new york wolves } { of back to beta and hurt partners

[hereditare]

Laura: ... Shit.

Marcus: You need to be careful. If this darach is targeting alphas now, you and Stiles would be two and three.

Laura: Is there anything we can do for him?

Marcus: Right now his pack is vulnerable and upset, so helping them would be good. Other than that, I'm going through options.

Laura: Alright. I'll see if I can bring over some dinner later, once Stiles gets out of work.

Marcus: Okay. Make sure he has someone with him when he leaves. Neither of you should be alone.

Laura: Alright. I'll see if Derek or Javi can get him from the crime lab.

Marcus: And if either of you start to feel lightheaded or dizzy, get to me immediately.

Laura: Will do. Let me know if there's anything else I can bring, and I will.

Marcus: I will.

Laura: [will hang up and text the warnings to Stiles which she knows he's not going to like but she's still protective of him, even if he is an alpha now]

Stiles: [no, he gets it, and will probably fret until he gets to go home, and Derek brings him]

Laura: [thank you Derek. Laura points to him as she gathers up the food she's cooking] You're with me, we're going over to the Kirsanovs. [to Stiles] Stay here with Tommy and Malia. Jeremy's out of town so she's not going anywhere tonight.

Derek: Sure.

Stiles: Yeah, I can do that.

Laura: Good. Be careful, and remember what Marcus said - if you start to not feel well at all, have Malia get you over to him so he can examine you.

Stiles: Will do, and let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Laura: I will. [and with that, she and Derek are off]

- - - - -

Peter: I don't know what kind of sacrifice this energy is though. It could be anything up to their life.

Marcus: It's a risky move.

Stiles: I'll do it.

Laura: Are you sure about this, Stiles?

Stiles: Yeah. You're more important than me, and you have a baby. I can't let you do this.

Laura: And it could kill you. [which means potentially killing her sister]

Stiles: If we do nothing, it kills Victor.

Laura: [she grits her teeth, before crossing her arms in front of her chest] It's your choice. But if you feel like you're hitting a point of no return, stop.

Stiles: Hopefully it won't come to that. [and he will put his hand on her arm in a comforting way]

Laura: [yeah, well, this is not a situation she's comfortable with. at all.]

Stiles: [and he will turn to Peter and Marcus] Okay, what do I do?

Marcus: [and he will guide Stiles to sit down beside Victor and Peter will put his hands on Stiles' shoulders] Just focus on Victor's pain and try to feel the illness causing it, and pull at that instead of the pain.

Laura: [will just pace quietly behind them, watching this very carefully]

Stiles: [and he's pulling, feeling the illness starting to seep through him and burn up inside of him with the extra alpha "fire" in him. He grits his teeth, trying not to let it overwhelm him but it HURTS]

Laura: [still waiting, watching any sign for weakness to pull him out]

Stiles: [and he feels that line - the cross this and you are going to be changed forever feeling. It could mean death, or something else. He knows crossing it could hurt Cora, but she would want him to help Victor. He knows that, and he isn't sure if she will feel it, but he sends her just a feeling of love before refocusing and going over that line, and howling at the pain as the heart of the illness fills him]

Laura: [oh that is so not good not good at all, she starts to surge forward to try and protect her second]

Marcus: [he knows better than getting in the middle of alphas so he isn't going to move but is watching as the blackness leaves Victor, his vital signs improving] It's working.

Peter: What happens if we separate them now?

Marcus: I don't know.

Laura: [hesitates and just places her hands on Stiles' shoulder gently, just letting him know she's there]

Stiles: [she will feel the spike of pain as howls again, and his eyes wide open are red, and in a flash they aren't anymore, but bright and gold]

Laura: Can he stop yet?

Stiles: [and to answer that... he's going to just have his eyes roll into the back of his head and slump into Laura, passed out]

Laura: [catches him easily and sighs]

Victor: [groans as he starts to come to] Did anyone get the number of that truck?

Cora: [RING RING RING STILES PHONE WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON GUYS]

Peter: [takes his phone and answers it] Cora, he's fine now. Mostly.

Marcus: [checking Victor's vitals] Welcome back to the land of the living.

Cora: What was that?

Victor: Glad to be back. [glances over to Stiles] He okay?

Peter: Stiles being an idiot.

Marcus: [and he is going to nod, but join Laura and check over Stiles now, who is going to be unconscious for a while] His breathing and heartbeat are strong. He should recover fine. Let's get him into a more comfortable place.

Laura: [nods and goes to heft him up so she can move him]

Cora: That's not an answer.

Marcus: [and he will help until Stiles is settled on the couch, checking him again] You should stay with him. Give him that connection.

