selfassured | IC Inbox

[ 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.

[ Derek gives an unimpressed look. The temptation to snap back, to try and really hammer home how important it is to get Scott to listen, is right there underneath his skin. Assuming the kid comes back, of course. He fights that underlying urge back down before folding his arms. ]

You have a better chance of getting through to him than I do.

[ He starts to veer off course, clearly set on leading Stiles to the ‘training’ area. ]

If he decides to go after the cultists, the others are going to follow his lead. We can’t let that happen.

I know, but lately--

[Stiles sighs and shakes his head, following Derek, trusting him to lead them wherever.]

I know that--but what am I supposed to do? If he decides to go hero, I can't change that! He's got other people he listens to more than me, sometimes, these days.

[ He won't be taking them very far. Just beyond a nearby group of plants and into a clearing. ]

If it comes down to that you'll have three options. You can either follow him into battle, keeping try to turn him against the idea, or let him go.

[ Sounds simple enough. In theory everything sounds simple though, it's making a decision in the heat of the moment that's the difficult part. ]

What you choose to do will be up to you.

So you mean there is only one option.

[Because the other two don't work. The first will get him killed, and the third is--he won't do that. Period.

He stops running, putting his hands on his hips working to catch his breath.]

I always love making horrible decisions.

No, I mean three options. You're narrowing it down to one.

[ In other words, you've already made your choice, Stiles. Now you've just got to follow it through.

When Derek comes to a stop he's breathing normally. Definitely doesn't look as though the warm-up had any effect on him. ]

You've still got time to think things over. And there's always a chance that Scott won't come back.

And you know why I'm doing that.

[Stiles has to do that. It's his family. Blood or not, Scott is his brother.]

I know. And I should be thankful for that. Except--

--except I'm selfish, and I don't want that.

I do.

[ Which is why he’s going to let that part of the topic drop. Yes, he has doubts on how successful Stiles will be with his chosen option but he’s not going to try and change the teenager’s mind. ]

Selfish or not, you don’t get a say in it. No one does. Either he’ll turn back up or he won’t.

I know.

[He sighs, shaking his head.]

Whatever. Let's get started. I'm tired of talking about this.

[Depressing, and like Derek said, not something he can change.]

[ There's a small nod before Derek rolls his shoulders. ]

There's a couple of logs over there, go and pick one up.

Excuse me?

Do I look like Thor to you?

[Stiles gripes, but he still goes to try and pick one up. And, well, it's a comical, sad thing.]

[ Rolling his eyes and judging you so hard right now, Stiles. ]

Pick up a smaller one then. It needs to have some weight to it though.

Hey I'm trying, okay?

[It isn't like he's had a solid meal in a while. But he's the one who asked for training, so he needs to just suck it up. He moves over to the smaller log and picks it up--it's heavy, but not enough that he's going to start trembling from it immediately.]

Try harder.

[ No one has had a solid meal in a while. And when you’re a werewolf who typically consumes more than a standard human on an average day? The sudden lack of food hits hard. So he can relate to what Stiles is going through, but he does need this practice. Just on the off-chance that things hit the ‘worst case scenario’ point. ]

Both hands at one end then bring it over here.

Do you want me to fuck off?

[Stiles snaps back, shifting the log so he's holding it in one hand like Derek told him, trying his best not to get snappy and irritated. It isn't Derek's fault.]

[ Faced with an attitude like that, it’s hardly a surprise that Derek snaps right back. He’s doing this voluntarily, there’s nothing stopping him from cancelling the training. ]

Go right ahead. You can find someone else to train you if you’re going to act like that.

I'm sorry--dude, just cut me some slack, okay?

[Stiles shifts his weight, gripping hard at the log.]

What do you want me to do?

I can't. You know as well as I do that we're running out of time, I can't afford to 'cut you some slack'.

[ He doesn't sound as snappy with that response, there's definitely a frustrated edge to his tone though. ]

Step a little closer and then swing it. [ Time for the lesson explanation. ] If something comes after you and your main weapons are missing, you’ll need to pick up the first thing you come across. You need to be capable of maintaining your balance whilst throwing a large weight around.

I got that, but I'm trying! So I'm just saying if I snap a bit don't rip my throat out.

[Stiles sighs and steps in closer, trying to adjust the log, muttering.]

This seems a disaster in the making.

[But still he swings. The first one definitely sends him off balance, and he has to take a few stumbling steps to regain his footing. Luckily he doesn't fall, or drop the log.]

[ Just rolling his eyes right now. Sorry Stiles, but now isn't the time for 'going easy'. Step up and act like you're giving it your all, none of this pausing to complain stuff. ]

I'll catch you if you start to fall over.

[ And true to his word he does move behind Stiles when he stumbles. ]

Try again. And tell me if your ankles start to hurt.

[ So he can stop this before a sprained ankle incident occurs. ]

[Stiles is trying to not get frustrated. He's hungry, tired, and this was a horrible idea, but he's started it, so he needs to finish it. So Stiles moves to swing the log again, doing better this time, at least. He is going to be exhausted after this, though.]

Better?

[ It's not exactly a walk in the park for Derek either, but it's a necessary form of training. It's not as though a giant supply of food will suddenly drop into their laps, they need to get used to running on 'empty'. ]

Better. Try this, start with the log on the ground and sweep it upwards. Follow the weight around in a circle.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject