new york wolves } { of rebuilding relationships and making amends

[hereditare]

Laura: [is there with her laptop open in her bedroom and ... actual pizza. He put it in her head, so now she had to have it. She's just waiting for the Skype phone to ring and tell her that Stiles is on the other end]

Stiles: [and look, someone's actually shaved and mostly decent if his hair wasn't flying in 87 directions. He's got pizza too - how funny as he's dialing Laura up.]

Laura: [stops mid-bite as she reaches forward to answer, holding up a finger and gesturing to her chewing mouth as the screen comes into view, until she swallows and she can speak] Hey.

Stiles: Hey. Looks like you got your own pizza. I was trying to figure out how to send it through the internet to you. [holds up his own slice]

Laura: [she laughs] I figured I'd save you the trouble and bring my own.

Stiles: That works. So what's up?

Laura: Not much. Things have been quiet on the eastern front as of late. [a beat] Have a chance to talk to Deaton yet about your friend?

Stiles: Not yet. I'm still trying to work my way through the list you guys gave me. Thanks, by the way. I didn't realize there were that many different kinds of non-humans out there.

Laura: Oh yeah. We are legion. And some of them are more theory than reality, but we evolve just like other species do, so you never know when someone's fiction might become someone else's reality.

Stiles: But vampires are still not real, right? And zombies. I mean, you'd tell me if they were real, right?

Laura: There has been no reliable proof of vampires and zombies are not but wendigoes are which are basically intelligent, cognizant zombies, so that's kind of a wash.

Stiles: Right, you told me about those. If I find brain eating corpses around, I'll know what's really going on.

Laura: There shouldn't be any wendigoes around Beacon Hills. My mom drove them out decades ago, and Satomi's been keeping the peace in her place.

Stiles: Good to know. Oh, I met her. [takes a bite of his pizza] She said you asked her to keep tabs on me. [smirks just a bit. He's trying to play relaxed. And he is, actually. He's been a month since Cora broke up with him and he's finally starting to find himself a solid ground to stand with as Allison, Scott and Lydia help him. Alexis and Hal too from afar]

Laura: Beacon Hills isn't really the town for wolves it used to be. Plus I didn't want her scaring you off thinking you were some kind of interloper. [she takes another bite of her pizza] Don't let the wise granny routine fool you - she's damn scary when she wants to be.

Stiles: I can imagine. She has an intense feeling around her. But she's pretty smart.

Laura: She is. She's been a wolf for ... a really long time.

Stiles: Well, that's probably why she looks like a grandmother.

Laura: Yeah I think my mom said she was bitten in like ... 1935 or something like that. I know she was in Beacon Hills during World War II and she was already a wolf then.

Stiles: ........ How old is she?

Laura: [makes a face as she does the math] At least over a hundred? How much, I really don't know.

Stiles: [blinks] Seriously? I didn't think we'd live that long. How old are you..... how old is Peter?

Laura: I'm almost thirty. Peter is in his late thirties. And you live that long if you get very, very lucky.

Stiles: ..... So you and Peter aren't that far apart. That must be awkward sometimes that your uncle isn't that much older than you.

Laura: I think he was ... ten or eleven when I was born? But it never felt like anything weird. He lived with us when I was growing up so it was more like having another brother.

Stiles: That explains a lot about how you two act sometimes. I think Cora and Malia are the only ones who treat him like a parent and not a sibling.

Laura: Yeah, they were young enough. And Malia met him after the fire so whatever bond they had came from when he was already an adult.

Stiles: [nods, thinking a moment] He's never going to forgive me, is he?

Laura: He is a petty bastard who can hold a hell of a grudge. But if Derek managed to be on equal footing with him again after Kate and the fire, you can probably fix it too. Just be aware that it will probably take ... years.

Stiles: Well, I apparently have the years to put into it, so I think I can figure it out in time.

Laura: I'm sure you can. And if he's being too much of a petty bitch to you, let me know.

Stiles: Oh, you mean like when he thinks he can scare me with all the worst creatures in the world e-mail? [laughs] It's like he doesn't remember me. My imagination is worse than that.

Laura: [she laughs] It was just as much for me as it was for you. If I hadn't said anything he probably wouldn't have replied at all.

Stiles: That's why I copied you in on the original e-mail. [smirks] I'm smarter than I look.

Laura: Oh, I'm well aware.

Stiles: [he bites his lip a bit, unsure if that was meant to be good or bad] How's everyone doing?

Laura: We're okay. [there's a beat] Cora's doing better now that she has school to distract her again.

