Drove Through Ghosts To Get Here 25/32

Title: Drove Through Ghosts To Get Here
Fandom: Teen Wolf
Rating: NC-17
Authors: Sxymami0909 and Xtremeroswellia
Timeline: Takes place 1 year after the end of ‘Beyond The Sea’
Series: Post Finale AU
Pairings: Stiles/Lydia, Scott/Kira, Isaac Lahey, Sheriff Stilinski, Melissa McCall, Chris Argent, Derek Hale, Cora Hale, Aiden, Ethan, Danny, Braeden, Alan Deaton, Peter Hale, Malia Tate-Hale, mentions of Scott/Allison, mentions of Derek/Lydia, mentions of Stiles/Braeden
Part: 25/32
Summary: The one year anniversary of Allison's death is right around the corner just in time for a new threat to make it's way to Beacon Hills. With Lydia's banshee powers growing, and dead bodies piling up near the Nemeton, Scott and his pack need to work together to figure out who's behind the latest attacks and what knew evil is on the lose. Tension is mounting in the pack and relationships will be tested when an old ally returns to town with information that could help the pack. But can the pack trust their old friend or has the year passed hardened him to a point of no return?
Author's Note: This is a Stydia story, but it's a slow burn because a lot needs to be rebuilt and there are mentions of other couples and other friendships along the way. One year has passed between this story and 'Beyond the Sea'. You will get to see the missing year in a series of one-shots taking place between 'Beyond the Sea' and this story later on.
Previous Chapters: | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten |
Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Seventeen | Eighteen | 
Nineteen |Twenty |Twenty-One |Twenty-Two |Twenty-Three | Twenty-Four |

Chapter 25

Scott had dropped Kira off and ridden home on his bike after spending a few hours at the bowling alley with Isaac and Cora. Stiles and Braeden had shown up a while after they got there and he’d desperately wanted to pull his friend to the side and ask him what was going on. Scott had been in the middle of taking his turn when the oddest wave of something had rolled through him and ever since then, he’d been able to feel Stiles. The same way he felt the rest of the pack.

Scott knew being alpha meant he could feel the wolves in his pack. That wasn’t news, but he’d never been able to feel Stiles before. Stiles was human and despite the fact that he was in his pack, it didn’t work that way. Scott paced his bedroom as he waited for Stiles to get home. They all split up when it was time to take the girls home. Isaac was bringing Cora back to the loft, and Braeden was bringing Stiles home.

Scott glanced at the clock in his room, what was taking Stiles so long to get home? He sighed and flopped down on the bed as he waited for his best friend.

Stiles made his way into the house as quietly as possible in case his dad and Melissa were already asleep. It was after eleven, but he wasn’t even a little bit tired anymore. His body was thrumming with energy, the way it used to when he’d taken too much Adderall, only different. He could feel all of them. It was a really strange sensation and he sort of felt like he needed to go out running to get rid of some of the energy that he wasn’t used to having, especially not the last few days.

He didn’t even bother going into his own room, just opened the door, tossed his duffel bag onto the bed and made his way toward Scott’s room. He could feel his best friend’s confusion, his curiosity, the fact that he was also very awake and Stiles knew instinctively that Scott could also feel him. Somehow.

He didn’t bother knocking because it wasn’t like the two of them had a lot of formalities between them. He just opened the door and slipped inside, shutting the door behind him. He knew Isaac wasn’t home yet -- he was dropping Cora off at the loft and he felt a spark of nervousness that wasn’t his own. Also Isaac’s. He wondered idly if he was going to try and kiss Cora for the first time.

“Hey,” Stiles said quietly to Scott, not moving to sit down.

Scott arched an eyebrow, “What did you do?” He asked his tone curious not accusatory. He could feel his friend. Had been for a little while now and as he studied Stiles’ face he could see his friend knew he could feel him.

Stiles drew in a breath, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as he leaned against the door. “A ritual?” He grimaced a little, even though Scott wasn’t being accusatory. “I...sort of bound myself to all of you.”

Scott sighed dropping his head, “Another ritual?” He glanced up and shook his head, “Because we haven’t learned our lesson from all the others?” He asked not able to help the short laugh that fell from his throat. “Why are you binding yourself to the pack Stiles?” He asked. Scott knew he should be surprised, but really nothing Stiles did at this point surprised him anymore.

