Shambles

Stiles tiredly rubbed his hands against each other, trying to gain some heat. He kept his eyes closed, slowly rocking his head as his breathing became steady, he snatched them opened when he heard steps walking toward him. 

“Its only me” Derek assured him quietly, momentary stoping. He finally kneeled, leveling their eyes. Stiles swallowed and looked around the room, not being able to hold on Derek´s sight. They were back at the loft and indeed it was only him. The minute Stiles was able to stand up from Deaton´s office, recovered from his panic attack, Derek had practically carried him outside the vet, arm around his waist, preventing him to stumble with his own feet. He hadn’t said a word in the trip back to the loft, none of them had said anything. He didn’t even quite remembered arriving or walking to the couch, his mind was only stuck in that memory, that horrendous feeling. 

Derek suddenly raised a full glass and offered it to him. Stiles eyes took a while to focus the transparent liquid, “Its what you like” Derek explained quietly when Stiles stared at the glass as if it was a potential threat. Stiles raised his arm ready to take it when he froze, remembering Steve’s talk as if it had just happened minutes ago, he needed to stop drinking his demons away. 

“I´m alright” He answered instead, weakly pushing the glass away, his voice small and hoarse. Derek stared at him for a long time before straightening up. The moment his ex rejected a glass of pure vodka, that was the exact moment he knew Stiles wasn’t alright in the minimum, but at least he was talking. Derek slowly walked away from him, watching him carefully, still slowly moving his head and rubbing his hands, still sitting on the couch, immobile. He stopped for a few seconds, twisting his mouth before entering the kitchen, when everyone was reunited, patiently waiting.  

“He didn’t want it?” Tony asked impressed, watching as Derek put the glass on the table before shaking his head, out of words. Tony deeply sighed and passed a hand through his hair, “Shit” He breathed concerned. 

“Can someone just tell us what the hell happened inside that room?” Isaac asked, nearly desperate. Searching for an answer in their faces but everyone seemed in blank. Eventually Lydia shook her head and answered, “We don’t know” 

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Clint asked stepping into the conversation, arms crossed over his chest, “He didn't say a word in all the way back here, our smart mouth Stiles hasn’t say anything” He exclaimed shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe it. They all had heard Stiles loud screams before they saw him practically ran out if the place, with Derek´s arms around him. They all knew he wouldn’t let him touch him unless something truly bad had happened inside that room. 

“We mean we don’t know, he saw something” Tony answered madly, passing side to side inside the kitchen, waving his hands, “What do we do?” He finally asked, waiting for someone to say something, anything, “We need to do something"

“You know I can hear your lame asses right?” Stiles slowly asked as he entered the kitchen, nervously snapping his fingers, making a small flame appear with every movement. Almost immediately Tony and Scott were on his side, blocking his way. Stiles was baffled by their questions, coming out in a mess of words. 

He raised his hand exasperated, “Stop it!” He exclaimed, “I´m alright guys” He assured them, walking to the forgotten glass in the table. He stared at the transparent liquid, his mouth almost asking him to drink it, but he looked up and stared at Steve, their eyes locked for a moment before Stiles, for everyone´s surprised, poured the liquid in the sink. He walked to the fridge, where he took out a bottle of water. He couldn’t stand the deep, tense silence, it was too much.  

“Can someone say something please?” He muttered, looking away before taking a long sip. 

“Are you alright?” Jackson asked quietly, watching him swallowed and swallowed water as if he was dehydrated or imagining what he was drinking was straight vodka. 

Stiles dropped the bottle on the counter before looking up at everyone, he knew that wasn’t what they wanted to know, at least not completely, “If you want to ask, just do it” He tiredly muttered, rubbing his eyes, shaking his head when he saw the dark tunnel again for a moment.

“What did you saw?” Steve finally asked. Stiles locked his eyes on the floor, the memories running through his head with rapidity, the fear spreading again, “My best guess is, other demon” He finally exclaimed, looking up at him. 

“Whatever thing that was, was strong enough to make Paimon disappear” He added, sitting down beside Thor, who only clapped him in the back with comfort. Stiles nearly laughed at the strange movement. 

