Her eyes flutter open and she is immediately hit with the comforting smell of Stiles bedroom. She lies in the middle of the unmade bed in his pajama pants and loose grey t-shirt. "Stiles?"
Her voice carries through the dead air seemingly reaching nowhere. She swings her legs over the edge of the bed and pads over to the closed window. Her fingers twist in the fabric of the curtains pulling them aside. She expects to see his front yard but is startled to be met with absolute darkness.
A sound from behind his bedroom door makes her head whip around searching for the source. The handle twists and her heart hammers inside her chest,
"Stiles?"
The handle stopa moving and footsteps echo down the hollow hallway away from the door. She runs forward grasping at the door jiggling the knob. The handle doesn't budge as it's twisted and she shakes it furiously.
Her heart stops slamming in her chest as a distant pained scream reverberates over her eardrums.
Stiles.
Tears stream over her cheeks as she pulls on the door frantically,
"Stiles!"
She slams her fist against the dark wood and screams in anger.
A whisper brushes over her curling around her body making her skin crawl,
"When is a door not a door?"
Her eyes widen and she falls back away from the door.
She hears Stiles weak and shaking voice,
"When it's ajar.."
The doorknob turns clicking open and the door's hinges whine as it slowly opens.
The space behind the door is empty as she peeks her head out and fear rushes over her. The temptation to stay in the room she knows so well is strong but her feet pull her forward into the emptiness.
The door slams shut behind her but when she turns around, it has disappeared and been replaced by the heavy metal doors of Beacon Hills High school.
She hears the echo of footsteps behind the door and she opens it slowly. Her bare feet meet the cold tile and goose bumps raise over her skin. The hallway is dark and empty, her eyes scanning for signs of movement.
A dull metal sound echoes down the otherwise silent halls. Her shaky legs carry her forward her bare feet padding quietly over the tile floor.
The pounding sound gets louder as she walks forward, her feet moving her to rest in front of the boy's locker room door. The pounding sound is so loud it seems to shake the door frame as she opens it. A familiar scream pierces through her chest and knocks the breath from her lungs.
"Let me out!"
She runs forward searching for the source of the screams that bounce over the cement walls.
"Let me out!"
"Stiles!?"
The lockers around her quake as his fists collide with the metal door. She rushes to pull open locker after locker searching. His screams continue making her body shake with desperate sobs and tears pour from her eyes.
"Stiles! Please! Where are you!? Answer me!"
Her pleas with him go unheard and the pounding continues along with his screams. Her hands are frantic pulling at locker doors searching for him. One locker refuses to budge and she hears muffled sobs behind it.
She pulls harshly at the unyielding lock,
"Stiles! I'm here just- just please!"
She throws her body against the locker the pain in her shoulder not even registering. Her small hands clasp into fists pounding mercilessly into the locker door. She chokes out a mix between a sob and a scream launching her body into the locker again in a last ditch effort. Her knees give out and she slumps to the cement floor.
Her voice is ragged and hoarse, coming out in a low pleading whisper,
"Stiles.. please.."
The lock above her clicks and the door creaks open. She scrambles to her knees yanking the locker open all the way. Her stomach drops at the emptiness she finds there.
She straightens as a harsh whisper of her name comes from the darkness of the locker.
She crawls forward squeezing into the cramped metal box. The door slams shut behind her making her jump, her eyes screw shut and she takes a deep breath.
The air around her changes and suddenly she feels like the walls are no longer enclosing her. Her eyes peel open and she squints at the bright light of the room. She's been here before, but instead of the Nemeton and the nogitsune, she sees a crumpled mass on the floor on the other side of the room. She clambers to her feet and lunges forward. The figure is facing away from her but she can tell it's him. His dark hair in stark contrast to the vast white room around them. His knees are drawn to his chest and she hears his muffled sobs. Her eyes widen at the streak of red on the white tile floor next to him. Her legs burn with effort as she runs toward him not gaining any ground. Her body slumps forward, hands on her knees gasping for breath. How did they reach him before?
Her head shot up,
"Scott.."
He had howled to get Stiles attention last time. She stood up straight sucking in a deep breath. She may not be able to howl but she was pretty good at screaming.