Stiles was quiet for a moment. “Because if one of you gets into some kind of trouble, then I’ll be able to feel it,” he admitted. Because he needed to know. He needed to be able to do something if there was trouble again, trouble like there had been so long ago with Erica and Boyd. Trouble like when Scott had been kidnapped and taken to South America and tortured.

Scott was silent for a minute before scratching the back of his head. “We’re not going to mention this to the rest of the pack for the time being because dude, it’s weird.” He paused and then chuckled, “Though it’s kind of cool that I can feel you now too. You’re like a wolf, but human.” He said with a tired grin.

A grin stretched across Stiles’ mouth almost involuntarily at Scott’s words. Wasn’t that what he’d always kind of been, really? Like a wolf, but human. He moved over to sit down beside Scott on the bed. “I didn’t realize it was going to work both ways. Like I didn’t know you were going to be able to feel me, too,” he admitted. He wasn’t sure that was a normal consequence of that ritual. Maybe it was because he’d been at the nemeton. Or maybe it was because he’d used his own blood in the ritual. Or maybe it was because Scott was a True Alpha and his best friend and his brother and things with Scott had always worked differently than they did with most people.

Scott glanced at him sideways, “Oh, nice. So you were going to do it and leave me in the dark with everyone else?” he asked with a shake of his head, “Too bad. You seem...better though, not as tired.” He observed.

“Whoa, no.” Stiles frowned, glancing back at Scott. “I was gonna tell you. Just...after it was done,” he said honestly. He’d been afraid that Scott would try to talk him out of it under the many circumstances that he’d done the ritual on. He stretched his legs out, leaning back on his hands. “I feel like I could run a marathon.” He chewed his lower lip.

Scott studied Stiles for a minute and then nodded, “I know you were,” he admitted, “I was messing with you. But you’re right; I probably would have tried to talk you out of it.” He shifted on the bed turning so his body was angled in Stiles’ direction. “That’s good right? Maybe if you’re feeling better Lydia is too.” He said lightly.

Stiles relaxed, nodding, too. “Right. I’m not really used to this whole thing yet.” He contemplated Scott’s words and closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m not sure. She’s asleep right now.”

Scott arched an eyebrow, “You can tell what she’s doing? Oh god...you can do that with all of us...can’t you. That’s going to be awkward.” He said as he scratched the back of his neck. Though Scott was pretty sure he didn’t have to worry about the awkwardness for a while.

Stiles made a face, then laughed. “No. No, it’s...different with Lydia. And okay, possibly you, too.” He turned onto his side so he was facing Scott. “Like, I knew you were waiting for me to get back but that may be more of a Scott and Stiles thing than an alpha and emissary bound to the pack thing.”

Scott cocked his head to the side. “Makes sense,” he said with a grin. “Speaking of Scott and Stiles things,” he paused, “I asked Kira to the dance on the way home.” He told his friend before lying back on the bed, his gaze drifting to the ceiling. “She said yes, in case you’re wondering.” He added.

Stiles grinned brightly. “Dude. That’s great. I knew she’d say yes, for the record.” And he had, because he’d been watching the two of them since he’d gotten back and obviously they were into each other in a big way. He shifted so he was lying on his back; too, looking up at the tiny star and planet stickers the two of them had stuck to his ceiling when they were younger. It kind of amazed him that they would still glow in the dark when the lights were off.

Stiles was quiet for a few seconds. “Hey, do you feel different? I mean, okay I know you do because you can feel what I’m feeling now, but...is it the same as the others? Does it make you stronger?” He really didn’t know the answer to that question.

Scott was quiet for a minute considering the question, “Honestly? I don’t know. It is slightly different. Right now all I really feel is your presence. Like if I focus on you I can probably tell what you’re feeling and stuff,” he hesitated, “But I’m not sure about the power. I don’t really feel power from the others, I mean I do, but not in the way you probably think. It’s hard to explain.” Scott told him with a slight frown.

Stiles could feel Scott’s slight confusion even as he tried to explain it and he nodded silently, foot dangling off the edge of the bed and tapping lightly against the frame. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to be sleeping tonight. But he could feel that Scott was starting to get tired, so he wasn’t going to keep his best friend up all night, either. He drew in a breath and sat up. “Okay, well. We’ll get it all sorted out. You have school tomorrow.”

Scott laughed, “I do...is that your way of telling me to get some rest?” He said with a grin as he sat up. He needed to change and brush his teeth before passing out. “Pretty much,” Stiles agreed, nodding as he rose to his feet. He headed for the door. “Night, Scott.”

