thelxiepeia | s.stilinski

interlude

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* interlude *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

'you're being such a dance mum right now. you'd give abbey lee miller a run for her money'

'please, I'm so much better than abbey. and you're so much better than maddie and mckenzie'

(slightly nsfw content ahead)

✧༺♥༻✧

Lottie was lying on her bed, the soft glow of the fairy lights casting a warm hue around her room. She had just finished reading the last chapter of her book when her phone buzzed on the nightstand. A glance at the screen brought a small smile to her face.

Toto 🐶

Without hesitation, she swiped to answer and brought the phone to her ear.

"Finally remembered you have friends, huh?" she teased, her voice light and familiar.

There was a gruff laugh on the other end. "Been busy, Tiny."

"Yeah, busy brooding in some dark corner of your new apartment, I bet."

"You'd be right," Derek replied, and Lottie could picture the small smirk on his face.

Lottie shifted on her bed, crossing her legs as she leaned back against the headboard. "So, how is the new place? Have you at least unpacked, or is it still a haunted house of boxes and broken dreams?"

Derek's chuckle was deeper this time. "Mostly unpacked. Cora and Boyd helped. Place is coming together, though it's not exactly feeling like home."

She could hear the weariness in his voice. Derek had been through so much and never took a minute to come to terms with his trauma. "Is Cora doing okay? I know the last time we talked she was struggling with everything that happened."

"She's better," Derek said, his voice softer now. "I think being away from Beacon Hills helped her.... is helping Boyd too. He's been good for her. They think they're subtle. They might as well walk around with wedding rings on."

Lottie laughed gently, nodding, even though Derek couldn't see her. "I'm glad to hear that. You all deserve a break."

There was a moment of silence, not awkward, but filled with the weight of all the things unsaid. Both of them knew peace in Beacon Hills never lasted long.

"I know you've not been gone long Toto, but when are you coming home?" Lottie asked, her tone quieter now, carrying a hint of vulnerability she rarely let show these days. "It feels weird without you here."

"I don't know," Derek admitted. "I have to think of Cora now... and Boyd. When I'm in Beacon Hills trouble follows. I don't want to put anyone in danger."

Lottie bit her lip. She understood his reasoning, but it didn't make it any easier. Derek was one of the few people she trusted completely, and with the weird limbo they'd all found themselves after Jennifer's 'disappearance', Derek's absence was felt keenly.

"I can handle a little trouble," she said, her voice light but the underlying truth apparent. "I mean, I have Stiles being a dork every day. How much harder could it get?"

Derek gave a short laugh. "I'm sure you're handling him just fine. He's lucky to have you."

"Damn right he is," Lottie replied, grinning. But the grin faded as she leaned her head against the wall. "I'm serious, though. We miss you here, Toto. I miss you. It doesn't feel right without the whole pack here."