Goodbye
My phone dinged alerting me that I had received a text. I slid my finger across the screen to unlock it and opened my messages. Ethan had texted asking me to check on Danny and apologize for him because he had left with Chris Argent and Isaac as soon as school was over and we went on winter break. After typing out and sending my agreement I went down to the kitchen for breakfast.
It was Thursday so I knew Danny would be here soon. I started making chocolate chip pancakes because they were his favorite. Danny came walking in just before they were done. “Hey, these will be done soon if you want to sit,” I told him.
He nodded and went to the coffee pot to pour himself a cup of coffee. “Do you want a cup?” he asked after he made his. I nodded and he smiled at me while pouring a cup for me.
When he handed it to me I took a sip then said, “Thanks Danny it’s just the way I like it.” He smiled brighter in response and moved to set up two plates and some silverware on the small, round dining table while I finished the pancakes.
Once I was done cooking I took a plate stacked high with pancakes over and sat down beside him. When he finally got a good look at the pancakes he beamed at me. “Thank you Stiles. These are my favorite.” I tried to smile back at him and managed a small one.
“So Ethan texted me this morning asking me to apologize for him. Are you okay?” I asked after he’d piled some of the pancakes on his plate.
He took a bite then shook his head. “Not really but it’s not because of Ethan,” he sighed, “after everything that has happened my parents think I should leave Beacon Hills the day after Christmas.”
I was gapping at him. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. “Danny please please tell me you aren’t joking.”
He frowned at me and said, “Of course I’m not joking.”
I let out a relieved sigh and said, “That makes this a lot easier to say. I need to leave Danny. I can’t stay here anymore. Dad said last night that as long as someone goes with me he’ll let me go.”
It was Danny's turn to gape at me. “You’re leaving?” he questioned.
I nodded. “I have to, Danny. I can’t stay here any more, it's slowly killing me. I had no clue how to tell you especially not after everything.”
He sighed and said, “Okay Stiles I think it’s time for us to have a conversation about what’s been happening since the start of Sophomore year.”
I froze trying to think of what I could tell him without revealing the supernatural. However, before I could even start spinning a new web of lies Danny sighs again and says, “Don’t even think about it Stiles you’re gonna include everything about the werewolves and other supernatural creatures since then.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Fine, we should probably finish breakfast then move to the living room first.”
We finished our chocolate chip pancakes and put the dishes in the sink. Then we went to the living room. Danny sat down in the chair and I sat down on the couch in front of him. I looked down at my hands and said, “Okay well I should start the night before the first day. I had listened in on one of my Dads phone calls and heard that some joggers had found half of a dead body in the woods. I went to Scott's and convinced him to come searching for the other half with me. My dad caught me so I had to leave him out there and he got bit. The alpha who bit him was murdering the people involved in the Hale fire so Derek convinced Scott to help him find out who it was. We found out it was his Uncle Peter and he'd become alpha by killing Laura. Anyways Peter killed Kate Argent then with help from me and Jackson Derek killed him and became the alpha.
"After that Derek gave Jackson, Isaac, Erica, and Boyd the bite. Jackson became the Kanima who was controlled by Matt then Gerard Argent who had come for revenge and to get the bite to cure his cancer. Scott was working with him but double crossed him and poisoned him. Lydia brought Peter back from the dead. Her true love turned Jackson into a real werewolf.
"Next was the Alpha Pack who killed Erica and Boyd and had Cora. They wanted Derek to kill us and join them or they'd kill us all. The darach was after the Alpha Pack and was committing human sacrifices to gain power. Scott became a True Alpha. Derek gave up his alpha spark to save Cora. Me, Scott, and Allison did a ritual that let us save our parents by sacrificing ourselves to the Nemeton. The darach gave Deucalion his eyesight back but he wounded her. Peter is the one who delivered the killing blow however.
"Finally we get to me or well I guess the Nogitsune who possessed me. The ritual left a darkness around our hearts and a door open in our minds. The nogitsune got through my door and well he killed a lot of people including Allison and Aiden. We eventually defeated him though when Scott bit him destroying his body and he was captured in a box made from the wood of the nemeton.”
Danny sat and stared at me for a long moment when I was finished. It made me uncomfortable so I started counting my fingers. Each time I counted ten a little of the tension seemed to fade.
I had just finished another set when I heard Danny inhale and say, “Jesus Christ. Okay well first you are not the nogitsune. Second, you can come with me if you’d like. It might actually make this easier for both me and my parents as well as you and your dad. Third, tell Ethan I understand and he’s forgiven. Finally Jesus Christ.”
