new york wolves } { of changing jobs and shotgun weddings

[killmypatience]

Derek: [sitting on the edge of his desk, looking over at Kate] So what should we tell him first?

Beckett: [she is pacing just a little, drumming her fingers against her coffee cup] Maybe I should give my notice first. So that he doesn't have to worry about us giving him a headache, he can just be happy for us.

Derek: So bad news first. That works.

Beckett: [she nods, glancing down at her watch, more out of nerves than anything else. The twelfth has been her home for so long, it's hard to say that she's going to leave it]

Derek: Hey. [he stands up, going to put his hands on her arms] Deep breath. He's going to understand. He's only ever wanted us to be the best cop we can. And this is an offer you can't refuse.

Beckett: [she glances over at him and nods before exhaling] It's not that. I'm just ... I'm not sure I'm ready.

Derek: You're never sure until you do just do it, Kate. You know that.

Beckett: Yeah, I know. It's just ... hard.

Derek: It's not worth fighting for if it was easy. [he looks around before he leans in to kiss her quickly] I believe in you.

Beckett: [there's a small smile in return, before she catches Flack heading back to his office] Hey, boss, can we talk to you for a sec?

Flack: [sips his coffee and looks down at the bakery box in his hand] Can I eat my cake?

Derek: Did you bring enough to share? [closes the door behind them]

Flack: No. Mrs. Beckowitz only gives me enough for one, sorry. [he's her favorite customer, which means he gets away with murder]

Derek: [chuckles] Alright. You can eat it. [he's going to need it]

Flack: [sighs as he settles behind his desk, before glancing up to the two of them] Alright. What's up?

Derek: [he looks over at Kate, and nods. He's got her six]

Beckett: [she takes a deep breath, before moving to sit in the chair across from him] I got an offer. From the Manhattan FBI office for homicide.

Flack: [is very glad he wasn't eating his cake at the time] I'm guessing that you're taking it?

Beckett: [sheepish smile] Definitely thinking about it.

Flack: Kate, you're a good detective and I sure as hell don't want to lose you, but if you want to take the shot, go for it.

Beckett: Yeah?

Flack: Yeah. It doesn't work, I'll always be more than happy to take you back, but until then, go for it.

Derek: And if it does work, maybe we'll have a fed on our side for once [smirks]

Flack: That's provided she doesn't drink the Kool-Aid.

Derek: Oh, I'm sure I can keep her rooted in reality.

Beckett: I'm right here, guys.

Flack: [smirks at her] So when's your last day?

Beckett: I told them top of the year?

Flack: [he nods] I'll start seeing if I need to shop around for another homicide detective.

Derek: So I get a new partner?

Flack: Don't know yet. We'll see how the three of you do together.

Beckett: That sounds like a recipe for trouble. [teasing]

Derek: Well, Espo and I have a mutual reason to play nice with each other.

Flack: I don't think that's the trouble she means. I think she's referring more to your closure rate.

Derek: I still get to go home to her. I'm sure my numbers won't be affected.

Flack: [smirks] So basically you're going to cheat and have her give you all the answers?

Beckett: Hey, I'm going to have my own cases to solve.

Derek: I wouldn't call it cheating but getting a second set of eyes.

Flack: Uh-huh. [to Beckett] I'll get you the paperwork to get started.

Beckett: [she nods in agreement] Okay. Sounds good.

Derek: So while we're talking about changes... [he looks at Kate and smiles] I've also got news to share with you.

Flack: [glances between the two of them as he takes another bite of his cake] Alright.

Derek: [he's going to wait for Flack to swallow as he walks over to take Kate's hand] Well, you're going to also need to approve some vacation time for me too. Whenever we get around to planning a honeymoon. [smirks]

Flack: [it takes a beat because he's just nodding like oh yeah, vacation time, but then he gets around to the reason why and he does a double take] What?

Derek: [grins] We're getting married.

Flack: [Glances between the two of them and laughs] Well, it's a good thing you two aren't going to be working together anymore.

Derek: It's just an added bonus.

Flack: [he nods before raising his coffee to them] Congratulations. Both of you.

Derek: Thank you. [looks over at Kate and smiles]

Beckett: [smiles back before giving his hand a squeeze] We're going to hold off on telling the rest of the precinct until things are more official, if that's okay?

Flack: [she nods] Yeah, of course. Tell them whenever you're ready.

Derek: Especially since you know, once Espo knows, most of New York knows.

Flack: Ain't that the truth.

Derek: Though I have a feeling I'm going to need to get used to him. For the rest of my life.

Flack: [he laughs] It could be worse.

Derek: Yeah, it could be Detective Slaughter.

Beckett: Thankfully your sister has better taste than that.

Derek: I'm grateful every day for that.

Flack: I think she's been good for him, too. Knocked him down off his high horse a bit.

Derek: Yeah, and she's mellowed out a bit. I mean, she's smiling again.

Flack: Which is the important thing.

Esposito: [speaking of which, he's walking into the precinct, grinning like a very, very happy man]

Flack: [tracks him through the window] Speak of the devil.

Derek: He looks way too happy... [motions for Kate to look]

Flack: [he shrugs] Maybe he's having a good day.

Beckett: Espo doesn't have good days. He just has slightly better than average days.

Esposito: [and he's going to go and tell Ryan and his best friend is going to be happy, patting him on the back]

Derek: Who wants to go ask?

Beckett: [studies him for a moment, then shakes her head.] I'm not sure I want to know.

Flack: [waves a hand] If it's that good, you won't have to ask.

Esposito: [grinning, walking in and seeing Derek] ‘sup captain.