Scott smiled, “Night,” he said before turning around tugging off his shirt and deciding to forget everything else. He’d change in the morning. Scott plopped down on his bed, eyes falling shut, lips pulled in a smile as sleep pulled him under quickly.

______

Lydia tucked some hair behind her ear before twisting open her bottle of water as she listened to Kira detail how Scott had asked her to the dance last night after they went bowling. She took a sip and then smiled. Kira’s enthusiasm was adorable and Lydia was happy for her. But for some reason she couldn’t seem to stop her mind from drifting back to the last winter formal she’d been to; one that prominently featured her best friend and Stiles.

Lydia put the water down and reached for her apple. They were waiting on Scott and Isaac who were coming from gym and Cora who was coming from some other class. Kira had missed gym today, which was why the other girl was already there when Lydia got to their usual lunch table.

Lydia shifted and crossed her legs as she took a bite of her apple her gaze still on Kira. She swallowed and smiled. “It seems like you guys had a pretty exciting night last night,” she responded when the other girl finally took a breath.

Kira smiled a little and ducked her head. “Well, I’m not very good at bowling, but it was fun?”

Lydia grinned, “Scott wasn’t always good either,” she informed the other girl, “but you’ll get better with time.” Lydia added. She took another bite of her apple as she watched Kira for a minute. “The dance is at the end of the week,” she placed her apple down, “We should check out the selection of dresses at the mall if you’re still up for it.” Lydia told her not wanting to pressure the other girl.

It was a big step for Lydia, one she knew she needed to take. She couldn’t stop doing things just because they were things she’d done with Allison. And Lydia was convinced if she kept repeating that mantra to herself, eventually it would kick in. But until then she needed to make an effort to not be stuck in a rut.

“Definitely,” Kira said with a nod. “I don’t really -- I’m not good at that stuff. So any and all help and advice is definitely appreciated.” She smiled at Lydia. “So anytime this week works for me. I don’t have any plans except...well the night of the dance. Obviously.” She blushed and took a drink of her water, glancing up when she spotted Scott and Isaac heading toward their table. Cora was right behind them.

A hint of humor crossed Lydia’s face at Kira blushing and she nodded. “Sure, we can go tomorrow if you want, this way if we can’t find anything for you at the mall we have time to go other places,” she explained.

Isaac slid into the seat across from Lydia and glanced between her and Kira, “Where are we going?” He asked as he put his tray down and reached for his soda.

“Not we, us. Just the girls.” Lydia told him pointedly as she reached for her apple again.

Scott slipped into the seat beside Kira, placing his tray down too and leaning in to press a kiss against her cheek. “Hey,” he said softly, a warm smile pulling at her lips.

“And where are us girls going?” Cora asked mildly, not really figuring she’d be included, but curious anyway. She sat down beside Isaac, picking up her fork and shoveling a bite of green beans into her mouth.

“Oh. Dress shopping. You should totally come with us. I mean you guys are going to the dance, right?” Kira said, looking at Isaac and Cora with a smile, her hand resting over Scott’s arm.

Isaac nodded, “We are.” He’d asked as he was dropping her off last night. Well, he’d tried to ask, fumbled a lot and then finally she’d asked if he was trying to ask her to the dance and when he confirmed he was she’d nonchalantly said sure and then kissed him before heading upstairs.

It had taken Isaac a good five minutes before he’d snapped himself out of it long enough to realize she was gone and he was standing around looking like an idiot.

Lydia’s lip twitched at the corner at Isaac’s words. Good for them. Isaac deserved to be happy, she was glad he had asked Cora out. Lydia reached for her water. “You’re welcome to come.” She added after Kira’s words, it would be rude if she didn’t extend the invitation even though she knew Cora probably wouldn’t accept.

Cora hesitated for a moment, looking between Kira and Lydia. “Okay,” she said finally, taking another bite of food.

Kira smiled again. “Great,” she said, tucking some hair behind her ear. “That’ll be good. We can do a whole girl’s night.” She looked at Lydia, her eyes bright.

A hush suddenly fell over the cafeteria and Kira looked up again, trying to figure out what was going on, why everyone had gone so suddenly silent.

Scott frowned for a minute before surprise crossed his face. He glanced up his eyes traveling across the lunch room until they landed on what he was looking for. A slow grin pulled at his lips. “Dude!” He called out, making half the eyes in the lunchroom focus on him.

Lydia followed his gaze her eyes widening briefly when she spotted Stiles. What was he doing there?

