[ What worked against a relatively new werewolf isn't going to work against an older one. Derek's got experience with how his abilities work and how to utilise them.
He raises an eyebrow as he waits for Stiles next move. The initial movement is decent, he'll give the teenager that, and the stomp is a decent redirection. It's just a shame that the punch is a little easy to spot.
Derek manages to catch the fist before it can land. ]
But you aren't really giving me a lot to go on, you know.
[Stiles gestures, but tries to settle, not losing his balance when Derek shoves him, at least.]
I mean going in to tackle you, while you're expecting it, won't work. So I can mark that off. And since you know the attacks coming, really, punches are going to be hard to land. I'm not really one for acrobatics, so I can't go leaping off stuff so you can grab me by the neck and throw me to the ground.
[He runs a hand through his hair.]
I don't know, maybe I'm thinking too hard. But my problem is everything I think of, you can counter fast.
I can’t tell you what to do. If I give you a hint, i’ll know your moves exactly.
[ Derek folds his arms and steps back a few paces, putting a little more distance between them. ]
You’re over-thinking. Don’t plan ahead, just do something.
[ Easier said than done of course. ]
The problem with you, Stiles, is that you plan too far ahead sometimes. What happens when your little plan fails, huh? You end up trapped in a situation. Try thinking on your feet for once.
[Did you not see him dealing with the Egypt situation, Derek?]
But I usually plan for the worst, so I have a gun, or a bat, or magic powders.
[He raises a hand before Derek can talk.]
I know, I know I'm not always going to have that.
[He genuinely isn't trying to stall, but sometimes he just has to talk an idea through. And frankly, he's nervous. This isn't easy for him. It definitely shows his inadequacies in stark relief. He will get better, he knows. But Stiles never thought it was going to be easy, either.]
Can we try something different? Like, you attacking me?
That would literally force me to think on my feet.
[ Can't win a current fight relying on past victories, Stiles.
Derek huffs a little at the hand gesture but remains silent as Stiles continues to talk. Thing is, he knows there's potential in the teenager. Given the right motivation and skills the kid could be dangerous. It was just about reaching that point and knowing how to get there. ]
You want me to attack you?
[ It sounds crazy. It sounds potentially lethal if there's a misstep on Derek's part. ]
I mean I'm usually getting attacked in these situations, anyways?
[It's rarely a purely offensive situation. Usually it starts as defensive.
Shaking his head, he runs a hand along his face.]
Fine, fine.
[Stiles surges forward again. This time he does genuinely go to tackle Derek down, arms around the werewolf's waist. He doesn't move to go directly back, though, but twists, trying to get a leg swept under to get one of Derek's feet out from under him.]
[ It goes without saying that Derek proves to be the immovable object to Stiles’ not so unstoppable force. Points deducted for doing something incredibly easy to block. Points awarded for trying the method regardless of the odds and generally being a tricky target to catch hold of.
When Derek does eventually get hold of the teenager’s waist, he lifts the kid clean off the floor. He had to do something to stop the awkward foot fight from continuing. ]
When I put you back down, you’re going to back up five paces and take a break.
[ He waits just long enough to get some sort of response before lowering Stiles back down. If he doesn’t back up, he doesn’t back up. Not a lot Derek can do about that. ]
He's trying, hard, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything. The fact that Derek just picks him up--it prickles, gets under his skin. Maybe he isn't cut out for this. But he's angry, and maybe that's why he does what he does next.
The second that Derek puts him down, Stiles surges forward, swinging his right hand hard to clock the werewolf in the jaw. It probably won't work, either, but he knows that he won't be expecting it, at least.]
[ He should have expected some sort of violent outburst from Stiles. He'd ignored the signs that the teenager was getting upset. Angry. Frustrated. And then he'd gone and pushed Stiles over that line by literally treating him like a small child.
The swing catches him off guard, it connects and makes him step back a step. Less out of physical strength and more due to shock but who cares about the smaller details right now? It takes Derek a moment to actually register what happened. When it does, he huffs as though things are starting to make sense. ]
[Stiles grins for a flash at the triumph of finally landing a hit. Derek's words hit true. People might think he's a sarcastic, bitter, fragile goof, sometimes...but when it comes down to it, he has a lot of frustrations and anger locked under the surface.
That's what worked when he hit Jackson during the whole Alpha situation, hadn't it?]
..that's your anchor, isn't it?
[He breathes out, ignoring the slight ache in his fist from where he hit Derek.]
How do you tap into it, to fight, without losing control?
[ Derek absently rubs the side of his face before replying. No damage done and the majority of the pain has already faded, there’s just a lingering itch at the point he was hit. ]
It is. At the moment.
[ That’s the thing about anchors, they change. They’re adaptable. Sure, Anger is his go to option right now but that doesn’t mean it’ll always be his link to humanity. He could have a different one within a matter of decades, years, months. ]
I let go. What you have to keep in mind, Stiles, is that I was born into this. Tapping into my primal side is something that I know. It’s instinctual.