Flack: Detective.

Beckett: [glances over to Derek] We should probably get back to work.

Esposito: [nods] Yeah, I gotta talk to you for a sec, Captain. [because Laura wanted to tell Derek]

Flack: [nods and gestures for Beckett and Derek to head out, as he finishes off his cake] Alright. I'm all ears.

Esposito: [closes the door, and then turns to Flack] I know I'm just coming off medical leave, sir, but would you be able to give me a few days of vacation time any day soon?

Flack: [he takes a deep breath, seeming hesitant] Depends on the reason.

Esposito: Well, you can't tell Derek.... but gonna get married.

Flack: To Laura?

Esposito: Of course. Who else?

Flack: It's just the "soon" part of the previous statement that's confusing me.

Esposito: We're not looking for anything fancy. Just gonna go down and do something small this weekend. Just hoping to maybe get a 48 hour window where I can take Ryan and Castle down to AC and not get calling on a murder.

Flack: [considers for a moment, before nodding] I think I could make that happen.

Esposito: You know I'm good to make up for it.

Flack: Yeah, sure. [drums his fingers against the table] I'm surprised Laura isn't making you hold out for a big wedding.

Esposito: She actually doesn't feel she wants one. I'm the one asking.

Flack: [he nods] Then I wish you both the best and have a good time.

Esposito: Thank you, sir.

Flack: Congratulations. I hope you both make each other very happy. [a beat] ... Why don't you need the time cleared for Derek?

Esposito: ... Laura didn't ask me too.

Flack: ... That's gonna go over well.

Esposito: I'm still learning the whole social wolfpack structure that they got going on.

Flack: Oh, it's not a wolf thing. It's a sibling thing.

Esposito: It's her family. Well, it'll soon be mine too but

Flack: I'm sure they'll sort it out.

Esposito: I'm sure.

Flack: Well, I'll take you off call. Enjoy your wedding.

Esposito: I'll make sure Elvis takes a good picture for everyone's Christmas gifts.

Flack: I'll be looking forward to it.

Esposito: See you Monday, then.

Flack: See you Monday.

Esposito: [and he will be going to grab Ryan and sneaking out]

Flack: [and he will be keeping his mouth shut and bracing for the fallout]

Esposito: [oh, he's bracing for it too, but it's Laura's choice]

Laura: [she just doesn't want to make a big deal out of it. Which her siblings will]

Derek: [yes, yes they will]

Laura: [sigh]

Stiles: [is going to just.... stay late at school that night...]

Laura: [she probably won't tell them until after it's already done. Except for Malia since she's going to be her half of the witnesses with Landon]

Esposito: [which while Derek and Kate are at work, Espo is going to kidnap Castle and they will be heading to AC to meet Laura and the dancers]

Laura: [and they have to go to the competition first so she will be in the ballroom, watching her sister dance]

Esposito: [and he'll go make all the arrangements]

Laura: [and once they're done with qualifying rounds, they'll meet him in the lobby, Laura buzzing a bit with anticipation]

Esposito: [grins] You ready?

Laura: [grins in return] More than ready.

Esposito: Then let’s go get hitched, girl. [pulls her in for a kiss]

Laura: [kisses him back, sliding her arm around his neck]

Castle: [clears his throat] Alright, kids - you're supposed to wait until after you're married for that part

Laura: [glances back at Castle with a look] We're close enough.

Castle: As the surrogate father figure here, I'm just doing my duty.

Laura: [laughs, before moving closer and taking his arm] If you're playing surrogate father figure, does that mean you're going to give me away?

Castle: Can I? I can hold that over Peter for years...

Laura: [she nods, leaning into his shoulder] Yeah. You might as well.

Castle: Good. He can have Cora's. [kisses the side of Laura's head]

Laura: [she smiles softly at that, before nodding and starting to move towards the chapel] Then let's get married.

Elvis: Welcome friends... welcome to the House a'Love.

Landon: [bursts into laughter because he can't help himself]

Malia: [promptly kicks him in the shin]

Ryan: [nope, trying not to smirk openly]

Laura: [glares at Landon] Shut up, Elvis was a requirement.

Landon: [waves a hand] Don't mind me, sweetie. You do you.

Castle: [is going to be recording all of this] Continue on, king.

Elvis: Thank you very much. We're gathered here ta join these two crazy kids in the throes of holy matrimony.

Laura: [nods as she turns to face Espo, reaching for his hands]

Esposito: [and they will continue with the 15 minute ceremony, and then Elvis blessed them] Now go on and kiss that pretty little lady of yours.

Laura: [grins as she grips his hands to pull him closer]

Esposito: [and he will grab Laura and dip her all fancy style, leaning in to kiss his beautiful wife deeply as the guys cat call and applaud]

Laura: [kisses him back just as eagerly, Malia and Landon joining in on the cat calls with them]

Esposito: [and as he helps her back up] Alright boys, first round's on me!

Laura: [and off they go to the bar which also has a club attached so Malia and Landon can go dancing]

Esposito: [and after a few rounds of drinks, he leans over to his wife] So what you think, time to have our own little post wedding party?

Laura: [she's a little buzzy. not as buzzy as him, but buzzy enough] I think that is an excellent plan.

Esposito: Alright, boys, we'll see you all for breakfast before we head back. Don't get into any trouble now.

Landon: I make no promises: [knocks back a shot as he goes to drag Malia back to the dance floor]

Castle: I do not have enough bail money for all of you! [shouts after Landon as he and Ryan go to find something to eat]

Esposito: [goes to grab Laura's hands and pulls her away so they can head back up to their room]

Laura: [goes easily, stumbling into him once they're in the elevator] This was the best idea.