Stiles made his way over to the lunch table where Scott and the others were sitting, backpack slung over his shoulders and a brown bag lunch in his hand. If it weren’t for Scott’s flicker of happiness or the surprise that came from all of the others -- he probably would have been overwhelmed by his own anxiety. He smiled back at his best friend, focusing on his feelings instead of his own and finding himself relaxing.

If only he’d been able to do that all the other times he’d struggled with anxiety. He dropped down beside Scott nonchalantly and shrugged his book bag off his shoulders. “Hey,” he said casually.

“Am I missing something?” Scott asked, grin on his face.

Isaac leaned forward, “I thought you said you finished school with that GED test or something.” He commented though he found Scott’s smile and good mood contagious.

“I did,” Stiles told Isaac, glancing past Scott to look at the other wolf. “But.” He shrugged, unfurling the brown bag and grabbing an orange out of it, and the small knife he’d packed to peel it with. “I don’t know. It just sorta felt like it would be wrong not to graduate with you guys.” He met Scott’s eyes briefly, then looked over at Lydia, offering her a faint smile.

“Sucker,” Cora said with amusement, taking a drink of her juice. “Who would want to do school voluntarily?” She shook her head.

“Graduating from an actual high school is looked upon with more merit than taking the GED when you go to get into college or find a job.” Lydia commented, “Besides, who wouldn’t want to go to school?” She arched a brow, “It’s a smart move.” Lydia stated before her gaze shifted to Stiles sending him half a smile.

Stiles looked at Lydia once more. “Thanks.” His voice was quiet before he addressed their questions. “I was thinking about taking the test to be a private detective after graduation,” Stiles informed them with a slight shrug. He glanced up when he felt Ethan and Aiden enter the cafeteria with Danny. He lifted a hand to catch their attention, waving them over and feeling their combined confusion. He couldn’t help but grin a little as he started peeling his orange.

Kira looked at Scott, and she could see how happy he was to have Stiles there with them and his grin was infectious. “Well this is great. We can all graduate together then.”

Isaac nodded, “Definitely a good day...hell I’m going for a good week.” He said with a grin as Danny sat beside Cora and the twins on the other side of him.

Ethan arched an eyebrow, “Are you stalking us?” He joked glancing at Stiles, “Or did you re-enroll?” Though he was pretty sure he already knew which.

Scott chuckled as he gripped his friends shoulder and squeezed lightly.

“Afraid you’re stuck with me everywhere these days,” Stiles responded, not sounding the least bit apologetic as he glanced down the table at Ethan. He shifted his gaze to Danny.

Danny grinned at him and set his tray down across from Ethan. “About time.”

Scott nodded, “Agreed.” He patted Stiles on the back before threading his fingers through Kira’s and smiling at her. “So, you guys going to the dance Friday?” Scott asked glancing at Danny, Ethan, and Aiden.

“Well, we are.” Ethan nodded at Danny and then looked at his brother, arching an eyebrow.

Aiden rolled his eyes, “I’m taking a pass on the school dance.” He said glancing at his brother and then shifting his gaze to Scott. “Not really my thing.” He said with a shrug.

“Well if you change your mind you can always come with us,” Scott said with a smile.

Isaac hated to think it, but he was glad. Aiden hadn’t been nearly as obnoxious as usual, but he still wasn’t quite at the point where he could forgive the other werewolf just yet. He nudged Cora with his leg. “So when are you ladies doing this whole girl day thing and does that mean all of us non girls are excluded for the entire day? Or like...just during the dress shopping portion. How does it work?” He asked leaning forward as he bit into his burger.

Kira hesitated, arching her eyebrows because she had no idea how that worked. She looked from Cora to Lydia uncertainly. “Um, that’s a good question. Lydia?”

Lydia lifted a brow realizing she’d missed something. She backpedaled through the conversation she’d been unintentionally drowning out and focused on Isaac’s question. “If boyfriends want to come shopping they’ll be forced to hold things and wait while stuff is being tried on; convenient for us not so fun for the guys...well,” unless they’re in the dressing room with said girlfriend, but Lydia kept that comment to herself.

“We’ll probably grab a bite to eat at the mall, and then...I mean we can go back to my house for a bit if you want.” she suggested even as her chest tightened slightly. She and Allison used to go to the small cafe in town after shopping, but Lydia wasn’t quite ready to share that particular place just yet. Baby steps.

“That sounds good.” Kira glanced at Scott. “But maybe the guys should do something together instead? Instead of carrying stuff?” she suggested.

