Chapter Text
Stiles sighed as he leaned back against his seat as he looked out the plane window. He had a few hours to kill before landing so he took out his phone.
It had been 5 hours since he left Beacon Hills and an hour since he was in the air.
He received a text that the place he bought was nearly done with renovations. After sending a reply, he placed his phone away and closed his eyes as he thought of the people he left behind.
The last time he tried to talk to any of the pack members had been over nearly two months ago. Every time he called or texted, they either didn't answer or made up some excuse. He stopped trying after the third day. He deleted their numbers after seeing them together at the diner on the second week. The laughter and chatter at their booth had stopped when they noticed him enter. At least they had the decency to look guilty.
If it'd been the old Stiles, he would walk up to them and confront them. If it'd been the old Stiles, he'd get angry and ask why is it that they can take in the former Alpha twin who helped kill two of their friends but couldn't find the time to send him a text.
Stiles didn't do either. He gave them a blank look, turned away, grabbed his order and walked out, leaving the pack feeling guilty and uneasy.
Stiles got the message, loud and clear. He understood it. He just wished they told it to his face instead of making excuses that gave him hope. Now he knows that whatever friendship they had died the day he got possessed.
Scott tried to call him that same day but he ignored it. He deleted all the text messages without reading it. And then Lydia tried to call but he ignored too. Then Scott again. In the end, he blocked their numbers as well as any other former pack mates that bothered him. He should've done it in the beginning.
Scott tried to climb in through his window one night but his entire house was lined with mountain ash that was soaked in his magic so no one but him could remove it. Scott left when he failed to get Stiles to talk to him or let him in. Stiles just went back to reading the journal about vampires and other supernatural creatures.
Lydia had tried to act like everything was normal and talked to him at school but he just walked away. Of course, at lunch, she confronted him.
“Stiles.”
Stiles ignored her as he grabbed his lunch, which admittedly was just an apple and a bottle of water. He still wasn't able to keep much down.
“Stiles!”
Stiles noticed the students nearby looking at them, wondering if there was about to be some entertainment.
A hand grabbed his arm as he was about to walk out and pulled him back. “Stiles! Stop being a child and talk to me. Look, I'm sorry, okay? You have every right to be angry but you have to understand that we just needed some space to heal.”
Stiles just raised a brow and tried to leave again, just for her to grab ahold of him again.
“Stiles!” Lydia hissed. “Did you hear what I said?”
“I heard.” Stiles said.
Lydia scanned his face. “That's all you have to say? You're not going to get mad and demand answers? Or say you forgive us or that you don't? Nothing?”
Stiles shrugged. “There's nothing to forgive.”
With that, he walked away without her stopping him. He could feel her eyes as he walked away until he was out of her line of sight.
Stiles then thought of his dad.
He had told his dad the truth about the supernatural and about everything he’s been dealing with a week after he got kidnapped and beaten by Gerard. His dad was angry, at first but then they hugged it out after making sure they had no more secrets. Stiles had to also convince him that Gerard was being dealt with. And then months later, the Nogitsune happened.
After defeating it and sealing it away, everything was fine
His dad would be there when he woke up screaming or crying. He'd comfort him when he seemed to spiral into a dark place. He’d make sure he ate something even when he didn’t feel hungry. His dad was the rock he needed when his friends weren't around.
And then he wasn't.
Stiles hadn’t noticed it at first. He didn't notice that his dad was pulling away again. He didn't notice that his dad pulled more night shifts, even when he didn’t need to. He didn't notice that his dad wasn't home when he knew he should've been. He didn't notice until he went to drop off his dad’s lunch and was told that his dad wasn't scheduled for work that day.
Stiles had felt confused since he remembered clearly that his dad told him he was working. And then he felt hurt and betrayed before it faded into resigned acceptance. His dad became another person that left him.
So Stiles just nodded and ignored the pity in Parish's eyes and went home.
He had a feeling he knew where his dad had been spending his time but he didn't call him. He didn't confront him. He did nothing. Not even to text his dad throughout the day just to check up on him. Why should he bother?
Stiles loved his dad. He always would. Nothing could change that. He'd die for him. But he just didn't have the energy to care and fight for the close bond that they used to have. Stiles understood what his dad wouldn't say to his face. His dad was tired.
But so was he.
So when his dad finally came home, he tried to make small talk but Stiles couldn't be bothered and just focused on his reading while giving short answers. His dad realized that he wasn’t getting anywhere so he went silent.
He seemed to be silently fighting within himself before he finally made a decision. Stiles expected to be told to pack up and leave. Or that he wasn’t wanted around anymore but instead, his dad apologized. He apologized for being gone, for not being around, for everything he did wrong.
Stiles looked up from what he was reading and felt a twinge of pain at the tears in his dad's eyes but he stayed silent. He just listened with a blank face while watching his dad tearfully apologize and promised to do better. When his dad was done, Stiles just nodded. He didn't know what to say and honestly, he didn't believe him. He didn't trust him anymore. And that hurt to realize but after being left alone again, he just didn't have any more of himself to give. In the end, he gave the same answer he had given Lydia. There was nothing to forgive.
His dad had seemed uncertain since he just stood there and stared at him but when he said nothing else, he just nodded and whispered I love you, son. Get some rest before exiting his room. Stiles stared at the closed door before continuing his reading.
Stiles had planned to stick around for graduation. He had just had one more year. That was the plan. Until one night changed it all.
Stiles needed someone to talk to. Someone that would listen without judging him or making him feel worthless. So he tried to call Derek but the call showed that his phone was disconnected. His heart had lurched in fear, thinking the worst. That he had gotten hurt somewhere and died. He shook off the thought and grabbed his keys.
