new york wolves } { of escaping hospitals and ruffled feathers

[hereditare]

Rebekah: You realize that by reacting you're just giving him what he wants, don't you? My brother is an incorrigible sod.

Esposito: [sipping his beer] Let me guess, he didn't get enough attention as a child.

Rebekah: The middle son of seven children. What do you think?

Esposito: Maybe he needs to get himself a puppy.

Rebekah: [snorts] He wants people to dote on him not the other way around.

Esposito: That's why I didn't suggest a kitten.

Rebekah: [rolls her eyes] He's harmless. He knows she's taken, he's just doing it to get a rise out of you.

Esposito: [sighs and downs the rest of his beer] Would your brothers kick my ass if I kick his?

Rebekah: Probably not. But I don't think your lady would be too impressed. She seems more the sort to take care of herself.

Esposito: Yeah, tell me about it.

Rebekah: Let me let you in on a little secret. [she smirks before leaning in] Women tend to prefer that you trust them. If she starts to look uncomfortable or worried, then that's fine. But if she's fine, interrupting or subjecting yourself to unneeded assault on one of the people who just saved her beta's life is probably not going to have the results you want.

Esposito: [deep breath] Oh, I trust Laura, don't worry about that. I just don't like being fucked with.

Rebekah: I don't blame you. Most don't. Kol doesn't really care.

Esposito: [sighs and his phone buzzes] Well, at least I won't have to watch him anymore. [he holds up his phone to Laura to let him know he has a case, and goes off to answer it]

Laura: [glances over and nods before glancing down at her watch] And I should probably go check on my sister. But feel free to keep drinking - it's all on my tab.

Kol: I appreciate that, love.

- - - - -

Stiles: [so after three days of coma sleeping, there's a soft groan as he moves his head a bit towards Cora, his nose flaring a bit at her scent]

Cora: [she stayed up for most of it, not wanting to drop her guard, but eventually her body took over for her, which ended in her passing out next to him. She doesn't wake when he stirs, but she will shift more to give him better room curling up on her side more]

Stiles: [give him another minute and he's going to wake up to the sound of a heart monitor and feeling the oxygen tube in his nose. He reaches up to paw at it a moment] What's going on...?

Cora: [his voice starts to rouse her, one hand moving out to his chest to steady both him and herself as she wakes up] You were sick. [which is all she manages to get out as she continues to try and drag herself to consciousness]

Stiles: [he looked down at her, confused] I thought that was a nightmare...

Cora: [she sighs as she shakes her head, finally managing to open her eyes and look up at him] Unfortunately not.

Stiles: [he's looking at the hospital ceiling, trying not to freak out] But... but how...

Cora: Magic. [she shifts so that she's facing him more] Apparently there's a curse that suppresses our nature, like you would for a lunar eclipse. Fortunately, Verity knew someone who had broken it before and could do it again.

Stiles: [he's trying to calm his breathing, but his hand is jumping] Why would someone curse me?

Cora: [reaches over and takes his hand gently] Some bullshit about maintaining the balance. It doesn't matter now, we stopped it.

Stiles: [he nods, but he's scared] If it wasn't a dream... I remember her then. When she grabbed me.

Cora: Her name is Dahlia. Marcus called her a cleaner - basically someone who cleans up supernatural messes.

Stiles: [he laughs at that] Yeah, well I'm a mess, that's for sure.

Cora: [she shakes her head] Not one that deserves to be wiped off the map.

Stiles: [he nods] She said something to me... something I don't understand.

Cora: What was it?

Stiles: [he thinks on it] If this is how I behave as a beta... it's better no one sees what kind of alpha I'd become.

Cora: Maybe she meant if you became an alpha?

Stiles: But I wouldn't. I mean, I know that I'm not going to inherit Laura's, and I'm not about to go kill someone...

Cora: You never know what could happen. Any wolf has the potential to become an alpha, and any alpha can drop down to beta or omega. That's what a triskele is.

Stiles: [he's just going to muse on that a moment, and then sigh] I'm sorry.

Cora: This? Is actually not your fault. You can't control other people's insanity.