I couldn’t believe any of this was real no matter how many times I counted my fingers. My breath was coming faster and faster. I couldn’t breathe. My heart was racing. I was freezing but I could feel sweat beading on my forehead. My hands were trembling. I was shaking like a leaf. This wasn’t real. Nothing was real. Danny was just another way for the nogitsune to get to me. This house was just a way for him to make me feel secure.
All of a sudden Danny was there holding his steady hands out in front of him so I could see them. His voice was calm when it came through the haze. “Come on Stiles count with me. One. Two,” he put down a finger after each number,” Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. There ya go. Come on, breathe Stiles.”
I was finally calm enough to notice my breathing had slowed to match Danny’s and my heart was no longer racing. Everything still felt a little unreal but I was slowly accepting that it was. “Thank you Danny for everything,” I told the amazing man in front of me. He nodded and we started watching The Polar Express.
After the movie we decided to go Christmas shopping together. Then we went home and baked Christmas cookies for everyone. Finally we decorated the house until Dad got home.
When he walked through the door he immediately greeted the both of us. “Hey boys. How are you doing today?” he asked.
I looked at Danny before I said anything. He squeezed my hand and gave me a reassuring smile. I took a deep breath and said, “Actually Daddio there’s something we wanted to talk to you about. Danny’s parents think it would be best if he leaves beacon Hills after Christmas. We were talking and Danny said I could go with him which meets the condition you set last night.”
He sat down heavily in his recliner. “Jesus Kid, that's only three days away,” he sighed and rubbed his forehead, “alright Son you need to go and I trust Danny so it’s fine. Have you told the pa - I mean your friends yet?”
Danny smirked and I laughed lightly. “It’s alright Dad he knows about the pack and werewolves. And no I haven’t told them yet. Everyone is supposed to be here soon so I’ll tell them then.”
He sagged in what looked like relief. “Good Son,” he said and we went back to decorating while he ate some of the cookies we’d made.
Everyone arrived one by one starting with Jordan and ending with Jackson who was facetiming Danny from London. We directed everyone to the living room and stood in front of the television. Danny handed his phone to Der and said, “Okay well I guess the first thing I should say is I know. Next is my parents think me leaving Beacon Hills would be for the best after everything that’s happened. Finally, Stiles is coming with me.”
They all sat frozen in shocked silence except for Dad who looked amused by the expressions on their faces. It was Jackson who spoke first. “Good Stilinski you need out of that hellmouth,” he said. I smiled at his reference. Finding out Jax was a secret Buffy fan was one of the highlights of the last month.
Jordan voiced his agreement next. “You know I’ve thought you needed to get out of here for a while now Stiles.”
Derek and Peter looked at each other before Peter said, “We’ll come with you if you’ll have us.”
I thought about it and I could see them getting more anxious by the second. “I’d love to have you guys come with us but for now we need someone here. I need someone to help take care of Dad and I need someone to make sure Scott doesn’t get everyone killed before I’ve made it out of town. Once we have everything settled though I expect you to catch the first flight.”
They were both clearly upset so I pulled the two older men from the couch and into a hug. “It’s just for a little bit and I’ll call every day I promise. I really need someone here though or I won’t feel comfortable leaving. I’m trusting you two to take care of the people I hold most dear to me because I know I can rely on you no matter what.”
I could feel their surprise and happiness at me trusting them so deeply coming through the pack bonds so I sent back my unrelenting faith and unconditional love. They both squeezed a little tighter, and I could feel four more pack bonds sing to life deep in my chest just as strong and stable as the two I already had.
When I finally pulled away from Derek and Peter everyone had happy tears streaming down their faces and huge grins. They looked more content than I’d ever seen them. Even Dad looked as happy as when Mom was still alive.
After that we all sat around and watched Christmas movies until 5:00 p.m. when Danny's mom and dad joined us. They took my and Danny’s place on the couch while we went to go cook dinner for everyone. He was responsible for chopping the veggies while I cooked the actual meal. Tonight we decided on chicken pot pie so while he was chopping I prepared the chicken.
Once dinner was done we all sat down in the living room to eat. We all talked and joked the entire time, stuffing our faces between delighted laughs. Jax stayed on the phone happy to listen and make his own jokes because he’d finally found a place to fit in and people who accepted him for who he was.