By the time he pulled up at the loft, he could see the lights were on and a bunch of cars parked.
He knows it belonged to the pack members but he ignored it. He’s not there for them.
So he climbed up the steps, ignoring the elevator. By the time he reached the landing, he was feeling a bit winded. He took a moment to breathe before walking up to the door and knocked.
Scott opened the door and Stiles’ brows furrowed, Why is he here?
“Stiles?” Scott was surprised.
“Where’s Derek?”
Scott tilted his head in confusion. “Why?”
Stiles pushed his irritation away. “Because I’m asking. Where is he?”
“He’s not here.”
Stiles looked confused. “Okay, then when is he coming back? I’ve tried to call him but his phone is disconnected.”
“He’s not coming back. He said he’s leaving to check on Cora before finding a place for him to settle. Too many memories here. His phone broke so he decided to just change his number when he got a new phone.” Scott explained before gesturing inside, looking hopeful. “Wanna come inside?”
Stiles stared unseeingly at the door before shaking his head. “No. He didn’t say anything before he left? Leave a message?”
Scott deflated before he shook his head. “No, he didn’t. He just said we can use the loft as long as we take care of it.”
Stiles nodded before turning and walking back down. He heard Scott calling out to him above the ringing in his ears. His heart felt like it was about to fall apart in pieces. It wasn’t until he was back in his car did he notice the tears on his face. He swiped angrily at his face before starting his car and leaving.
He was angry that Derek had left without telling him. That he didn’t bother seeing him before leaving. He thought they had grown close enough for that, at least but maybe that’s all been one-sided. He was a bit angry about Peter disappearing as well but that’s nothing new.
Stiles was angry about everything and everyone. How everyone expected him to be fine after what he went through and expected him to be back to normal. How everyone acted like what he went through was not as important as Allison nearly dying and Ethan losing his brother. He hated how they’d tell him that they didn’t blame him and yet still can’t stand to be around him. He hated how they left him alone at his lowest moments and expected him to go chasing after them.
He hated how no one seemed to understand him. Understand that he needed someone to keep him up, to show him that he isn’t alone and that he’s wanted and still loved. But instead, he’s left alone to gather the pieces of himself that are still salvageable while burying the rest that aren't. He was no longer the same.
He learned a lot from the Nogitsune and while he wished that the damned fox had never existed, he’ll always remember the lessons he learned from the mistakes the fox made and the steps that Void had taken to remain unseen. Void was cunning with a thousand years worth of memories. A thousand years worth of memories that are now stuck with him. He’s just lucky that his Spark helped with the overwhelming amount of information that was planted in his brain. He’s pretty sure that if he didn’t have it, he’d be brain dead by now.
“Excuse me, sir?” A voice cut in through his thoughts. Stiles opened his eyes and looked up to see the flight attendant with a cart of drinks. “Would you like anything to drink?”
“Orange juice, please.”
After he was handed his beverage, he looked out through the window to see the sun shining brightly. It made the clouds look like stacks of soft fluffy pillows that he’d want to sink himself into.
He hadn’t realized that time had flown by until about an hour later when the plane was landing.
After grabbing his luggage and securing his bag, he took a look around. He wasn’t used to how loud and crowded it was in one area, considering he came from a small town. As he walked, he listened to the noise of people walking past him as the sound of their luggage rolled across the polished floors. Many had a cart parked next to the Baggage Claim area, waiting for their bags or luggages to roll through.
He supposed he should feel overwhelmed about the whole thing. Traveling alone to a new place for a fresh start. He’s just thankful that he didn’t need to worry about money due to his mother leaving him an inheritance as well as his online website that sells information, spells, charms, and other things. He could live his whole life without working if he didn’t splurge like an idiot.
But even so, he’d still find a job.
He couldn’t stand staying idle and lazing around. Now that he has no reason to go running in the woods to fight off the next big bad, he knew he’d have more time on his hands, even with school, work and his website.
As he reached the exit, he felt his phone vibrate. He answered without looking, “Yeah?”
“Hey, is this Red?”
“Who’s asking?” Stiles saw a taxi parked at the side, waiting.
“Jeremy Gilbert.”
Stiles paused before continuing as the taxi driver helped him place his things in the trunk. “Ah, and how may I help you?”
“I heard you provide service for a price… like to get… rid of someone.” The boy hesitated.
Stiles rolled his eyes before saying low enough for no one to hear. “Well, that depends. Can you afford it? What information can you provide me of the target, what level of danger would you rank them in, how many others are involved, so on and so forth. You follow?”
The voice was silent on the other side for a moment. By the time he spoke, he was already seated in the cab, providing a paper with the address. After the man input the information, he started the car and drove towards the destination. Stiles saw that he had another 2 or 3 hours before he could finally reach his new home.
“Uhh, what would you rate an Original Vampire?”
Stiles paused, looking at his phone like it offended him before placing it at his ear. “If you’re about to tell me that’s your target, you can hang up right now.”
“What? Why? I thought yo-”
“Yeah, I know.” Stiles cut in. “But even I'm not that suicidal.” Stiles glanced at the driver who was tilting his head slightly to listen in. “Look, give me a few hours and I’ll call you back.”
“Wait, but-”
“And try not to do anything stupid.” Stiles hung up, muttering. “Honestly, kids and their stupidity.”
It was funny, considering he was just seventeen but he hasn't felt his age for awhile so there's that. Nothing could age him faster than being possessed and murdering a bunch of innocent people.
The Originals. I swear if they end up where I'm headed, I should just give up on life. Stiles snorted to himself. No, there's no way my luck sucks that bad. God, I hope not.