one ✚ arrival

[affectioning]

[ If anyone is hanging out in the square, they'll see a very confused looking teenager slowly bringing what is not his cell phone closer to his face. And if anybody is looking at the network, they see the adorable can't be mad at that face moving closer to the screen. He tilts his head, perplexed. He looks around. Nobody else looks completely confused.

But, wait. He hears other people on this thing. He squints. Could this be some kind of mass communication device? Give a gold star to Scott McCall as he looks around him and then back down. ]

Can anybody hear me? Or, see me? Anyone know how far away I am from Beacon Hills? [ Or how he even got here? ] It's in California. [ This doesn't look like California. He'd ask for help but it's not exactly something he wants to do. He can handle this. It reminds him of those times he woke up miles from home. But, that was a wolf thing. Could this be true alpha related? Is this something he has to look forward to? ] Or, if anybody near me has a cell, I need to reach some people. [ Or, at least his mother. Hi Mom. I'm all right. I just woke up in a strange place. ] Thanks.

[ But, he pauses. His nose picks something up. Yes. He distinctly smells something familiar. Or, mouth-watering. It's not clear. And that's all the network gets as he brings it back down to his side. But, the video continues as he's walking in some nondescript direction. ]

Comments

[studmuffin]

Yeah. He left a couple of months ago though. I haven't seen him since.

[ Hands shoved into his pockets as he moves. ] He's the only other one. It's been me and Derek for a long time.

[affectioning]

He's okay. [ Right now. ] He's staying with us. [ His mom and him. He gives him a reassuring look. ] What's that been like?

[studmuffin]

[ That he frowns at. ] He's not staying in Derek's stupid loft?

[ AVOIDING THE QUESTION. ]

[affectioning]

Derek kicked him out. [ Maybe so he could be safe. Scott doesn't know and he and Isaac don't really discuss it in detail. ] He came by. Of course I let him stay. [ And then he never left. ] Do you not like Isaac?

[studmuffin]

Derek kicked him out?! [ Ugh, the future already sounds crazy. ] I thought he was totally into building his happy little magic pack? Why would he kick out the only dude who actually likes him?

[ Awkward. ] It's a mutual dislike.

[affectioning]

I don't know. Maybe to protect him? [ Neither Derek nor Isaac have talked about it. And Scott hasn't asked. He's been a little too preoccupied. Be happy you haven't experienced the motel from hell. ]

You're missing a lot.

[ Like it's Stiles' choice. Fair enough. ] He's a friend. And an ally.

[studmuffin]

[ He makes a noise then, half a laugh. ] He's your friend, your ally. Isaac doesn't like me. I'm surprisingly okay with it. It's not a stand-off dude, we just don't have any reason to become bffs.

[affectioning]

[ Does Isaac not like you or do you not like Isaac? Pointless question is pointless. ]

You don't have to. But, we're all on the same side now. [ So, remember that. Speaking of the same side... ] Derek's not so bad, right? [ Considering they're on good terms. The time away from each other over the summer did wonders. ]

[studmuffin]

[ His laugh turns into a cough that literally wracks his body but he waves Scott off with a frown and then when he catches his breath. ]

Derek's fine. Still a jerk though.

[affectioning]

[ He brings a hand to his buddy's back. ]

Really? [ Derek and Stiles do seem to have an antagonistic -- something. What must it be like to just be them. Here. Together. ] Sorry I haven't been here. [ Like he had a choice in the matter. ] So, where do you live? [ Since you've been here for a YEAR. ]

[studmuffin]

Really. [ Ah, back to the awkward question. So he just kind of looks like Bambi about to be hit by a truck and runs a hand through his hair. ]

WithDerek?

[affectioning]

[ He gives him a look. Like, how do you think I'm going to react to that, look? What do you think he's going to say. So, he takes it in. Consider it taken in. ]

Okay. It's just you two, right? [ From Beacon Hills. It makes sense they'd stick together. ] How is it living with Derek Hale?

[studmuffin]

It's fine.

[ Awkward hand motions. ] Sometimes it's not. But I've tried living elsewhere and he - well, we kind of figured it'd be best if I just stopped leaving?

[affectioning]

So, you're living with Derek. You have for a year. On and off. [ How strange to think. ] You know I don't hate him, right?

[studmuffin]

I do.

[ That was such a lie even he feels his heart skip. ] We live in the forest. Derek built the place.

[affectioning]

Derek built a house? [ He built Stiles a house? Of course he would. ] In the forest. [ That would sound like Derek if he weren't currently living in a loft. ] I liked the loft.

[studmuffin]

The loft is cool. But the Serial Killer Shack totally has underground tunnels. Just in case we need to escape.

[ He turns towards the forest then, no point in keeping Scott out of it. ]

[affectioning]

[ Oh, they're turning. He follows, keeping track of all the scents he catches. ]

You call it the Serial Killer Shack? [ AND HE DUG TUNNELS? ]

[studmuffin]

Derek says it's a cabin. But when I first saw it, it totally looks like a place you keep people's scalps.

[affectioning]

It's no Hale house?

[studmuffin]

It has a fridge. And a couch. It's more livable.

[affectioning]

Where else can people live here?

[studmuffin]

Uh, there's the youth center for people our age? I've been there twice. I spent a week on Hawkeye's couch too. And stayed at the Xavier mansion until they all left and Derek pulled his eyebrows on me.

[ Coughing again, though weaker than the last. ] You could get an apartment, I guess? Or you can have Isaac's old room?

[affectioning]

Isaac stayed with you? [ Of course, he's pack. ] So are you... his pack? [ Or, considered his pack? ] I can just get an apartment? [ He'll need a job. If he really can't leave. If he'll be here for a year. ] Is there a City High?

[studmuffin]

You get an allowance. [ His shoes snap twigs under each step but Stiles knows this path like that back of his hand. He doesn't want to talk about pack though, because Derek said as much and Stiles had argued with him for the longest time until he couldn't anymore. ]

Everyone does. It's enough to pay rent and eat. You can get a job too if you want. There's no school though. Professor X wanted to set one up but then he left.