Peter: No, but it's still the truth. [and he will walk Cora through what had happened]

Laura: [nods as she settles next to him with a heavy sigh]

Cora: And you couldn't give me a heads up?

Peter: It happened very fast. There was no time.

Marcus: [returns to Victor] How are you feeling?

Cora: It takes two seconds to send a text message, Peter.

Victor: [shrugs] Aside from experiencing what I assume is my first hangover, I feel fine.

Peter: And would you have been satisfied with that, only to have no one answer when you called for more information?

Marcus: You were poisoned with Mistletoe.

Cora: I might have known it was coming instead of having a panic attack in the middle of my class.

Victor: ... Lovely.

Peter: I'm sorry. If it happens again, I will send you a message that your choice of mate is being an idiot and to get somewhere out of sight.

Marcus: Stiles saved your life.

Cora: Thank you. Can I yell at him now?

Victor: Did he now? [glances over] He doesn't look like he's doing so well.

Marcus: We'll see how he is doing once he wakes up.

Peter: He's unconscious so it probably wouldn't do any good. I will call you when he wakes up though.

Cora: Good. [sighs] I have to go. I'll call later tonight if you don't call me first.

Peter: Take care, sweetheart.

Cora: You too. [and with that she'll hang up and go back to class]

Stiles: [and after about an hour, he's going to groan]

Laura: [peers over at him] Welcome back.

Stiles: [not moving, just focusing on breathing] That sucked. Hardcore.

Laura: Yeah. And it's not done either, because your fiancée is pissed at you.

Stiles: [groans again, opening his eyes] Yeah, I figured as much. At least we're both alive? Yay?

Laura: Try telling her that.

Stiles: [goes to reach for his phone... but he can't move] What happened?

Marcus: You pushed your body further than you should. You have no strength.

Laura: You'll bounce back, but right now you have to stay put. [holds out her hand for Peter to give her Stiles' phone] Here, I'll dial for you.

Stiles: Okay. Can I get some water?

Peter: [hands over the phone] I'll go get some.

Laura: [dials his phone, puts it on speaker phone, and places it on his chest] There you go.

Stiles: So you're all going to hear this, huh?

Peter: I will also bring back popcorn.

Laura: At least be grateful that the Kirsanovs are gone.

Stiles: I'm pretty sure they will be able to hear her across town. Not that I don't deserve it. I should have called.

Laura: [Laura's face is just going to say YEP as the speakers click on]

Cora: Stiles?

Stiles: I'm sorry I didn't call. I just got caught up in the do it now and I didn't think it was going to be that bad...

Cora: Right. Didn't think it was going to be that bad to just give your alpha away. Come on, Stiles. [she barely takes a breath and just keeps going] And that isn't even the point. Do you seriously want to marry me?

Stiles: It's not like it hurt when I got it, and there was no real guide on what was going to happen. [and he will blink at that] Yes, of course.

Cora: Because it doesn't feel like it. It feels like every time something happens there, you make choices without me, without talking to me, like it's okay to just ignore how these things are going to affect me because I'm not there. I had a panic attack in the middle of my class today because no one thought about me or thought to give me the courtesy of letting me know that this huge metaphysical thing was happening to someone I'm tethered to, and I can't ... I can't keep doing that, Stiles. [she takes a breath before shaking her head] So when you decide you actually want to treat me like a partner instead of someone who's just there for you, let me know. [and she hangs up]

Stiles: [takes it and sighs, leaning back into the couch cushion] Great.

Laura: [sighs, and gets up and pats him on the shoulder] I'll go make you some dinner.

Stiles: Well, I can't leave until I can at least move. [tries to move his hand and it takes all his efforts]

Laura: I didn't say you should move. I said I was going to make you dinner.

Stiles: I know. [thinks] Why didn't you call Cora while you were watching?

Laura: Because I was busy watching to make sure you didn't kill yourself and take her down with you. It didn't actually take that long - by the time I actually got a hold of her, it would have been over and she would have been angry anyway.

Stiles: There was no way I could win, I think.

Laura: You could have if you breathed for a second instead of just jumping into danger. Things were dire but not so dire that you couldn't have a conversation with your girlfriend.

Stiles: I can't consult her every time I'm in danger.

Laura: No, not every time. But this is an instance where you could have, especially considering the risks involved. This wasn't someone forcing you into a corner, Stiles, this was you making a choice.

Stiles: [and he is going to just sit there and stew in his guilt]

Laura: And to be fair, I don't think she just meant you being in danger, and I don't think it's all on you. But ... you do realize that she's winding up as last to know in a lot of situations, just because she simply isn't here to witness it. And I think it's getting to her more than she'd like.