Cora looked at Lydia and then at Isaac. “I don’t know. Could be a real bonding experience.” She flashed him a grin.

Isaac smirked, “So really you just want me to carry around your stuff?” He joked, “You’re as bad as Lydia.”

Lydia tilted her head to the side, “I take offense to that statement. I never make anyone carry my stuff. They offer,” she added with a smirk. “If you were a nice boyfriend you’d carry whatever she wanted you to,” Lydia said biting her lip to keep from laughing as Isaac shifted in his seat.

“...Am I a...boyfriend and what exactly am I supposed to carry?” He asked glancing between Cora and Lydia. It’s not like Cora wasn’t just as strong as he was. He wasn’t exactly a pro at the whole dating thing. His only girlfriend was Allison and well...he wasn’t even sure he could say they had dated, because really they never got the chance to.

Cora glanced at Isaac with slightly wider eyes. It wasn’t like she had any real experience with the whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing, or dating in general. “I don’t know?” She shook her head. “Also I was kidding. I’m not going to drag you around to carry my stuff.”

Isaac’s cheeks warmed, “Right, yeah.” He said sheepishly.

Stiles raised an eyebrow at Lydia’s statement. “Is this a new change?” His voice was teasing. “Because I distinctly remember not offering or being asked before you piled dresses in my arms at Macy’s once…”

Lydia’s gaze shifted to Stiles, “That was different. Besides you weren’t complaining at the time,” she said pointedly.

Stiles held her gaze, a small smile tugging at his mouth at the memory.

Isaac interrupted their staring as he spoke. “So then we can do stuff too,” he glanced between Scott and Stiles and then down the table briefly. “A guy’s night? Do guys have those?” He asked quietly. Sometimes he wondered how he’d survived high school this long with his lack of knowledge about all things social.

Stiles glanced at Scott and arched his eyebrows. “Yep. We do that. Pizza and video games is usually the night’s agenda.”

Isaac nodded, “Cool, I can do that,” he said with a small smile.

Lydia shook her head, but there was a smile on her face. She glanced at the people at their table and a hint of sadness filled her at the missing face. But at the same time things finally seemed to be coming together with everyone. It wasn’t too long ago that they couldn’t even all sit together for lunch because of all the tension in the group, but that seemed to be nearly gone at this point and that was good.

______

He’d memorized everyone’s schedules just in case he needed to know where one of them was throughout the day. He knew that Lydia’s study period was the last one of the day, and fortunately for him, the room was near his locker, which was near the janitor’s closet. Where Lydia happened to be walking by when he reached out and gently caught her wrist, tugging her into the little room with him. He could feel her surprise and a faint flicker of alarm and he quickly let her go. “Sorry. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just didn’t want to draw a lot of attention.” Since technically the janitor’s closet was off limits to everyone but the janitor.

Lydia’s heart pounded fast in her chest as she turned around to face Stiles, her body relaxing when she saw him. She raised a brow at him, “You didn’t think snatching me from the hallway would draw a lot of attention to us?” Lydia asked a hint of humor in her gaze. She was silent for a minute as she shifted back putting a small bit of distance between them.

“Well, I figured as long as you didn’t scream, we’d probably be okay on the attention front.” There was a hint of humor in his own voice, but he didn’t move closer when she backed away.

Lydia shifted the bag on her arm, a flutter of nervousness filling her and she wondered briefly if it was hers or Stiles’. “So...what’s up?” Lydia asked while catching his gaze.

Stiles felt the slight anxiety and he wasn’t sure whose it was either. He wasn’t sure if it even mattered at this point. “I thought maybe we could talk,” he said softly. “You know, it’s been a few days and...the daevas are gone now and I know this is your free period.”

Lydia pressed her lips together, “Oh,” she nodded, “Sure, we can talk.” She wasn’t exactly expecting him to show up at school, but she didn’t mind it either. She was glad he was back. It made things feel more normal. Plus it had been close to a week since they’d spoken and even though she could still feel him it wasn’t exactly the same. “How are you?” She asked.

“I’m okay,” Stiles said after a moment, wishing the light was a little brighter in the janitor’s closet so he could see her better. “How are you?” He knew she was less tired than she had been the last few days, that the ritual had affected her in some way, too. Made her stronger again.

Lydia ran her hand down her arm, “Better than I was,” she said softly. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” She said with a small smile. “So,” she let her voice trail off, “You said you wanted to talk?” Lydia offered waiting for him to do said talking.