Stiles: I know, but... I mean it is kinda my fault.

Cora: [she gives him a look] How exactly is it your fault that a witch decided to meddle in something that wasn't her business?

Stiles: Because of Gerard.

Cora: That doesn't mean you deserve to die.

Stiles: ... Well, yeah. I don't think I do either.

Cora: So what are you apologizing for?

Stiles: Just... a general overall apology?

Cora: [smirks a bit] Save it for when you actually have something to be sorry for.

Stiles: Noted. [looking down at her] You didn't get any like, magical bond whammy from this, did you?

Cora: [shakes her head] She hit me with something that put me to sleep, but otherwise I'm fine.

Stiles: [nods, and finally he's going to start pulling at the things attached to his chest] Think we can sneak out of here.

Cora: [shifts to get to her feet, making her way over to the door to check the hallway] Maybe, but I'll have to tell Laura so that she doesn't kill me later.

Stiles: That's fine. [he looks around] I also need pants.

Cora: [cringes] That I might not be able to help you with.

Marcus: [coming in because you know, flat-lining patient due to removal of heart monitor pad] You know, when you're admitted to the hospital with a deadly disease, fleeing in the night isn't helpful.

Cora: We were going to text Laura.

Marcus: [shakes his head] You may also want to just tell your doctor so he can release you and not have to send out an APB on a missing patient with a mental disorder.

Stiles: Does the second option get me pants?

Cora: I think that is the pants option.

Stiles: Let's go with the pants option.

Marcus: You two are unbelievable. Just... stay here. Text your sister, and I'll get you released. [goes to leave]

Stiles: And my pants! [smiling]

Cora: [smirks before pulling out her phone to text Laura]

Stiles: I wonder how many miracle recoveries I can have on my record before someone gets too curious...

Cora: I think you should trust Marcus to bury the lead.

Stiles: He can bury the lead, but can he erase memories too?

Cora: That, I don't know.

Stiles: [he gets up and finishes getting the things off him, including carefully removing the needle from his arm and the saline drip, smiling as the hole heals instantly] Healing factor, I really, really love you.

Cora: [smirks a bit at that, as she texts back and forth with Laura on her phone] Where are you escaping to?

Stiles: Um... I guess back to my place. Does Hal and Alexis know I've been sick? [blinks] How long have I been gone?

Cora: I think Laura told them what's been going on. It's been ... almost a week now.

Stiles: A week? [his eyes widen] Oh crap, my dad...

Cora: Laura called him, she's been keeping him updated.

Stiles: [and he lets out the deep breath he was holding] Good. Okay, then yeah, I guess my place. Unless... am I still in danger?

Cora: Not that I'm aware of. Laura went out drinking with the Mikaelsons so I'm pretty sure you're safe if she was confident enough to leave me on my own.

Stiles: [nods] Okay then.

Marcus: [he returns with a bag that he hands to Stiles] Here's what was on you when you arrived.

Stiles: [looks in the bag] My backpack? [shifts things around] My wallet’s gone too.

Cora: Do you remember where you were taken? Maybe they stashed it somewhere.

Stiles: I was on campus. [getting dressed] Leaving the gym, actually.

Cora: Malia's probably still there, I'll ask her to look around.

Stiles: [nods] So back to my place? [if it's safe, right?]

Cora: [she nods] Back to your place.

Stiles: [and he's going to start to walk but there's a wave of dizziness and Marcus catches him]

Marcus: Slowly, kiddo. You've been out for a week. You may want to call a cab.

Cora: [she nods] That's a good idea.

Stiles: [blinks a few times, nodding] Yeah, I just don't have any cash. Or a wallet.

Marcus: [pulls out a fifty] On me. Just go slow.

Cora: [takes the money and pulls out her phone to call the cab company, reaching out her hand so that Stiles could lean on her as they walk]

Stiles: [yeah, he's going to do that. He'll be better later, but his brain is still playing catch-up] I should probably call my dad when I get home. [looking at the series of missed calls and texts during the drive]

Cora: [nods] You should rest too.