Stiles: Technically, Derek is the last to know. But I see your point.

Laura: [nods as she brings him over a sandwich and sits on the couch] The thing about the mate bond is that it's meant to get you to work together. Because it's not just your life you're risking anymore. It's hers too. You can't lay down your life for her because it won't save her. You need to be partners - real partners.

Stiles: It's hard to think that way when she's not here.

Laura: And there's the problem. Because if she's going to be your wife and your mate, then that's the way you need to think all the time, whether she's here, in Boston, on the moon - it doesn't matter. She may not physically be here, but your actions affect her just as though she is.

Stiles: I'm still working on it, but I'm not perfect, and I never said I was.

Laura: And I'm not saying you have to be. But you just did a big thing, and I don't blame her for being upset.

Stiles: Yeah, I know. [and he's going to try and sit up on his own, moving shakily but succeeding in it]

Laura: [reaches over to help steady him, before handing him his sandwich] Just let me know when you leave.

Stiles: [thinks as he eats] How much longer does Cora have this semester?

Laura: [thinks for a moment] A couple months?

Stiles: Can you dial my boss for me?

Laura: [raises her eyebrows before pulling up his phone and dialing Mac and putting it on speaker, unless he's well enough to hold it by himself]

Stiles: [waits until it connects] Hey boss, it's Stiles. Got a minute?

Mac: Sure. Let me just close my door. [and there's the sound of footsteps as his office door closes]

Stiles: I've got a situation brewing with my fiancée in Boston and need to take some time off to settle it. How much leave can i take off I bring my laptop with me to work from there if needed. I can drive back and forth if a case really needs me in the city.

Mac: [there's a sigh and it's followed by the tap-tap of keys of Mac's computer] It looks here like you have two weeks of time off accrued at the moment, and depending on the situation, there is time allotted, but this job doesn't really lend itself to working from home.

Stiles: Understood. Two weeks should work, and if needed I'll commute. Need me to fill out any paperwork?

Mac: I'll put in the request to HR and make sure it clears. When do you need to leave?

Stiles: In a few hours if possible.

Mac: ... I'll do my best to push it through quickly.

Stiles: Thanks. Want me to call you back in a few hours?

Mac: I actually have to run out on a case, but when I hear something I'll let you know.

Stiles: Cool. Thanks, boss.

Mac: Good luck with your fiancée.

Stiles: Thanks. [and he will reach over to hang up] So alpha, how much time in Boston will you give me?

Laura: [she sighs] Do what you need to do. I wouldn't recommend commuting from Boston to New York, though.

Stiles: I don't want to, but if I have to for her, I will. I'll just be forever sleep deprived and living off red bulls and coffee.

Laura: We'll see what she says.

Stiles: Think you can bear to live without me for two weeks though?

Laura: I think we'll enjoy the quiet.

Stiles: Ha. Ha. Ha.

Laura: [grins]

Stiles: [he shifts to try and stand, his body exhausted still] This really sucks.

Laura: [laughs] I'll bring you a book.

Stiles: No, I need to push through it and pack.

Laura: Pushing through it isn't going to help you.

Stiles: No but it will make me feel better.

Laura: Not if you pass out on the drive to Boston.

Stiles: I'm not going to leave until I feel like I can drive. I just meant getting to my room and packing. Sheesh, I'm not an idiot.

Laura: No, but I'm saying pushing yourself now might have consequences later rather than sooner.

Stiles: [nods] I'll take that under advisement.

Laura: Good.

Stiles: [and he's going to push himself up and whistle for Bucky to come help him upstairs]

Laura: [and she'll just watch to make sure he's okay]

Stiles: [which he will be allllll until Bucky decides to jump on the bed, pulling Stiles forward and crashing to the floor]

Laura: [and she darts forward and moves to the stairs] Stiles?

Stiles: I'm fine. [turns his head and blows air to get dog hair off his face] I'm just going to lie on the floor for a minute, thanks.

Laura: [laughs, before shaking her head and going to find her son]

Stiles: [but eventually he will be able to move like a normal person and will pack his suitcase and take it, his laptop, a bag of Bucky's food and treats, and off they go to Boston]

Cora: [and she'll be out when he gets there, but he probably has a key at this point. Sadie at least will be happy to see him, whining from the other side of the door]

Stiles: [he will let Bucky in to play with his sister, giving her a few scritches, and then pull out his phone] Hey, where are you?

Cora: Dinner with a friend. Why?

Stiles: Just wondering if I should put my suitcase by the bed or the couch.