I'm saying that it's a little different for you, Stiles. You're not a werewolf.
[ Derek has a wolf-side to give into, it's all about letting go of his humanity and falling back onto that. It's obviously not the same 'set-up' for a human. ]
It's less about letting go for you. Not in the same sense as us. You? You need to give into your anger. Stop pretending that you're fine.
[ Now that they know Stiles can fight back when provoked, well, time for a little provoking. ]
Try and hit me again. And know that if you keep failing at this, you're going to be worthless to your friends. Each and every one of them can handle themselves just fine. Until you show up and act as a liability.
[Stiles frowns, listening. He wants to tell Derek that he isn't worthless--he's proved more help than Lydia, he's saved Derek's asa few times, but he gets what the werewolf is doing. That doesn't mean it's any easier to hear, though.
It eats at the black little bit of him that completely agrees with Derek.
So he tries again, surging forward. He doesn't even think this will fucking work, Derek anticipating it this time, but he tries, still. Movements less than fluid, more fueled by emotions than calculated reason.]
[ Now, never let it be said that Derek isn't grateful for the amount of times that Stiles has gotten him out of trouble. He truly is. Heck, by this point he's probably done more for Derek than Scott ever has. Scratch that he has done more for him than the other werewolf, which goes to show something.
He’s trying to play ‘tough guy’ for a reason though. While he’s certain that Stiles has got the theory down, he’s still missing the follow-through. Understanding that little something that pushes a person forward is one thing, utilising it on demand is another.
Sure the off-rhythm movements are keeping Derek on his toes but they’re not catching him off-guard. One step forward, two steps back. ]
Fight me like you mean it. Like you want to hit me.
[ And just for good measure, despite the fact that he’ll regret the words immediately after. ]
I’m the guy who nearly allowed your dad to be ritually sacrificed. You came this close to becoming an orphan.
[Thing is, Stiles doesn't believe that. He doesn't believe that Derek would have that happen, on purpose. Lydia would have said something to him about that, if that was the case. But if it's one of Derek's fucking bad-luck, bad-choices jags that he seems to go on, he can believe that, for sure.
This is hard, without weapons; he had no issue hitting Scott repeatedly, but that had been with balls. That's something different, entire. But the idea of becoming an orphan, regardless if Derek had anything to do with it? The idea that he wouldn't be able to save his dad, that it would be his fault that he got involved in all of that? Stiles could hold onto that, and tightly.
Pushing forward again, this time he doesn't try to punch--he moves to grab ahold of Derek's shoulders, bringing his knee up swiftly towards his crotch. If that works, if Derek bends slightly at the waist, Stiles is bringing his elbow down hard across the broad of his cheek.]
[ Whether Stiles believes him or not is irrelevant in the end. As long as he took something away from the words, some sort of motivation, that’s all that matters.
The werewolf is caught off guard by the sudden change in tactic and hunches over almost immediately. Advanced healing or not, a shot to the crotch still hurts like hell for those few blinding seconds after impact. Given his position, he can’t avoid the elbow hit no matter how far he attempts to turn his head. Instinctively one of his hands flies to cover his stomach, just in case the teenager decides to follow things up with a final kick.
There is a slight oversight to their current positions though. Sure, Derek has been forced lower which leaves him with very few options for a counter-attack, but there’s something significant that Stiles has overlooked. His legs. Right now Derek has been essentially been forced to kneecap height. Prime targets to really turn the tables. Instead of attacking with the intent to knock Stiles off balance, Derek almost lazily swipes an arm out. An attempt to show Stiles the mistake and see if he can learn from it. ]
Dude, do you really want me to try to lay you out?
[Yeah, Stiles could have done a punch to the stomach, a knee, something to take Derek out fully (or try), but this is supposed to be learning, right? And so far he's just been...well this is just really unconventional. Which hey, is what he sort of expects with Derek, but constant attacking and harnessing his inner anger (really he is the Hulk, isn't he)...there's always something he is leaving out.
Like the knees, for instance.
He appreciates the pointer, the show that he's vulnerable, without actually knocking him on his ass, though.]
[ Although that would be an interesting sight to see, a human with little to no fighting training taking down an experienced werewolf. Unfortunately there are only so many hits to his lower torso that he can handle and he'd rather skip over those. For the moment. They can revisit crotch shots at a later date, preferably with some sort of inanimate object working as a stand-in.
Pushing himself back up to stand straight, arm still over his stomach for the time being, Derek lets out a small huff. They've established that Stiles can hit hard and fight dirty if necessary. Time to work more on that technique then. ]
[ If nothing else, at least Stiles his knows thumb placement. They can skip right over the talk about broken thumbs and dislocated fingers. Straight into the swing of things then. Literally.