“And whatever thing that was didn’t want us to have answers” Lydia finished for him. Stiles nodded in agreement, “Exactly” 

“Did you get some?” Erica suddenly asked, when everyone stared at her, she deeply breathed, “Answers?”

“Not as we expected but… yes” Derek answered, nodding to himself. 

“In few words, these Nemeton is fucked up, theres no turning back” Tony rambled, ignoring Steve´s narrowed eyes on him, “Oh suck it up Rogers” He exclaimed annoyed, rolling his eyes. 

“What does that mean?” Clint asked before Steve could answer back, staring at everyone. 

Stiles tilted his head before answering, “It means we need to destroy it” He breathed before standing up, he felted exhausted. Taking the hint, Tony was on his side, hand on his shoulder, “We can discuss this in the morning guys” Tony muttered distracted, walking out of the kitchen with his brother, Derek right behind them. 

“You want the bed?” He suddenly asked, stopping on his tracks when Stiles froze on his place, thinking about his answer. Sleep in that bed when they had shared a huge amount of time together, not to mention sex? Yeah, it was a really bad idea, “No thanks” He answered almost immediately, regaining his walk to the nearest couch. 

“Are you sure?” Derek asked under his breath but Stiles raised his hand, “I´m fine Derek” He assured him, half smiling before sitting down. Tony right next to him. 

“Alright… if you need anything…” He muttered quietly, already walking back to the kitchen. Stiles watched him leave before looking down, staring at his hands in complete calm. After what it felt an eternity in complete silence, Tony cleared his throat, “Wanna talk about it?” He asked in low voice. 

Stiles let out his breath and pursed his lips, he slowly shook his head, “Not really” He muttered before looking up at him, he shrugged, “I think I just need a good night sleep”

Tony nodded, half smiling before standing up. He gave other look at Stiles, doubtful, thinking if it was a good idea to leave him alone. But Stiles was already leaning against the seat, his eyes closed. Tony let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding on and tiredly rubbed his chin. Watching his brother lose his nerves, break that way, was simply an image he would never want to see again. 

*

Stiles wide opened his eyes as a drown gasp came out of his mouth. He blinked several times adjusting to the darkness, he deeply sighed as he realized he was in the loft, calmly resting on the couch. Slowly he straightened up, looking around him. The sun was barely rising, lightly illuminating the room, everyone was asleep scattered around him. He slowly stood up, stretching his arms above his head, his muscles protesting in pain, a goddamn drink would be great but after his fight with Steve he didn’t think it would be a great idea, beside he knew he needed to stop drinking. He dragged his feet to the kitchen, where he poured himself a glass of water, he drank it almost desperately, his throat was so dry. 

He poured other one before walking back to the living room, he stared at everyone still asleep and made his way to the balcony. The cold air welcomed him, making his skin shiver.

He let out his breath leaning against the rail, staring at the calm forest. He passed a hand through his hair and dropped it against his arms, taking deep breaths when he felt his stomach twist. He could still feel that thing inside him, slowly , scratching his guts, making his way to his deepest secrets. Stiles had never faced something so completely dark. His guts twisted every time he remembered seeing himself that way. He didn’t want that part of him back, it scared him, cause deep down he could feel it, it was asleep, waiting for the right moment to emerge and that scared the shit out of him. 

He looked up from his shoulder when he heard the door opening behind him. He took a long sip of his glass as he heard Steve slowly walking toward him, leaning against the rial beside him. Stiles swallowed hard but didn’t open his mouth, the words he had said still fresh between them. 

“Better?” Steve suddenly asked. 

Stiles tilted his head and bit his lip before answering, “Sure thing” He muttered before taking other sip, wishing it was vodka. 

Steve watched his movements closely, before staring at the almost empty glass, “Don’t worry Steve its only water” Stiles exclaimed, almost bitterly. 

“I didn’t ask” Steve answered, facing him. Stiles raised one arm and shook his hand, “I wanted you to know, thats all” He answered before things could go in a complete different direction they both wanted. 

