new york wolves } { of college parties and overprotective brothers

[impetere]

Alexis: [Upon spotting Stiles at a party, she catches his eye, dragging Cora with her.] You play lacrosse, right?

Stiles: [looks around because she's totally talk to Hal, right? No, no he's the only one there] Um, yeah. Well, I'm on the team. Don't really play much. At... all... Um, hi.

Alexis: [bright shiny Alexis smile] Hi. I'm Alexis, this is Cora.

Cora: [looks up and blinks at the sound of her name before turning to look at Stiles and ...] Hi.

Stiles: Hi. Um... so you guys freshmen too?

Alexis: Yeah. I'm a biology major on the pre-med track.

Cora: Chem major. [which is ironic because she hates fire and fire is used a lot]

Stiles: Computer science.

Alexis: Cool. Do you like it so far?

Stiles: Yeah, so far. I mean, I'm either spending time with computer geeks or lacrosse jocks. Pretty sure I'm like the bridge between the two stereotypes.

Alexis: My dad would say that stereotypes are meant to be broken. [and there's Malia trying to get Alexis's attention over Stiles’ shoulder. There's a bit of confused finger pointing before she decides it's Alexis she wants before she flashes them both a smile] Sorry, I'll be right back.

Cora: [her head snaps up and her face goes "oh wait no" but Alexis is already gone and Cora will just have to try and carry the conversation on her own] Her dad is a New York Times bestseller. He can say stuff like that.

Stiles: Oh. Wow, that's not expected. Huh.

Cora: Do you know Richard Castle?

Stiles: I've seen the books, but I've never met the guy or anything.

Cora: That's her dad.

Stiles: Huh. Well, okay. So how do you fit into that picture then?

Cora: We went to high school together. Once you become her friend you're pretty much stuck with her.

Stiles: [laughs and rubs at his nose] Yeah, kinda reminds me of my buddy Scott. We've been friends since kindergarten. First time we've actually split up like this.

Cora: [there's something about that that pings in her memory, Scott and Stiles, but it doesn't actually find anything so she just lets it go for now] So are you from New York?

Stiles: Nope, you?

Cora: [she nods. She doesn't talk about Beacon Hills. It doesn't really matter anymore] Where are you from?

Stiles: California. So pretty much the furthest you can get in the country. Well, I mean except Alaska. Or Hawaii.

Cora: [huh. whadaya know?] Why come all the way out here?

Stiles: I um... well Scott's off with this girl that he's been with since we were sophomores and let's just say I was hoping to be as lucky and pretty much wasn't. So I decided to get some space. Apparently it was a lot of space.

Cora: [smirks slightly] Sometimes you need a lot of space.

Stiles: [smiles a bit in return] Yeah, sometimes you do. How about you? Liking it so far?

Cora: [glances around awkwardly at the party before nodding] Yeah. My classes are good.

Stiles: You're not big on talking about yourself, are you?

Cora: [shrugs] Not really a lot to talk about.

Stiles: So you're the most boring person in the world with nothing special that makes Cora into Cora?

Cora: Yep. [she's not afraid of it.] I'm pretty mediocre.

Stiles: Well, I guess Alexis has a lot cut out for her in getting you to have some wild and crazy times to be able to talk about the next time she ditches you with a random guy. [smirks]

Cora: [rolls her eyes] It's probably more my sister's doing than hers.

Stiles: Sister?

Cora: [glances over her shoulder and then points to the crowd where Malia and Alexis are dancing] Malia.

Stiles: [looks, and chuckles as he points at the boy dancing near them] And that tall guy in the flannel next to them is my roommate, Hal.

Cora: [nods slowly] Lacrosse Guy.

Stiles: [laughs] Lacrosse Guy?

Hal: [just totally enjoying the party, oblivious that he's being talked about]

Malia: [can totally hear them over the music, just stalking her sister's date, no big deal]

Cora: Alexis has been flirting with him for a while.

Stiles: And that solves the mystery of Lunch Girl.

Cora: Yep. She really likes him.

Stiles: He likes her too. He just tends to be a bit…clueless. If she wants a date, pretty sure she'll want to just flat out ask him.

