1.4

As Scott walks to his class after so many days being with Danny, he has never felt more free from the idea of being alone. Someone to give stability and also, a bed away to see his boyfriend. Just thinking of the word makes him want to say it, like this neurolingustic urge to say it and roll it like at the tip of his tongue.

"Boyfriend," he mutters happily to himself.

"Who's boyfriend?" says a voice behind him. Scott jumps with a scream that echoes across the hall when he hears the voice, and Isaac looks at him with an amused look, as if the unintentional scare gave way to a smile that slowly creeps on to his face.

"Don't do that, Isaac," says Scott while catching his breath. He places his hand on his chest before giving a nervous laugh that soon blew out into full blown laughter. Isaac joins in the laugh before the two composing themselves, "Where's Allison?" he asks good naturedly.

Isaac stares at him for a moment, before chuckling for a moment, "How was your date with Danny?" he asks back, avoiding the question.

Scott, who's confused about the change of topic, scrunches his eyebrows before answering, "Um, well. He and I are a thing," he replies honestly. Isaac nods at him; looking everywhere but him when he hears the declaration, "You still haven't answered my question, Isaac,"

"Doesn't matter, Scott, he replies before tightening his grip on his bag strap, "You have a good day, McCall,". He leaves Scott, but not without Scott grabbing his shoulder, turning the man around to face him.

"Where is she, Isaac?" he asks with worry creeping into his eyes. Isaac breathes out, his mood really crushed when the question is repeated to him.

"I broke up with her," he replies, "Because of you,"

~RETURN~

Derek returns home with a doubtful look on his face. Stiles is at home, with his laptop probably glued to his eyes by now, knowing that he has applied online courses that make his schedule looser and relaxed not only for Stiles, but for Derek too, as quoted by the former. He walks in, and drops the keys in the bowl, and sits down on the sofa, relaxing his body of the long walk that he has voluntarily chosen to take.

Stiles comes out of his room and smiles when he sees Derek. He walks to him before giving him a kiss to his lips. Derek kisses back, but could feel the strange yet stomach churning sensation that is running through his system. He pulls back and sees Stiles rather unperturbed by the shift of mood. "I'll get us some dinner, alright?"

Derek simply nods, trying not to feel like anything's wrong and even adds a smile to Stiles. Stiles only buys half of it, but even him too can sense that something has shaken him. Trying to shake the feeling away, he walks into the kitchen, where he starts preparing a meal for the exhausted man.

Derek walks into his room, removing his leather jacket and then sitting on the bed, where he fiddles with the given golden band. He doesn't like its presence, nor does he like the story behind it. Every object has a story behind it, and the one he holds before him bring only painful memories that led him to this day. If he looks back at it, he will only see the moments where he has to cope with his separation with Paige, and then the fire and then everything else that has led him to this point, if he excludes Stiles of course.

I really hope you take this into consideration.

And he is. He can't just say no, because what he feels is conflicted. Paige's parents are coming in a few days, and the sick feeling of doing this to Stiles only makes it worse, and surely lying to his face will make feel more of a heartless monster than he already is. He ponders on his decision, should he join Paige or Stiles?

And the idea of him being torn is as worse as being having to love somebody.

He gets up, places the gold band on the nightstand and walks out of the bedroom, where he sees Stiles cooking. The least Derek could do is probably just tell him that things have to be on hold. By things, he means the two of them, and that will be slightly difficult, since he's probably has to stay with the man for the rest of his time awkwardly. Moving is an option, but that will bring only distress to the practical side of him. If anything, it will bring him more tiring jobs than just the library.

Stiles doesn't seem to notice Derek's entrance as he continues to stir the contents of the pan. He, too doesn't seem at ease at all. Derek sits down on the chair, where he watches the look etched on Stiles' face, deciphering the meaning behind it.

"Stiles," calls out Derek with a whisper. Stiles perks up at the call, and focuses back on his stirring, now with focus. He smiles at Derek, but only for a short moment before returning to the passive look.

"I'm a problem, am I?" cuts in Stiles out of the blue. Derek peers upwards, shocked by Stiles' quick but astute judgment. Stiles looks at him from the stove, and watches Derek without casting a hesitant look at the man. Derek knows he can't lie to him, and looks back with his own holding gaze. "Look, I'm not going to be the one telling you what you should do, Derek. It's your call and it's your happiness,"

"What makes you think I'm not happy being with you?" asks Derek, his voice rising slightly.

Stiles, however, doesn't seem bothered nor fearful of the rise of his voice, "Because you're doubting, Hale,". He turns the stove off, before walking to Derek, "It's okay, though. I'm okay," he holds onto Derek's hands before looking at the fiddling of the fingers. "The gold band will look good on the both of you. I mean, when you get engaged, I mean. Has she . . .,"

"Yeah," finishes Derek, "she has," Stiles nods at him solemnly, before giving him his best fake smile at him that Derek can already tell that he's trying to feign.

"I think it's best we stay friends," states Stiles, bringing in the final blow to Derek's heart. Stiles looks down and then away to his left, "Your food's ready," he says before leaving the man standing in the kitchen alone.