1.5
Sleeping could not come easy between the two. Stiles and Derek sleep separately and the distance that has been put between each other bring restlessness that even words couldn't describe the level of it. Derek sleeps on his side, staring at the vacant spot that coldly makes contact with the man. He brings his hand to smooth out the fabric, and only could only discern the chilling fabric that dares to call it his own bed sheet. Stiles fares slightly better than him, with the restlessness only coming on once every hour. He's gotten tired of it, and he soon opens his drawer to fish out a bottle of sleeping pills. He consumes a tablet with water, and dozes off when the effect kicks in. He doesn't want to know what Derek feels at this point, and so doesn't he want to feel what he's feeling at this extent too.
The next day comes a moment where Derek wishes he hasn't woken up and with March nearing April, the new routine stays the same. Derek eats his breakfast, whether prepared by Stiles or not, goes to work then comes back and has dinner, again, either from himself or Stiles, and then bedtime, with a shower of course. Every night, Stiles consumes a tablet of sleeping pill before dozing off, and Derek has no knowledge of his consumption of such substance. Derek has no choice but to fight through the same fidgety sensation in his body to get a good night's rest. Their conversations have been kept minimal, with Stiles always on house watch, something Derek always wonders if ex-partners are allowed to bring or invite each other to the library for some recreation. Probably not, Derek thinks.
Paige has been keeping her appearance regular to Derek, meeting him at the same pathway to his work during the weekdays until one day, he finally reunites with his family. He hates the smile that he so effortlessly plasters in front of them, and the more he does it, the more he realizes that his mind has gone into mutiny, where it so rebelliously urges to say the truth of what their daughter has been up to for the past week. Coercing a party that has no interest in being with someone who has left him over her studies. Not to say he would date a dumb person, but under certain circumstances, he could not avoid any of the feeling much longer.
Stiles too, has been distant, he has been giving minimal words, like a dying cancer patient who's just too tired to give care to his worried family members or his own life. He only acts normal like an actor whenever Derek is alright, and he shouldn't though, he tells himself, because just showing how much he is okay only shines the denial more until it becomes apparent. His calls with his dad has become more frequent, and with the fact that online classes have become something that he's solely relied on, Stiles' dad unashamedly asks him to return to Beacon Hills; an offer Stiles has yet to give his verdict on.
Returning to Beacon Hills may be a viable choice. He has nothing here for him. New York, now that he sees it, is just too urban for him. There are streets where he hardly hears the bustling and there are moments where he's just drowned by the noises and footsteps that trample on the streets with resolution. But leaving, will only mean defeat to Stiles' definition. He loves Derek, but leaving the relationship out of love? That's a decision he has been vacillating. The simplicity of Beacon Hills or the urbanizing New York.
Out of love, is better than leaving for nothing.
"Hey dad," he calls his dad through the phone.