Chlorine Lungs, Broken Hearts (Sterek)

Ch 1: Backstories and Bus Passes

Just a quick note that Stiles's stuff (Pov etc) will be in normal text and that Derek's will be in italics.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"Yes dad, I quadruple checked that I have everything. I won't lose anything I swear to you." Groaned Stiles as his dad drilled into him, making sure every possession was in its proper place in the suitcases in the trunk of his car. Stiles turned to look at his dad and he sighed quietly watching as his dad teared up and roughly wiped it away with his green cargo sleeve.

"Really dad, there's no need to cry. I'm just going to university. I promise I'll come home on holidays though. Just think, you'll have Scott's mom in the meantime." Stiles reassuringly patted his father on the shoulder and smiled, his dad never got teary eyed but this type of teary eye was a good thing. Stiles was moving on with his life and going to the top soon.

"Woah dad stop here this is where I'm staying." A tall brown brick building loomed in front of the parked jeep as Stiles and his father piled out and began to unload his bags.

"What did you pack in here Stiles?" Groaned his father as he tried to lift the heavy black bag.

"Really dad, it's just clothes and my laptop. I can help with that if you can't manage." His dad shook his head and muttered under his breath before entering the building. A young looking man came to assist stiles dad with the bag and he seemed happy, like he was hopped up on caffeine.

"You're Stilinski correct?" He asked as he began to pull the bag. "You'll be staying on the top floor, farthest door on the right." Stiles walked in just in time to see the man and his father begin their long trudge up the four flights of stairs. The elevator was out for god knows what time and Stiles cursed at it in his head. Begrudgingly, he trudged up the stairs after his father. They walked down a rather long hallway until they came to a plain whitewashed door. Number twenty five. Twenty five was a good number Stiles supposed. The greeter opened the door and led the men in before placing the key on the counter and wishing the two men a hearty good afternoon and good luck on their classes. Stiles's dad sat on the bed and began to talk to his son as they unpacked.

"You know Stiles, really happy that you got accepted into the program and that you're doing what you want to do with your life but I'll genuinely miss you. Please promise to come home on holidays if you can. Your old man is going to get lonely without you. Can you do that for me? Can you promise to come home for the holidays?" Stiles threw his clothes onto the bed and sat down beside his dad, talking sincerely as he patted his dad on the shoulder and leaned into him.

"Yeah dad, I'm happy too. This is what I've been dreaming of since mom died and I can't believe that it's actually happening to me now and I promise I'll come home on holidays. We need someone who cook at home for the holidays and we can't have you moping on the couch the entire time. I really have to unpack now because I do have classes tomorrow so I guess I'll call tomorrow night then." His dad stood up and gave him a large and warm hug before leaving.

"I love you Dad."

"I love you too Stiles."

Across the hall, in number twenty seven sat Derek Hale.

Derek Hale had been awarded a competitive swimming scholarship so here he was, sitting on his bed, listening to his new neighbours goodbyes with an empty aching inside of his heart. Derek still remembered that day, the day his entire family save his uncle and sister died in a house fire. He still remembered his mothers last words to him.

"Have fun at the meet sweetie and don't forget to make nationals. I love you Derek."

He should have been in that house. He should have burned too. That memory haunted him, he had no emotion because of it but his new neighbours voice triggered something in him; sadness. An intense and aching sadness that refused to go away. He stood up and flexed his arms before grabbing a duffel bag and walking out of his room.

"It's time to hit the pool and see what it's made of."