They remained in silence until Steve cleared his throat, gaining Stiles attention, “You already know what he meant with sacrifice?” He suddenly asked. 

Stiles raised his eyebrows, taken by surprise for the question, he shook his head and shrugged, “Well, when it comes to magic, everything comes with a price, I think what he meant with sacrifice was to give up something personal” He answered, his eyes lost as his mind worked looking for answers. 

“It sounds incredible simple” Steve replied, narrowing his eyes as the sun finally came out. 

Stiles couldn’t help but half smile, looking down at his feet, “Trust me, its not” He muttered before looking up at him. Stiles couldn’t help but stared at those blue eyes, the question came out of his mouth before his brain could caught up with what he was saying, “Are we alright… Steve?”

Steve backed away as if he was pushed, he half smiled with sadness and shook his head, “We… we have better things to discuss Stiles” He muttered under his breath before quickly walking inside the loft leaving Stiles alone. He swallowed hard before smirking with almost pain, they had better things to discuss, he couldn’t argue with that. 

*

“Alright guys, any ideas?” Stiles asked as he watched everyone take their places in the large table of the dinning room. Jackson happily stared at the several plates of food scattered in the table before looking up at him, “I already called Deaton” He exclaimed shrugging before eating a green grape. 

Stiles raised his eyebrows and awkwardly smiled at him, “Alright, other suggestions…” He tried again as he pushed his plate away, he wasn’t hungry at all, he knew if he ate something he would only return it. Instead he finished his second cup of coffee and began preparing himself other one when he noticed Scott staring at him, narrowed eyes. 

“What?” He asked uncomfortable, frowning. 

“You haven’t eaten anything and you’re drinking coffee like its vodka?” 

Stiles rolled his eyes and took a sip, leaning on his seat, “Its decaf” He defended himself before sticking his tongue out. 

“No, its not” Derek suddenly exclaimed, two more plates on his hands. 

“Since when its not decaf?” He asked surprised, staring at the coffee as if it had personally insulted him. 

Derek remained silent, switching his weight from one feet to other one before putting the plates down, “Well… since you- since you left” He finally whispered, sitting down at the point of the table. Stiles muttered a poor oh in answer and looked down, he pushed his coffee away and cleared his throat when no one breathed or moved.

“Caffeine doesn’t affect me, so… I don’t have to buy it decaf anymore” He added quietly, shyly shrugging. Stiles raised his eyebrows as he nodded, “Alright…” He muttered clearing his throat again, “Any ideas?” He asked again trying to break the ice. 

“When you say sacrifice, you don’t mean… human, right?” Clint asked, looking up at him from his breakfast. 

Stiles opened his mouth for several seconds, thinking about his answer, “Well… druids used to make human sacrifice to their gods, but I don’t think thats the case in here”

“Why?” 

“Well, as I said, dark magic comes with sacrifice but its a personal sacrifice, so if we want to destroy the nemeton, I think we need to-“

“Sacrifice something dear to us, as a precious memory or an object” Lydia finished for him, nodding to herself. 

“I think so, yeah” Stiles exclaimed, nodding too. 

“And if it doesn’t work? I mean, its not like we can sacrifice a random person we find in the street, right?” Tony exclaimed. 

“Well…” Stiles started, tilting his head when Scott lightly slapped him in his arm, “Don’t you even think about it Stiles Stilinski” 

Stiles rolled his eyes and scoffed, “I wasn’t” He answered back, taking his cup of coffee again, to hell if it wasn’t decaf, they had put on with drunk Stiles, it was time for hyperactive Stiles to appear. 

“Look, if it doesn’t work, then we´ll think of something else, until then lets have our hopes up” Lydia assured Tony, who only twisted his mouth but didn’t say anything and concentrated on his breakfast, “And I don’t mean human sacrifice Stiles” She added, giving him a long stare when he raised his hand and opened his mouth. He finally nodded and kept his mouth shut. He stared at the brownish liquid, waiting for it to be drank. He put the cup agains his lips, feeling the warm sensation against his tongue, hoping, wishing, he was drinking vodka for breakfast. 