Cora: Oh, she will. She just likes the lead in too.

Stiles: So you and Malia like, twins?

Cora: Yeah. [sort of. technically]

Stiles: So like, you have magical twin powers?

Cora: [there's a bit of an eyebrow raise at that] Magical twin powers?

Stiles: Yeah - know when the other is hurting, finish each other's thoughts, psychically talk to each other.

Malia: [from ... right behind him] Or, like normal people we could just use our words.

Cora: [ahh, good, she doesn't have to be interesting anymore] Stiles, Malia. Malia, Stiles.

Stiles: [and he's going to just flail a bit because DON'T DO THAT]

Malia: [grins because she loves doing that] Hi.

Stiles: Hi. [reaches into his pocket for his inhaler because she really shocked him]

Malia: [then she looks concerned] What's wrong with you?

Stiles: [takes a deep breath] Asthma. Or nerves. Never really figured it out, but sometimes my body forgets how to breathe. [usually when he gets shocked or panicked]

Malia: Oh. [a beat, before she blinks as though she realizes she's forgotten something] Sorry.

Stiles: Hey, no, it's fine. Really. Not like you knew. I don't walk around with a big sign around my neck advertising it.

Malia: [nods and just like that it's forgotten] So you're from California? [because if they're going to play psychic twins ...]

Stiles: [looks at Cora. Yeah, totally psychic] Yeah. Small town about an hour out of LA in the mountains.

Malia: What's it called?

Stiles: Beacon Hills. But most people have never heard of it.

Cora: Beacon Hills? [the minute he says it, it's like the air's forced out of her lungs hard. Malia's eyebrows go up a bit in surprise, but it's not long before her eyes are wandering to her sister.]

Malia: Oh boy.

Cora: I ... I need some air. [and she's bailing, sorry]

Stiles: [blinks] Did I say something wrong?

Malia: Yeah. [a beat. Wait, no that's wrong, but she's already following after Cora.] Not intentionally. [she won't hold it against you if you come, though]

Cora: [is just going to stop outside the entrance of the building as soon as she gets out side, letting the cold hair hit her face and just breathe]

Stiles: [no, he's going to follow because, you know, this is apparently his fault. He holds out his inhaler to her, though] Try it.

Cora: [she glances down at it before giving him a small smile] No, I'm okay. It was just ... too crowded in there.

Malia: [just watches her carefully] There's still ... [Cora cuts her off with a bit of a look, because she knows Malia's about to bring up the anxiety in her scent, but not in front of the kid from Beacon Hills] -- Okay, fine.

Stiles: So I take it you know Beacon Hills...?

Cora: [swallows a bit, before crossing her arms in front of her chest] I used to live in Beacon Hills.

Stiles: Oh? [thinks] I don't remember twins in school. Like, ever...

Malia: I didn't go to school there.

Cora: [takes a deep breath before swallowing] My last name is Hale.

Stiles: Hale? [he blinks...thinking a moment] Like... oh. Oh, damn, um, wow. I'm sorry. I didn't know. Yeah, no I see why you wouldn't…um...

Cora: [she shakes her head with a small smile] It's not your fault. You didn't know.

Stiles: But I'm still sorry. [he slides his hands into his pockets] My dad's the sheriff. He um, he was still a deputy then.

Cora: [she glances up at him again, before tipping her head to the side] What's he look like?

Stiles: Here, I can show you. [pulls out his wallet, and there's a picture of him and his dad at graduation. No mom in sight at all]

Cora: [leans forward, and then smiles a bit] I remember him. He was really nice.

Stiles: Yeah, he is. He has to have the patience of a saint to deal with me.

Cora: You're not so bad.

Stiles: You've known for me like, an hour. Give it time. [grins]

Cora: [she laughs] You're already better than her.

Malia: It's true. You've got the sympathy thing down.

Stiles: [looks down a bit, smiling and he shrugs] I just don't like seeing people upset.

Malia: [glances between them for a moment before pointing back to the door] I'm going back in. You staying or going?

Cora: [glances back over her shoulder at the party before shaking her head] Tell Alexis I bailed?