Cora: [there's a long pause because she's surprised by the fact that he's here, even though she probably shouldn't be.] I don't know.

Stiles: Well, I will take Sadie and Bucky for a walk and we can talk about it when you get home.

Cora: Okay. [she's still very ??? about going home to see him but she'll agree to that much at least]

Stiles: [and he will do that, getting himself dinner on the walk, and he wll come home and just start cleaning the place out of nerves as well as boredom]

Raph: [it'll be about two hours later when there are footsteps in the halls of her apartment building, followed by a tiny shriek, and very male laugh] Alright, you've lost your walking privileges.

Cora: I can walk just - [and there's another shriek as he scoops her up again]

Stiles: [and he will hear that, and the male voice, and he will go to open the door for them] Everything ok?

Raph: [is carrying his girlfriend bridal-style, and flashes him a small smile] I think this belongs to you.

Cora: [makes a face at that statement] No.

Raph: [sighs] She might be a little drunk.

Stiles: Maybe, but if you've been around Hales long enough, you learn that they don't belong to anyone. [goes to offer to take her off his hands though] How did you manage to do that?

Raph: Bonnie has been working on it for years. [he will hand her off to Stiles and rub one hand against the back of his neck] She sends me bottles to test sometimes.

Stiles: [and he will hold his girlfriend and nod] I may have to join in on the next testing party.

Raph: I will let you know. I tried to sober her up a bit, but apparently in the battle of caffeine vs. witchy juju, caffeine does not come out on top.

Stiles: Nah, she's a happy drunk. I'm okay with that.

Raph: [there's a small look that says "not today man" but he'll let Stiles discover that for himself] Anyway, I'll leave you too it. See you around?

Stiles: Sure thing. Night Raph.

Raph: [and he makes his way out]

Cora: [waits until he's gone before she starts to wriggle away from Stiles] Lemme go.

Stiles: Okay. Let me just help you somewhere you won't fall down.

Cora: Fine. [she doesn't sound happy about it, but she's accepted that coordination isn't her friend at the moment]

Stiles: [and he will help her to the couch, and then let her go] Do you want some water?

Cora: [shakes her head as she reaches down to wrestle off her shoes] Raph made me drink a lot with the coffee.

Stiles: That's good. It should help.

Cora: My body's already processed the alcohol already - [one shoe goes flying towards the door, and she starts wrestling with the laces on the second one] - it's just the magic that has to wear off.

Stiles: Okay. Not that I've had any magic alcohol so I'll just go with you on that.

Cora: [and the second shoe goes flying and she curls up on her couch, tucking a pillow under her head and looking over at him] Why are you here?

Stiles: Because we needed to talk. I needed to listen and the only way I can think right now to figure this out is to be here with you. Even if it means I'm on the couch for the next two weeks.

Cora: [there's a beat before she sighs] Okay. [and then she turns her attention back to Sadie who had come over for attention] We can't do it now though.

Stiles: No, I know. I'd rather it be when we can both talk.

Cora: Good. [she then shifts up and scoops up the dog, and starts to make her way towards her bedroom. she's a little steadier without shoes but she's still swaying a bit] I'm going to bed.

Stiles: Goodnight. I love you.

Cora: [she doesn't respond right away, just makes her way to bed and changes her clothes, Sadie curling up at the foot of her bed. She climbs under the covers, tosses and turns for a bit in the big empty space, and while she knows she probably shouldn't do this, her logic brain isn't the one working right now. About an hour later, her voice calls from the bedroom] Stiles?

Stiles: [is stretched out on the couch, playing on his phone. He hears his voice and sits up a bit] Yeah?

Cora: [there's a small pause before] I don't want you to sleep on the couch.

Stiles: [and he will leave the phone on the coffee table and head to the bedroom, standing in the doorway in just his sweats] You sure?

Cora: [she looks up at him, before she nods] Just for tonight.

Stiles: Alright. [and he will go and slide into the bed with her] Do you want me to hold you?

Cora: [she won't say yes or no, just curl into him and bury her face against his shoulder]

Stiles: [and he will hug her tightly, nuzzling her hair and holding her]

Cora: [and she will pass out not long after, sleeping hard through the night]

Stiles: [as will he, because his body has been pushed hard and he really needs to recoup still]

Cora: [and eventually morning will happen and all the bad feelings will come rushing back, plus a magical hangover, so she will quietly try to wiggle out of bed the best she can, and get ready to take the dogs for the morning walk]

Stiles: [and he is going to barely stir, just shifting into her spot once she's gone.]