Stiles: Yeah, yeah I know. I remember what it felt like last time. At least I'm used to my senses this time. [small smirk]

Cora: [she smirks in return before nodding, staring at her phone as she waits for Malia to text her back]

Stiles: [and he's texting his Dad that he will call later but he's awake, he's okay, and he needs to just go back to sleep because he's already drifting off in the cab]

Cora: [thankfully it doesn't take long to get back to his apartment, and Malia texts Cora as they arrive] She found your backpack, but no wallet.

Stiles: Good thing I didn't update my mailing address on that thing. [he sighs] Hopefully she didn't drain my bank account.

Cora: I don't think she's after your money. But we can call and cancel your cards tomorrow.

Stiles: If she even has the wallet. She could have dropped it somewhere, or some frat is having a kegger at my expense.

Cora: We'll figure it out if she did.

Stiles: [at least he had his keys and phone. That's what matters. It'll let them get upstairs to the apartment if nothing else] Alright, I'm home.

Cora: Okay. [and now's the awkward pause because she doesn't know if she should offer to stay or just go home - going home would probably be the better option because she probably hasn't really showered in ... a while, let alone slept in her own bed, but she doesn't want to just abandon him either. so she'll just stand there, silently unsure of what to do.]

Stiles: [he looks over at her, and yeah, he hasn't showered in a few days either.] I'm going to grab a shower before I call my Dad. Unless you really want to shower first. I can loan you something to wear home?

Cora: [pauses before shaking her head] No, I can just ... go. Shower there. It's not a big deal.

Stiles: Yeah, okay. I'll check in when I wake up, just so you know I'm good. [because he'd be worried about her too if things were reversed]

Cora: [nods] Okay. [there's another moment of hesitation before she nods again and starts to turn to go] Malia will be over with your back pack later. [a second beat] Goodnight.

Stiles: Hey, Cora. [he's going to go after her, taking her hand and squeezing it hard] Thank you. For staying with me when I was like that.

Cora: [she glances back at him and nods, before squeezing his hand back] Anytime.

Stiles: [he's using the hand squeeze as a substitute for kissing her, so she gets one more before he opens the door for her] Get home safe.

Cora: [nods] Sleep well. [and with that she will head home, hit the shower and probably pass out as soon as her head hits the pillow, wet hair and all]

Stiles: [and he will shower, call his dad and text Laura that he's still doing okay, and pretty much just sleeping again on the couch until someone wakes him]

Peter: [and having heard Cora in the penthouse when he got home, he is glad he picked up a pizza on his way back. The smell of meat will be wafting up the stairwell to her bathroom and bedroom saying 'come eat me, Cora']

Cora: [oh, yep, the second she smells it, it's like her stomach wakes up and goes HEY YOU PUT SOME FOOD IN ME. she turns on her heel easily heading curiously down the stairs to see if Peter's sharing]

Peter: [he smirks, because while it wasn't his intention when he got the pizza, he is happy that it worked] How are you doing, sweetheart?

Cora: Tired. [there's another beat as she slides up on one of the stools] Hungry.

Peter: [hands her a plate] Help yourself.

Cora: [she grins as she takes it from him and nods] Thanks.

Peter: [eats in silence a moment] Stiles get home okay?

Cora: [nods] We took a cab back. Malia found his backpack at school, but no sign of his wallet.

Peter: Does he need some cash to hold him over until he can get a new bank card?

Cora: I don't know. I think he's planning on worrying about that when he's conscious again.

Peter: [snorts] If it's like last time, he'll end up sleeping a few more days on and off before he's back to normal. I just hope he has enough food in the house to keep up with his metabolism.

Cora: I think they'll be okay. Alexis loves to mom.

Peter: Well, then he should be fine. [and actually said with concern, and not the normal bitterness that he spoke of concerning Stiles the last few months]

Cora: [she notices that, but she doesn't say anything. she doesn't want to jinx it] Yeah. He'll be fine.

Peter: [after a moment] I'll check in with Alexis in the morning, see if she needs anything in regards to rent or expenses to help while he recovers.