Malia: [nods, before glancing back to him] Nice meeting you, Stiles.

Stiles: Nice meeting you too, Malia. [nods] Do you want someone to walk you back, or do you need air?

Cora: [there's a moment where she pauses before] I don't live on campus. [basically you can, but it's a hike.]

Stiles: That's what the subway is for. Or at least that's what I hear. I have a metro pass but I've only gone to like, three stops. Totally tourist.

Cora: [takes a breath before nodding] Okay then. [and with that she'll start heading down the street towards the subway]

Stiles: [and he will follow, but giving her some distance] You know, I remember you now. We were in school together.

Cora: [glances back to him, arms crossed in front of her as she walks] I don't remember a lot from before the fire.

Stiles: No, I get that. My mom died when I was in second grade. I don't remember a lot about that year. And sometimes I feel that the harder I try to remember the time before, the more I forget.

Cora: [nods again] Was she sick? [she doesn't know why she thinks that, but she feels like it's right]

Stiles: Yeah, she had a type of dementia that was fatal. It's called frontotemporal dementia.

Cora: I'm sorry.

Stiles: Yeah, well... I um... it's genetic. [there's a small shrug. He hadn't told anyone about what he and his father had learned at his pre-college doctor appointment] So there's a pretty good chance I'm probably going to get it too. But I mean, not going to let it dictate my life or anything. Just, take it a day at a time.

Cora: [she glances back at him, considering for a moment. Werewolves never have to worry about things like that. They're lucky that way.] You shouldn't.

Stiles: Which is why I'm at college, letting my roommate drag me to random parties and now I'm walking a girl home in a city I am still learning to navigate. I'm all for taking chances.

Cora: It's not that hard. Most things are pretty much in a straight line. [as they head down to the subway and she will lead him to the right train]

Stiles: And I just need to remember the right stop to get off of, not to fall asleep on the train, and not talk to the crazy people.

Cora: All very important things. [she gets on the car, linking one arm around the standing poles and leaning against it]

Stiles: [and he's going to just... lean against the doors and not notice the signs that say DO NOT LEAN ON DOORS]

Cora: [sighs as she reaches forward to take his wrist and pull him into the car more. Unfortunately as she does the car rocks, knocking them a bit off balance]

Stiles: [and he's going to manage to grab the poll just in time, swinging around a bit and pressing up next to her. He chuckles a bit as he gets his footing, smiling] Sorry.

Cora: [she glances up at him and freezes for a moment because wow that's close, before she exhales slowly, shifting a bit so they aren't quite so close] It's okay.

Stiles: So what stop is yours?

Cora: [insert stop here because I don't feel like looking one up right now] Three more.

Stiles: Wow, that's a nice neighborhood. At least, from what I’ve read.

Cora: [nods] Yeah, it is.

Stiles: I'm on campus ‘cause my scholarship gives me room and board. Wouldn’t be able to afford it

Cora: Campus housing is pretty nice too. Do you have a roommate?

Stiles: Yeah, Lacrosse Guy. [smirks]

Cora: [blinks. She was distracted by proximity] Right. Is he bad to live with?

Stiles: Nah, and his mom literally like, filled this cabinet with food from Costco for both of us. Dad couldn't really give me more than the basics and I mean, I flew here so... but she wanted to make sure I had stuff.

Cora: I met his dad once. He ... really loves history.

Stiles: Yeah, Hal told me how his dad teaches history.

Cora: Don't let him talk about the American Revolution. He ... won't stop.

Stiles: Good to know, since I think I'm going to end up there for Thanksgiving.

Cora: [she laughs a bit] He's really nice, though. He gave a guest lecture in my history 101 class.

Stiles: Well, I mean I like history and all. I just don't really have a long attention span.

Cora: Maybe he'll be able to hold it. He tells a good story.

Stiles: I'm sure he'll like the challenge. Hey I think I remember there was a good pizza place at this stop.

Cora: [glances at the stop as they pass it] Is it one of the Nick's?

Stiles: No, I think it's was a Tony.... not a Ray or Sal....

Cora: Oh. Because I know the Nicks aren't far from there.

