( video 33 )

[studmuffin]

Der --. [ The device catches the harsh grind of Stiles' voice the minute he speaks, the camera obscured by the flannel of his shirt. He sounds rough, worn down, and when fingers pluck the device from his pocket a few moments later they're very clearly shaking. ] No, shit, shit.

[ His eyes are ringed red like maybe he's not been sleeping or maybe he's been crying and it takes a beat too long for understanding to flicker across his face. It's barely any time at all after for it to harden his expression. The City. His hand curls into a fist around the machine and his inhale sounds laboured as he shudders. ] Fuck.

[ From then on the reaction is far too fast, each breath not quite making it and Stiles' clumsy touch trying to do something, turn off the camera or call someone or something. But he misses and the entire thing clatters to the ground, his grip seizing and curling around his knees as he bends at the waist and tries to just breathe. ]

I -. [ A swallow. He's panicking. It's a panic attack. He can't stop. He can't stop. He tries to reach out for his device again, but it's too much. His vision is going and he just sinks to his knees, burying his hands in his hair. Each breath sounds like a rasp but if he focuses maybe he can just ... ]

( ooc: so stiles is back! he's been updated to the very beginning of Alpha Pact. he's also having a very nasty panic attack. make a line to kiss him. don't do that. )

Comments

video;

[brobeforehos]

[There's a shudder in the way she greets him, like she's shocked he's here - and then more than just worried about the state he's in.]

Stiles? Hold on.

video;

[studmuffin]

[ He should be pleased to see Mae. He should be. Because she is his friend and he genuinely likes her company. But every minute he is here means that he can't be there to find his dad.

( He's forgotten, for the moment, that Lydia had told him they find him. The reality is so much harsher. ) ] Y-yeah, doing - [ A breath. ] Doing that.

video;

[brobeforehos]

I'm coming over. [By the sound of her voice and if he looks at the screen, he'll notice she's exiting the library now it's pretty obvious she is already on her way.] If that's okay.

video;

[studmuffin]

[ He's in the woods. That understanding flickers through his head. In the woods is good. In the woods means less people. ]

How am I - [ A hitch, his grip on his skull tightening. ] Supposed to stop you. Right now.

audio;

[intheblanks]

Breathe out.

[Yes, forget the Stiles! You're back! pleasantries. He sounds calm, but he's grabbing a coat and trying to figure out location from the device's display.]

Stiles, if you can hear me, try and exhale as slowly as you can. I'm going to count you through it. One. Two--

audio;

[studmuffin]

[ Chase is a doctor! He remembers and that totally helps. Makes him listen. Makes him take stock. So he breathes out with Chase's count and even though it sounds like a shake it helps. ]

Breathing. [ Fingers now digging into his thighs. ] L-looks easier on -- television.

audio;

[intheblanks]

You're not trying to breathe, you're just trying to breathe out. Much easier. Breathing in'll happen by itself, no need to worry about that - and out, try to get to eight.

[He talks through the count again, waiting until he hears the rasp of Stile's breath.]

Not bad. You're definitely going to hold out 'til I get there.

audio;

[studmuffin]

M-my hero.

[ Deflecting is just as difficult as breathing but he needs it just as much. So he keeps trying to exhale and counts the beats with his fingers against his knees and his vision stops being black around the edges. ]

audio;

[synanthrope]

You can take one of the cars, if you like.

audio;

[intheblanks]

[Yes he knows he's meant to stay away from big bad wolves.]

They're not really designed for offroading.

audio;

[synanthrope]

Are you telling me my cars can't handle all terrains?

[Video > Action]

[outofthefreezer]

[Isaac grins when he sees Stiles' face, but then suddenly puts two and two together and realizes just when Stiles is coming from. Not the same happy place as Isaac himself but a more dangerous place, he'd heard about it, not experienced it. He'd been busy playing the getaway driver.

He knows he shouldn't be actively using his powers but this was Stiles, he was pretty much pack and experiencing something that wasn't necessarily danger but worrying all the same. He takes a moment to shout 'hold on' into the device before running full speed from the cabin, not a human speed but unless anyone was there to see him it didn't matter.

It only takes him a couple of minutes to get there but he's standing in front of Stiles, hands going tentatively to the other boy's shoulder. He'd experienced this kind of thing enough in his own life to know the hell Stiles must be going through.]

Stiles, calm down okay. I'm here, Derek's here, Scott's here. Calm down.

[studmuffin]

[ Isaac. That's not what he's expecting. Isaac to burst suddenly into his vision. But it startles him enough that he blinks, looks up at him. ]

C-can't. [ Scott left. Derek's out for the count. His dad --. He shudders, tries once more to fight through it. ] This is -- awful, fuck.

[outofthefreezer]

[Isaac doesn't exactly know what to do past the original finding Stiles. He thinks it mist be best to just talk at him. He gets down to Stiles' level.]

I just got back myself Stiles, you're in the city. Everything, it works out, I promise. I know you won't believe me but it does. And Scott, well he's different now... and I called him Yoda, he didn't get it but man he needs to see Star Wars. Maybe we could find a copy if you just, you know, breathe?

[studmuffin]

[ Isaac's ramble immediately makes him laugh, a stupidly shaky thing that twists from his lungs. But it's good, it's lifting the heavy vice that has his ribs squeezed tight. ]

He's a d -- douchebag. [ Offering a weak smile. ] Who hasn't s-seen Star Wars, man?

[ But Isaac triggers the memory he needs. Lydia telling him. He knows, he knows that his dad survives. It doesn't make it better but it lessens it. ]

Video, Likely leading to action

[lefthandedgenius]

[Oh, shit. Oh, shit.]

Stiles, I'm coming. Try holding your breath.

[She doesn't know if she can fall on that grenade again. Too many feels. But she'll do what she has to.]

[studmuffin]

L-Lydia?

[ He sounds surprised but that helps. He tries focusing, tries thinking, tries anything. ] Shit, Lydia.

[lefthandedgenius]

[The fact that she's on the move is apparent by way of her network device and the fact that she's in motion.]

Less talking. Hold your breath.. I already told you about this.

[studmuffin]

Y-you did?

[ His confusion is palpable, no more so than the panic. ] Am I -- fuck, sorry.

[lupusalpha]

Where are you?

[studmuffin]

[ Derek.

He wants to be pissed off, angry, vicious because Derek is involved and he's so tired. But that wars with his memory of the City and leaves him feeling a little bit aching in his stomach. ]

Isaac's here. He's good in an emergency. Kudos, well done on your choices. [ A pause and then less worked up. ] We're coming back. Be there?

[lupusalpha]

I'll be here.

Video;

[vdova]

Stiles. Can you hear me?

Video;

[studmuffin]

[ It's after the cavalry gets there that he responds, sounding a little quieter than the last time and also a little more awkward. ]

Well, that's embarrassing. [ A panic attack in front of the Black Widow? Yes. ]

Video;

[vdova]

[ If she's put off by it, she's not acting like it. Mostly because she understands. She smiles at him, in relief. ] So you're okay, then?