selfassured | IC Inbox

CONTACT: stiles.stilinski@compass.net
MESSAGE: training?

Sure. Have you got something in mind or do you want me to pick something?

Pick something. You know better than I do.

Fine. Meet me in the middle of the campus.

[And so Stiles goes to the middle of campus, again changing into his most-worn down clothing. He's actually washed them in the sink (as best he can), so they aren't as gross as they could be, at least.]

Okay. So what today?

[ Derek's waiting at the designated spot by the time Stiles turns up, he’s dressed in his usual clothing for this sort of thing. He nods his head towards the exit of the campus. ]

Warms-ups to start off with, then we’re going to work on your hand-to-hand combat.

[Again. Well, he probably needs the help. So Stiles nods, and starts to jog.]

Been doing okay this week?

[Might as well make casual conversation.]

[ Yes, again. But it's going to be a little more structured this time around. Derek gives a slight head tilt before starting to head off campus. ]

More or less. You?

[He shrugs as they run.]

Scott still isn't back.

[Which is the best way for him to say he's surviving but isn't that happy.]

[ He gives a very short nod in response, there's not a lot he can say to a statement like that after all. Hoping that Scott will return seems unfair to the younger werewolf, he’ll have to face a certain amount of death and destruction back home but it’s better than being stuck in this place. And mentioning the possibility of going home around Stiles seems a little insensitive right about now. Best to keep quiet for the time being. ]

Have you spoken to the others lately?

Not really? I hung out with Lydia, trying to help her figure out what her old-roommates' extra key was too, but besides that...

[He shakes his head.]

Allison is avoiding me or not talking, and Jackson is doing the same.

[ Once again Derek initially settles for nodding. He's barely on speaking terms with the others; he certainly isn't on close enough terms to really care about what they're up to. But it's polite to ask. And it does give them something to talk about other than Scott's absence. ]

And how did that go? The whole key hunt thing?

Eh, it just went to a classroom. Nothing interesting. Waste of time, really.

[Yeah, the conversation isn't really going anywhere, but hey, it happens. He lets out a breath, taking a right turn as they jog, trying to work a circuit.]

Seems that guy and his wife I was going to show our work left the city. So back to just us.

[ He lets out a small hum of clearly faked interest but doesn't verbally comment on the classroom thing. It’s not exactly a shock to hear that a key led to an otherwise worthless room.

All the while Derek keeps close and continues to follow Stiles' lead; he’ll start to lead them away a bit once the warm-up is over. He doesn't look surprised by the news of two more people disappearing. ]

We could always ask one of the others to help. I doubt they have anything better to do with their time.

Yeah. I mean, for a while I thought keeping it secret might be a good idea, not really knowing who to trust.

[He's breathing a bit harder now, but doing okay.]

Guess it really doesn't matter anymore, does it.

[ Derek gives a slight shrug. It's true that things are getting a little desperate so there is some merit in sharing their information with everyone else. That said, there's still a chance that a few less than trustworthy individuals are still lurking around. ]

It's up to you. Do you want to tell everyone or keep it between the two of us for a little longer?

...I don't know?

[Stiles sighs; he's always sort of liked this thing between them. It's been their 'thing', and something that he doesn't have to freak out about, or worry. Lydia, Scott--they all keep watching him like he's some sort of ticking time bomb. But Derek? He just exists within his space, letting him do what he needs to do, giving helpful answers, or at least not giving ones that impede him.

Handing out a big part of their bond almost seems wrong.]

Maybe a couple people. But yeah, maybe the whole city doesn't need it, now.

[ Once again Derek isn't terribly helpful with his mute gestures, this time it's a short and simple nod. It's not his call to make, not that he has anyone to tell by this point, it's entirely up to Stiles. It's up to him whether he wants to actually involve Scott, Lydia or someone else. Derek just has to deal with the consequences, given his current standing with the other Beacon Hills bunch? Well, that might mean stepping back and letting them handle it. ]

That's fine. Make sure that the others know to keep quiet about all of this though.

Oh I will. Though that's totally why I'm not telling Scott.

[Also because what the fuck could Scott help him with? His friend isn't stupid, but when it comes to this stuff, he'd be completely useless.]

Is that a smart idea? Keeping something like that from Scott.

[ The last thing they need right now is for a huge fall out between the teenagers. If Scott comes back, they need to avoid a situation that'll cause him to wander off. No one needs to be lumped with the task of keeping an eye on him. ]

Well who says he's coming back.

[Stiles shoots the words back, picking up the pace, panting hard. He hasn't been able to eat as much, lately, and he can tell it's been having an effect on him.]

And he doesn't give a shit about this stuff anyways. He'd listen, but it isn't like he'd given a damn about my reading in the first place.

[ It's easy enough for Derek to keep pace, although he does look a slightly concerned about Stiles' breathing pattern. When he speaks up again he keeps his tone calm, clearly he's just hit a nerve with the Scott talk. ]

Slow down. Whether he cares or not isn't the problem. If you keep it a secret and he finds out, what's going to happen? What'll happen if he finds out that I knew about all of this before him? We're going to need his co-operation.

[ If he comes back. ]

[Stiles forces himself to slow down, taking deep breaths.]

Derek, the last time I tried to tell him about this, when the library came open, he just looked at me blankly. I love him, but he doesn't get it. And of course you know--you've helped me. [Stiles shakes his head.] Fine, I'll tell him.

I just think it's bullshit he can't get over whatever issue he has with you.

[ There's a short sigh as Derek closes the gap. ]

If he doesn't listen the next time around, fine, leave it at that. But you need to try one last time. I mean it.

[ There's still a chance to get through to him. It's just a matter of getting past the 'save everyone' mentality. ]

It's a difference of opinion, not an issue. He thinks we should be taking action, I think we need to avoid attracting attention. [ He pauses before shaking his head. ] If need be i'll back off for a couple of days, he might be more likely to listen that way.

I will, okay?

[Stiles knows he's snapping and Derek doesn't deserve it but--]

Sorry, sorry. He just really doesn't like that I agree with you on this stuff. So it doesn't matter if you're not saying it. I would be.

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