Esposito: Totally the best idea. And now, you're stuck with me. Death do us part.

Laura: Don't do that anytime soon.

Esposito: Oh, I ain't planning on it.

Laura: Good. [she leans in to kiss him, sliding her arms around his waist]

Esposito: [and ones they are in the elevator and the door is closed, totally making out]

Laura: [yep, all the way up until the elevator dings for their floor, and she pulls back to pull him out into the hallway]

Esposito: [and he will go laughing, going to their room, and he will pin her against the door to kiss her some more]

Laura: [mmmm kissing is good. She is a-okay with doing more of that, her hands sliding over his shoulders. Her fingers curl tugging at the material of his shirt as she pushes up on her toes]

Esposito: [and it will probably not be long before they are in the room, naked and on the bed]

Laura: [nope. Not long at all. And since it is a special occasion and all, she will shift a bit, letting him settle over her as her hands explored his skin]

Esposito: [his hands will explore her body too, his lips kissing her deeply, and then trailing along her jaw. And once they are both ready for it, he's going to slide inside of her nice and deep]

Laura: [she moans softly as he slides inside her, tipping her head back so he has better access to her neck]

Esposito: [no barrier between them anymore, just him, her and their future that's just beginning. He's going to playfully nibble on her shoulder.]

Laura: [she giggles softly at the nibble, her fingers brushing over his back as her hips rock up to meet his, wanting to feel him as close to her as she possibly can]

Esposito: [he will cover her as much as he can, trying to get in as deep, pressing against her nice and tight with each thrust]

Laura: [eventually she will feel the pressure starting to build, her fingers digging into his shoulders as her lips move to his neck]

Esposito: [he's getting there, ready to join her. He knows what's coming in a way, knowing and waiting for it]

Laura: [she can't the way she wants to - the way she's supposed to. It's never going to be a real bond which hurts in a way, but she's not going to change him without him asking that of her, and even then she doesn't know if she could. but she can mark him with her blunt, safe human teeth, which she does, biting down against his shoulder as she falls over the edge]

Esposito: [he groans, and that sends him over as well, thrusting in until he is spent and panting over her, sweaty and sated]

Laura: [she sighs softly as he settles against her, nuzzling him with her cheek as she keeps him close] I love you.

Esposito: I love you too, mi esposa.

Laura: [she smiles softly at that, before leaning in to kiss him again]

Esposito: [and he will kiss her back, and then roll them so that she was on top of him now]

Laura: [and she will move to settle over him easily, her fingers trailing down his chest and dragging her nails a bit]

Esposito: So what are you going to tell your siblings when we get back? Got it all planned out yet?

Laura: Definitely not going to do it all at once.

Esposito: Well, good luck girl.

Laura: I think Cora will take it better than Derek and Peter will.

Esposito: Well, they can't do anything to change it now.

Laura: Nope. So they'll just be pissy at me for a while until they get over it.

Esposito: Yeah, well that's on them. [leans up to kiss her] I'll make up all that affection they're giving up.

Laura: [grins as she kisses him back] I hope so.

Esposito: [and they will probably just keep going and having more sex and little sleep all night and into the morning]

Laura: [yep, pretty much. They will vastly enjoy their wedding]

Esposito: [and then in the morning they will all grab breakfast to feed their hangovers, and then drive back to NY]

Laura: [and when they get home, Laura will corner Cora first and deliver the news and Cora will not be happy, definitely, but as they talk it out in her room she at least understands it, even if she's still a little upset. and after her conversation with Cora, Laura sets out to find sibling #2 to tell him the big news]

Derek: [and since Kate had gone off to talk to her father about the new job she was accepting, he had come home and borrowed Barron to take a nice, long jog along the Hudson. He'll be coming back with the dog, pulling her earbuds out as he sees Laura approaching] Hey, you weren't here when I came over this morning for breakfast. Everything alright?

Laura: Yeah, I went down to AC with Malia for her competition.

Derek: Oh that's right, that was this weekend.

Laura: Yep. [she pauses for a moment, before glancing over to the kitchen] Hungry?

Derek: When am I not? Can I catch a shower first though?

Laura: Sure. I'll start cooking, and it should be ready by the time you're done.

Derek: You're the best. [kisses her cheek, and heads off to shower. He keeps a few changes of clothes in his old bedroom slash guest room still]

Laura: [and she will work on throwing together a pair of grilled cheese sandwiches, just the way he likes them]

Derek: [which obviously makes them grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches, and he will pad back in barefoot after a bit, smelling them] I hope you have a mountain of those going because I think I worked up an appetite.

Laura: [she smirks] Don't worry, I made you two.

Derek: [slides up in the stool at the island] So how did Malia and Landon do?

Laura: Well. Not first, but I'm starting to think they do that on purpose.

Derek: Well, you guys did spend a lot of time reminding her that she can be great, but not enough to stand out enough to make herself a target.

Laura: Yeah, we did. But sometimes I still want her to win, just once.

Derek: Let her know she can. I'm sure she and Landon would love to make it special for you.

Laura: [she nods] We'll see.

Derek: [and he's going to grab the ketchup off the table and make a little puddle to dip his sandwich in] So do anything else interesting while you were down there?

Laura: Yeah. [and she serves up his sandwiches with her own before moving to sit next to him, and then quickly, like ripping off a band-aid] Javi and I got married.

Derek: [and he will be about to bite into that sandwich and stop, his eyes snapping to look at her because...] Come again?