Derek holds up his palm in front of Stiles' fist before making a quick 'go on' motion. ]
[Stiles nods, and moves to hit Derek's fist. It's a bit too much arm motion, but he does put his core behind it, not just swinging from his shoulder down to his fist. He puts his body into it, stepping.]
[ Derek nods before taking a step back to retain their starting distance. Decent fist, decent follow-through, just needs a little toning down on the limb motion. It's a simple enough fix. ]
You need to minimise your arm movement. Try again, slower, and think about how you're moving.
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[ What worked against a relatively new werewolf isn't going to work against an older one. Derek's got experience with how his abilities work and how to utilise them.
He raises an eyebrow as he waits for Stiles next move. The initial movement is decent, he'll give the teenager that, and the stomp is a decent redirection. It's just a shame that the punch is a little easy to spot.
Derek manages to catch the fist before it can land. ]
Better.
[ With that, he lightly shoves Stiles back. ]
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But you aren't really giving me a lot to go on, you know.
[Stiles gestures, but tries to settle, not losing his balance when Derek shoves him, at least.]
I mean going in to tackle you, while you're expecting it, won't work. So I can mark that off. And since you know the attacks coming, really, punches are going to be hard to land. I'm not really one for acrobatics, so I can't go leaping off stuff so you can grab me by the neck and throw me to the ground.
[He runs a hand through his hair.]
I don't know, maybe I'm thinking too hard. But my problem is everything I think of, you can counter fast.
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[ Derek folds his arms and steps back a few paces, putting a little more distance between them. ]
You’re over-thinking. Don’t plan ahead, just do something.
[ Easier said than done of course. ]
The problem with you, Stiles, is that you plan too far ahead sometimes. What happens when your little plan fails, huh? You end up trapped in a situation. Try thinking on your feet for once.
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[Did you not see him dealing with the Egypt situation, Derek?]
But I usually plan for the worst, so I have a gun, or a bat, or magic powders.
[He raises a hand before Derek can talk.]
I know, I know I'm not always going to have that.
[He genuinely isn't trying to stall, but sometimes he just has to talk an idea through. And frankly, he's nervous. This isn't easy for him. It definitely shows his inadequacies in stark relief. He will get better, he knows. But Stiles never thought it was going to be easy, either.]
Can we try something different? Like, you attacking me?
That would literally force me to think on my feet.
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[ Can't win a current fight relying on past victories, Stiles.
Derek huffs a little at the hand gesture but remains silent as Stiles continues to talk. Thing is, he knows there's potential in the teenager. Given the right motivation and skills the kid could be dangerous. It was just about reaching that point and knowing how to get there. ]
You want me to attack you?
[ It sounds crazy. It sounds potentially lethal if there's a misstep on Derek's part. ]
Give this one more try and then we'll switch.
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I mean I'm usually getting attacked in these situations, anyways?
[It's rarely a purely offensive situation. Usually it starts as defensive.
Shaking his head, he runs a hand along his face.]
Fine, fine.
[Stiles surges forward again. This time he does genuinely go to tackle Derek down, arms around the werewolf's waist. He doesn't move to go directly back, though, but twists, trying to get a leg swept under to get one of Derek's feet out from under him.]
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When Derek does eventually get hold of the teenager’s waist, he lifts the kid clean off the floor. He had to do something to stop the awkward foot fight from continuing. ]
When I put you back down, you’re going to back up five paces and take a break.
[ He waits just long enough to get some sort of response before lowering Stiles back down. If he doesn’t back up, he doesn’t back up. Not a lot Derek can do about that. ]
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He's trying, hard, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything. The fact that Derek just picks him up--it prickles, gets under his skin. Maybe he isn't cut out for this. But he's angry, and maybe that's why he does what he does next.
The second that Derek puts him down, Stiles surges forward, swinging his right hand hard to clock the werewolf in the jaw. It probably won't work, either, but he knows that he won't be expecting it, at least.]
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The swing catches him off guard, it connects and makes him step back a step. Less out of physical strength and more due to shock but who cares about the smaller details right now? It takes Derek a moment to actually register what happened. When it does, he huffs as though things are starting to make sense. ]
Anger. You need an emotional trigger.
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That's what worked when he hit Jackson during the whole Alpha situation, hadn't it?]
..that's your anchor, isn't it?
[He breathes out, ignoring the slight ache in his fist from where he hit Derek.]
How do you tap into it, to fight, without losing control?
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It is. At the moment.
[ That’s the thing about anchors, they change. They’re adaptable. Sure, Anger is his go to option right now but that doesn’t mean it’ll always be his link to humanity. He could have a different one within a matter of decades, years, months. ]
I let go. What you have to keep in mind, Stiles, is that I was born into this. Tapping into my primal side is something that I know. It’s instinctual.