Stiles looked down at the floor for a moment, holding his breath. “I mean, we kind of agreed we would after the whole thing with the daevas was done?” His voice was uncertain. “I mean time and place might not be ideal, I guess, but…”

Lydia could feel his anxiety and she sighed. “I know we did. So let’s talk,” she said again before pausing, “I’m not really sure where we go from here.” Lydia told him honestly.

Stiles drew in a breath and nodded, not surprised by her answer. He wasn’t sure where they went from there either. “Well we kind of...agreed to start over,” he said softly. “I guess we just need to figure out how we do that.”

Lydia nodded, her chest tightening. She knew starting over was her idea and it was a good one because as much as she trusted Stiles she also didn’t trust him at least not with her heart. But at the same time, they had history, things that she didn’t want to just throw away.

Lydia pursed her lips and hesitated before shifting closer to him, her hand finding its way to his arm. “You coming back to school was a good start,” she admitted softly.

Stiles smiled faintly at that as he met her gaze. “I guess...I thought I’d missed out on too much already. I don’t wanna miss out on my senior year. I wanna graduate with you guys and do the whole prom thing and senior skip day and the last spring break of high school and…” He looked down for a moment. “I miss everyone.”

Lydia’s hand tightened on his arm and she shifted closer without even realizing it. “Everyone missed you too,” she told him quietly, her heart clenching at his words.

Stiles watched her, holding his breath as she moved closer to him. He hesitated for a moment. “Can I hug you?” he asked in a whisper.

“I wish you would,” Lydia murmured just as softly as she stepped into his personal space.

Relief washed over him and he reached out, pulling her into his arms and hugging her close, shutting his eyes tightly. He let out the breath he’d been holding, relaxing as he rested his chin atop her head.

Lydia wrapped her arms around his midsection, pressing herself against him. Warmth filled her as she leaned into him resting her cheek against his arm. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

“Me too,” he whispered back, resting one hand at the small of her back and the other on the back of her head, fingers brushing lightly through her hair.

Lydia slid a hand up his back, her other one sliding down his chest. She loved the way the way his hands felt against her. They were warm and large and comforting. “I don’t like when you’re not around.” Lydia admitted.

“Well.” Stiles tightened his arms around her just a little, not possessively, more protectively. “I plan to be around a lot,” he said quietly. “I’ll be around so much you’re all probably going to get sick of me.”

Lydia chuckled softly against him. “That seems doubtful, but if that’s what you’re striving for, go for it.” She told him the feel of his arms tightening around her making her heartbeat pick up speed. “Where are you supposed to be right now?” She asked quietly.

He smiled softly when she laughed. “Thanks.” He looked down at her. “Advanced physics,” he told her with a slight shrug. What was one more day behind in class anyway, really?

Lydia sent him a disapproving look, but didn’t pull away from him. She was silent for a minute brushing her thumb over his arm. “How mixed of a signal would I be sending you right now, if I asked why you weren’t kissing me?” Lydia inquired her gaze dropping taking him in even in the dim light of the janitors closet.

Stiles gazed at her, his right hand moving to cup her cheek in his hand, thumb brushing over her soft skin. “It’s not exactly starting over,” he said gently, resting his forehead against hers. But god he wanted to kiss her. His chest kind of hurt from not kissing her.

Lydia leaned into his touch and nodded, “I know,” she said softly. “Maybe we don’t need to start entirely from scratch,” she paused her hand curling into his shirt. “I need you around Stiles, I need to know you’re not leaving and I know you’ve said it.” She told him before he could say anything, “But I need more than that.”

Lydia hesitated trying to word what she wanted to say correctly. “You being around, here with me, in school, at home with Scott,” she licked her lips, “That shows me you’re serious about staying. I hate that you telling me isn’t enough. I’m sorry that it’s not,” she said honestly.

“But what I need...what I need is you. I need to feel like I did before you left. Do you understand?” Lydia asked not sure she was explaining what she needed the right way.

Stiles watched her closely, searching her eyes and taking a deep breath as he thought back to the way things had been before the Nogitsune had wrecked his entire life -- no. Not just his life. All of their lives. He chewed his lower lip for a moment, remembering how close they’d gotten. How he’d been her first phone call anytime something happened or went wrong. How she’d come over and just hung out with him whether they were working on some supernatural crap or homework or just listening to music.

She’d been his closest friend aside from Scott. He had been hers aside from Allison.

