would you have not survived?

"You once told me that death isn't about you. It's about the people you leave behind," she reminisces with tears in her eyes. She's desperate, pleading. Stiles, for once, suddenly wishes she didn't pay any heed to his words back then. "Don't make me the one left behind."

For the first time since this whole debacle started, Stiles understands her. He understands her more than he'd like to admit. He thinks about if their situations were reversed, and he was in her position. He too would do anything to protect her. He only wishes she loved him just a little bit less, so he could selfishly spend the rest of his days with her. Instead, he's standing in front of a small woman with more love in her heart - for him, and only him - than he ever could've anticipated.

So, stupidly, he lets her go.

-

In which Stiles and Lydia separate, mourn, pine, and find their way back to one another. Canon-compliant fix-it fic. Pre, during, and post movie.