Everyone stayed over that night most of us falling asleep in the living room laying on each other in a giant puppy pile. However, it didn’t last long because I woke up crying screaming for my pack.
I was sitting in the living room with my pack when I heard the door creak open. I looked over to it and saw a bandaged hand coming through followed by a body. The bandages fell away to reveal an exact copy of myself. “The door’s still open Stiles. I’m still here. You thought you could get rid of me but you were wrong.”
It kept coming closer, one step at a time, going on and on about the door being open. When it finally got close enough to touch me it laughed and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t you get it Stiles we’ll always be together.”
I was trapped in my head once again watching as the nogitsune took control. It walked up the stairs to the quest room where Jordan was sleeping. It used my hands to tear out his throat. Next it moved to my room where Danny’s mom and dad were sleeping. It took my bat and bashed in their heads. Finally it moved back down to the living room where everyone else was. It grabbed the lighter from my pocket and set the edge of the blanket wrapped around Peter on fire.
I was trying my best to force it out but no matter how hard I tried to gain control nothing worked. I pounded against the barrier in my head but I wasn’t strong enough. I was never strong enough. Tears were pouring down my face and every time I tried to find the pack bonds I knew were supposed to be there I came up empty handed. I sobbed in my mind and the nogitsune laughed. “You can’t find any bonds because no one wants you Stiles.”
Danny, whose chest I was sleeping on, wrapped his arms tighter around me and whispered soothing words in my ear. “Shh it’s all over now Stiles. It’s just you, me, and the pack. We’re all safe.” Der, who was sleeping on Dannys right, reached out to hold my hand while rubbing circles into my wrist and making a gentle rumbling sound. Peter, who was laying by our feet on Dannys left, started rubbing circles into my ankle and moved closer.
It took a minute but I finally calmed down. The first thing I did was reach for the bonds. When all of them were there humming with concern I felt the rest of the tension ease and my eyes slipped closed once more.
The next morning when I woke up Danny was in the kitchen making breakfast and Peter and Der were pressed into my sides holding onto me. I carefully dislodged myself and made my way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Danny already had one made and waiting for me. “Thanks,” I said when he handed it to me.
He nodded and took the cinnamon rolls out of the oven. “You’re welcome Stiles,” he said then screamed, “Breakfast is ready! Get up!”
Everyone came stumbling in and sat down at the table. We all ate then spent the day packing up most of my things. Everyone stayed the night again except this time it was a nightmare free night.
We spent the next day packing up all of Danny’s things even though it was Christmas Eve. That night however we all went back to my house and opened one gift while Elf played in the background.
We each chose one gift and sat down in a circle. Danny went first. He had grabbed a small, sleek black box. He opened it to find a $100 Armani gift card. He looked up trying to figure out who had got him the gift. When he finally found out it was Peter he thanked him.
Next was Dad who was sitting on Dannys right. He had a poorly wrapped box. Inside was a Colt 1877 Thunderer D.A.41 Caliber Revolver. Dad immediately looked to Jordan who nodded. He thanked him and we moved on.
Der was next. He was holding a box wrapped in paper with little snowmen on it. He pulled out an orange and blue t-shirt that had Miguel on the back. He looked at me first then Danny when I shook my head. They both looked each other in the eye then burst out laughing. “My god that was the worst lie I’d ever heard,” Danny said. Derek nodded in agreement and thanked him quickly.
Now it was Peter's turn. He was holding the gift I’d wrapped in shiny red paper. He carefully opened it to reveal a picture of Der in drag looking murderous that me and Danny took one night when the Queens practically forced him into one of their outfits. Peter was smiling when he looked at me and said, “Thank you for this Stiles.” I nodded and we moved on.
Jordan was up. He had an even more poorly wrapped box than the one Dad opened. Inside was a Tac Force TF-759BR Tactical Assisted Opening Folding Knife. He thanked Dad who’d obviously got it for him.
It was Danny's Dad's turn. He was holding a neatly wrapped box that had Merry Christmas all over it. There was an old Battleship game inside. He kissed his wife and thanked her.
Next was Danny's mom. She was holding a long white jewelry box. She opened it slowly to reveal a necklace with a wooden pendant that has a straight line with a triangle on each side of it carved into it. She pulled me into a hug and said, “Thank you sweetie it’s beautiful.”
Finally it was my turn. I had a box that was wrapped in blue paper with snowflakes on it. I opened it carefully and saw a red leather jacket. I launched myself at Der before anyone even got a chance to see what was inside. “Thank you so much Der. It’s perfect. I love it.”
