Atelophobia (TW soulmate AU)

Chapter 8: Interlude I part 3

*Derek*

Jordan was working today and Laura was in the house all day. I was tired of her picking and decided to go for a full wolf run. Far out in the preserve. I know this meadow and my wolf loves it.  So I let him take control for a while when the meadow came into view. Rolling around in the flowers. Being basically a child again. It's a rare thing for me to let my guard down. I've only truly done it around a few people. Jordan of course, but also my uncle Peter and well Stiles. Stiles might seem like a weird choice to others. He is a smart guy, he strives to understand and knows when you would like to keep things discrete. Peter because he is the only one who truly knows what happened with Kate and doesn't blame me or think making jokes about it is okay *Cough cough Laura Cough cough*. Now knowing that he's Peter's mate, even if Stiles himself isn't aware. It seems fitting. Two broken people. Peter is broken because he believed that the goddess never gave him a mate. Laura picked on him the most, rubbed it in his face that she found her mate. Stiles became broken a long time ago I'm sure and the Nogitsune made it worse. I've slowly started helping him with knowing what is real and what isn't after the Nogitsune. It's gotten to the point where his finger counting strategy doesn't work when he gets so sucked in. I've found that giving him added weight to his body either by a hand on his neck or shoulder, possibly a head-on a lap, or my wolf's favorite laying down on top of Stiles and breathing in the scent of pack; seems to all work well. To me, Stiles has always been part of my pack. Doesn't matter if my mother has made him a part of the pack or not. I decide my pack and Stiles is definitely one of those individuals I would want in my pack.  My wolf froze. Someone's here. Someone that's upset, panicked, full of anxiety...... Stiles. 

*Stiles*

I can't be here anymore. I didn't even storm up to my room. I just left. Didn't even hop in my car. Made a beeline for the woods behind my house. I'm in no condition to drive. I just need to be alone for a while. That's it. I only stopped when I got to a meadow. I have vague memories of it. One of the only happy memories I have of my mom. I curled up against a tree and took calming breaths the best I could. The events and emotions of the day are catching up with me. I can't think of them. If I think of them I'll end up with Him. When I get lost in my thoughts, I always end up with Him and I can no longer tell what is real and what isn't. 

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I felt a cold nose push against my elbow. I slowly raised my head seeing an entirely black wolf. 

"Derek?" I voiced in a tone barely above a whisper, but I knew he heard me. He pushed me to lay down completely until I was flattened out so he could put his weight on top of me. A reminder that this is real. 

Derek's always been able to read me well. Some of it may be due to heightened werewolf senses, but not all of it. He lifted his head and licked the trail of tears still on my face. 

"Ew," I muttered. He just huffed at me. 

"Long day." 

Nudge at my face before sticking his nose in my neck. I remember him doing this a few times after the Nogitsune. Give me a sense of reality. 

"First I had a conversation with Scott and Allion. One where I basically bared my soul and it got thrown back in my face. I apologized for something I had no control over. They barely accepted it before Allison mentioned Donavon. Scott's head is so far up her ass that he can't see reason. They trust Theo after he proved that he's untrustworthy. But they still believe him over me, only because he's Liam's soul mate. LIke that makes things any better. Then he officially kicks me out of the pack. I'd like to see them survive now. I know Lydia doesn't want to be a part of it anymore. I know she's been trying to convince Aiden to leave. But no progress yet. But anyway, I left that emotionally charged conversation just to practically walk into another one. My dad and Christ are second chance mates. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm glad they're happy. But I'm pissed that my dad didn't feel like he could tell me. Though that's nothing new since he's ignored me for 10 years basically. Hasn't given two shits about me since my mom died. Had a whole conversation about that with him and Chris. I lashed out at my dad. Blew up at the dinner table before storming here. Too much has happened today. I can't." 

Derek grumbled and nuzzled my neck not moving. I felt myself relax and get drowsy. 

"Stop taking my emotional pain, asshole." 

He just huffed but he did move allowing me to sit up. 

"Thanks for checking up on me and staying to listen to me rant," I said ruffling his fur. He gave a nod before running off. 

*Chris*

"I know losing your wife was hard on you. I know it was worse because of the bond. I also know that that experience gave you no right to neglect and practically abandon your son. No wonder he described having a soul mate as pain. He's had all that bottled up for years. Years Noah." 

"I can see that Chris. I never... I never knew. I should've been aware. I should've consoled him after Claudia. But I lost a part of myself that night.  I only just got that part back with you." He said looking at me. He called out of work saying he had a family emergency and put Jordan temporarily in charge. 

"I know I have a lot to make up to Stiles. I've known that for a long time. It's just going to take me some time. I'm not very good with words, it's even worse when I speak with Stiles. I don't know my son, really. I know the sarcastic side. I know the friend helping side. I know the curious detective side. But I don't know Stiles."

"That's because you're never home or even really around enough to be able to." 

Noah and I looked to the back door seeing Stiles. His eyes are red and he looks exhausted like he could sleep for weeks. 

"Stiles, I'm so sorry. I want to make it up to you. I want to get to know all of you. I want to get to know my son." Noah said walking slowly towards Stiles who was crying again. 

"You can start by being around more." Stiles sniffled while speaking into Noah's chest when he hugged him. The conversation was necessary and a segway into future ones. A stepping stone in the road to mending their father-son relationship. 

"Do you really not want to contact your soulmate?" Noah asked his son as we moved to the living room. 

"I didn't until Lydia put it in perspective for me." 

"She'd be the only one who could," I commented. Stiles nodded. 

"So what's your plan?"

"I contacted them last night. Found out they're a werewolf."

Noah choked on air. Stiles giggled quietly. 

"Of course, your mate would be related to the supernatural one way or another."
Stiles just smiled and we decided to watch a movie. Take our minds off the stresses of the day and relax. Especially since Noah took the rest of the night off. It's the beginning of many bonding nights to come I'm sure.