Chapter Text
One moment Stiles lay bleeding from his slashed wrists, his best friend holding his head and screaming the next he stood in the woods facing a young Scott McCall. Good, it’d worked, he hadn’t exploded.
Blinking rapidly he felt as the memories of the last two years slotted into place in his mind. How everything had gone to shit so quickly Stiles would never know. He was back now though, having successfully completed the entirely theoretical time travel ritual he and Lydia had come up with while running for their lives from humans. The reveal of the supernatural naturally resulted in all creatures being hunted down and killed by “terrified” humans. Stiles had buried what was left of his pack except Lydia by the time they had deemed the spell possible to try. It had a eighty seven percent death rate, nine percent success rate, and a four percent chance of ending up in an alternate universe. Slicing his wrists and chanting as the world burned around him, Stiles hoped for the best.
So far things were looking up, Stiles wasn’t exploded into millions of pieces by his theoretical magical ritual so he would take that as a win.
“Maybe the severe asthmatic should be the one holding the flashlight” whined Scott as he chased Stiles through the woods.
“Well maybe the severe asthmatic shouldn’t have come out into the woods with me tonight” snapped back Stiles, having only been back ten seconds and already sick of Scott’s whining.
“Dude, you’re the one who came to get me!” protested Scott, stopping to lean against a tree and took a hit of his inhaler.
“Look if you’re going to complain just go back to the car and wait there. I’ll join you once I find the body” said Stiles, cursing that he hadn’t managed to go back even an hour earlier to stop getting Scott involved at all. The boy had never come around to seeing the bite as a gift, even though being a wolf had given Scott everything. Stiles knew most of that was due to the early days of his change and how the Argents had sunk their claws into Scott. Stiles hoped to avoid having Scott be bit at all and therefore avoid some of the drama he had experienced in the future.
“Why are you in such a mood tonight?” demanded Scott.
“I just really want to find this body”
“Whatever, I’m cold and tired. I’ll see you at the jeep” declared Scott, turning his back on Stiles and making his way back the way the teens had come.
Rolling his eyes, Stiles made his way along the familiar path towards the Hale House where he assumed the hunters had left Laura’s body after stripping her and cutting her in half. God, Stiles hated hunters.
Seeing the flashlights of the Beacon County cops and hearing the barking of the K-9 units, Stiles ducked into a ditch and waited until the search passed on. He had been hunted by way worse than his dad and the local cops over the years.
The sound of tromping feet and barking dogs was replaced by a familiar wolf cry, one that was like a balm on Stiles’ soul… Peter. Stiles turned and saw familiar red glowing eyes and the still broken form of Peter’s full shift.
Stiles stood still as the monstrous wolf circled him, this was part of the plan after all; to have Peter bite someone who would be willing and help to heal his fractured mind while carrying out the wolf’s revenge.
The wolf suddenly lunged and knocked Stiles, who had none of the muscle he had developed in the future, to the ground. Sharp teeth and hot breath were pressed to Stiles’ wrist and he let out a muffled cry as the teeth sank into his flesh. He wouldn't turn since he was a Spark, it would only ‘awaken’ his powers which he had already done through time travel.
It had taken years for Stiles to learn about the different types of bites. How a bite to the side was to turn someone into a beta. A bite to the neck or to the wrist was for mates. One of the things that Stiles had learned after leaving Beacon Hills was that wolves had a predetermined mate. Stiles couldn't lie and say he hadn’t totally seen this coming, Peter had offered him the same bite in the past after all even if Stiles hadn’t known what it meant at the time and they never talked about it again. He was officially now the Alpha Mate of their tiny pack of two, he could work with this. He felt the packbonds lock into place and when he focused on Peter he could feel the man’s emotions and almost visualize a red tether between them.
Stiles brought his free hand up to pet the monstrous head and let some of his healing magic flow through his fingers into the wolf’s fractured mind. As quickly as the wolf appeared, Peter was gone again, slipping into the shadows. Stiles wasn’t too worried. He knew where to find him after all.