*

Stiles stared at his opened suitcase, his clothes scattered around it. He bit his lip and put his hands on his waist, thinking. Personal sacrifice, indeed, it sounded simple. But he had never been one of those persons that got attached with objects, not really. He slowly took the keys of his jeep from the couch and twisted them in his hand, watching the blue old dolphin along with the rusty key, making a small metallic sound. It had been a present from his parents, so many years ago. It had belonged to his mother on her youth. He closed his hand around them and nodded to himself. 

He got out of his trance, shaking himself and turned around, watching as everyone got ready for their mission. It was late at night and the moon was shinning with furor, as if it knew what they were up to. 

“Everyone ready?” Derek asked out loud as he opened the door from his loft, creating the known metallic slap no one get really used to it. Quietly, everyone began to walk outside the building. 

Stiles followed them in complete silence, watching his steps, ready to get out when he felt a strong hand on his chest, stopping him. Immediately he looked up at Derek, heartbeat already raising, “Yeah?” He asked quietly, watching Isaac´s back disappeared down the stairs, swallowed by the shadows. 

“I think… you could use this, I know you probably don't have many personal stuff to… you know, just take it” He nervously rambled, frowning and shaking his head as he raised his hand, something on it. Stiles stared at him confused for a few seconds, hesitating. He finally swallowed as he raised his hand, palm facing up. 

Slowly, Derek dropped a tiny object on it. Stiles frowned confused, as his eyes adjust to the dark and he was able to identify it. He snatched his head up, eyes wide opened as he stared at Derek, “What is this?” He asked baffled, staring again at the black ring rolling on his hand. 

“Derek” He pushed when there was no answer. He took the ring with shaky fingers before raising it, leveling it to his eyes. It was beautiful. In it, it was carved different symbols, which Stiles could recognized as protective ones. The ring was made with a black, shinny rock he couldn’t recognized.

Derek smiled with sadness and shook his head, “Something we both can sacrifice, a closure” He muttered, nostalgia and somehow relief, hidden behind his words. 

Stiles swallowed again, lowering his hand, he looked dead in his green eyes and slowly shook his head, a million questions running inside his head, “Derek, I-“  He tried to say after licking his sudden dry lips, “I would have said-“

“You would have said no… Stiles and thats- thats alright” He finished for him, rubbing his eyes with a tiredness Stiles was familiar with, he could feel it too. 

“I´m sorry” He whispered, desperately trying to sound as honest as he truly felt. He finally walked away from him, crashing against his shoulder in the process. His legs rapidly moved on their own, as they frenetically looked for the nearest exit. He heard as Derek muttered something, his voice echoing in the stairs but his ears were too clogged with a strange whistle, for him to understand something. The fresh air hit him as a blast when he exited the building. He closed his eyes with strength and let out his breath. 

“Everything alright?” He heard Lydia asking beside him, her small hand on his low back. Stiles opened his eyes and stared at her, he half smiled and raised his hand, where the black ring was. 

Lydia frowned confused, before slowly taking the ring from his hand. Her eyes wide opened as the realization hit her, “Omg…” She whispered looking between him and the ring, “Did- did he-“ She nervously stuttered. 

Immediately Stiles took the ring and shook his head, almost impressed, “No, not… right now, he was apparently going to, but… well, you know how well things ended” He bitterly rippled, putting the ring away as he stared at everyone scattered outside, waiting for Derek to climbed down the loft. 

“Is he alright?” Lydia asked quietly, looking up at the building, bitting her lip. Stiles half smiled again and looked down at his feet. He shrugged before walking away, “You´ll have to ask him yourself dear” He replied walking where Scott, Clint and Isaac were talking among them.

Lydia watched him leave before looking up at the building again. She finally sighed and shook her head, walking back to Jackson´s arms. One more time, she gave a stare at his friend, who was laughing as if nothing had happened. She watched as he put an arm around Clint´s head and squeezed it, laughing playfully. She heard Derek walking toward them, a small smile playing on his lips and nothing else, just as Stiles, a perfect poker face, showing nothing more than calm and fake happiness on it. She deeply sighed again, walking along with his friends, following Stiles quick steps. They still had too much things in common. 