Laura: [she just looks at him, because she knows it's a big thing and he's going to be upset, but it's already done]

Derek: [yeah, he's going to put the sandwich down] What the hell, Laura?!

Laura: We were only doing it so that if something happened to him on the job, our family would be okay, and I didn't want a wedding.

Derek: Wait... family? Are you pregnant?! [he's very upset]

Laura: [she shakes her head] No, I'm not. [that she knows of] But we want to start trying.

Derek: [yup, his appetite is gone and he pushes away] Well, thanks for keeping us in the loop.

Laura: I was only doing it becaue he wanted it, Derek, I didn't want a big deal. [she sighs as she shifts to look at him]

Derek: Yeah, but you didn't think you could tell your family about it before you left town?

Laura: Because if I did it would have turned into a big deal!

Derek: How? How would you coming to us and telling us you were going to marry Espo and would be back on Monday be a big deal? You really think we wouldn't honor your wishes?

Laura: You would have said why am I not invited.

Derek: [crosses his arms] No, I wouldn't have. If you told me you wanted it to be personal between you two and I would have gotten it. Right now seeing that I just proposed too? I get it. But this? This hurts because you obviously don't feel you can trust me to respect your feelings. So thanks, thanks for that. [and he's going to turn and start to head to the door, intending to leave once he has his stuff]

Laura: [huffs as she buries her face in her hands, trying to breathe through it. She thinks it's easy to say on the other side of this, but she'll never know either way now and she doesn't really know what to say. Honestly she thinks it might be better to just let him cool off and come back to it later but she doesn't like letting him leave mad. Especially when he doesn't live there anymore.]

Stiles: [yeah, guess who's home and heard the noise downstairs. He's going to see it and step in] Derek, stop.

Derek: Stay out of it Stiles.

Stiles: No, I'm not so deal with it. Yeah, I get your pissed and maybe you have a right to be. But that doesn't mean you get to hurt your sister and walk out of here. [he's going to move quickly to block the door]

Laura: Stiles, it's okay.

Stiles: No, it's not. So she ran off to AC and got married. It's not like they haven't been at it like they were mated already.

Derek: [glares because that is his sister you're talking about]

Stiles: See - you love her. And I know none of you stay mad at each other for long. You really want to walk out of here pissed at her because she's in love and got married in secret so she could mate with Espo?

Derek: [sighs, because he wants to be mad. He's hurt]

Cora: [is standing on the landing, drawn by the sound of yelling, and very quietly] It's not about that. She can't, unless he's becoming a werewolf. [there's a beat] Ask her why she didn't want a wedding.

Laura: [glances back to her because that's not something she wants to get into while Derek is pissed at her, but it's too late for Cora to take it back.]

Derek: [he sighs and turns to look at Cora, then Laura. He's not as stupid as they think. He already thinks he knows - he knew the second she said it but he will ask] Why?

Laura: [looks down at her hands playing with the grilled cheese she made for herself and tearing off the corner before she speaks] Because they wouldn't be there. [she knows he knows who "they" are]

Derek: Mom.

Laura: Dad too.

Derek: But why AC? Why couldn't you and Espo just go down to the courthouse? Why did you feel you had to hide it from us? [he looks up at Cora to see if she's as hurt as he is]

Cora: [she is, but she and Laura talked about it. She wasn't angry the way Derek was]

Laura: [she shrugged] It was his choice. He was the one who wanted it, so I wanted him to at least have what he wanted. If it were all up to me, we probably wouldn't have gotten married at all.

Stiles: [since the situation is diffused a bit, he's going to go back to Cora's side]

Derek: [crossing his arms] Yeah, well human laws work differently that way.

Laura: I know. [she continues tearing apart her sandwich]

Derek: [he's still hurt, but the anger is fading. Stiles was right in that the siblings couldn't stay angry at each other for too long. However...] Please tell me you at least told Peter.

Laura: [just makes a face]

Derek: [sighs] Laura...

Laura: He's in London! And he would have definitely made it a big deal.

Derek: Oh come on, Peter's way more pragmatic than that. He always gives you exactly what you want. But he helped raise me and Cora, and has been your other half for years. You think I'm hurt...

Laura: Yeah, I know. It just felt like one of those situations where it was better to ask forgiveness than permission.

Derek: Well, you're lucky we can forgive easy. Peter holds grudges.

Laura: I'll deal with it. At least he's not my second anymore. Now he's just my uncle.

Derek: A tip - don't phrase it like that

Laura: I won't.

Derek: [nods. He takes a moment, then walks back over to his sister and hugs her from behind, pressing against her neck, nuzzling her cheek] I'm happy for you, okay? Pissed that you didn't think you could tell Cora or me... but I'm happy for you.

Laura: [leans back into him and nods] I'm sorry.

Derek: [he nods against her, but keeps quiet]

Stiles: [looks at Cora, seeing if she's okay]

Laura: [and she will just stay there quietly with him]

Cora: [and she will just lean into him, tucking her head under his chin]

Stiles: [and he will wrap his arms around her, keeping her close and being comforting]

Derek: [after a bit] So you and Espo are going to work on making a baby?

Cora: [mmmm snuggly boyfriend]

Laura: [she nods] Yeah. We're trying.

Stiles: [it's just one of the many services he offers]

Derek: Well, good luck. You're going to be a great mother.

Cora: [and he is very good at them]

Laura: [glances back at him with a small smile] Thanks.

Derek: [and he will lean forward and kiss Laura's forehead, and then go back to sit across from her, going to his abandoned sandwiches] So did you at least take pictures for us?

Laura: [and with that she grins] I'll be right back.