Cora: [yep, she'll take the dogs for a nice long walk and try to sort out where her head is at. She honestly doesn't know, but she wants to make sure she hears him out first]

Stiles: [and he hasn't moved at all by the time she gets back]

Cora: [so there will be food for the puppies and she will get into the shower]

Stiles: [and eventually the dogs will come and nose at Stiles, and he will groan, trying to move away from them] Five more minutes, guys.

Sadie: [NONE OF THAT, SIR, YOU ARE IN HER SPOT. have some face licks]

Stiles: [groans, laughing as he tries to push her away] Sadie no... down.

Sadie: [backs off on the licking but she'll still sprawl on top of him with a happy yip]

Stiles: [looks at the little dog] This is the complete opposite of down.

Sadie: [just flashes him a doggie grin, tongue out]

Stiles: Alright, alright I'll get up. [and he rolls slowly so the dog can get off him as he sits up and stretches, groaning at the stiffness in his body]

Sadie: [and she'll just settle into his spot and rolls over onto her back]

Stiles: [looks at her and laughs, rubbing her belly] Yes, you're a good girl. Daddy's happy to see you.

Cora: [and she makes her way out of the bathroom, toweling off her hair] She's always obnoxious in the morning.

Stiles: Yeah, but she's adorable so you can't get mad at her.

Cora: And she knows it.

Stiles: What are we going to do with you, huh Sadie?

Cora: [Sadie is clearly in it for the belly rubs] Do you want to shower before breakfast?

Stiles: I probably should. Let me just go to the living room and get my stuff for today.

Cora: [she nods] I'll make some coffee.

Stiles: [and he will go grab new clothing and head in to shower. He takes a bit of time, fussing with the water because he can't feel it as strongly as he used to]

Cora: [when he's finished there'll be two cups of coffee and she's sipping hers] I was thinking a diner, if that's okay?

Stiles: For breakfast?

Cora: Yeah.

Stiles: That works.

Cora: Okay. Sounds good.

Stiles: [and he will go to drink his coffee quickly] Shall we go?

Cora: [she nods and off they go to breakfast]

Stiles: [and after they get settled] So I hope you aren't mad that I just showed up last night. I didn't mean to ruin your evening with Raph.

Cora: You didn't. He was just trying to help me unwind.

Stiles: Well, that's good.

Cora: He's the only person up here that I can vent to about werewolf stuff.

Stiles: And that's good. I mean, you gotta vent so it doesn't stay pent up inside. If you don't, it'll eat away at you and explode when you hit a breaking point.

Cora: I know.

Stiles: [and when he has his diner coffee, he leans closer across the booth to her] I have a feeling that your justified blowup at me yesterday was something that has been building up for a while.

Cora: [looks down at her own cup of coffee and lets her finger run around the ring, so that would be a yes]

Stiles: [nods] I'm sorry I've made you feel that way. I wish I could say that I didn't mean it... which, for the record, I didn't mean... but I can see when I've done it beyond yesterday and I have no excuse.

Cora: Look, I know I'm far away, but sometimes ... stuff like that can make me feel like an afterthought.

Stiles: I realize that. But sometimes, I act before I think. And it's not meant to be that you're an afterthought. It's just me being me and not thinking before I jump into something.

Cora: But it's not just you jumping in anymore. It's both of us. What kills you could kill me, literally.

Stiles: I know. It's just hard to remember that sometimes too.

Cora: Well, you need to try. Because while I know you don't do it to be reckless, I don't want to die.

Stiles: I don't want you to die either. Or me. Or Laura or Victor.

Cora: This isn't about Laura or Victor. This is about you and me.

Stiles: [nods, looking down at the table]

Cora: Laura and Victor aren't tethered to you. I am. I feel everything you feel. You started healing Victor yesterday, and it felt like my chest was collapsing and I had no idea why.

Stiles: I'm sorry.

Cora: You just ... you need to remember that I'm there with you. If you can't see me.

Stiles: [nods] I'm working on it. And that's why I'm here.

Cora: Other than apologizing?

Stiles: [nods] You're more important to me than anything, More than my job, being a second... and I don't show it. And I want to be here with you and work on finding out a way to make sure you see that, and what I may need to change to make sure I don't just take us for granted.

Cora: [she nods, looking down at her coffee again] Are you okay?

Stiles: Beyond everything feeling duller than I was used to? Yeah.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: I'm actually kinda happy to be a beta again.

Cora: Are you?

Stiles: [nods] I didn't want the power or position. And it was causing a lot of friction between me and Laura at times. I can just be a part of the pack again and not have to worry about being a target.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: And you won't ever end up in a position where you'd have to choose between her or me.

Cora: Also good.