“Ready for this?” Scott asked, catching up with Stiles, as he stared at his steps. Stiles gave him a quick stare and hummed, “Of course I am, you?” 

Scott shrugged in response and kept his eyes locked on the floor. Stiles frowned and gave him other long stare, “I know, this sucks” He muttered, putting his hands inside his pockets, nervously spinning the ring between his fingers. 

Scott sarcastically smirked and nodded, “This better works, cause I can’t think on other personal sacrifice rather than this” He answered raising his hand. Stiles watched as an object fall from his hand, only to hang thanks to a chain Scott was holding between his fingers. It was a watch pocket, one even Stiles remembered when they were kids, it had belonged to his father. 

“Are you sure?” He asked looking away, noticing they had almost reach the Nemeton. When Scott shrugged again and put the watch away Stiles already knew the answer. He nodded and let out his breath, “This will be over soon” He whispered, half smiling when Scott bumped his shoulder. 

Deaton was already waiting for them, beside the black Nemeton, sitting in a large rock, he almost seemed like a creature from the forest, if not for his clothing and shoes, unnecessary expensive shoes.

“Doctor” Stiles exclaimed shortly, making a head movement. Deaton returned the gesture and stared as everyone surrounded the Nemeton. He looked up at Stiles and nod at him, “You already know what to do Mr, Stilinski” He exclaimed quietly, finally standing up and backing away from him. 

Stiles nodded distracted, walking near the Nemeton, he stared at the rotten heart of the trunk and twisted his mouth. His hand hesitated, lightly shaking as he approached the center of it. He didn’t want to see that demon again, that dark tunnel, he didn’t want to. He let out his breath and finally touched it, feeling the cold surface below his hand. 

Disquieted. He felted disquieted. There was an infinite darkness and nothing else. 

He snatched his hand from it, almost afraid before shaking it several times and with rapidity backed away from it, his eyes still locked in the dark trunk. Slowly he turned to Deaton and extended his arm, “The enchanting?” He asked, watching as Deaton took out a small piece of paper from his pocket. He unfolded it before handing it to Stiles, who gently took it into his hand. 

He read the words inside his head over and over as he approached the trunk again. He printed the spell inside his head and recite it several times until he completely memorized it. He finally dropped the paper and one more time he put his hand on the center of it. He closed his eyes and felt the warm of the fire as it spread around his hand. He heard the wood grind, giving up to the heat of the flames. He removed his hand and opened his eyes. He focused on the bright orange as he began reciting in low voice. 

He saw as the flames danced at the beat of his words, following the magic, his magic. When he was done, he walked away, stopping beside Scott, “Its ready” He muttered, at first no one dare to move. Too nostalgic, too fond of their objects. It was Erica the first to move, she slowly walked toward the fire, a piece of paper on her hand. She raised her fist and hesitated a for a few seconds before letting out her breath and finally dropping it. They all watched as the paper consumed into blue flames until it was completely gone. Everyone thank her in silence for being the first one to do it. The spell per se, was freeing, private, to let go no matter what, no one was actually prepared for something like that. 

Stiles swallowed, taking out from his pocket the keys of his jeep, he gave them a long stare, twisting them in his hand again. They were just some old keys, he told himself as his feet took him near the fire. 

“They are just some old keys” He whispered to himself before finally dropping them, watching as the fire slowly consumed them. Somehow, he felt his chest lighter, a memory realized. He looked up watching the ashes dance with the wind as they flew away. 

“Are you ready?” Derek suddenly asked beside him, his voice small as a child. Stiles turned to him, lightly surprised before swallowing. He took out the black ring from his pocket and remained steady, watching it, feeling the soft texture against his rough fingers, feeling the craved symbols on it. He slowly shook his head and looked up, watching as Tony got near the fire, he turned away giving his brother some privacy, “Not really” He answered truthful, finally facing Derek, who was sadly smiling, a longing expression in his eyes. 