Derek: [looks up at Cora] You want the other one of these? I probably only need one.

Cora: [glances over and nods] Sure.

Stiles: [kisses her cheek] I'll be in the room. [and he will let her get some sibling time while he goes to finish his paper for class]

Derek: [goes to get another plate for Cora]

Laura: [Cora slides up on the stool as Laura comes back with the very small album that the chapel made up for them when they got married. There are lots of pictures of Elvis]

Derek: [and he's going to laugh] Oh my god, you actually let Espo do this?

Laura: [she grins] It was what he wanted. And I agreed that Elvis was an essential part of any wedding.

Derek: You are not allowed to help plan either of our weddings. [looks at Cora for confirmation]

Cora: [nods in agreement] And you are not allowed to show these to my boyfriend.

Derek: You don't want stiles getting ideas?

Cora: [shakes her head] Nope.

Laura: Don't worry. Your weddings are free from my influence.

Derek: [and he will just flip through, making comments about the pictures]

Laura: [and she will provide commentary in return]

Derek: [and by the end of this, at least the siblings are mostly better, even if it may sting a bit still they can at least move on?]

Laura: [yep, everybody's better and happy and settled]

Stiles: [which he's glad to hear when he takes a break between songs to just check on them, and then he's back to working on his paper]

Cora: [and eventually she will wander up again and go to sit next to him on the bed] Hey.

Stiles: [pops out his earbuds and looks up, smiling] Hey.

Cora: What're you working on?

Stiles: One of my business classes. Our papers are really us trying to write a business proposal. So I'm trying to write a proposal on a fake business model for drone fast food delivery companies in major metropolitan areas that can be delivered to fire escapes or balconies.

Cora: Interesting.

Stiles: But it's not due until next week so I can take a break if you want me to.

Cora: I think a break would be good, so you don't burn yourself out. [and totally not for selfish reasons of her wanting boyfriend snuggle time]

Stiles: Alright, then I will heed your advice. [he goes to save the file, and then closes his laptop]

Cora: [she smiles and places the laptop safely off to the side before shifting to curl up with him on the bed]

Stiles: [grins and curls up with her] You doing okay?

Cora: [she nods, slipping one arm across his waist] Laura and I talked it out before she told Derek.

Stiles: I didn't know anything about it, for the record.

Cora: I didn't think you did.

Stiles: [nods] Good, cause I probably would have told her to at least tell you both before doing it.

Cora: I know you would have. She didn't do it to hurt us, I just think she didn't want us to talk her out of it.

Stiles: Would you have?

Cora: I ... I don't know. I would have wanted to be there. And I don't think she'll regret it but ... she had this binder when she was a kid with all of the things she wanted for her wedding. I always thought she was going to have a big one.

Stiles: [rubs her arm] Well, you guys aren't the same people from back then. And weddings are usually compromises.

Cora: [she glances up at him] Have you met my sister?

Stiles: Yes, and have you seen the way she looks at Espo?

Cora: What does that have to do with her wedding being a compromise?

Stiles: She didn't want one at all, from what I heard her telling Derek. This small thing they did was a compromise between them. As for her not wanting one at all... I can see why the loss of your parents would do that to her with everything that changed in her life.

Cora: [her eyes soften a bit as she curls into him more] My dad was supposed to give her away. Mom was supposed to help her. She didn't want to do it without them.

Stiles: [kisses Cora's cheek] Yeah... I know. That whole book you said she had... the fire destroyed that dream like it did the pages of the book.

Cora: I know. [there's a part of her that wishes Laura could have at least had some of that. To do all the things she should have been able to do before she became and alpha, but she was never going to have those things. It's part of the reason why Cora was okay with it because it was Laura taking something for herself for once] I just miss my dad.

Stiles: [he thinks for a moment] I don't think I've ever asked you... but do you guys have any religion at all?

Cora: [she pauses before shaking her head] Not really.

Stiles: Well... I don't practice, but I mean, I have a bit. And after my mom died my Dad told me that when people die, you bury the body, but their soul can't die. It goes on to Heaven where they watch down on us and they still get to see everything that we do, and are always a part of our lives even if we can't see them.

Cora: We didn't even have bodies to bury. All that was left of my mom was her claws.

Stiles: But that's just a body. What makes your mother the woman she was? That's her soul. And maybe you can't see it, even with all your super human senses... but she's here. She's not trapped in a physical place, but can be with you, Laura, Derek and even Peter...

Cora: I know. I mean, I know what you mean, I just ... [she pauses and swallows] It's not the same. We have that connection to the pack when we're alive, but when we lose them ... it's like a part of you goes with them. Especially when they're your alpha.

Stiles: And your parents.

Cora: [she nods] Losing a pack member is like losing a limb. [and they lost so many that night]

Stiles: Yeah, I recall getting a small taste of that feeling, even if it wasn't as drastic and final as what you felt.

Cora: [she nods as she lifts her head up to look at him] After everything ... I want them to be able to rest. I don't want them watching us and not being able to be here.

Stiles: Maybe they are at rest? I mean, it's not just the bad stuff they see. They see all the good stuff. They get to see all of you being happy.

Cora: But they're not able to be here with us.

Stiles: They are, Cora. They are, you just can't see them, but they are here.

Cora: No. [frustrated] If it were you, would you be able to just sit there and watch? Unable to talk, unable to touch, unable to ... be? [she wouldn't. it seems to her like the worst kind of agony, to be watching the world but unable to be a part of it]

Stiles: [he sits up just a bit] Cora, have you ever had a time where you were sad or upset, and for some reason you just felt something... a small breeze on your face, the air warming around you... almost like the air was trying to comfort you?