Stiles: Why are all the pizza places here named after someone? Anyone have like a pizza place that isn't named after some Italian dude?

Cora: [she shrugs] The Nicks are ... crazy. There's Terrific Nick's, and Authentic Nick's, Authentic Terrific Nick's and Terrific Authentic Nick's, and they're all on one cross street.

Stiles: .......... [both eyebrows up] You're kidding.

Cora: [she shakes her head] And they all hate each other. It's actually kind of hilarious.

Stiles: Which one tastes the best?

Cora: [makes a face] They're all pretty awful.

Stiles: Alright then, avoid all the Nicks then. Good to know.

Cora: There's this really great place in Staten Island actually. Alexis's dad goes there sometimes when I'm hanging out there.

Stiles: You sound like you're some kind of pizza connoisseur.

Cora: My brother really loves pizza. I had no choice but to learn very quickly.

Stiles: [brother. Okay, so three people lived so far. In Beacon Hills, it was believed that everyone in the house died, so obviously some Hales hadn't been in the house] So how many of you are here?

Cora: [there's a pause] Me, Malia, Derek, my sister Laura and my Uncle Peter.

Stiles: [nods] Sounds like you guys got lucky.

Cora: We did.

Stiles: I used to ask dad why I never got a sibling, and he told me that I was enough, but I kinda wanted a brother.

Cora: They're overrated. [she's kidding, she loves you Derek and oh look, there's their stop]

Stiles: So you'd trade them all in for puppies then?

Cora: [there's a soft snort at that as she takes his hand and leads him off the subway] Something like that.

Stiles: [and they are... holding hands? He blinks, but doesn't say anything and just lets himself get pulled along] I always wanted a puppy too, but I ended up with Scott so it was really like the same thing.

Cora: [smirks a bit until she glances down and realizes that she hasn't let him go and drops it gently, crossing her arms in front of her chest again] Dogs are way better than siblings. But I may be biased.

Stiles: I will just have to take your word for it. [and he lets out a sigh as she drops his hands and just goes to stick his thumbs in his pockets]

Cora: [and it's not long before they reach the front of her very tall, very nice building] And this is me. [there's a beat as she looks at the door before she glances back to him] Do you want to come up for a bit?

Stiles: [he runs his teeth along his bottom lip] Only if you want me to. I mean, I don't want to make things awkward for the rest of your family, you know, being from where I am and all.

Cora: [she shakes her head] Laura and Peter are out of town and Derek's on a graveyard shift. It'd just be us. And Barron.

Stiles: Barron?

Cora: [pulls out her phone and flicks through the pictures before finding the one she's looking for] Barron.

Stiles: Wow, that's a big puppy

Cora: He's really gentle though.

Stiles: Which sibling did you trade for him?

Cora: More like I guilted my sister until she couldn't say no.

Stiles: Uh huh. Well, I mean if you want company... it's not like the subways stop running...

Cora: [nods before tipping her head to the side for him to follow her]

Stiles: [he grins to himself and yup, he'll follow]

Cora: [and up the elevator they go to the Hale penthouse. it's bigger than the one they first started in - everyone gets their own room, and the minute they walk through the door, Barron lifts his big head off the couch and scampers over to the door to meet them. Cora grins brightly before dropping to her knees to give him some love back] Hey big guy.

Stiles: [and he's going to just stare at the penthouse with his jaw dropped just a bit because... wow. This was high living] Nice place.

Cora: [glances up before nodding] Yeah. It is. [and Barron will notice Stiles at that point and go over to investigate thoroughly]

Stiles: [and he will look down at the large dog and lean back a bit, because he hasn't really met a lot of big dogs] Hey, puppy...

Cora: [reaches forward to pull on Barron's collar, holding him just short of tackling Stiles] Offer him your hand.

Stiles: [nodding, he did so, his palm up]

Cora: [Barron leans forward to sniff it. After a moment, he decides Stiles is okay by licking a wet stripe across his palm, and Cora's nose wrinkles] Sorry. He's affectionate.

Stiles: Nah, it's fine. Nice to meet you too, Barron. [and he wipes his hand on the back of his jeans.]