Stiles: And I'm here for two weeks. After that, I'll commute four hours a day each way to work if I have to if you need me here.

Cora: [there's a soft look at that] Don't be ridiculous.

Stiles: Or I'll quit my job. Find something else.

Cora: You love that job.

Stiles: I love you more.

Cora: [she watches him again for a moment before nodding] Okay.

Stiles: [and look, their food arrives]

Cora: [and they will eat and head back to the apartment]

Stiles: [where two doggies will be waiting for them]

Cora: [good doggies] So. You're going to be here for two weeks.

Stiles: Yup. Took all my vacation time I had currently.

Cora: I'm not going to be around all the time. Classes and stuff.

Stiles: That's fine. I've got stuff I'm working on that I can do. Or actually explore the city with the kids

Cora: There's a few parks I've been taking Sadie to. I'll give you the address.

Stiles: Cool. I'm sure she'll be glad when I'm gone and she gets her half of the bed back again.

Cora: She'll whine for a week.

Stiles: At least Bucky is used to sleeping on the couch when we're here.

Cora: That's true. And Sadie does have a chair she loves.

Stiles: We'll be fine.

Cora: We will.

Stiles: [and he will go to take her hands, holding them firmly] And we'll be fine, right?

Cora: [she glances down at their hands before nodding] If we can figure this out, yeah.

Stiles: We will figure it out. I know we will.

Cora: [she looks up at him again and nods as well]

Stiles: [nods, and smiles] So what's on your agenda for the day?

Cora: I have some work I need to do for school, but I was mostly going to just stay here.

Stiles: Well, I will try and stay out of your way while you do your homework.

Cora: Thank you.

Stiles: I'll go take the kids to the park while you do that then.

Cora: Okay. I'll get you the map. [and she'll head to the kitchen to grab the map of the dog parks in the area]

Stiles: [and he will get the fanny pack with the doogie poop bags and go to leash the dogs up]

Cora: The ones with the x's are the ones we avoid for aggressive dog reasons.

Stiles: Avoid the X's. Got it.

Cora: Have fun.

Stiles: We will. [and off they go to play in the park]

Cora: [and off she will go to do complicated engineering math]

Stiles: [and a few hours later exhausted three exhausted puppies return]

Cora: [glances up when she hears him coming] Hey.

Stiles: Hey. [collapses on the couch as the dogs go for the water bowls]

Cora: How was the walk?

Stiles: Good. And then we played at the park and I think I fetched the ball more than the kids.

Cora: [she laughs] Sadie's not really a ball girl.

Stiles: I noticed.

Cora: She just likes to make friends with the other dogs.

Stiles: I noticed. And speaking of - I think Bucky has a girlfriend now.

Cora: Does he?

Stiles: Yeah there was a girl husky following him everywhere and kept nosing him. I have photos.

Cora: Look at you, Bucky.

Bucky: [hears his name and comes over to put his head on Cora's thigh]

Cora: [smirks and scritches him behind the ears] Macking on all the Boston girls, huh?

Bucky: [oh that's good, mommy. his tail wags but he's tired and just going to sit there and get his pets]

Cora: Good boy.

Stiles: I can't move.

Cora: They wear you out?

Stiles: Uh huh.

Cora: Maybe you should take a nap before dinner.

Stiles: Oh kay. [and he's not moving]

Cora: [smirks and will just go back to her homework while they all recharge]

Stiles: [and two hours later he will groan... and fall off the couch]

Cora: [glances over and laughs] You okay?

Stiles: Yup. Just... forgot where I was.

Cora: How was your nap?

Stiles: More like a pass out in exhaustion, but I'm not as sore anymore.

Cora: That's good.

Stiles: I'm going to grab another shower.

Cora: Okay. I'm almost finished so when you get out we can figure out what to do for dinner.

Stiles: Awesome.

Cora: [she nods and goes to finish up those last beats]

Stiles: [and he will come out in a towel, having forgotten to bring in non-sweaty clothes and he comes into the living room to go to his suitcase]

Cora: [that is cheating]

Stiles: [he's not even trying. And he has to keep his hand on his towel to keep it from falling as he bends over]

Cora: [look, it's been weeks since she's been with her boyfriend and it's very distracting]

Stiles: [he's going to stand up and look over at her, wet hair on his face, giving her a nice view of those abs] What?

Cora: Nothing. [and she shifts and keeps her eyes on her screen]

Stiles: [shrugs and heads back to the bedroom to get dressed]

Cora: [tries to take a deep breath and calm herself down]

Stiles: So what do you want for dinner? [from the bedroom] I was thinking some meat. Maybe sausage?