Cora: [she watches him for a moment, before shaking her head]

Stiles: [he sighed] When my mom died, I used to get panic attacks. They were so bad I was using an inhaler to help me start breathing again. One night it was really late and I woke up from a nightmare having one. I couldn't breathe, couldn't make a sound... Dad was in a different room, and it was dark and I couldn't find the inhaler.

Cora: [she used to have nightmares too, but she doesn't say anything, just listens to what he's saying]

Stiles: So I can't move, I can't breathe... I'm scared I'm going to die right there ten years old in my bed. And then I just feel this cool breeze across my face. Like this. [and he went to gently stroke Cora’s face like he was gently tucking her hair behind her air] Over, and over again, slowly and I just closed my eyes and focused on it, and I used it to guide me to breathe. And I started to breathe again. [he takes a deep breath because he hasn't talked about this in a while] And I um... I just feel back asleep and no more nightmares, and I felt safe. The next morning I looked over at the window and it was closed... and I knew then it was my mom. She knew I needed her and she was there for me.

Cora: [she listens and she nods] I didn't have that. I had Derek and Malia.

Stiles: [chuckles] Yeah, well, maybe because you have them, they haven't had to make themselves known. But that doesn't mean they aren't here.

Cora: Which is fine if that's what you believe, but I don't want that for them. [it's not judgmental and it's not meant to say that he's wrong, but at the same time, she's seen too much in the supernatural to believe that ends well] Spirits who hold on too long in this world get twisted and become not themselves. I don't want them to hang on to us because if they do then ... [eventually they'll lose themselves and they won't be her parents anymore]

Stiles: [he nods] Yeah, I can understand that. I just have faith that it won't.

Cora: [she just nods before shifting to curl into him again, not really wanting to talk about it anymore]

Stiles: [and he's going to just hold her, not talking about it more either]

Cora: [she closes her eyes against his shoulder, nuzzling in and soaking in the feeling of him close to her] I'm sorry. [if she upset him or any of that came out wrong]

Stiles: We just believe different things, Cora. Nothing to be sorry about.

Cora: [nods as she settles, just staying close]

Stiles: ... Do you think your parents would have liked me?

Cora: [a small smile crosses her face] Yeah. I think they would have.

Stiles: Good. I know my mom would have loved you.

Cora: [she smiles softly] My dad probably would have given you so much shit though.

Stiles: So pretty much what Peter put me through?

Cora: Worse. He was way more sarcastic than Peter is. And he was the one I was closest to.

Stiles: So you were a daddy’s girl?

Cora: Mom was teaching Laura to be the alpha. Peter latched on to Derek, and I was six years younger than Derek. The kid that wasn't supposed to happen. [she pauses] I think Mom was worried for a bit that I would take after him instead of her, but I didn't.

Stiles: Take after... your dad was human?

Cora: [she nods] Yeah. He was.

Stiles: You probably told me. I just didn't remember.

Cora: He was always there, you know. When the other adults weren't.

Stiles: And you got to have a lot of time with him.

Cora: I did. [and she didn't realize how lucky she was to have all of that until he was gone. It's probably why she took so well to Castle, because he had that kind of bond with Alexis.]

Stiles: Yeah, I get that. [because that was him and his mom. Until she got lost in her dementia and pushed him away. Screaming that he was trying to kill her. Locking herself in rooms to get away from him until Dad took her to the hospital]

Cora: [sighs softly as she turns into him, nestling her nose against his neck] We need a less sad topic.

Stiles: How about we go get something to eat and sit in the park? I bet we can find something happening in the park that can distract us for a bit.

Cora: I think that sounds like an excellent idea.

Stiles: [and off they will go to grab a pizza and find a spot in Central Park where there is a band playing somewhere they can sit on the grass and enjoy]

Cora: [yep, and that is a much better use of their afternoon]

Stiles: [and then they can get ice cream on their way home, walking down the street hand in hand]

Cora: [yep. And it's getting closer to Halloween so Cora will just keep an eye out for decorations and such]

Stiles: What are you looking for?

Cora: Just checking out the decorations.

Stiles: Halloween?

Cora: [she nods] Some of the stores go all out.

Stiles: Well, I wasn't really focused on it last year. But it's not that much different back home.

Cora: [right. because last year was ... let's not talk about that] Really? You find random haunted houses in the middle of town?

Stiles: Small town... weird history... yeah some of the neighbors went all out, and this one candle shop... that lady loved Halloween.

Cora: And very thematically appropriate.

Stiles: Oh yeah. And she gave the best candy.

Cora: Nice.

Stiles: [points up ahead] And that... that's a completely different kind of trick or treating there. [because yes, that's a boutique adult store going all out]

Cora: [she laughs] Yes. That's the adult trick or treat.

Stiles: You want to go in?

Cora: [she considers for a moment as she finishes up her ice cream, before glancing over with a mischievous smirk] Sure. Why not.

Stiles: [grins and opens the door for her, and they are totally getting engulfed in neon spider webbing with condoms stuck to it]

Cora: [she laughs before wandering in further, keeping an eye out for any other mysterious dive bombs]

Stiles: [points at the skeleton with a strap one] I bet they call him Mr. Boner.

Cora: [she snorts] Very appropriate.

Stiles: [and he's enjoying it until he turns and he's face to face with a huge rainbow colored dildo that should never be put into any orifice and he stumbles back] What the hell?

Cora: [turns and laughs harder when she sees the look on his face] Wow. That is impressive.

Stiles: That's totally not made for humans.... is it?

