How to build better friends

How to feel again

Stiles couldn't ignore it any longer. Peter and Scott both said it and he couldn't accept it as truth until he confirmed it himself. He started his drive to the loft as soon as he could. Peter had called him and he irritatedly answered, "what could you possibly need Peter?"

"Feisty," Peter cooed on his end, "I just wanted to let you know that Laura has successfully been placed at the house and I wanted to ask if you have completed your end of the deal?"

"She is coming, I haven't told her why, yet."

"Oooh, you are playing the game kind of risky. That's unlike you Stiles, you didn't even ask the question I thought you were going to ask."

"What would that be," Stiles rolled his eyes.

"How we are going to preform this ritual on bodies that don't exist, of course," this actually did stump Stiles for a moment, "So, you haven't thought about that yet?"

"No, but I am guessing you have the solution to that as well..."

"You know me so well, Stiles. What do you think Scott would say if he knew you were doing this?"

"Probably that I am a dumbass for listening to you, not to do it, that it is impossible for me to do, or maybe he'd find a replacement to do it for me. Deaton or Braeden."

"But you and I both know they couldn't do what you can-"

"Yes, blah, blah, blah, you think the Nogitsune left me some ability I have never used before until now, I think you and I have been hanging out too much, you never seem to shut up." This got a laugh out of Peter.

"Why so antsy, why'd you leave school so early?"

"You're watching me, now? Making sure I don't tell anyone about our big plan?"

"Let's just say I am emotionally invested in the Stiles show, what is his next big adventure?"

"I am heading to your nephew's house, if you really want to know."

"The two love birds finally getting together? Are you doing this for him?" Peter teased.

"I'm hanging up now," at that, Peter gave a hearty laugh before Stiles ended the call. It was another 20 minutes before he got the warehouses. He felt his heart racing faster and faster with each step closer to the entrance. It was moments like this where it seemed to take its sweet time getting him up the elevator. And it was as if someone was dying and only Derek could help, the man was practically sprinting down the stairs.

"Stiles?" he said, finally reaching the ground floor. He looked like a newborn deer, bumping into his couch, almost knocking over a desk, and then almost tripping to get to him. A small flush appeared on his face as if he was embarrassed to see him, "Are you okay, why are you here?" It reminded Stiles of when he was here last.

A month ago, he was at the stairs listening to Derek's speech on how he was going to do better as an alpha from here on out. Isaac had rushed Lydia down the stairs, not for any emergency, but because he felt like he was going to experience some kind of second hand embarrassment. Stiles didn't know that at the time. He had reached out afterwards. Erica and Boyd had excused themselves, leaving Jackson and Scott in the group with Derek. The reason why Derek had to make those promises was because Erica and Boyd wanted to leave for a different pack. They simply didn't trust Derek and just as he wrapped up his speech he looked at Stiles and then at Scott.

"Stiles," the voice making his heart flutter a little, "I need to talk to you."

"Okay, what do you need?" He gave a soft smile to the alpha.

"I need you to leave." And that one sentence made his heart drop.

"Umm, what do you mean?" Stiles looked over Derek's shoulder to Scott and Jackson who were obviously having a fake conversation and were almost blatantly eavesdropping.

"I mean, after Mexico... I don't think we can have you here." Derek gave him an almost pained look, but it became almost instantly stony. As if everything that they have been through never happened, he gave a sharp look at him, "you aren't welcome in my pack while you are liable to me. You'll only cause more problems with the neighboring packs-" Stiles gave a squeek that felt like it deafened the room. Derek stopped talking almost instantly at this noise. Stiles didn't know if he was more angry or sad. But he felt both emotions bubble up like vomit, "Deaton knows and wont let you continue your sessions with him."

"Scott? Did you-"

"This is my decision, Stiles. Go. I don't want you here," Derek said and they all watched as Stiles tripped over the couch and almost fall down going to the lift. And here he was back in the same spot with Derek looking even more vulnerable than Stiles ever was. It honestly brought tears to his eyes from just the sheer amount of emotions he felt watching it happen.

"Derek," he spoke through the tears threatening to leak from his face, "tell me what they said isn't true. Tell me that you don't-" Stiles stopped himself. Deep breaths made his lungs burn and he wasn't sure why he was feeling so heavy.

"Tell you what, who told you what, Stiles?" He asked as he grabbed Stiles' shoulders, "You have to tell me or I won't know how to help you."

"Do you love me Derek?" Stiles finally asked and Derek stopped moving like he was caught in headlights.

"Who told you-"

"Answer me, Derek Hale." Stiles gritted out, feeling as if the wind was knocked out of him. Derek nodded his head and the silence made him want to cry harder than he already was, "Why would you do that to me? Why would you let Scott convince you like that?"

"Do you hate me for it?" Derek gave him a long look and that made Stiles turn his head.

"No. I just don't see how you could be so stupid." Stiles looked away from the alpha.

"Stiles." More Silence filled the room after Derek said his name, he wiped one of the tears that had finally fallen all the way down Stiles' face, "Stiles." Finally the warlock looked at the man and Derek wasted no time kissing him.