Stiles: [nods] Good. I'm glad to hear that. [he really is. He hates knowing that she's got to be hurting because of him still, and his heart hurts a bit thinking of her, and he rubs at his chest absently a bit in a way to try and soothe it] And you and Espo? Things still good?

Laura: Yep. Everyone is doing okay.

Stiles: Good. Good. I um... well I miss you guys, so I'm glad things are okay.

Laura: She misses you too. [just saying] As do I, but I think she's the one that matters the most.

Stiles: Well, you all do. Even Peter. But yeah... I miss her a lot. But it's her choice, and I understand and I respect her choice. So I'm surviving.

Laura: Good.

Stiles: I um.... I also have been doing a lot of thinking. And talking with Satomi helped me understand something and I um... I'm sorry. I should have told you what I was doing. And it's not that I didn't trust you, because I do. I still do, even if you can't trust me anymore, and I get I fucked that up big time. And I hurt you... and I used you. I can't ever apologize enough to that, and I can promise you things, but I know I have a lot of work to do to prove it to you. I'm going to try and be a better beta to you.

Laura: I appreciate that. [and she does. she's glad that he finally seems to be getting why she was upset and why things are the way they are - she knew he would, they just needed to give it a little breathing room] Look, I get not wanting the whole pack in on everything. Sometimes there needs to be secrets in order to keep people safe. But you and me? We need to be honest with each other. We need to work together.

Stiles: I just... I see how close the rest of you are, and I know we can be honest, but I don't want to make you have to hide things from your family because of me. I know it wasn't that, but I'm not a Hale, and sometimes it shows and I just... I wanted to tell you, but Peter was the one I was afraid of knowing the most, and you two don't keep secrets.

Laura: We keep some secrets. Less than we used to but you have to trust my judgement. And trust me to back your play if the play makes sense.

Stiles: I think I need to learn that. I... I never really trusted people easily at all. And the last two years have been overwhelming a lot of the time.

Laura: I get that. But that's part of being in a pack - it means you don't walk alone. Ever.

Stiles: I guess I still think too much like a human.

Laura: Well, less than a year ago you were a human.

Stiles: Let's be real, less than a year ago I was a barely functioning human. And sometime I don't think my brain even rehealed the right way.

Laura: Well, we never said it was going to be a perfect process.

Stiles: I don't want to use it as an excuse though. If I'm this way now, then even if it's not how I used to use my thought processes, it's how I am now and it's not an excuse. [he looks at her, hoping she doesn't think he just tried to absolve himself of blame because he's not]

Laura: No, I know. And the great thing about thought processes is that you can change them. It just takes a little time.

Stiles: [nods] Yeah, and again, I've apparently got a lot of it now.

Laura: [she nods] Look, even if you were a healthy human and you didn't become a wolf, you would still have to get used to the way a pack works if you wanted to be with Cora long term. Because humans are part of our packs too. Becoming part of our pack is like becoming part of our family, and there's always an adjustment period for anyone.

Stiles: I think I took it for granted that I could learn it as I went. I never realized how different things were.

Laura: Hindsight has a pretty mean bitchslap. But you're starting to get it now?

Stiles: Honestly? I don't know. I'm kinda alone out here and while I don't have to hide who I am from Dad or Scott or even Allison... everyone else... I have to play human. So I can't really go off into some kind of werewolf type walk into the desert meditative journey.

Laura: No, but I don't think Satomi would mind if you wanted to get in some pack time with hers.

Stiles: I'll keep it in mind. I kinda stay with my friends when I need that closeness.

Laura: That works too - as I said, humans count as pack if they mean enough to you.

Stiles: But maybe... next full moon I'll go out there. I haven't really been doing good on them on my own.

Laura: Good. I'll let her know you're coming. [there's a beat] And if you need to talk to me, I'm just a phone call away.

Stiles: I know. [he thought a moment, then sighed] I know I need to figure it out myself... if there's anything I can do for you while I'm out here that can maybe help you and me fix our relationship... let me know?

Laura: I will. But I think talking will help, so if you want to just have a regular skype date, we could do that.

Stiles: I'd like that. I really do miss you and being there.

Laura: So let's do that. Every Wednesday we'll have pizza.

Stiles: Works for me. [since his Alexis date is in the evening. And there's a bit more of a relaxing in his shoulders]

Laura: Good. [there's a beat] Nothing is unfixable, Stiles. Not even things with Cora. It's just not going to be as easy to get back under those walls again.