Scott paces the exam room watching the two in front of them. Every now and then a tear would leak past Lydia's closed eyes and Stiles face would contort in pain.
"Is that normal? Is that what happened before? When we went in last time?"
Deaton nods placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Their bodies still react to the stimuli they are experiencing in his subconscious."
Malia clears her throat,
"Is this normal?"
Deaton and Scott look over and their eyes widen.
Blood leaks out of both their ears, Stiles' dropping into the cold water below and Lydia's drips onto the tiles under her.
Scott rushes forward but Deaton stops him,
"No! Don't touch them.. whatever is happening.. we can't disrupt it. It could kill them."
Scott retracted but kept a worried eye on his friends.
"Well that's a good thing to know.."
Scott's eyes immediately flooded red and his fangs elongated, his voice coming out as a growl,
"Kate."
Her mouth opens and a scream reverberates through the wide room. The ground beneath her shakes and she feels a warm trickle of blood drip down from her ears. The scream was almost as loud as when she felt Stiles' death, her throat becoming more and more raw with every second.
His body rolls over to lay on his back, his mouth is gaping open and eyes are focused above him.
Her lips crack at the corners as the scream dies. Her mouth falls shut and her teary eyes find him. His body lies motionless in front of her still and she bursts forward her feet slapping over the tiles toward him. The tears pouring from her eyes blow back into her red locks as her arms pump urging her body to move faster. The distance between them shrinks and his body grows nearer.
Her knees slam into the hard floor beside his body and her hands find his face.
"Stiles! "
Blood trickles from his ears and his eyes remain unfocused staring past her.
Her hands clutch the sides of his face, his mouth wide open in a silent scream.
Her tears drip onto his face as she shakes him.
"Stiles please! Come on.."
Her eyes drift closed and she tries desperately to search for the feel of their connection. The string tugs at her chest and she grabs his left hand squeezing. Memories flood her mind of him. Seeing him smile at her. His lips on hers and his hands in her hair. The feel of his fingers as they ghost over skin. The cord jolts harshly and her eyes burst open. A pulse bursts from her body and her vision shifts blue. His body doesn't glow like hers anymore.
She follows the cord, feeling it trail over her body like a hot wire. She follows it from the end of her pinky into his.
All of the sudden, she isn't just feeling the cord in her body. She can follow the one in his.
"It was nice of you to leave the door open."
Scott shoots Deaton a worried glance and his mouth drops open. How could they forget to close the mountain ash barrier?
A shaking feeling in the room brings everyone's attention to the two on the floor. Lydia's eyes are open now and glowing. A gold light bursts around her covering her body, Stiles remaining the same.
Kate laughs and everyone turns to her,
"Oh.. no we can't have that.."
Chris appears behind her looking bruised and bloodied but a look of pure hatred fills his empty eyes. Scott barely has time to react before they lunge toward Stiles and Lydia.
His body slams into Kate shoving her back away from them. Malia and Liam growl behind them, their features morphing and teeth bared.
Chris un-holsters his gun pointing it at the nearest target which just so happened to be Scott. He dodges the bullet lurching towards Chris. Kira grips her Kitana following after to help him. Malia slices at Kate just barely nicking her skin. The woman slams a fist into the center of her chest throwing her into the wall of veterinary supplies. Deaton rushes over to help her as Liam takes her place.
Chris grunts as his back hits the ground, Scott on top of him.
"Chris! Snap ot of it!"
The man just snarled shoving Scott off and grabbing a set of ring daggers from his waistband.
Scott recoiled at the sight of them. Allison.
Chris jumped to him bringing the blades down but Scott grabbed his arms stopping him.
He shoves on his forearms and Chris stumbles back
"Scott!"
He turns to Deaton who is helping Malia stand, and the vet nods sharply at where Kate is nearing the tub containing his best friend.
He flips onto his feet rushing to help Liam. The beta is thrown to the ground and Kate lunges for Lydia.
"No!"
She follows the cord through the twists and turns of his body. The end curls around the cavity of his chest and she searches for the end. The glow surrounding her seeps into his body through their intertwined fingers.
The wind picks up around them and swirls in a harsh circle around their bodies. She feels the cord mending and stitching itself back together between them. Almost. She's almost got him.