“Me either” He answered quietly, taking himself his ring out of his pocket. He threw it high in the air and easily caught it. Stiles watched the movement in complete silence, “But, I don’t think we´ll ever be” He added, giving him a long stare before walking away. Derek didn’t think it twice before tossing the ring to the fire. Its black color stood out from the light orange of the flames. He finally walked away from him, disappearing between the dark shadows of the night. 

“Fuck it” Stiles muttered apathetic, following Derek´s steps. He didn’t think twice before dropping the ring inside the fire, he didn’t even look at it, it was like jumping from a high cliff, like taking off a band aid. He immediately turned around, hands inside his pockets and began walking away. He could still hear as the rest of the team and the pack saying their goodbyes to their old beloved objects and memories. 

Stiles didn’t feel sad or incomplete, he felt as if he had finished an important assignment, he didn’t like it but it was something he had to do and somehow, it was freeing. 

He leaned in the nearest tree and patiently waited for everyone to finish. He twisted his neck, still feeling the power and the darkness radiating from the rotten trunk. It felt as if a bug had stung him, the sting was still inside him, burning him, until there was nothing. He felted nothing. He stopped breathing, waiting for something else, a feeling, a pull, but nothing came, there was just an empty space that used to be the Nemeton. 

He snatched his head up, staring at Deaton, their eyes locked and he knew the doctor could feel it too. 

“Did it work?” Stiles asked disbelief, walking straight to Deaton, who looked around him until his eyes locked with the cut tree, the fire and the burning objects suddenly gone. The dark trunk was exactly the same, still black, still rotten, except there was nothing alive coming from it, its presence had simply stopped existing. 

“I think it did” He answered distracted before lightly touching the common tree, “It worked” He confirmed looking up at Stiles, a genuine smile playing on his lips. 

Stiles felt as a huge weight left his body. He dropped his head against his hand and took a deep breath, it was finally done. 

Tony and him shared a hopeful stare, a small smile on their faces, “Breath man, its done” Scott muttered, appearing by his side before putting an arm around his shoulders. He shook him with excitement, a goofy smile on him, “Its done dude” He exclaimed again before walking away with even more excitement as he approached Isaac and Boyd. 

Stiles tossed his head back as a genuine smile appeared on his face, he felt tiny drops of water crashing against his face, he didn’t care in the minimum, at least they had managed to do something right, it was a victory. He was about to walk away when he managed to side way see Steve staring in blank at the black trunk. He frowned watching him carefully, from head to toe. His shoulders were rigid and his hands were closed into fists. Unconsciously he walked toward him, his steps barely making a moist sound from the wet grass and dirt. 

“Are you alright?” He asked calmly. 

Steve lightly jumped before suddenly turning to him, he opened his mouth and eyes and took a few seconds to answer, “Yeah, yeah, of course” He rambled before half smiling, as if Stiles question had been stupid. 

Stiles nodded in silence, before staring at the trunk, there was nothing left on it, except for ashes, he tilted his head, “I hated this too” He exclaimed honestly. Steve raised his eyebrows and gave him a glare. Stiles couldn’t help but laugh under his breath, “Yeah, trust me, I didn’t want this”

Steve was quiet for a few seconds, “I gave up a Peggy´s picture” 

Stiles didn’t bother to look at him, he slowly shook his head and let out his breath. His hand trembled as he reach Steve´s arm, he hesitated for a few seconds before putting it on his upper arm, “I´m sorry Steve” He whispered truthful. He fondly squeezed his arm when Steve was only able to nod. 

They remained in silence until the rain got lose and began to fall with strength. Stiles didn’t care but it was like a wakening for Steve, who shook himself, specially his arm and took several steps away from him. He opened his mouth for a few seconds, his eyes confused and dazzled. 

“See you back at the loft” He finally exclaimed before walking away. 

Stiles nodded, pursing his lips. He looked down as he heard Steve quickly walked away until the sound of rain was all he could listen to. Stiles closed his eyes enjoying the cold water splashing against his shoulders. 