Wrapping his hoodie around the bleeding wound Stiles made his way back to Scott and his jeep. Luckily Scott was sitting in the running jeep safe, dry and warm, not a wolf bite in sight. It seemed that things were going Stiles’ way for once. Dropping Scott off at home, Stiles promised to see the boy tomorrow for the first day of classes, before hightailing to Deaton’s for some DIY medical care.
Deaton’s wards were a piece of cake for Stiles to pick a hole in and slip through. He had no doubt the man would increase them once the danger picked back up in town, but for now the useless vet would be funding Stiles’ little shopping trip.
Heading into the back room, making sure to avoid the cameras with practiced ease, Stiles picked the lock on Deaton’s less conventional supplies. Filling his empty backpack with jars of wolfsbane, healing herbs, various plant parts, mountain ash and more, Stiles did his best to prepare his pack for the next few weeks of madness. Eyeing the box of wolfsbane bullets he added them to the bag as well knowing that he could use them if the Alpha Pack decided to show up and cause problems again. Happy with his spoils, Stiles headed home for the night ready to get some sleep before facing his scattered pack again.
—---Second Time Through the Woods—---
Picking up Scott the next morning Stiles broke the heartbreaking news to his once upon a time best friend.
“I’m not going out for lacrosse this year,” said Stiles, as they pulled into the school parking lot.
“Why not bro?”
“I’m not good at it and I really don’t enjoy it. I did it because it was something we could do together and it would hopefully get Lydia’s attention. I’m switching to something I can actually be good at”
“Like what?”
“I’m going to take martial arts lessons. Dad has always supported me knowing how to protect myself and it’ll be good for my focus” shared Stiles, though the real reason he wanted to learn how to fight was so he could protect his pack and loved ones.
“Huh, well good luck I guess. I’m going to make first line this year!” declared Scott excitedly.
“Just be sure to keep your inhaler on hand” Stiles reminded his friend.
Parking the car, the pair made their way inside Beacon Hills High. Stiles really wasn’t looking forward to having to repeat his high school education. He swore to himself that he would beat Lydia out for Valedictorian this time around.
Scott threw him a strange look and a muttered “Bro?” as the pair walked past Lydia without even looking in her direction.
“New year, new Stiles, bro” said Stiles, closing his locker with force after getting his books. “And part of the new Stiles plan is some new friends. We’ve been alone too long, Scotty boy. I thought all summer and I think I’ve figured out some new friends for us”
“Oh Really?” said Scott doubtfully.
“Yup, and your assignment is Isaac Lahey. He plays lacrosse, doesn’t have friends and is an awesome artist. Go do your puppy dog eye thing and make him our friend” ordered Stiles as they entered their English classroom.
Scott nodded obediently, but asked “Who are your ‘targets’ then?”
“You’ll see at lunch, good luck buddy” winked Stiles shoving Scott towards the back of the room where Isacc was sitting alone. Stiles could only hope that with Scott focused on Isaac he could delay or even avoid the Alison obsession. If he also hoped to see if Scott and Isaac’s mate bond would lock into place without the hunter as a distraction, well then that was just Stiles playing cupid.
Walking across the room Stiles slid into the open seat next to Erica. “Hey Erica, you have a good summer?” asked Stiles as casually as he could while sitting beside his dead Catwoman, he missed her!
Erica looked at him with a deer in the deadlights look, “Uhh, it was fine”
“Mine was sooo boring. All Scotty wanted to do was practice for lacrosse. I’m not even going out for the team this year. I didn’t even get to read the new Batman comic due to his hyperfixation… and that’s coming from me, the king of hyperfixation” rambled Stiles.
“I read it,” said Erica shyly.
“Really? I’m still trying to get my hands on a copy since the comic store was sold out last time I checked” lied Stiles.
“I can lend you mine?” offered Erica hesitantly reaching into her bag, making Stiles cheer internally.
“Awesome! Thank you, Catwoman! You’re the best” said Stiles, taking the comic from the girl with the reverence all comics deserved.
The teacher cleared his throat and called their attention to the front of the room where Alison stood. Ignoring the girl’s introduction, Stiles scribbled down a note and passed it to Erica ‘Sit with me and Scott at lunch? We can talk Batman!’
