Scott walks to Derek's house slowly after school, taking his sweet time. He's tired of training. He just wants to rest and hang out with his friends. He can't remember the last time he stayed over at Stiles's place, or practiced lacrosse with Danny, Stiles, and Isaac in one of their backyards. Those were things he used to do on almost a daily basis, and now he barely has time to bring his mom dinner at the hospital (although he always manages to get it there.) He trudges through the mud leading to the Hale house, his head hanging low, hands stuffed in his pockets. He's overthinking, analyzing everything that's happened within the past year, and he feels like he's going to collapse because it feels like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders and he's weary. He's in no shape to train today, and he considers calling Derek to tell him he can't come over, but he looks up to find that he's standing right in front of Derek's house and he knows it's too late to turn back now. Especially because Derek is waiting on the rickety old porch with his arms crossed and he looks like he can almost smell Scott's weariness and lack of motivation, and he seems not to care about how Scott's feeling, only caring that he's late. So Scott sighs and walks up the creaky wooden stairs, meets Derek's eyes, and without a word, walks into the house, Derek following in suit. They walk down the stairs to the basement and halfway down Derek says, "We're doing something new today." Scott remains silent, and finally reaches the foot of the stairs to see Stiles, Lydia, Allison, Isaac, Deaton, and oddly enough, his mom lined up against the wall.
"What are they doing here?" He asks, puzzled.
"The thought of them isn't enough, so I thought their presence would help you build up to the point where you can rely on just the thought. I asked them all to join us in our training session today," Derek replies, a smirk on his face. He looks very proud of himself for coming up with such an idea.
"Asked? You gave me a life or death ultimatum," Stiles objects, seemingly irritated. Scott chuckles. "You think that's funny? There must be something about werewolf humor that I just don't get," Stiles sighs, throwing his hands in the air. Scott just smiles and looks back at Derek.
"So how am I doing this? Like, taking turns?" He asks.
"We're going to start with the person you think you're most connected with and deescalate. We'll start with your mom."
Scott nods and takes his spot in the corner of the basement, Derek in the corner across from him. Scott takes a moment to look at his mom and soak in her presence. She smiles gently at him and it's one of those warm, mom smiles that make you feel at ease and like everything's okay even when everything's wrong. He absorbs all of it- her eyes, curly brown hair, her all around awesomeness- and changes, with the thought of her still in mind. He nods at Derek to begin. Derek runs, and as he's running Scott feels like the world is slowing down and he stays still until Derek is only three feet away from him. Scott jumps at the last moment, and while he's in the air he desperately tries to slash at Derek or grab a hold of something- but he falls. He falls on his back and now Derek is standing over him with his hand raised, but Scott tosses him off, which shocks Derek. So he starts to run again, and this time Scott runs too, his arms outstretched- bad idea. Derek grabs his arm and twists it and throws him to the wall. They both change back and Derek roughly helps Scott up.
"Not good enough," he says. "This time, focus on Stiles."
They try again, this time with Scott thinking only about his best friend. This doesn't work.
They go at it again, Scott now directing his thoughts at Deaton.
Another failure.
"Allison's turn," Derek states. He grabs Scott's arm as he's walking to his corner. "I know you can do it this time. Focus harder," he whispers. Scott nods solemnly and continues to take his place. He takes a moment to stare at Allison's wildly beautiful face. She gives him a tiny nervous smile, but it's big enough so that he can see her adorable dimples. He thinks of all the time they spent in her bedroom, either making out, studying, or talking about the world. He smiles a big, dumb smile and nods at Derek. He's got it this time.
They sprint at each other. Scott feels renewed, refreshed, and he's alive with energy. He tackles Derek, but he does this carelessly because he's so sure of himself, and Derek grabs him by the neck and pins him to the ground. As soon as Derek does this he lets him go and stands up. "Goddammit Scott, you need to focus," he exclaims wildly.
"Derek, I'm trying! Maybe it's not working because she's always on my mind. Maybe it's because I can't stop thinking about her, and it's just an overused thought and that's why it's not enough. Did you think about that?" Scott yells, surprised by his tone. Derek's shocked too, and apparently everyone else is as well- he looks back and everybody is wide-eyed, all except for Isaac, which strikes Scott as odd. Isaac is staring at the floor, his jaw clenched tight and his lips pursed. He's shaking. Scott looks at his hands and sees claws.
Isaac looks up and breaks the silence. "I need to go," he says through clenched teeth, and no one questions him because he's already darting up the stairs and looks profoundly furious. They all sit in bewildered silence until Derek awkwardly clears his throat.
"Get up, McCall. Think about Isaac this time," he commands.
"But he just left-" Scott begins.
"I know he left. Just get up and do what you're told," Derek says sternly. But Scott is tired of being bossed around. So he stands, turns around curtly, and starts walking up the stairs.
"McCall! What the hell do you think you're doing?" Derek inquires.
"Leaving," Scott replies, still moving.
Derek looks at the group of confused bystanders and tells them to stay there as he chases after Scott.
"What the hell just happened?" A breathless Stiles asks after Derek walks away. Everyone shrugs and awaits for his return.
Derek grabs Scott's arm just as he reaches the door.
"Scott! Get back down there. You still have two more rounds."
"I don't feel like it," Scott growls. Derek's grip tightens and he turns Scott around to look at him.
"You're an alpha. Alphas take control and do what they have to do to protect the ones they love. Are you really going to leave all of those people down there defenseless all because you 'didn't feel like it' that one day of training? If you don't know what you're doing Scott, then you're leaving everybody, including me, helpless."
Scott remains silent and avoids looking into Derek's eyes.
"If you can't do this, Deucalion and his pack are going to rip the throats out of everyone you love. Your mom? She'll go first. Stiles? Torn to shreds. Allison will be left a bloody, lifeless mess on the ground because you didn't feel like learning how to protect her."
Scott glares at Derek, but nods his head slightly and says through clenched teeth, "Fine."
They walk quietly back downstairs and take their places. The tension is visible, so the crowd remains dead quiet.
Isaac. That's all you have to think about right now. Keep your focus on his high cheekbones, his bright blue eyes, and curly hair. His immense insecurity. His bravery. His kindness. Just keep thinking about Isaac.
Scott turns and nods.
Scott starts running before Derek does, and he's running so fast that everyone has a hard time seeing him, even Derek. He pounces onto Derek, tackling him to the ground, and keeps him in a chokehold.
Derek grins and says breathlessly, "Your eyes aren't red yet, but I think we're getting there."
