Stay, Stay, Stay

You took the time to memorize me my fears my hopes and dreams
I just like hanging out with you all the time
All those times that you didn't leave it's been occuring to me I would like to hang out with you for my whole life

Stay and I'll be loving you for quite some time
No one else is gonna love me when I get mad mad mad
So I think that it's best if we both stay stay stay stay

"Hey guys!" Scott planted a quick kiss on Kira's lips before turning to grin at Lydia. "You're late."

"Had to pick the perfect outfit." She flashed him a grin. "You know me."

"It sure as hell paid off," Stiles said easily.

Silence flitted among them as she looked at Stiles slowly, unsure of what to say to that. He stared back at her and then nodded his head slowly and shrugged as if to say well, no use crying over spilled milk. "So. Can you believe it? One year, guys. It has been a year since the day I thought I would never see and-"

"Save it for your toast, loud mouth," said a new voice. Stiles leapt a foot in the air and spun around to see that Derek had showed up behind him.

He let out a breath and grabbed his chest. "Rude!" he spluttered. "Rude. And what toast? I did not sign up for a damn toast."

Derek laughed. "I'm kidding, Stiles. No toast." He slapped him on the shoulder and pulled Lydia into a hug, followed by Kira. "Glad you could make it."

Two years ago, Lydia wouldn't have known what to make of Derek hugging her. But things had changed and the werewolf had softened a great deal into what she could only imagine (and what Cora had said) he had been like before the fire, before his entire life changed, before his life became about surviving and not about living.

"Congratulations," she said.

"Thanks. Honestly, I'd rather not have a party." Derek released her and rolled his eyes. "I don't do parties. But Cora insisted."

"She just got to town and it's not like she's in town often. She wants to see everyone," Kira said.

"Yeah, well, don't drag me and Braeden into it." Derek chuckled.

"Derek Hale has been married a year." Cora joined the group and raised her eyebrows at her brother. "If that isn't a reason to celebrate, I don't know what the hell is!"

She hugged Stiles first, making Lydia's gut twist in uncomfortable ways. She tried to reassure herself that, first of all, she didn't care if something happened between Stiles and Cora. And second of all, it wasn't like anything would happen.

"The Hales got huggy," Stiles joked. "I don't know how to handle this."

Cora's response was to roll her eyes and lightly hit him in the arm before moving to Lydia. Lydia couldn't help but laugh. "Don't provoke her. She could kick your ass, Stiles."

"Thank you, Lydia. I could kick his ass, even without werewolf powers."

"I hate you all."

"You love us," Lydia replied without thinking about it.

"Yeah… I do." His eyes were on her. Lydia's breath caught in her throat as she looked back at him.

"Lydia, let's go get a drink!" Kira grabbed her hand and pulled her away, reminding her once again why she loved her.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. That could have gone awkward really fast."

"I am getting sick of him doing this." Lydia crossed her arms. "He keeps acting like we're still together and we aren't. It's driving me crazy. I mean, it isn't like this isn't already hard enough!"

"Well, what do you want him to do? Awkwardly try to make conversation?"

"No. I want…" Lydia groaned. "I don't know! But it would be nice if he didn't try to pretend we didn't break up!"

"I don't think he is," Kira said gently. "I honestly think they're just slip ups."

Lydia shook her head. "It's more than that. Texting me at midnight, opening doors for me, getting me drinks when we're out, trying to pay for my things. Those are boyfriend things."

"But, Lyds… They're things he's aways done with you."

Lydia pursed her lips. "I know. I just… I need… I want…"

"I think you're wanting him to love you a little less," Kira offered.

"Yes."

"Lydia… It's Stiles… I don't think…"

"I know." Lydia groaned. "I feel like I'm being unreasonable. But he did this. He dumped me. The least he can do is give me time to get over it. And I know it's been a year! That is plenty time! But I just- I just think- I- ugh!" She groaned.

"Maybe you should tell him."

Lydia hesitated, wanting to say that it wasn't worth it. But this was a happy night, a night to celebrate, to be with friends. She didn't want this dark thing hanging over her all night. She nodded and walked into the main part of the loft. She found Stiles immediately, talking to Braeden with his arms waving wildly in the air. She made her way to him and grabbed his hand, pulling him after her.

"I'll bring him back!" she called over her shoulder to Derek's wife.

"Lydia, wha-?"

Lydia pulled him outside the door and shut it behind them then fixed him with a glare.

"I'm in trouble."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"You have to stop acting like we're together, Stiles. I can't do it anymore." To her surprise, her voice cracked.

Stiles's eyes softened. "I don't do it on purpose, Lyds," he said softly.

"That's not the point."

"Lydia, I'm learning! I've never had to do anything but show you how much you're loved! Okay? I don't know how to pretend that I'm not in-"

"I am begging you not to finish that sentence."

Stiles stopped talking, looking sadder than she ever wanted to see him, no matter how angry she might be. "Lyds… I'm sorry." He leaned against a wall and slid down it, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry." He sounded defeated, tired. "I'm trying."

Something in her broke right in that moment. She sat down beside him. "I know," she whispered, wanting to cry. "Me too. I'm sorry."

He looked at her, brown eyes still sad but with a spark of happiness that brought her hope. "Remember that time you threw your phone at my head?"

Lydia let out a watery laugh. "Mainly because you never stop reminding me."

"Well!" He grinned. "I did nothing to deserve it."

"Oh, please!" She laughed again. "We are not doing this fight again."

He smiled at her, that same smile he always gave her, like he was looking at his world. For once, it was okay with her. "But it made you laugh."

Lydia gave a small chuckle and rested her head on his shoulder. "Did you ever think it would be this hard?"

"No…" Stiles whispered, resting his cheek against the top of her head. "But that's because I never thought this would happen with you."

She almost asked why again, for the hundredth time. Almost. But she didn't. Instead she stayed.

Stay stay stay I've been loving you for quite some time time time
You think that it's funny when I'm mad mad mad
But I think that it's best if we both stay stay stay stay