“Kind of?” he said softly. “But...that didn’t exactly involve kissing back then.” His voice was quiet. “So I think I’m going to need you to kind of lead me through this.” He tucked some hair behind her ear.

Lydia closed her eyes for a minute, “I need to know you’re here if I need you.” She swallowed hard knowing she needed to open up to him a little, but she was still scared to let him all the way in. “There were so many times I wanted to pick up the phone and call you after you left,” she whispered, “And the one time I actually did...I got a message saying the number wasn’t in service anymore.”

Lydia kept her gaze down. “I know it’s unfair of me to ask, but the only way I’m ever going to believe you’re here is if you are. Just being here day in and out will help. It’s going to take time; it isn’t something that can just be fixed.” She told him.

“And if you want to keep the kissing and everything else out of it. I get it.” she paused her brows furrowing, “If you need me to trust you completely before things are physical again,” Lydia ran a hand down his arm, “I’d understand, but it’s not what I want.” She told him softly. “I like when we’re close, I feel things from you that I don’t always feel when we aren’t.” Lydia admitted.

Oh. He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, swallowing heavily as he remembered hurling his phone out the bus window on the way to Van Nuys the day he’d left. It had been the only way he had to make sure that no one tracked him through GPS.

“It’s not unfair,” he said quietly. “And...I know it’s going to take time.” He was silent for a moment. They still had so much to talk about. So many things she needed to know. But for now, he dipped his head and kissed her very softly on the mouth, tender and sweet before drawing away and looking at her.

“I’m okay with it taking time.” Stiles lifted one of her hands to his mouth and kissed her palm lightly. He looked at her once more. “I know that...it’s too late to ask you to the dance on Friday. I know Derek’s taking you and I’m fine with that. But maybe you could save me a dance?” he asked hopefully.

Lydia’s expression softened and she tilted her head to the side, “I’ll save you more than one,” she whispered. “I didn’t realize you were going...Honestly I wasn’t even planning on going.” She admitted. When Derek had suggested they go she’d been surprised, but she knew he was trying to give her the normalness that she’d been complaining about not having lately, so Lydia had said okay despite not really wanting to go because she’d thought the person she wanted to go with, wasn’t going.

“It’s okay,” Stiles said softly. “I’m glad you are. You shouldn’t miss out on this stuff. I mean it’s senior year.” He smiled gently.

Lydia shrugged, “It doesn’t seem that important.” She admitted, “I actually had plans with Chris, he was going to show me how to shoot a gun,” she said with half a smile. “But my plans were rudely canceled.”

Stiles chuckled softly at that. “There’s always Saturday for learning how to shoot a gun,” he assured her, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Lydia nodded. She glanced up at him, “Do you remember the winter formal we went to?” She asked softly.

Stiles winced. “Yeah. Yeah, I remember the winter formal.” He looked down, chest tightening.

Lydia rubbed a hand over his arm, “I meant before the bad stuff,” she said softly. “That night...after you yelled at me telling me to get my ass up and dance,” she paused half a smile on her face, “It was the first time I felt like I didn’t have to hide the real me.” Lydia admitted. “Because of you. It might not have seemed like it, but that was the first time things started to change.”

A lot of things had changed that night. A hell of a lot of things. “Right. That was...that part was…” He smiled faintly. “That part was good.” Until things had gone all to hell, thank you very much, Peter Hale. “I was -- I just have so many memories from that night that…” He shook his head.

Lydia’s brows drew together and she cupped his cheek. “What kind of memories?” She asked lightly, “Tell me,” she requested as she brushed her thumb against his cheek.

Stiles lifted his gaze to meet hers, pain flickering through his dark eyes. “You getting hurt.”

Lydia pursed her lips. “I’m right here,” she said softly. “And I don’t plan on going anywhere.” She said softly cupping his other cheek with her hand. She hesitated for a second before tilting her head up and pressing a kiss to his lips.

Stiles slid his arms around her, resting his head against hers as he kissed her back softly. “I still have nightmares.” His voice was barely audible. “Peter helped save my life, but I still can’t get past what he did to you.”

Lydia frowned, “I don’t understand,” she tilted her head back enough to see Stiles and she searched his face, “Honestly I still don’t remember much about that night.” She admitted. “I remember being on the field...and I heard Jackson yelling my name and then,” Lydia paused swallowing hard, her heart beating a little faster.

Stiles held his breath for a moment, guilt tugging at him and he gently rested his hands on her shoulders, extricating himself from the embrace. “No, you didn’t,” he whispered. “That wasn’t Jackson yelling, Lydia.” He swallowed heavily. “It was me.”