Cora: [smiles a bit before she snaps her fingers and gestures for him to head over to the couch. Barron does as commanded, taking up two thirds of the couch and getting comfortable. Cora then moves over to the kitchen] Can I get you anything?

Stiles: A water? [he's hungry, but he doesn't want to impose]

Cora: Sure. [she pulls two waters out of the fridge, handing one off to him, before moving towards the couch to sit with her dog] Here you go.

Stiles: Thanks. [he goes to open it] So not to point out the obvious, but looks like you guys are well off.

Cora: Yep. [if you were looking to get more than that, you're not.]

Stiles: I'm completely jealous. This place is amazing.

Cora: We got it once Malia and I couldn't really share a room anymore.

Stiles: Giving each other headaches with your secret twin powers?

Cora: And she started having boyfriends.

Stiles: Yeah, that'd be awkward. [pause] Your twinness doesn't let you...?

Cora: [blinks] Doesn't let me ... ?

Stiles: You know, if she's with her boyfriend... do you... feel anything?

Cora: [her eyes widen and she shakes her head] Oh. No. We can ... control it. [yeah, that was awful and awkward and he can probably catch on that she and Malia were totally faking it]

Stiles: So what, she just puts like a psychic sock on the telepathic door?

Cora: ... Sure.

Stiles: [he licks his lips] You two aren't really twins, are you?

Cora: [laughs before shaking her head] No. She's adopted.

Stiles: [nods] You could have just told me that.

Cora: Sorry. Malia and I are both terrible people.

Stiles: That's probably why you're still talking to me then. You recognize one of your own.

Cora: We're very easy to find.

Stiles: But we tend to organize in very small groups because we don't tend to do well with a leadership structure.

Cora: Best if we stick to just the three of us.

Stiles: Sounds good.

Malia: [and they keep talking for forever and eventually fall asleep curled up on the couch with Barron. Meanwhile, Malia is doing her six am walk of shame just in time to meet Derek as he's making his way back into the building. Her eyes go a little wide as she takes a long sip of her coffee] Morning, sunshine.

Derek: [in uniform still, shaking his head] Early class, or late night?

Malia: [long pause before] Yes.

Derek: [shakes his head, chuckling] Did you at least have fun and not break him?

Malia: [smirks] I'm always very gentle with my toys.

Derek: That is such a lie and we both know it. [smirks, rubbing her shoulder as he calls for the elevator. He's too tired for the stairs]

Malia: [laughs] College boys hold up well. They can take it.

Derek: Oh, I'm sure. So where's Cora?

Malia: She bailed out early. Ran into some kid from Beacon Hills and lost whatever little partying spirit she had.

Derek: [blinks, looking down at her] Wait, what kid from Beacon Hills? [his hand went to rest on the top of his gun out of instinct. He didn't need it, but the safety that came from the distance the weapon provided to violence had slowly become a comfort to him in a world where he had to hide everything about himself]

Malia: His name was Stiles. His dad was a deputy, Cora sort of remembered him from after the fire. He's a nice kid, he wasn't like hunting her or anything. Kid could barely hurt a fly. She's fine, she just got a little blindsided.

Derek: [tries to think about that time as the elevator doors open at the penthouse] Laura or Peter will probably remember more. But that doesn't mean we can trust him.

Malia: [rolls her eyes as she makes her way to the front door] There is such a thing as a coincidence you know. [and with that she unlocks the door and lets them both inside. Barron hops off the couch to greet them, which leaves Cora and Stiles on the couch fast asleep. Stiles is kind of sprawled out sitting up, while Cora is tucked into his chest a bit, Malia blinks for a moment, before crouching down to say hi to Barron] See? Harmless. You can interrogate him yourself.

Derek: [oh, he may just do that as he looks at the sleeping pair in the couch. Something in his mind scratches at memories because the name Stiles is familiar, but he doesn't remember why. But time to wake the kids up, so he may just shut that front door a bit harder than he needs to]

Cora: [jerks awake at the sound, suddenly alert and heart pounding, but when she sees its Derek and Malia she relaxes some. Then she glances to her left and ...] Oh. Crap. [then its back to Derek with wide innocent eyes] We were just talking and it was late. We must have fallen asleep.

