always within serious wound zones. Stan joked, "you shoot better than half the force. I'm happy to do this whenever you would like."

Isaac said, "Let's do this once a week. Maybe I'll convince a few other pack members to join in. Allison prefers a drawstring, but could probably be convinced."

Stan said, "Can I give you a ride anywhere?"

Isaac said, "I'm a speedster, I prefer to run. Thanks for the offer."

Isaac ran over to Danny's place. He politely knocked on the door. Mrs. Mahalani opened the door. "Hello. I don't think we've met properly. Your… Isaac, right?"

Isaac said, "Yes, ma'am. Is Danny home?" Isaac knew he was, but the Mahalanis' weren't in the know.

Mrs. Mahalani said, "upstairs and first door on the left."

Isaac said, "I won't be long. Just a quick chat."

Mrs. Mahalani said, "stay as long as you like."

Isaac went up to Danny's room and knocked. Danny shouted, "come in."

Isaac walked in to see an explosion of color but a very neat room. Pride flags, posters, Knick knacks, and a very large computer dominated the room. Danny was on his bed over a very old book, with his laptop next to it. Danny said, "oh hi Izzy. What's up?"

Isaac said, "Um, I just wanted to talk with you about something. What are you working on?"

Danny said, "Kahuna stuff. This book is in a language no one in my family can even read, because Hawaiian is so critically endangered. A page takes nearly an hour. Then there's interpretation versus translation, which quite frankly I don't really have the head for. I'm a programmer. I'm used to working in very literal settings. And there's no native writing system, so the original is essentially English transliteration, which means no helpful hints for meaning like silent letters in English. At least there are no loan words. Hawaiian was an isolated language for too long."

Isaac said, "It's not much, but Camden was stationed in Hawai'i for 6 months and tried very hard to learn the language. He did that for every base he was stationed at. He was fully competent at Hawaiian Pidgin. Not that he considered it hard. Spanglish is harder to follow. I could sit down with you and see if I can help some time. Stiles is also always capable of seemingly whatever, as is Lydia."

Danny said, "No wonder you had an inferiority complex. How many languages was Camden semi competent at?"

Isaac said, "in order of skill: English, Spanish, French, Farsi, Arabic, and Hawaiian. Plus could pull off most creoles of any of those. He had a skill for language. Sucked at math though. I'm so much better at it. And Science, when I'm not being beaten daily."

Danny was taken aback by Isaac's casual self praise, and also actual acknowledgement of his trauma. Merging spirits was a good thing for his friend. "So what did you want to talk to me about?"

Isaac paused, "Merging has made me look deeper into what it meant to be either Camden or Isaac than either of us really did. And now I'm grappling with a lot."

Danny said, "You know that the pack is here for you no matter what, right?"

Isaac said, "Camden fooled around with guys and girls when he was alive. He enjoyed both equally. I won't say I was asexual before, more that my systematic sexual abuse made me sex repulsed."

Danny interrupted, angrily, "Hold up, you were sexually abused by your father as part of your punishments?"

Isaac said, "oops. I had sorta been hiding that so no one would think less of me. Not that being a victim makes you less. That's trauma talking, which I am not doing anymore. I guess I am more ready to face my trauma. But yeah, sexual abuse made me have difficulty relating to sex in a positive or healthy way. But now, Camden's healthy, and even slightly unhealthy sexual experiences, are overwhelming my negative connections. Which means my own feelings are surfacing. On a subconscious level, I joined the Lacrosse team because you guys were hot. Also it decreased my beatings and proved I was 'man enough' to avoid sexual abuse completely, at least as long as we won. So I'm stuck between being bi, being gay, pan, I don't know right now."

Danny said, "Sexuality is a spectrum and labels can be dumb. If nothing fits easily right now queer works. Or, though cultural appropriation here, you technically qualify as a 'two-spirit.' You could also choose no label now until one does feel right."

Isaac said, "I think I'm comfortable with queer."

Danny said, "perfect. Now promise me you will talk to an adult about the sexual abuse? I know enough to know Mr. Stilinski and Mr. Whitmore can't do much directly without evidence. But you need to speak to someone you trust."

Isaac said, "I'll discuss it with my therapist. Derek can't know though."

Danny nodded. "Derek is touchy about that."

Isaac said, "I should get going. Got to eat before training."

Danny said, "I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind you staying for lunch."

Isaac said, "I'm sure. I want to get some diner food."

Isaac ran over to a locally owned place called Joe's. It was technically a bar, but before 4, kids were fine as long as they didn't try to order beer.

Joe was Camden's best friend. Also, at one point, his boyfriend. Though the relationship didn't last, mostly due to Camden's unwillingness to come out of the closet, they were amicable afterwards.

Joe was the 'bartender' for the shift. He froze when he saw Isaac sit at the bar. Then he asked, "Aren't you a bit young for a drink?"

Isaac put up his hands and said, "I'm just here for food. It's so empty, I didn't want someone coming out just for me, plus the table for one is taking up too much space."

Joe nodded. "Can I start you off with anything?"

Isaac said, "can I have a burger, white cheese, extra lettuce and tomato, no pickle, ranch dressing, and grilled onions, onion rings, and a Coke?"

Joe said in a hushed breath, "Camden, is that you?"

Isaac nodded sadly, "I'm his brother."

Joe shouted back to the kitchen, "one Camden, all the way!"

Isaac said, "you put his order on the menu?"

Joe said, "Course I did. First of all, it's good, second, it's unique. My food is better than my beer, but beer pays the bills." Joe got Isaac's drink while talking.

Isaac said, "realistic. Camden respected that in people."

Joe said, "That he did. Respected hope more though. Why he joined the army. He hoped to see the end of the war."

Isaac's burger came out, juicy and delicious. This had been a burger he would occasionally order to remember his brother, but now he enjoyed it as Camden did. Maybe more so, considering how the wolf felt about beef.

Isaac said, "I actually knew you knew my brother before coming here. I'm preparing to, well, go through everything from my old house. Camden never really moved out. I was hoping you would be there, maybe get some of his things to some of his old friends. I'm not the only one who misses him, so I want others to have momentos." Honestly, Isaac felt he missed Camden the least now, but that was beside the point.

Joe said, "that's real thoughtful of you. Yeah I can make time. I'm in charge for a reason. I'll give you my number and I'll speak to your guardian about this. You live with Hale, right?"

Isaac nodded. "Yeah, Derek's great."

Joe said mysteriously, "It's a good thing he came home, too."

Isaac looked curious. "Why is that?"

Joe stated, "Gramma always said, 'Hales stay near, nothing to fear, Hales away, demons soon to play.' My family has been in Beacon Hills nearly long as the Hales."

Isaac's head was whirling, "Any other pearls of wisdom from Gramma?"

Joe said, "See a Hale running? Run catacorner from 'em." Isaac pondered for a moment. A bystander couldn't know if the pack was fleeing or charging so just going away was the right choice.

Isaac said sagely, "Sound advice."

Joe said, "The old families know sheepdogs from real wolves."

Isaac froze. Did the town actually know what the fuck was going on? Joe continued, bordering on teasing, "that was some strange fireworks display last week. Lucky the forest didn't burn."

Isaac said, "yeah it was a doozy."

Joe dropped his voice low, barely even a whisper, below most human hearing, "The old families are preparing for dark times. Have been for years. Tell the sheriff he has allies if he asks carefully." Joe walked off.

Isaac was confused. This town's secrets had secrets, he swore.

Foreshadowing, fluff, another chapter in too few days.