Suddenly she feels like her body is being torn from him. The cord strains and frays. She can hear it ripping.
Kate latches onto Lydia' s shoulders pulling her back. Suddenly the air around them begins to stir and gusts of air slam into their bodies.
Scott grabs her arm pulling her harshly away from them and crashing her against the wall.
"Too Late Scott."
The woman sneers in his face.
"What?"
"Scott!"
He turns still holding her to the wall with his claws. His eyes widen as the glow leaks into Stiles from Lydia's body. The glow spreads from his arm down his chest and over his legs. It's working.
What he didn't expect was Chris to stride forward slamming into the tub dumping the water and Stiles onto the tile floor. Lydia slumps beside him her hand barely ghosting his own.
"No!"
Kira runs forward securing her sword around his neck threatening to pull back on the blade. But it's too late.
The glow rushes back from his body into hers before disappearing altogether.
Her body falls over his, the feeling of the cord snapping making her instantly weak. Her face rests over his chest hearing the slow thrum of his heart. She can't even find the energy to lift herself off him as a tear slides down her cheek. Her hand still grasps his hand loosely as his chest rises and falls slowly, still unresponsive.
"I'm so sorry.."
Her voice is barely above a whisper as she clings to him in the large empty room.
Kate laughs as Scott digs his claws into her neck. His teeth clench as his harsh ragged breath blows past them.
He pulls her up and away from the wall and suddenly she actually looks scared.
"W-what are you gonna do..huh?"
He sneers at her before slamming her into the wall behind her. Her head makes a sickening cracking sound against the concrete, her eyes fluttering shut.
Chris elbows Kira unexpectedly and the sword falls from her grasp. He lunges at them his gun drawn and Scott drops Kate to the ground, hacking and coughing in breaths.
The cool barrel meets his forehead and Scott looks at him sorrowfully,
"Please.. don't"
Chris clicked a round into the chamber.
"I'm sorry Chris.."
His extended claws pierce into the man's body and pain reads across his face. The gun clatters to the ground as he falls to his knees gasping for air. Scott retracts, a sob leaving his lips. He drops to his knees in front of the man and catches him as he falls forward, guiding his body to lie flat on the floor. His eyes flicker back to their normal state as Scott hovers over him.
The room is silent except for the labored breaths of Chris Argent.
"Scott. ."
He studies the man's face while gripping his hand draining the pain he has caused him .
"T-thank you.."
"W-what?"
"Thank you.. I- I get to see them again.."
Scott looks to Deaton and the man keeps his gaze on Chris.
"I don't-what..."
"My wife.. and Allison.. I can see them again.."
Scott's chest squeezes at his words and a sob leaves his throat.
"She would be proud of you Scott. So proud.."
The man brings a bloody hand from his wound to grip Scott's hand.
"B-but I did this to you I-I hurt you.. she-"
The man squeezed,
"She would understand..I understand.."
His gaze focuses on something behind Scott as he sucks in his final breath.
Scott sobs openly now. He killed a man. He killed Chris.
Kira kneels beside his encircling him in her arms,
"You had to Scott. If you hadn't. ..he would have killed you.."
Scott gripped at her arm blindly as his eyes squeezed shut and he releases a shaking breath.
He nods,
" I know.. I just..."
Kira clutches him tighter as another sob quakes through him.
Deaton looks down sorrowfully before walking over to Kate. She opens her eyes, now green and piercing. A low growl echoed in her throat. He retrieves the kanima venom, pouring it past her lips to keep her there. He moves to Stiles and Lydia as Malia reaches forward but he sticks his arm out to stop her. He holds up an index finger before kneeling next to them. Lydia's hair is plastered to her forehead from the water around her. Their faces are relaxed but Stiles' brow is clenched in what appears to be concentration.
The boy releases a shaking breath and his hand slides forward to grip Lydia's
"I can't believe it.."
Scott and Kira turn to him,
"What? "
"He's tapping into his side of the connection.. he's repairing it.."
The body below her stirs and her head shoots up. His eyes and mouth close and his hand tightens on hers,
"Stiles?"
Suddenly she feels the other end of the cord tighten.