“We need to protect this town” A voice suddenly exclaimed from behind him. Stiles quickly turned around and let out his breath, realizing it was only Deaton, soaking wet as him. 

“Excuse me?” Stiles asked confused. 

Deaton took a step near him, “I said, we need to protect this town, tomorrow I need your help for protective spells and some vanguards but I can’t do it alone” The doctor exclaimed, watching him carefully. 

“Sure thing doc, I´ll see you in your office” 

As same as he appeared out of nowhere, he suddenly vanished between the shadows. Stiles nearly rolled his eyes and shook his head, it was so Deaton. After a couple of minutes of staying down the water, he finally decided it was time to return to the loft, if he didn’t want anyone to think he had been kidnapped or something, live had made them too paranoid. 

Stiles and Deaton met as they accorded, in his office the day after. Deaton had taught him basic protective spell and vanguards. It wasn’t easy ones but the doctor was a good and patient teacher. 

“We´ll start in the preserve” He had said to Stiles as they climbed to the car and disappeared in the road.

Tony watched through the window as his brother slowly walked away, as always, hands inside his pockets. 

“Do you think he’s alright?” He asked out loud, twisting his fingers. 

Clint hummed in response and dropped the book he was reading on his chest, he twisted his mouth, “Well, I think he’s holding on, as same as everyone” He answered slowly. Tony gave him a long stare before turning to the large window again, he rubbed his chin thoughtful, “I think I have an idea” He suddenly whispered. 

But Clint was already shaking his head, sitting down in the couch with determination, he put his book away, “Oh no, you’re ideas suck, specially when it comes to Stiles and he is not around” 

“Cmon, I just want to ask some questions”

“Tony…”

But he was already walking away, Clint right behind him, stepping on his toes, “This is a bad idea” He hissed on his ear, watching as Tony completely ignored him and sat down on the carpet where Lydia, Erica, Isaac and quiet Boyd were silently losing their time, concentrated in their own choirs. Almost immediately Lydia looked up at him from her tablet, she raised an eyebrow lightly confused watching as Tony smile expectative. 

“Yes..?” 

“So you guys have been friends for a long time” He started, catching Erica´s and Isaac´s attention, “Right?” He pushed when no one answered. 

“Right…” Lydia answered carefully, putting her tablet away, giving her full attention. 

Tony nodded, almost with excitement, “And you have been together since, well since all this started” 

“Not exactly” Erica answered, shrugging, “Isaac, Boyd and me, we arrived a little later” 

“But yeah, everything we been through, we have solved it together” She added. 

Tony remained silent for a few seconds before nodding again. He was about to talk when Erica interrupted him, “You guys remember the time, me, Boyd and Stiles were kidnapped by Gerard and he kicked the shit out of him” She muttered, her eyes lost in the memory. Isaac scoffed and nodded quickly, remembering those days, “How forget” He muttered under his breath, retuning to his phone. 

“What?” Tony blurted out impressed, he shook his head getting out of his trance, “Who’s Gerard?” 

“Was” Isaac muttered, before thundering his tongue in disapproval and slowly shaking his head. Tony turned his head to him, expecting for more information, “Well, who was Gerard?”

“Allison´s crazy grandfather” Erica answered carelessly. Tony opened his eyes at hearing the unknown name, he opened his mouth for a few seconds, almost shy to ask, “Who is Allison?” 

Almost immediately Lydia stepped in, dropping the tablet as she straightened up, “No, this is not out secrets to tell, if you’re brother hasn’t tell you, its not our problem so lets leave Allison out of this” She exclaimed roughly. A knot in her throat as it always happened when someone mentioned Allison, she shook her head and snatched the tablet from the floor, ready to get back at it. Erica and Isaac shared a quick stare and kept their mouths shut. 

Tony swallowed and let out his breath, “Look guys, he’s my brother, I only know him for eight years but he’s still my family, I just want to get to know him better, thats all” He answered quietly, raising his hand to make notice he came in peace. 

“Then ask him” Lydia answered shortly. 

“Cmon Lydia, you know him better than I, you know how close he is… believe me, I have tried but…” He tried one more time, hoping someone would say something.