Cora: [STOP CHEATING] I was thinking pizza.

Stiles: Sausage pizza works.

Cora: Perfect.

Stiles: Eat out or call in?

Cora: Call in.

Stiles: Awesome. I'll still put on pants though.

Cora: Probably a good idea.

Stiles: [and he will come out to the main room] So are you almost done?

Cora: Yep. [closes her laptop] All done.

Stiles: Great. So what were you thinking of doing while we wait for the pizza?

Cora: [she shrugs] We could watch a movie?

Stiles: Alright. I can make the popcorn while you choose a movie.

Cora: Sounds good.

Stiles: [and he's off to do that]

Cora: [and she will start flipping through netflix, until she finds a good action movie]

Stiles: [and the smell of fresh popcorn comes from the kitchen as he joins her with a bowl and drinks]

Cora: [smiles a bit] Smells good.

Stiles: [and he will settle on the couch and put the bowl between them]

Cora: [and she will put the laptop away and curl up as the movie starts]

Stiles: [and he will put his arm around her and snuggle with her if she lets him]

Cora: [she will, because they're supposed to be working on things and she's missed him]

Stiles: [and he missed her too, but he knows he's wronged her and so he's going to go by her plays today and not do any more than snuggle]

Cora: [which is fine. she is very good with the snuggling]

Bucky: [MOVIE TIME! He is going to jump up on Cora and snuggle with her as well]

Cora: [laughs as the dog joins her, stroke her fingers over the top of his head gently] You're starting to get too big for this, buddy.

Bucky: [never too big. he's going to lick at her hand though because popcorn]

Cora: [and she will let him, because it's just salt and oil.]

Stiles: You're not going to reach into the bowl with doggy drool on your fingers, right?

Cora: [looks back at him before shaking her head] Of course not.

Stiles: Because I'll feed you if I have to.

Cora: [she laughs] It's okay. I'm good on popcorn.

Stiles: Okay. [which he will then just start eating it because he's still hungry]

Cora: [and she will just hang out with her new best buddy Bucky]

Bucky: [and he will keep idly licking her fingers until he dozes off]

Cora: [smiles softly as she strokes her hand over the top of his head] Good boy.

Stiles: [looks down at them] He's a good boy.

Cora: I know.

Stiles: He also hogs the sheets.

Cora: [she laughs again] That doesn't surprise me.

Stiles: I don't know who he gets that from.

Cora: I think I do.

Stiles: [grins]

Cora: [shakes her head]

Stiles: In my defense, I didn't grow up having a higher body temperature.

Cora: I know.

Stiles: I remember at the dorm when you first started sleeping over and we would snuggle, I'd wake up sweating and not knowing why I was so hot.

Cora: [she nods] Yep. We are space heaters.

Stiles: It was nice in the winter though.

Cora: Yes, it was. But you're pretty good to snuggle with either way.

Stiles: As are you.

Cora: I'm glad you think so.

Stiles: I love listening to your heartbeat at night. When I can't sleep.

Cora: Does it help?

Stiles: Every time.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: Bucky's heartbeat isn't nearly as calming.

Cora: [she laughs] Probably because he starts chasing things in his sleep, don't you Buck.

Bucky: [and he will lift his head because his name]

Cora: Do you like chasing things in your dreams, Bucky?

Bucky: [licks Cora's face. that's a yes]

Cora: I thought so.

Stiles: I don't like chasing things in my dreams.

Cora: Good thing you're not a dog then.

Stiles: Yeah. I'd be a horrible dog.

Cora: You think so?

Stiles: Yeah. I mean, I suck at catch, I like cats, and I totally can't lick my own crotch.

Cora: Sadie likes cats.

Stiles: Then Sadie is broken. We may need to return her.

Cora: We are not returning my dog.

Stiles: Then I guess we will just have to love her the way she is - cat loving and all.

Cora: Good. Because I don't think she's broken anyway.

Stiles: Dogs liking cats is against the natural order.

Cora: I think that's an overstatement.

Stiles: I don't know. I think it's in scientific journals.

Cora: Is it really?

Stiles: Totally.

Cora: I don't know, there was a Nagual in my industrial engineering course and we got along pretty well.

Stiles: Yeah, but you have human in you. You're not 100% wolf.

Cora: So?

Stiles: So you'd be a bad dog too.

Cora: I don't think your criteria is entirely accurate.

Stiles: You'll have to talk to the scientists.

Cora: I'm waiting to see this scientific proof.

Stiles: We'll have to go to like, a library.

Cora: Or you could just get your laptop. Or use your phone.

Stiles: But that would mean I would have to move.