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[If it's instinct, it can't be learned--at least the way that Derek feels it. He shook his head.]
Fine whatever, anger helps me. What do you want me to do next.
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[ Derek has a wolf-side to give into, it's all about letting go of his humanity and falling back onto that. It's obviously not the same 'set-up' for a human. ]
It's less about letting go for you. Not in the same sense as us. You? You need to give into your anger. Stop pretending that you're fine.
[ Now that they know Stiles can fight back when provoked, well, time for a little provoking. ]
Try and hit me again. And know that if you keep failing at this, you're going to be worthless to your friends. Each and every one of them can handle themselves just fine. Until you show up and act as a liability.
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[Stiles frowns, listening. He wants to tell Derek that he isn't worthless--he's proved more help than Lydia, he's saved Derek's asa few times, but he gets what the werewolf is doing. That doesn't mean it's any easier to hear, though.
It eats at the black little bit of him that completely agrees with Derek.
So he tries again, surging forward. He doesn't even think this will fucking work, Derek anticipating it this time, but he tries, still. Movements less than fluid, more fueled by emotions than calculated reason.]
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He’s trying to play ‘tough guy’ for a reason though. While he’s certain that Stiles has got the theory down, he’s still missing the follow-through. Understanding that little something that pushes a person forward is one thing, utilising it on demand is another.
Sure the off-rhythm movements are keeping Derek on his toes but they’re not catching him off-guard. One step forward, two steps back. ]
Fight me like you mean it. Like you want to hit me.
[ And just for good measure, despite the fact that he’ll regret the words immediately after. ]
I’m the guy who nearly allowed your dad to be ritually sacrificed. You came this close to becoming an orphan.
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This is hard, without weapons; he had no issue hitting Scott repeatedly, but that had been with balls. That's something different, entire. But the idea of becoming an orphan, regardless if Derek had anything to do with it? The idea that he wouldn't be able to save his dad, that it would be his fault that he got involved in all of that? Stiles could hold onto that, and tightly.
Pushing forward again, this time he doesn't try to punch--he moves to grab ahold of Derek's shoulders, bringing his knee up swiftly towards his crotch. If that works, if Derek bends slightly at the waist, Stiles is bringing his elbow down hard across the broad of his cheek.]
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The werewolf is caught off guard by the sudden change in tactic and hunches over almost immediately. Advanced healing or not, a shot to the crotch still hurts like hell for those few blinding seconds after impact. Given his position, he can’t avoid the elbow hit no matter how far he attempts to turn his head. Instinctively one of his hands flies to cover his stomach, just in case the teenager decides to follow things up with a final kick.
There is a slight oversight to their current positions though. Sure, Derek has been forced lower which leaves him with very few options for a counter-attack, but there’s something significant that Stiles has overlooked. His legs. Right now Derek has been essentially been forced to kneecap height. Prime targets to really turn the tables. Instead of attacking with the intent to knock Stiles off balance, Derek almost lazily swipes an arm out. An attempt to show Stiles the mistake and see if he can learn from it. ]
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Dude, do you really want me to try to lay you out?
[Yeah, Stiles could have done a punch to the stomach, a knee, something to take Derek out fully (or try), but this is supposed to be learning, right? And so far he's just been...well this is just really unconventional. Which hey, is what he sort of expects with Derek, but constant attacking and harnessing his inner anger (really he is the Hulk, isn't he)...there's always something he is leaving out.
Like the knees, for instance.
He appreciates the pointer, the show that he's vulnerable, without actually knocking him on his ass, though.]
What next.
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[ Although that would be an interesting sight to see, a human with little to no fighting training taking down an experienced werewolf. Unfortunately there are only so many hits to his lower torso that he can handle and he'd rather skip over those. For the moment. They can revisit crotch shots at a later date, preferably with some sort of inanimate object working as a stand-in.
Pushing himself back up to stand straight, arm still over his stomach for the time being, Derek lets out a small huff. They've established that Stiles can hit hard and fight dirty if necessary. Time to work more on that technique then. ]
Form a fist.
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[Stiles makes a fist, his thumb on the outside. Raising his hand up, he keeps his wrist firm, showing Derek.]
And?
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Derek holds up his palm in front of Stiles' fist before making a quick 'go on' motion. ]
I want to see how your arm moves.
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[Stiles nods, and moves to hit Derek's fist. It's a bit too much arm motion, but he does put his core behind it, not just swinging from his shoulder down to his fist. He puts his body into it, stepping.]
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You need to minimise your arm movement. Try again, slower, and think about how you're moving.
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So bascially you're trying to train the spaz out of me. Got it.
[He sighs and moves to punch again, trying to keep his arm from swinging in to large of an arc this time.]
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[ The next attempt is better but Derek still steps for the intervene. Literally taking Stiles' arm and moving it for him a couple of times. ]
Feel the difference?
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