Clerk: [totally dressed up like a stripper male cheerleader] Oh honey, we call that one the Unicorn.

Stiles: Yeah, doesn't exist in nature anymore. How do you even... use it?

Clerk: Well, you gotta build up to it. [he eyes Stiles, then Cora with a grin] I take it he's packing something good down there?

Cora: [she smirks a bit, before shaking her head] Sorry, I don't kiss and tell. [at least not to strangers]

Clerk: Mmmhmm [he's taking from that smirk to mean yes] I'm sure you're already halfway there then, sweetie. It's one of our best sellers. Everyone wants to ride the rainbow.

Stiles: I'm pretty sure once someone goes there, they don't ever come back to wanting anything human.

Cora: I think we'll pass. [because she's eyeing it and ... no]

Clerk: Your choice. Though I think I may have something you kids will love. Keep your tight little tushes right there. [and he will wander off, and yes, there is glitter trail from his wig]

Stiles: I'm afraid now. This is the scariest haunted house ever. [and he can't help it... he's going to touch the unicorn thing with a single finger, and then just try to wrap his hand around it...] I can't even wrap my hand around this. [he's going to try for two hands]

Cora: [she laughs as she watches him, before reaching for his arm to pull him back] Stop fondling the unicorn, Stiles.

Stiles: [laughs as well] He's right, you are just drawn to it. I think I need to buy this and send it to someone. Just... someone.

Cora: You could make it Scott's bachelor party gift.

Stiles: Yeah, and then Allison will shove it somewhere up me we both would rather it not go. [laughs]

Cora: [laughs] Probably true.

Clerk: [and he returns, holding out the package. It looks like s snake that wraps around like a ring with a little flappy tongue] Now, I just estimated the size but if the boy wants to get measured, I'm sure I can find something more fitting -

Stiles: I'm good with healthy estimations.

Clerk: [sad noise. He was hoping] Anyway, this little beauty gets fit over lover boy's manhood and the little snake head rests on top. [he pulled it out of the package and slid it on two of his fingers before he gently took Cora's hand.] And so when he's up in you, you get this brushing against your hot spot. [and the snake's head was vibrating against her palm, and as he pulled her hand back slowly, the little snake tongue was also vibrating but a bit lighter]

Cora: [she jumps a bit at the vibrations, but her eyebrows go up] That's ... interesting.

Stiles: [and he's curious, because he knows Cora needs that extra stimulation there sometimes] Do you have one that doesn't look like it's going to bite her?

Clerk: [grins] Of course.

Cora: [glances back to him like "are you seriously thinking about it?"]

Stiles: [he shrugs, because why not?]

Cora: [she shrugs in return] Okay.

Clerk: But the biggest thing you have to remember, sweetie... when he's getting all close to finishing, you need to reach down and squeeze right here... [which he does, and the ring opens and releases his fingers] Though it could also be used to keep him going for a long time, in case that's a problem.

Stiles: Yeah, so not a problem.

Cora: [she nods] Duly noted.

Clerk: I'll go see if I have the standard model in your size. I'm thinking large. [and off he goes]

Stiles: If you have it in green, that's a bonus!

Cora: Green? Really?

Stiles: What, it's my favorite color. [grins]

Cora: [she laughs] Okay then.

Stiles: And hey, you know, it's a toy. If we don't like it, we can just hide it in a drawer somewhere and forget about it.

Cora: Very true.

Stiles: And then watch faces if you siblings ever find it.

Cora: Oh God, I hope that never happens.

Stiles: Me neither, to be honest.

Cora: At least with Derek out of the apartment the chances of that are less.

Stiles: And Peter. So you only have to worry about Laura, since I don't know if Malia will care about it if she found it.

Cora: She probably wouldn't.

Stiles: So we're totally fine. [kisses her neck]

Cora: [smiles a bit as she leans into him] Yes, we are.

Clerk: [returns] Ta-dah, last one in green. You kids look like you're ready to go home and try it out. Need anything else?

Stiles: [eyes the Unicorn, then shakes his head] Nah, we're good.

Cora: [she nods] Yeah, that's enough for one day. But thank you.

Clerk: [rings them up - it's only $15 - and hands them the nondescript store bag] You two go have some fun now. I threw in some extra condoms and lube samples.

Stiles: Thanks. [and he will take Cora's hand and off they go!]

Cora: [yes! to home and their soundproofed room, but that will have to wait until after we both get home]

Stiles: [and with their new purchase, they are totally going to head straight home, no passing go, no collecting $200?]

Cora: [yep, right home and right past Laura and all the way up to her room where she will take the bag from Stiles and go to curiously poke at their new purchase]

Stiles: [and he's going to sit on the bed next to her, picking up the box] It should already have batteries in it

Cora: [she nods before testing the stretch] Do you think you can still wear a condom with it?

Stiles: Oh yeah, it's not the first time I've used a ring. [totally still reading the instructions] I just put it on after and you just may need to reroll it a bit. This one doesn't have the fancy little snap on the side though...

Cora: [shakes her head] It's stretchy. [and she will tug at it gently to demonstrate]

Stiles: [looks over] Yeah, something I'm very appreciative for. That has to go around my penis.

Cora: I'm aware. [she glances down at it again, before making a face] I've never actually used toys like this before. [which probably doesn't surprise him because seventy five percent of her sexual experience has been him with twenty percent Tyler and five percent Caroline, but she's not against the idea. she's more curious than anything else]

Stiles: Well, it's not meant to replace what we're doing... at least not this. It's just meant to change things up a bit. You just don't want to overthink it.