"Oh my god..."
She feels a pulse of energy course through him and into her and she realizes.. he's pulling back.
Her eyes shut and she focuses on the feeling one last time.
"Come on Stiles.. you have to come back.."
The cord hums as it binds together and a glow washes over both of their bodies. Her eyes fly open and in her blue vision she can see him now.
He is glowing again.
The glow starts at his heels spreading over to her in one quick swipe. The pack stumbles back away from them as a surge of power pulses from their bodies. The glow fades leaving both of them lying motionless.
Liam leans n studying the two,
"Did it work?"
They both suck in a deep breath, Stiles hacking water from his lungs. The room is silent as the two slowly get to their knees.
Lydia turns her head up and meets his gaze. Her eyes study his as a smile rises over his lips and he nods.
Her body flies toward his and she crashes into him in a tight embrace.
The group releases a collective sigh and relief washes over them.
She lowers her forehead to his with a wide smile. His hand slides slowly up her arm and his fingers dance over the soft skin of her cheek.
His eyes flutter open and his warm honey irises gaze up at her hazily,
"Lyd-"
Her lips find his before he can even finish.
He takes a second to respond but soon enough his soft lips move under hers. She pulls back returning to hugging his neck. Her voice whispers against his skin,
"I love you.."
His body goes rigid and he pulls back to look at her, his eyes wide,
"Wha-"
Scott startles him as he wraps his arms around them.
"I thought I'd lost you guys."
Stiles pats his back and huffs out a surprised laugh.
"Hey Scotty."
Stiles chuckles nervously glancing to Lydia as the rest of the pack meets them in a hug.
They back off letting them stand up, their hands still clasped together.
Liam shocked him when he throws his arms around his taller frame.
"Oh.."
Liam squeezes his torso and Stiles brings the hand not connected to Lydia's up to his back hugging him tightly. The beta backs up with a small smile as Kira throws herself to him wrapping him in a tight hug. Kira has always been one for affection so he hugs her back just as tight.
When she steps away Malia comes into view his smile falters a little looking down at Lydia's hand in his. She smiles sweetly before hugging him softly,
"She loves you..and I know you love her too.. so tell her.. you got your second chance, so tell her."
She pulls back a small smile on her lips and his eyes widen. She nods once walking away. Scott stands off to the side a sad smile on his lips as he backs away from the group that is buzzing with joy.
His eyes land on the motionless Chris and the tears start again. The happy voices of his friends reuniting fade as his knees drop next to the man.
Stiles searches for his friend and when he finds him, his heart breaks.
Scott has his face in his hands, kneeling next to a motionless Chris. He looks back to Lydia with worried eyes and her expression matches his own. He tugs on her arm and she follows. The group goes silent and clear the way for them as they walk over. Lydia's hand flies to her mouth as they come to stand next to Scott.
Stiles releases her hand as he comes to kneel next to his best friend, his hand resting on the boys back.
"I-I killed him Stiles. "
Stiles looks up to Lydia with wide eyes and she kneels on the other side of Scott,
"What happened."
Scott's bloodshot eyes meet hers and he crumbles,
"He rushed at me ...he was still under her control." They glance at a paralyzed Kate before back to Scott,
"He had the gun to my head and I just.."
He brings his bloody fingertips up and the two look over them.
Stiles rubs his back,
"Scott.. it was in self defense.. he knew you had no other choice, ok?"
Scott nodded,
"Doesn't make it easier.."
Lydia slides her arm over his back, her hand brushing Stiles' arm and their eyes meet a moment before flitting back to Scott.
"I know bud..I know it doesn't."
Scott looks to Stiles sadly before pulling him into a tight hug.
"Stiles?"
Stiles stands instantly at the voice that called to him and turns,
"Dad.."
The sheriff hesitates, looking to Deaton. The vet nods and the man rushes forward crushing his son in a hug.
"Hey dad.."
The man squeezes him tightly before releasing him. His gaze drifts to Lydia right as a tear drips down his cheek. He pulls her into a much gentler hug and her arms snake across his back.
"Thank you... thank you so much Lydia.."