Cora: [she nods as she tears into her second slice] Okay.

Peter: [and he's just going to watch her eat a moment, and nope, he's going to pry] So what is the current status between you two anyway?

Cora: [she pauses with her half eaten slice for a moment, running her finger along the crust before she shrugs] We're friends.

Peter: [nods] Good.

Cora: [eyebrow raise] Good?

Peter: [deep breath] Yes, good. He may be a pain in the ass, but he did have good intentions under the massive amount of stupidity.

Cora: [smirks] So what's the status of you and Stiles?

Peter: [smirks a bit] Well, I happen to enjoy knowing he's rightfully scared of me. But I think after all this, he's been punished long enough. Not that he doesn't have my trust, but he has my willingness to let him earn it.

Cora: [nods] Good. He needs his pack.

Peter: He's always had his pack. He just has to earn his place back in this home.

Cora: He didn't see it that way.

Peter: He also was the one who chose to return to Beacon Hills.

Cora: He didn't know what else to do.

Peter: [smirks a bit] Is that so?

Cora: Yeah. [keeps her eyes on her pizza]

Peter: So do you feel comfortable having him come back into the penthouse of say, pack dinner once a week?

Cora: [nods] That's fine with me.

Peter: Good. I will let Laura know.

Cora: [nods as she finishes off her second slice. There's probably stuff she should be talking about but she's not, because why talk about her emotions]

Peter: [he knows, but Peter only has patience when it comes to the kids - Malia and Cora mostly. So he's just going to watch her, waiting for her to give him an opening]

Cora: [it's not going to come easily, because she's still not sure how to even talk about it, but she's still sitting there, not saying anything in front of her empty plate]

Peter: You know, there was a time I was tempted to teach you to spell secret messages to me with spaghetti-o’s so that you could tell me what was on your mind while not having to speak the words.

Cora: [she huffs slightly at that, before looking up at him] Do you think it would have worked?

Peter: I don't know. Should I heat up a can and try?

Cora: [she pauses for a moment, one hand coming up to scratch at the back of her neck] I'm not even sure what the words are.

Peter: [he thinks a moment] Words to represent the feelings, or thoughts?

Cora: Both?

Peter: [nods] How about pictures? An image that represents it? Or color.

Cora: [there's a mild look at that because it's more just a swirl of confusion and uncertainty and she pauses, resting her elbows on the counter as she runs her hands over her face] I miss him.

Peter: I know, sweetheart. It's been written all over your face the last few weeks. [he gets up to clean up the plates, putting the pizza in the fridge]

Cora: I just ... I still don't know if I'm ready to go back.

Peter: If you don't know... then you're not ready. [he walked around and rubbed her shoulders]

Cora: [closes her eyes as she leans back into him a bit] I was really scared that we weren't going to be able to fix it.

Peter: [presses his lips against the top of her head] We all were. We got very lucky.

Cora: And what if we don't keep being lucky and she comes back? She's convinced he's ... wrong, what if she just kills him next time.

Peter: Then we take measures to protect our pack. And if that means we have to go on a witch hunt, we will do what's needed to keep him safe.

Cora: I know. I know. [but that fear is still there, because she used a spell to use Stiles’ body against him before. She can't stop a spell, even if it's not a faster acting one]

Peter: [nuzzles her cheek, smelling the fear] Come on, you should rest.

Cora: [leans back into him more, and nods a bit] Okay.

Peter: [and he's going to lean over and pick her up, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly] Come on, I could use a nap too.

Cora: [doesn't fight him on it, just curling into his chest and letting him carry her wherever they're going]

Peter: [and to his room they go, laying her down on the bed and then curling up around her] Good?

Cora: [she nods as her eyes close, and it's not long after that that she is out cold]

Peter: [and he's just going to lay there, keeping her safe and sound as best he can for the moment]

Cora: [she appreciates that, Peter. She appreciates it a lot]

Peter: [and he will eventually drift off as well, his arm around hers keeping her close]

Cora: [And Laura will come home and find them like that and opt to let them both sleep instead]

Derek: [and eventually the cop returns late in the evening, heading into the kitchen to see if there is food in the fridge before bed]

Laura: [is pulling out the leftover pizza and looks up with a smile] Hungry?

