Chapter 10
Stiles stood looking out on the cliff that overlooked his small town of Beacon Hills. He smiles gently as he recalled the happiness filled in this town. He could recall all of his most tragic memories. Everything important in his life was here, but his dream was somewhere else. He was off to college in a few hours. He had already said goodbye to everyone else in the town. All that was left was for him to leave this town to get his career. There was just something strange about leaving. Some part of him knew that he was forgetting something, but for the life of himself, he could not remember. Stiles sighed for what felt like the one-hundredth time that day. He crouched down on his knees and brought his head up to his face.
A chuckle sounded from behind him causing him to jump up and spin around before laughing at the sight that greeted him. Cora Hale stood behind him with an eyebrow raised in questioning. Her hands on her hips she truly looked like the most valued member of the debate team. Stiles shook his head as he stood up and walked towards her.
Stiles took one last look behind him to gaze at the small town before turning away with an ache in his chest, “Alright. Let’s get out of here.”
Cora smiles at him as they both move to climb into the backseat of Derek’s car. This was a new beginning. This was a new start for both of them. Now they were only supposed to look forward, but apart of Stiles kept telling him he should turn back around.
______
Stiles spent the next four years working his ass off for his Bachelors in Anthropology. He went to parties, sure, but the majority of his time on campus was spent studying and working till he dropped.
Cora spent those four years switching her choice in career’s twice before finally settling on being a surgeon. Which she would have to stay at school for a few more years to come. That is if she kept that choice in career.
Derek spent two of those years finishing his teaching degree before becoming a teacher for Beacon High School. He taught History for that fourth year and it seemed it hadn’t worn him out just yet. He tried dating a few time, but each of those dates went nowhere. He already knew that the reason they didn’t go anywhere was that no one could really replace the Stiles size hole in his heart. Even if Stiles was there at Christmas dinner, it just wasn’t the same.
Peter spent the last four years constantly working on cases, never stopping to realize he had a missing piece. He worked hard and loved his family. He tried his best, but at the end of the day he was still alone and he felt like that would continue for the remainder of his life.
_____
Stiles sighed for the first time that day as he moved debris from where it had fallen on the artifacts that the museum had just received from Mexico. Stiles’ job was to explore many exhibits across the world and try to bring those items back for display in the National Museum. Even though he worked for a Museum in DC he was not required to live there. For the most part, he wouldn't even be in the US so I didn't matter.
Making his way through the interesting artifacts he began to shelve them in the storage section on the Museum so that they could go onto display soon. Stiles worked hard for the next few hours to get each idea coded and scanned before placing them in the correct spot. Once he was done Stiles leaned back and sighed. Stomach grumbling he made his way towards the exit so he could go get some lunch.
On his way there he spotted a very shiny artifact sitting up on the first display table. Meaning it had been confirmed and was going up sometime next week. Curiosity peaked Stiles made his way over to the artifact to read the information on file. Picking up the file Stiles was able to learn that it had been found in a tomb in India, which was rare. It had some significant meaning to the people there, but they were having a difficult time translating the meaning into English.
Curiosity peaked Stiles flipped the cover on the artifact back and gasped.
_____
The Sheriff waited patiently in the lobby of the airport as time ticked on. He had been here for the past hour waiting for his only son to arrive. His flight was approximately twenty minutes late. Melissa sat next to him in a pretty dress anxious as well to see Stiles.
It had been about a year since they had seen him, due to busy schedules and jobs. As well as the fact that Stiles was overseas on a dig in Europe. Hearing the announcement for his flight they both shot up from there seats to look over the crowd for Stiles.
They both smiled as Stiles came into view from the escalator. His hair had grown much longer and was up in a bun. He was wearing shades that were perched on the top of his head. In jeans and a crop top with a long jacket covering his arms.
When Stiles saw them he pocketed his phone and hurried along with his luggage to reach there spot. Once there they wrapped him up in a big hug to welcome him back he smiled and laughed as they began having rapid conversations on the walk to the car.
Once in the car Stiles leaned back and sighed. He lowered his eyelids and drifted off for a few minutes before jolting on unfamiliar terrain. Sitting up he looked out the window and realized they weren't on the way to the house. Leaning forward he started to joke with his dad, “Ah. Did you move all the way out here?”
The Sheriff laughed at the joke and shook his head in response, “You know I didn't. The Hales are throwing you a Welcome Home party.”
The Sheriff glanced back when Stiles didn't immediately respond to see him frozen in his seat with an alarmed expression on his face.
Melissa allowed a concerned expression to come across her face as she s=turned around in her seat to check on Stiles, “Are you, alright sweetie?”
Stiles quickly snapped out of his shock and gave an awkward laugh. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head as he responded, “Yeah. Just the Jetlag.”
Melissa nodded kindly as she turned back around and allowed Stiles to get away with that little lie.
Upon arrival Stiles hesitantly got out of the car and gazed at the beautiful home. his eyes softened as he gazed at it and he made his way into the home with the Sheriff quietly. Upon entering his eyes immediately landed on Derek who was sitting on the couch quietly reading a book.
When Stiles scent reached Derek his head jerked up and he smiled at him sweetly. The smile made Stiles melt as he grinned back at Derek fondly. Making his way over Stiles joked with Cora as he sat down onto the couch.
Not long after Peter made his way into the living room with them. He gave Stiles a warm greeting before sitting down in an armchair by himself. No one else commented on Peter’s entrance, but Stiles was left confused.
Peter looked exhausted. He had eyebags under his eyes that seemed like he attempted to hide them with makeup. His hair wasn't as clean as he would typically have it. His clothes were slightly disheveled. Yet the worst part of it was his eyes. Before you could see a spark in it, part of his fiery passion. Now all that remained was lifeless color.
It was then that Stiles knew Peter was suffering. That he was dying.
And it was all Stiles fault.
The first few tears were surprising and unnoticed by anyone, but when Stiles stood shakily everyone immediately turned and saw his downcast head and tears. Immediately they all began to pack, but Stiles raised a hand to wipe the tears away before he turned his face upwards to look at the room.
He immediately zoned in on Peter and took a shaky step towards him. Peter, who was standing at this point, had a concerned and confused expression on his face. Stiles reached his arms out for him which Peter accepted and pulled him in for a hug. “I'm sorry.” The words were muttered into the cotton sweater Peter was wearing. Making everyone all the more confused.
“I thought,” Stiles hiccuped and rubbed his face into the sweater as he tightened his hold on Petre. “I thought it would make you better and it wasn't what you wanted. I was wrong.”
Peter allowed a befuddled expression to settle on his face as he rubbed his hands up and down Stiles back. “I thought it would be better to pretend I couldn't remember, but I can't bare seeing you hurt like this.”
Peter’s expression soon turned into one of shock as he processed Stiles’ words. Peter looked up sharply to see the confusion on everyone else's face. Aside from Derek, who wore an alarmed expression. Derek made his way over and wrapped Stiles up into his arms gently, trying to not smother him, but giving him the pressure he needed.
Stiles continued to whisper how much he loved them out as Cora pushed the rests of the family towards the porch to give them their space. Peter and Derek held Stiles gently as they rocked him back and forth in a soothing gesture. Knowing that it would get better.
Knowing that Stiles had finally made his way back to them.