Cora: That is the dilemma.

Stiles: I kinda like where I am.

Cora: Then you will just have to deal with me disbelieving you about cats and dogs.

Stiles: To keep you in my arms, i will deal.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: [and he will just snuggle her a bit closer]

Cora: [and she will settle in, resting her head against his shoulder more]

Stiles: [and his hand will squeeze her shoulder lovingly]

Cora: [and they will go back to movie watching for a bit, just enjoying each other's company]

Stiles: [after a bit] You know, I would really love to kiss you.

Cora: Would you?

Stiles: I would.

Cora: [there's a pause, and she shifts to look at him more] Maybe you should.

Stiles: [and he will cup her cheek and lean down to kiss her]

Cora: [and she will kiss him back, curling into him as much as she can without disturbing Bucky]

Stiles: [and he will moan happily, shifting to be able to kiss her deeper]

Cora: [which she will respond to, just letting him stay as close as she needs to]

Stiles: [eventually he will pull back] Yeah, breathing is a thing...

Cora: An important thing.

Stiles: I've really missed you.

Cora: I've missed you too.

Stiles: Would you like me to spend all night showing you how much?

Cora: [she pauses, considering for a moment, before nodding] Yeah. I'd like that.

Stiles: Sorry, Bucky. You're not invited to this.

Cora: [she sits up and very slowly shifts so that Bucky can stay sleeping on the couch and they can head to her bedroom]

Stiles: [and he will turn the movie off and join her, closing the door to keep the dogs out]

Cora: [And she will make sure he fulfills his promise in that respect]

Stiles: [oh, he will, taking his time using his hands and tongue on her until she's begging for more]

Cora: [yes. good boyfriend. very good boyfriend]

Stiles: [he is so, so sorry]

Cora: [she can see that]

Stiles: [and when he is done, he will lay beside her, a sweaty mess]

Cora: [and she will stretch out next to him with a happy sigh] Good job.

Stiles: [smiles] Well, I do love you a lot.

Cora: [she laughs] I know.

Stiles: [looks over at her, smiling] And I really miss making love to you.

Cora: I miss it too. I'm really glad you're here.

Stiles: There's a big part of me that just wants to stay here.

Cora: I wish you could.

Stiles: I could.

Cora: What about your job?

Stiles: I can find another job.

Cora: What about Laura?

Stiles: That would be the harder one to convince.

Cora: You also love your job.

Stiles: I love you more.

Cora: I only have two semesters left and then I'm coming back to the city. That's not worth leaving a good job like you have at the lab.

Stiles: You are.

Cora: Stiles, I'm serious.

Stiles: I am too. [he looks at her] I know in reality I'll end up going back but if you want me to stay, Cora, I would.

Cora: I know that. I've always known that.

Stiles: But you want me to keep the job more.

Cora: [she takes a deep breath as she shifts to prop herself up on one elbow] This is temporary. It's not like I'm going to be living in Boston forever. And while, yeah, you could probably transfer up here for a year, I'm only gone for a couple months at a time. Otherwise, I'm back home. You have a job you love and coworkers you like and responsibilities to Laura. It doesn't seem like a fair trade.

Stiles: You don't think you're worth more than that?

Cora: It'd be different if I was intending to stay in Boston for good, but I'm not.

Stiles: Well, maybe I could talk with Laura and on my two days off I come up here.

Cora: That would be nice. Or we could alternate weekends.

Stiles: I think your siblings would like that.

Cora: There. Win-win.

Stiles: Okay. Not like we can't afford the gas.

Cora: Or the train ticket.

Stiles: Do you think that would help?

Cora: I think so, yeah. Honestly, for the day to day stuff we were okay. We could talk on Skype and it wasn't ideal but it was enough. It's when things go bad that we need to work on.

Stiles: I have to admit, it's a good thing we're learning what we need to work on now because of this. That way when we're together and making our future and family, we've got these pieces down. Or mostly down.

Cora: I think so too.

Stiles: And then we can just have a whole lot of new issues like me leaving my underwear on the floor.

Cora: [she wrinkles her nose]

Stiles: [leans over her to kiss her] Usually thrown there with the rest of my clothes.

Cora: [sighs into the kiss] So long as they get picked up by the time I get home.

Stiles: I'll do my best.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: So, are you ready for some more worshipping?

Cora: [she grins before nodding as she leans in to kiss him]

Stiles: [and off they go into round 2]

Cora: [Yep. and fun times all around]

Stiles: [and then they can pass out all nice and sated and entangled]

Cora: [like the happy little puppies that they are]

Stiles: [yup. happy little puppies]