After opening the gifts we all finished the movie and went to sleep. My dreams weren’t peaceful that night but they weren’t as bad as they could have been. Being surrounded by my pack seems to help settle me.
The next day was Christmas. We all ate a big breakfast then went back to our circle to finish opening our gifts. I went first this time. Danny's mom and dad had gotten me a bunch of books. Jordan got me a new baseball bat. Peter got me an anti possession charm necklace. Danny got me a key with a Batman key chain and a red leather bound enchanted journal so it would never run out of pages. Dad gave me a letter from my mom and her wedding ring.
Danny’s dad got their wedding vows written in calligraphy for his wife. I got his dad a bracelet with a pendant that matched the one on the necklace for Danny’s mom. Danny got them a picture of the two of us professionally framed and a calendar with pictures of him as he grew up.
Jordan got a book about different supernatural creatures from Danny. I got him a book about hellhounds, a necklace like Danny’s moms, and a picture of him and Dad.
Derek got Peter a basketball. Danny got him a book on magic users and a book on supernatural laws. I got him a black and grey wolf plush that had Uncle Peter on the ID tag and a translated copy of the Argent bestiary.
I got Derek a solid black wolf plush that had Sourwolf on the ID tag, a picture of everyone at family dinner, and a necklace that had a wooden wolf head charm. He also got a pair of black heels from Danny and a copy of Goodnight Moon from Peter.
Danny got Dad a picture of me professionally framed and a calendar. I made him a scrapbook and two wooden rings. When he opened them I said, “Mom knows you loved her Dad and she loved you too so she would want you to move on and be happy.” He hugged me then opened his last gift which was a small wolf statue.
Dad got Danny a pocket knife with his name engraved on it. Jordan got him a set of throwing knives. Der got him a new laptop. His mom and dad got him a family photo and gave him his grandfather's wedding ring. I made him a wooden hula man and got him a bracelet as well as a picture of us, his parents, and my dad.
After all of our gifts were opened we facetimed Jackson. When he answered we saw Isaac, Ethan, and Chris in the background. We all exchanged pleasantries then just enjoyed our last day together.
That night we all slept in the living room together including Jordan and Danny’s parents. It was peaceful and exactly what we needed before we left in the morning.
We all had breakfast together then everyone started loading boxes into Danny’s car the next morning. While everyone was loading boxes I walked through my room to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. When I was sure I didn’t I laid my red hoodie on my bed along with a note that said goodbye addressed to the McCall Pack. Before I left I opened my window but I shut and locked the door behind me on my way out.
I sat a box down by the door that I had filled with some of my t-shirts and two blankets for Der and Peter so they could have something that smelled like me until they could finally join us.
By the time I made it downstairs everyone was done and waiting. I smiled sadly and walked over to Jordan. I gave him a hug and said, “Keep Dad safe Jordan but keep yourself safe too. I’ll see you soon.”
“I will Stiles,” he hugged me tighter, “I’ll see you soon.”
Next I went to Danny’s mom and dad. I gave both of them a hug. “You’ll keep an eye on our boy and make sure he calls us won’t you sweetie?” his mom asked. I promised I would and walked over to Peter.
“Hey Creeperwolf. I’m gonna miss you but you’ll be joining us soon enough. Hold the fort down and I’ll see you real soon alright,” I said while giving him a bear hug. He nodded and scented me before shoving me into Derek.
I laughed for a second before wrapping him up in a bear hug too. “Same goes for you Der. I’m really gonna miss you but you’ll be with us again in no time at all.” He ran his fingers through my hair and hugged a little tighter before letting go. “Oh and boys I left a box of things for you outside my bedroom door. I thought they might help while we’re away,” I said before moving to dad.
I clung to him like I’d never see him again. “I will call everyday and we’ll do weekly facetime dinners. I’m going to miss you so much Daddy,” I said while tears started silently falling down my cheeks. He held me as tight as he possibly could.
“I’m gonna miss you too Mieczyslaw,” he started crying too, “I love you son.”
I kissed his cheek and said, “I love you too Dad.” We hugged for a moment longer before he finally pulled away and pushed me towards Danny.
“Ready to go?” he asked. I nodded and he grabbed my hand to comfort me.
We all made our way outside. Danny let my hand go when we reached the car and got into the driver's seat. I got into the passengers and with a final wave to our pack we left Beacon Hills.
Word Count: 3,997