Derek: God, yes. It was a fast case, but I didn't get dinner.

Laura: [pulls open the top of the box] There is pizza.

Derek: When isn't there pizza in this house?

Laura: There is pizza that was bought today.

Derek: [he thinks a moment] We're going to eat Peter's pizza?

Laura: He and Cora are passed out in his room and if he's pissed about it, I'll replace it.

Derek: Cora's home?

Laura: Yeah. They discharged Stiles today.

Derek: I didn't smell his scent when I came in...

Laura: He went back to his apartment.

Derek: ... is it safe for him there?

Laura: For now, I think so. I don't think the witch will be making another pass anytime soon.

Derek: Is there, you know, something that the Mikaelsons can make for him? Like how they warded the room, just ward his person instead?

Laura: They're still here for a couple more days. I'll ask Kol before he leaves.

Derek: Yeah, you may want to soothe some feathers from your easily riled mate, Laura. [smirks]

Laura: [rolls her eyes] He'll be fine. They're only here for a couple more days.

Derek: I think I heard him talking about castrating a witch and if neutering him would do anything

Laura: [facepalms]

Derek: He has a delicate ego.

Laura: You know, Nik I got because I've actually slept with him. But really?

Derek: He's a human, Laura. Kol has power. He's not worried about losing you, he's worried about being the weakest.

Laura: [sighs] Alright, I'll talk to him later.

Derek: Good luck.

Laura: [reaches for her phone to text him to see if he's coming over tonight] So what have you been up to?

Esposito: Your brother stuck me with the paperwork tonight. Probably not.

Derek: Work. Apparently there's a full moon coming. [smirks]

Laura: [text: "Maybe I can meet you at your place when you get off?"] Fun. Enjoy that.

Derek: And the humans worry about fictional werewolves on that day.

Esposito: If you ain't busy.

Laura: [text: "Nope. Let me know when you're heading home."] They do have a wild imagination.

Derek: So anything else I should know about since I’ve been out of pocket the last few days?

Laura: [shakes her head] Just the visiting Mikaelsons.

Derek: Sorry I haven't had time to spend meeting them.

Laura: [she shakes her head] There hasn't really been a lot of time to begin with. It's been a lot of stuff werewolf stuff. Though Peter seems to be making a friend.

Derek: I'm still shocked when I hear that phrase.

Laura: Well, he and Elijah have a lot in common.

Derek: Please tell me it's not wardrobe.

Laura: Well, the guy looks a great in a suit.

Derek: Peter probably would if he wore them more often.

Laura: They're both very ... pragmatic.

Derek: Huh. Add Nadia into the mix and they could try to take over the world.

Laura: I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

Derek: I fear for you and Victor.

Laura: As well you should.

Derek: Remind me to start making the apartment into a fallout shelter.

Laura: [laughs] I think if they did, we would at least be allowed to live as favored pets.

Derek: You'll get retired to Long Island.

Laura: I think I could live with that.

Derek: I'll end up in Jersey.

Laura: Jersey isn't so bad.

Derek: Yeah, until you're close enough to smell it.

Laura: It doesn't smell that bad.

Esposito: Heading home.

Derek: So says you.

Laura: [glances down at her phone and nods] I think you'll get used to it. [she makes her way closer and giving him a kiss on the cheek] I'm going to Javi's. I'll see you tomorrow.

Derek; Yeah, see you tomorrow. I'll hold down the fort. [and he's going to eat the rest of the pizza]

Laura: [and off she goes to meet Espo at his place, and will be waiting by the door when he gets there]

Esposito: [and he's tired as he's climbing out of his car] You run all the way, girl?

Laura: [smirks as she makes her way closer] I know a few short cuts.

Esposito: Oh, I'm sure. [pulls her close] You staying the night?

Laura: [slides her arms around his waist] I've got nowhere else to be.

Esposito: Well, I got a few ideas of where you can be. [leans in to kiss her]