Leave Me In Ruins

If you need anything

The sun was low in its rising. It's warmth still trying to take place of the coldness left behind by the night. Stiles welcomed the warmth as he held onto his dad's arm. They made their way down the front steps.

"Sir?" Kai met them in the driveway.

"Why don't you head home, Deputy? I'm gonna drop Stiles off with Hale," Noah instructed, dismissing him from his watch.

"I can take him. You've been up all night, and I know you plan to go in early tonight as well. You need your rest."

Stiles narrowed his eyes at Kai. Despite knowing what his deal was, he couldn't help but be distrustful of his helpful nature.

"I pass it on my way home, anyway," Kai explained when he caught Stiles' eye.

Noah nodded. "Alright."

Stiles allowed himself to be passed off to Kai. His hand gripped onto the deputy uniform as a wave of dizziness hit him.

Stiles let Kai gingerly help him into the squad car. He smiled at the familiar unit number taped to the back of the radio. His dad had been unit four when he was a deputy. That had been a long time ago. Many deputies had come and gone since then. Many of them now dead. He wondered how long until Kai was too.

"You feeling any better?" Kai asked, climbing into the car next to Stiles.

"A little."

Stiles half expected to have to keep up a pointless conversation on the way, but Kai put the radio on low and let the silence settle. Normally, silence made Stiles squirm. He hated it. He hated how loud it could be. But right now, feeling like he was riding a roller coaster, he was glad for it. The slight curves of the road had Stiles gripping at the handle of his door like a lifeline.

"Dizzy?" Kai asked, noticing the desperate clenching of Stiles' hands.

Stiles nodded and then immediately regretted the movement.

"We're almost there. I'll try and take it easy."

Kai slowed when a large curve came up, which only helped a little. Stiles just wanted to be out of the car. He was glad to see the familiar building come into view. Just seeing Derek's loft made him feel more relaxed. Despite his irritation at Derek, he was glad to be there. Lately, it felt more like home than home did.

When Kai helped him out of the car, Stiles clutched his hand but didn't move. The hand not holding Kai's was pressed hard on the roof of the car as he steadied himself. The warmth of the rising sun made the metal of the car hot but not so hot it was painful to touch. In fact, it was nice. Stiles had the urge to curl up on the hood and let the sun melt his discomfort. If only it were that easy.

Kai stood patiently, waiting for Stiles to orient himself.

"Okay," Stiles said, letting go of the car. The boat he felt like he was on, finally coming to a stop.

Kai let Stiles lead the way while he remained as support.

The steps weren't as difficult as Stiles thought they'd be, but he was tired by the time they reached the top. All of his energy drained from him like rainwater into the sewer.

Stiles was about to reach for the door when it swung open.

Derek stood in the doorway, his eyes dark with exhaustion.

"Stiles, I thought that was you." A pleased, yet tired smile pulled at Derek's lips. "I didn't know you were coming."

"I wasn't going to." Stiles gave a half-shrug with the shoulder not leaning against Kai. He wasn't sure when that had happened, but the warmth was nice. Kai stood strong, supporting Stiles' weight effortlessly.