She feels the wet tears on her hair and squeezes the man tighter. He releases her glancing to Scott, who remains on the floor. Stiles nods to him and his father smiles before kneeling to comfort the boy. Deaton walks up to the two of them,
"Good to have you back Stiles.. "
The boy nodded with a smile,
"Thanks to you and Lydia.. thank you.. "
The vet smiles ushering them to the other room.
"Now both of you probably feel very tired at the moment."
As if waiting for a cue, Lydia yawns and the other two laugh.
"So I will handle everything here. You two get some rest. I'll let your dad know you are ready to go." He waves goodbye walking into the other room.
"Lydia I-"
Her lips brush over his and his words die instantly,
"I can't believe you're back.."
He breaks apart from her slightly,
"Thanks to you.."
She smiles kissing the corner of his lips,
"And you... in the end.."
He smiles bringing his hands to her cheeks,
"About what you said to me in there... I-"
"You two ready to go?"
His hands fall from her face and his dad freezes,
"Oh..sorry."
She smiles, a blush covering her cheeks,
"We're ready."
The ride home is filled with silence. Not an uncomfortable one, but simply being in each other's company again.
They say goodnight to the sheriff, the man holding his son slightly tighter than usual, before climbing the stairs. His bedroom door creaks slightly and the familiar smell of him washes over her. She falls into the soft sheets and sighs making him chuckle,
"You want to call and let your mom know you're staying here?"
She laughs bringing a pillow onto her lap,
"She just assumes I'm with you."
He chuckles flicking on the small lamp beside the table sighing.
"What?"
"I'm worried about Scott... you know how he is about..that kind of stuff."
Lydia sits up as he sits down on the mattress,
"It will be hard for him... for all of us. He was the last reminder of Allison we had.. I cant believe- "
Her head lowers and he pulls her to him,
"I know."
"We have lost so many people.."
"Trust me...I know.."
Her eyes find his and she grips his hand with a sad expression.
"Stiles- "
"I remember everything Lydia.. hurting Malia, almost killing Liam.. I remember hurting you Lydia.."
His eyes glisten in the low light of the room,
"You were under Kate's control.. no one blames you.. just like witht he nogitsune.."
His gaze lowers to his lap,
"But I still remember it.."
She turns his face to hers with a sad smile,
"We'll get through this ok? We have gotten through so much before..but we'll get through this together."
An unreadable expression spreads over his face and she tilts her head,
"What?"
A wide smile and a look she could only describe as adoration covers his features,
"I love you..so much. "
Her smile drops and her jaw goes slack,
"You-"
"I do... I love you."
He scoots closer to her placing a hand on her cheek.
Lydia leans into his warm palm soaking in the feeling of having him back.
"I'm scared.."
That obviously wasn't the response he expected and his smile dropped,
"Why?"
His voice cracks and she wants to pull him to her and erase all doubt of how she feels.
She looks down, fidgeting with her fingers,
"I lost you Stiles.. you were dead.. you came back, but it wasn't you...and that almost hurt more than knowing you were dead. It was like the nogitsune all over again."
"Hey.. Lydia... "
Her glassy eyes met his.
"It's me now, ok? You're not gonna lose me anytime soon.."
She shook her head,
"You don't know that! I loved Allison... she's gone. I loved Jackson, he left. I loved my father.. he's gone too. Everyone I love.. they all leave me. Whether they mean to or not, they do."
His smile returns,
"Lydia..you'll have a hard time getting rid of me."
Her smile returns and he slides his thumb over the tears on her porcelain cheeks. His thumb brushes her bottom lip and her emerald eyes meet his carmel ones,
"I love you.."
His eyes search hers as she brings her palms to his cheeks,
"I love you too Stiles.. so much it scares me."
His smile is blinding and he lets out a short puff of air blowing the small hairs around her face.
His face tilts closer to hers, her eyes fluttering shut as his lips mold to her own, and for the first time in a long time..
They were happy.
THIS CHAPTER TOOK ME SO LONG i hope it turned out ok/: I don't know.. this fic might have one or two more chapters but I'm working on another fic! So far it isn't a multi chapter but a reeeeally long one shot.. see how that goes. (I might make it two parts who knows though.)
But anyway, drop me a review! Tell me what you think!(: