Life Forces Us

Life Forces Us: Chapter #5

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Talia looks between her best friend and her son and waits patiently. Stiles looks at her and takes a deep breath. "I don't remember any of it, Tal. I'm guessing that's my fault?" She gives a nod with a sad smile. "Right. Okay. Can you return our memories?" He glances as Derek. "Well at least mine?"

"If you want me to, yes." She moves closer and places her hand on the back of his neck. Quicker than you can blink her claws sunk in and Stiles felt the memories flood his brain. By the time he has cycled through them he has tear streaks on his cheeks and his heart is aching. Talia removes her claws and watches him protectively.

Stiles clears his throat and wipes his face before letting out a shuddering breath. He then looks at Derek. "You did grow up beautiful. Same eyes," he whispers.

Derek crosses his arms and quirks an eyebrow. "I can't decide if that's a compliment or fucking creepy considering I was a baby."

Stiles winces and Talia places a hand on his arm, her eyes on Derek. "We don't choose our mates Derek sweetheart. Had you grown up with him there I think you would have not thought much of the age difference."

"Well, that's great. Let's all get in a time machine that doesn't exist and go back because I certainly don't have a very high opinion of him right now." He looks at Stiles with thinly disguised disgust. "How old are you anyway?"

"I'll answer any questions you have. I'll tell you anything you want to know but first. Do you want your memories?"

Derek looks at him and rolls his eyes before nodding. "Sure. Then at least I'll feel like I have more of an even playing field. Or not."

Talia gets up and goes over to her son placing a hand on the back of his neck and squeezing gently. Derek gives a soft smile before growling as her claws go in and his head is flooded with memories. Mostly he has sensory feelings but there are a few he can see clear as day.

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Past

"Mi?" Derek giggles when Stiles covers his eyes and then uncovers them.

"Peek-a-boo!"

"Mi!"

Stiles does it again and can't help the grin on his face.

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Past

Derek watches as his mama works in the kitchen and Mi reads on the couch while Derek plays in his play pen.

"Misch?"

Stiles looks over and smiles. "What's up, Tal?"

"Could you watch him? I am out of tomatoes."

Stiles nods and sets his book aside before picking Derek up. "I've got him." Derek lays his head on Stiles's shoulder and babbles before settling.

Talia nods, her voice soft and she smiles fondly. "I know you do."

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Present

Derek opens his eyes to find them wet and clears his throat. Stiles watches him protectively as Tal takes her place next to him on the couch again. Derek breathes out and looks at Stiles. "It's rotten that you had your memories removed." He looks at his mom. "I didn't even get a say about mine, did I? Of course not, I was just an infant." He feels anger bubbling in his chest.

Stiles moves forward to sit on the edge of the couch, his eyes on Derek. "She did that to protect you, Derek. There are people who might try to hurt you if they knew you had any connection to me. I'm not surprised she did that, but I also left before she did."