Cora: [her brow furrows] How do you overthink a sex toy? [though if there's a way to do it, Cora would probably find it.]

Stiles: [he turned to her and held out his hand for it] By looking at it and trying to figure out all of it's mysteries before just using it.

Cora: [her head ducks a bit and because oh he meant her. But she hands it over without protest]

Stiles: Come here. [and he's going to inch over, his empty hand cupping her cheek and leaning in to kiss her.]

Cora: [she melts into the kiss almost instantly, one arm coming up to drape around his neck as she kisses him back]

Stiles: [and he's going to just distract her with all the kisses, gently laying her down and letting his hands work her clothing off piece by piece]

Cora: [and she will tug at his clothes as well, letting her fingers trail over his skin as it's revealed and just relaxes into the familiar feeling of him over her, her legs shifting up to pull him closer]

Stiles: [and once she's pretty much undressed, he will slide down her body, kissing a line from her breasts to her navel as he pulls her panties off]

Cora: [her head tips back against the pillow, sliding her fingers through his hair as she moves lower and lifting her hips to help him get the last of her clothing off her]

Stiles: [and he will kiss her thighs, and then gently tease her clit with his tongue. As he does that, he takes the toy and wraps it around his middle and pointer finger and she will hear the buzzing turn on a moment before his fingers press into her and he moved his mouth away so that the toy can buzz against her clit on the lightest setting]

Cora: [Stiles going down on her is familiar at least, and if nothing else causes her to relax even more, before she feels the vibrations against her clit, and that makes her jump slightly with a small, surprised noise]

Stiles: [kisses her thigh, going slow and not letting it rest on her for too long, not wanting it to get too intense. Just letting her get used to it as he teased her]

Cora: [as she does get used to it, those surprised noises turn to moans and her hips start to move into the press of the buzzing device, wanting more of that stimulation as her body twists under him]

Stiles: [and as she is starting to want it more, he's going to switch it off and swap places, going down on her again as his hands works to get his underwear off. He's already hard, and the toy is easy to get on, and then followed by the condom before he turns the toy to the alternating vibration setting and turns it back on as he shifts and goes to thrust into her]

Cora: [and with that she arches up into him, meeting his hips with hers as she reaches up to pull him in for a kiss. He's swallowing most of the sounds she's making but she's too keyed up to slow down, and the added vibrations are only amping those feelings]

Stiles: [he's getting the added bonus of feeling the vibration at the base of his shaft, which makes him pull her closer, growling softly against her lips as his feelings are amping up too]

Cora: [her head tips back as she feels herself getting closer as well, eyes flashing in response to that growl and her throat exposed for him to claim. They don't have to, it's already been gone, but marks disappeared as easily as they appeared, no matter how much she wanted them to stay]

Stiles: [yeah, he's going to go for her throat, kissing it hard and running his human teeth along her pulse point as he thrusts in, keeping the vibe against her for a bit of time before pulling away again]

Cora: [her nails dig into his shoulders, continuing to get closer and closer as he goes, until he manages to hit just the right spot and she's falling over the edge, fingers clawing at his back]

Stiles: [there is a strangled cry because he wants to go with her but the ring is keeping him from being able to. He rakes his teeth over her skin, pressing in again, helping keep her going]

Cora: [at first it's a little too sensitive and there's a brief, not happy noise at the pressure but she's still riding the waves of her orgasm, whimpering softly when he didn't come with her]

Stiles: [he will pull back at that not happy noise] I need to get it off....

Cora: [she nods, shifting her hand to move down and help him get it off as best she can]

Stiles: [he's going to end up on his back, trying to move his hips around to do that and not risk tearing the condom]

Cora: [shifts with him, and if it takes him too long and she gets impatient enough she'll just roll it off him herself, discarding the old condom and grabbing a new one for him]

Stiles: [that works. new condom on, he will pull her on top of him, needing to get back inside of her]

Cora: [she will go easily, leaning in to kiss him again as she slowly slides back onto him, still savoring the sensations]

Stiles: [and his hands will thread through her hair, keeping her down and close as he kisses her back hard and needing, frustrated and wanting to fall over the edge]

Cora: [she continues to move her hips against him, wanting to push him over that edge. She meets his kisses just as readily, letting her hands run down his chest]

Stiles: [and it won't take too much longer before he's there, eyes flashing and tilting his head back as he falls over the edge, trying not to be too loud as he moans her name]

Cora: [slows her hips as she eases him through it, dropping her lips to his neck and moving down to his shoulder]

Stiles: [and he's going to moan, closing his eyes and soon relax, his arms wrapping around her]

Cora: [she curls up in his arms, letting her head rest against his shoulder]

Stiles: [happy moan, nuzzling her head] So what did you think?

Cora: [she hums softy] Definitely different.

Stiles: You seemed to like it.

Cora: Yeah, I did. [she shifts to look at him] But I didn't like that we weren't ... in it together, so to speak.

Stiles: I should probably take it off earlier then. When I'm closer but not there yet.

Cora: [she nods] I don't really need the toys though. I just want you.

Stiles: I don't need them either... but it's just to have fun. Something different every once in a while.

Cora: [she nods, tipping forward and pressing a kiss to his pulse point]

Stiles: [smiles at that] All I want is you anyway.

Cora: [smiles as well] Me too.

Stiles: And now I think it's bedtime.

Cora: [she nods] Me too. [And she will start to shift off him so he can go clean up and slide under the covers]

Stiles: [which he will do, curling up with her and kissing her shoulder] I'll finish the paper tomorrow. Let's get some sleep.

Cora: [she nods, curling into him and she's out not long after that]