Stiles: [jumps as well, blinking a bit and then seeing the very angry cop looking at him and ....] I just walked her home because it was late and please don't arrest me I didn't touch her in any of the bad ways.

Derek: [nope, that's not helping. his eyes flick to Cora, and he's all but outright growling]

Cora: [sigh] Derek, nothing happened.

Malia: [muttering from behind the dog, lower than Stiles can hear] Use your nose, dumbass.

Stiles: [yup, may be cowering just a bit into the couch] See, I swear.

Derek: [he knows that. But it's his BABY SISTER and some boy she just met. From a town they fled from out of fear for their lives. Because of what he had done that none of them know. No, he wasn't taking chances] You should go home.

Malia: [rolls her eyes before getting to her feet] C'mon, Stiles, I'll walk you out.

Cora: [and now she's giving Derek a bit of a look because "really?"] No, I'll go.

Derek: [and no, he's going to work on taking off his gun belt and jacket, going to hang them in the closet but he's got his eye on you, Stiles]

Stiles: I should go anyway. I've got a ten o'clock class and need to find breakfast and a shower. [looks at Cora] Sorry I got you in trouble.

Cora: [shakes her head as she walks him out the door, not talking until they find their way to the elevator] It's not your fault. He's just overprotective.

Malia: [eyebrow raise once she hears the elevator doors close] Seriously, Derek?

Stiles: I take it that was your brother then, and not your uncle.

Derek: Don't even start, Malia. [and he's going to head to his room because it's now really been a long night and he's done]

Cora: Yeah. That was Derek.

Malia: [nope, not letting it go] I mean, I get that I don't always understand how humans work, but do you know how hard it is for her to make friends, right? Outside me and Alexis she basically has no one.

Derek: Yeah, well she can have friends. But think, Malia - you said he's the deputy's kid. How long before he goes home and tells his daddy dearest about us being here, and then the hunters find us and want to finish the job? You want to see that happen, again?

Malia: Oh my God. [she's not even going to dignify that with a response. She takes a deep breath, before exhaling slowly so that she doesn't make this worse] Or maybe he doesn't tell his dad about us at all, and everything is fine. And she meets a nice boy who makes her smile without dangling an animal in front of her face.

Derek: [nope, just going to toss her a look over his shoulder, and then he's in his bedroom and shutting the door to end the conversation]

Stiles; Hey, it's fine. I mean, he's just doing the big brother thing threatening to kill me. I get it. Don't be too pissed at him.

Malia: [rolls her eyes and goes to feed the dog]

Cora: [huffs a bit] We didn't even do anything. Malia sleeps with a different guy every week and he doesn't bat a freaking eyelash. [that's an exaggeration, but the point isn't] I barely ever have friends over and he pitches a fit.

Stiles: Maybe he's used to Malia at this point... I dunno. But hey, he didn't shoot me, so it's not all bad

Cora: [shooting Stiles was totally not the worse thing Derek could have done to him] Yeah. At least there's that. [and with that the doors open on the first floor and she walks him to the door] Still ... I'm sorry.

Stiles: Don't be. I'm not. [there's a small smile there]

Cora: [basically this face as her head ducks a bit] Never mind then.

Stiles: [this face] Well, I really should get going then. Cause I do have a ten o'clock class and Hal's probably going to want the non-existent details.

Cora: [nods] Thanks for walking me home.

Stiles: And thanks for letting me crash. I'm way too pretty to be walking around the streets of New York that late. [smirks] See you around campus?

Cora: [nods] See you around. [and with that she will watch him go until he disappears into the crowd before the smile turns into an unhappy face and she starts to head back up to the penthouse. She probably won't talk to anyone, though, just head to her room and slam the door]

Derek: [and he's going to shower and then go to bed as well, pretty much passing out because he had a busy night and was lucky he hadn't been shot in that foot chase]

Malia: [will just headdesk against the kitchen counter, and that's probably roundabout where she'll be whenever Peter and Laura get home from their pack thing]