Stiles: I know. And I'm still figuring out how to fix us. Because I love her, Laura. And it really hurts not being with her. And Satomi said it's going to hurt her just as bad, and I don't want her to be hurting like that. But I'm not doing it over the phone. I have to wait until I'm back in New York for that. But I'm not going to give up, even if it takes years, I'm not going to give up on her.

Laura: Okay. Good to know.

Stiles: So you're kinda stuck with me?

Laura: I never thought I wasn't.

Stiles: [and she gets a genuine smile] Good.

Laura: [grins] So does death omen girl realize she's a death omen?

Stiles: No, they've diagnosed her as a schitzo. Her grandmother was one, and she's worried she's going to go crazy and die young like she did.

Laura: Has she been bitten?

Stiles: Not that I know of. I haven't really asked her if some crazy person bit her on the streets.

Laura: Not that it matters because you can't really turn someone into cryptids like that, so it's likely her grandmother wasn't crazy, she was a cryptid and no one knew.

Stiles: She.... she doesn't know anything about the supernatural.

Laura: Did her grandmother have a doctor?

Stiles: Probably. She had to have some doctor commit her to Eichen House, right?

Laura: [pauses in eating her pizza] Shit. Eichen House?

Stiles: Yeah. Same place my dad was going to put me. It's the one mental health institute in Beacon Hills.

Laura: Yeeeeeeah they have a ward for dangerous supernaturals.

Stiles: .... Seriously?

Laura: Yeah. Mostly for the ones that are super dangerous and super insane, but it could mean that her grandmother might have been more aware than your friend knew about.

Stiles: I'll see if I can get any information in that avenue then too.

Laura: Talk to Deaton first. His sister has connections there, she might be able to keep you from getting into too much trouble.

Stiles: Yeah, because the last thing I need is to actually be committed.

Laura: Agreed.

Stiles: I'll let you know what you guys find out. And Peter's welcome to keep sending me his worst nightmare ideas.

Laura: Oh, I'm sure he'll be happy to, but I think for right now it's best if you give each other your space.

Stiles: Got it.

Laura: It's his alpha male pride. Even though he isn't actually an alpha.

Stiles: Only in his head.

Laura: And his wildest hopes and dreams.

Stiles: And I'm kinda grateful for that.

Laura: You and me both.

Stiles: So what else have I missed?

Laura: Oh, let's see. I think Malia may actually have a boyfriend. Or as close as she actually gets to a boyfriend.

Stiles: ....... Miracles happen?

Laura: I don't think she realizes it, but she's spending a lot of time with the same boy. I'm considering it progress.

Stiles: Oh yeah, total progress. I'm proud of her.

Laura: We'll see what happens.

Stiles: And Derek?

Laura: He and Beckett are good. Things are quiet and uneventful. He's been spending a lot of time with Cora when he's home.

Stiles: So he's back to living at the penthouse?

Laura: Yeah. We've worked out our boundary issues.

Stiles: That's good. That's really good. I know Cora really missed not having him at the penthouse and thought it was her fault he left. So I'm happy to hear that he's back.

Laura: Yeah, I think he was going to come home with or without the Gerard antics but that moved up the timetable a bit.

Stiles: But it's still good to know.

Laura: It is.

Stiles: [and he will jabber on about his internship a moment and the app he's building and all tech stuff]

Laura: [and she will nod through most of it and ask about his dad and make sure everything else is kosher]

Stiles: Dad's fine. He's learning to handle me all over again, but luckily I'm able to take care of myself. Mostly. I can't cook for the life of me.

Laura: So what you're saying is that when you get back here I should stop spoiling you and start teaching you.

Stiles: Probably. Whenever I'm allowed back in the penthouse again.

Laura: You're allowed in the penthouse. You just can't live here.

Stiles: That's fine. Alexis, Hal and I are going into an apartment when I get back. Which is their way of making sure I actually come back.

Laura: [laughs softly] Smart kids.

Stiles: Yeah. Pretty sure Hal's going to be proposing to her ince he gets enough money for a ring.

Laura: They're a good couple. I'm sure Alexis will be thrilled.

Stiles: Me too. [looks at his time] And I should probably get going. I told Dad I would run a few errands for him before dinner. But I'll talk to you next week?

Laura: I will be here. Tell your dad I said hey.

Stiles: I will. I'd say to tell everyone I did as well, but I'm sure it won't be as well received.

Laura: I'll tell the people who matter.

Stiles: Thanks. Love you guys.

Laura: See you next week. [and with that she will hang up and go back to devouring her pizza]

Stiles: [ same here, making short work of it and writing out things he needs to do someday soon with introducing himself again to Deaton at the top]