Lydia blinked, “What?” She asked confusion filling her even as she felt his guilt. “What do you mean?” She asked.

Stiles rubbed his hands over his face, needing a little bit of space between them now. “I mean...I was the one running toward you on the lacrosse field the night Peter attacked you. You didn’t hear Jackson. He was still inside the school when I went looking for you.”

Lydia opened and closed her mouth as she tried to recall the details of the night. But outside of the actual attack, which every once in a while she still had nightmares about too, Lydia didn’t remember much. “It was you?” She asked her voice barely a whisper, “You saved me?” Lydia took a step closer to him closing some of the distance he’d put between them.

Stiles shook his head. “No. That’s the point. I didn’t save you, Lydia. I didn’t get there fast enough.” He swallowed heavily. “I was too late.”

Lydia watched him for a minute, “Stiles if you were too late, I wouldn’t be here right now.” She told him matter-of-factly. She gripped his arm gently, “Tell me what happened?”

Stiles drew in a breath, leaning against the metal cabinet behind him but not pulling away from her grip. “I ran into Jackson in the school and he said he hadn’t seen you, so...I went looking. I don’t even know why I thought about the lacrosse field except it seemed like a place you might look for him?” He looked down. “I saw Peter first, and then you. He was moving toward you. I could see his…” He held his hands up in the shape of claws. “I yelled for you to run, but it was already too late. He was there.” He let out a shaky breath. “He bit you, and you hit the ground before I could -- do anything.”

Lydia could feel his pain and his guilt he was practically vibrating with it. She couldn’t believe all this time it had been Stiles who’d saved her that night and not Jackson. She’d thanked him and he didn’t deny being the one to help her. Lydia’s chest tightened and she cupped his cheek, “Stiles, I’m alive. I got to the hospital I healed...you did what you could and because of that I’m still alive,” Lydia shook her head, “I can’t believe you never told me.” She said softly.

“All I did was call Jackson to come and get you off the field,” he told her, not meeting her eyes. “It was all he’d let me do.” And he’d half expected Peter to rip his throat out when he’d refused to leave without doing something. He still wasn’t entirely sure why he hadn’t.

Lydia pressed her lips together, “Stiles, look at me.” she said quietly, but sternly.

Stiles reluctantly lifted his gaze to meet her eyes, falling silent.

“What you did, whether it was you who got me off the field or not, saved my life. How would he have known if you didn’t say anything?” Lydia asked softly before shaking her head. “I can’t believe you never told me,” she said again softly. “Why?” She asked head tilted to the side.

“Because…” He sighed softly. “Because it just didn’t -- you thought Jackson was the one there and I don’t know, I just…” He shrugged, looking down again.

It took Lydia a minute to shift through the emotions coming from him and when she got a clear read on him her expression softened immensely and she gripped his midsection with one hand. “You didn’t want to take that moment away from me,” she said softly.

Lydia shook her head. Stiles had been there for her even when she hadn’t realized it. She leaned in and captured his lips, not sure how to properly verbalize what she was feeling at the moment.

Stiles’ eyes drifted shut when she kissed him and he slid a hand up and into her hair, his other hand resting on her right hip. She’d needed to believe it had all been Jackson, regardless of what he’d wanted, and he wasn’t going to be the one to take that from her, until now, when it had come out sort of accidentally. And technically Jackson had still been the one to carry her off that field and get her to safety.

Lydia didn’t break the kiss until her lungs burned with a need for oxygen. She stayed in his arms, pressing several light kisses near the cover of his mouth and against his jaw. “I think maybe you should skip the rest of Advanced Physics and stay in here with me.” She whispered softly.

Stiles brushed his nose against hers and kissed her lightly, shifting a little and reaching out to lock the door. “I’m not gonna argue with that logic.”

“Good,” she said as she ran a hand down his back, “arguing would just be a perfectly terrible way to waste time.” Lydia told him, “And I’m all about using time wisely.” She stated as she let her bag slip from her arm and drop to the floor. It was in the way and she didn’t need it at the moment. “Kiss me,” she said softly.

A soft smile touched Stiles’ lips and he nodded, sliding his arm around her waist and tugging her closer as he brought his mouth down to hers for another kiss. Part of his brain was still trying to remind him that they had a lot left to talk about, but the other part of his brain was too busy not caring about anything except having her pressed up against him, warm and soft in his arms because it had been days since he’d last seen her and he just needed to be close to her for a little while.