Erica looked startled again, but hesitantly nodded in agreement. Sending her a grin Stiles turned to the front of the room where the teacher was droning on about the class syllabus and pretended to pay attention while plotting his next moves.
—---Second Time Through the Woods—---
Lunch time rolled around and Stiles made his way to the cafeteria where he spotted friend number three. Taking a seat at the table a respectful distance from the larger boy, Stiles began to unpack his lunch. Boyd shot Stiles a disgruntled look but didn’t protest his presence. Scott entered the lunch room clearly talking Isaac’s ear off and led the bewildered boy towards Stiles and Boyd’s table.
“Hey Scotty, Isaac, how was Algebra?”
“Ugh! I can already tell it’s going to be the worst!” exclaimed Scott taking his seat, and gesturing for Isaac to sit next to him. The boy did so, clearly still confused by Scott’s attention. It was adorable to see his pups acting like this.
Erica entered the lunch room a few minutes later a couple steps behind Lydia and her posse which now included Alison.
Getting to his feet, Stiles waved in greeting as Scott groaned “I knew it was too good to be true. Bro, she doesn’t know you”
Ignoring Scott and Lydia’s exasperated look as she tried to ignore him, Stiles called out “Hey Erica, over here!”
This caused several members of the cafeteria to freeze and look at Stiles in shock… because had Stiles Stilinski really just ignored The Lydia Martin in favor of Erica Reyes?
Erica blushed and hurried over to the table sliding into the open seat between Stiles and Boyd.
“Thanks again for lending me your comic, I ignored Mr. B’s insanely long back to school speech and read part of it during AP Physics” said Stiles.
“Oh, well I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” said Erica quietly.
“Introductions! Erica, these two puppy looking boys are Scott McCall and Isaac Lahey. And the handsome man beside you is Vernon Boyd”
Boyd’s head shot up at being addressed, he glared at Stiles and returned to eating his lunch and reading his novel.
“Everyone, this beautiful young lady is Erica Reyes, fellow comic lover”
“Marvel or DC?” asked Isaac, interested despite himself.
“DC!” declared Stiles and Erica at the same time.
The group chatted a bit longer while enjoying their lunches. Stiles led most of the conversation but he was happy to see his baby pack coming together. He decided that by the end of lunch that his plan was a success and pushed for everyone to exchange numbers. Boyd initially declined, but gave in when Erica asked. Stiles had had a feeling that those two were mates, but never had confirmation before their death in his original timeline.
Heading to his afternoon classes, Stiles swept past the popular clique without even throwing a glance their way, he knew it was driving them crazy! He had to get the base of the pack settled before he went after everyone’s favorite hacker, banshee and lizard man.
—---Second Time Through the Woods—---
After school, Stiles wished Isaac and Scott good luck with their tryouts before climbing into his jeep and heading to the hospital; he had a hunter to deal with and mate to heal.
Slapping on a volunteer sticker, Stiles made his way through the winding halls to Peter’s long term care hospital room. Looking down at his mate, Stiles felt a deep sense of pity for the man whose healing had been stunted by his hunter nurse for years. Paired with the abandonment of his pack and the sudden snapping of his pack bonds it was no wonder that the man had gone insane.
Glancing over the man’s chart he saw that the next rounds wouldn’t be for a little while yet, so he had time to prepare.
Putting down his backpack, Stiles began unpacking his various magical supplies. Pulling out the small pot that he had planted his aloe sample in he pushed his magic into the leaves causing the sprout to grow purifying the air. Stiles reached into his bag and pulled out the specialized burn paste he had made at three in the morning consisting of the ingredients he had stolen from Deaton such as mallow, chickweed and aloe. He had also included several cleansing oils in the mixture such as lemongrass, rosemary, peppermint and orange. It was a strong smelling concoction which Peter’s wolf nose wouldn’t appreciate, but it needed to be done to remove the wolfsbane poisoning done by the nurse.
Sitting down in the empty visitor seat beside the wheelchair the man was propped up in. Stiles reached out and took Peter’s scarred hand in his own and softly began to speak as he applied the paste.
“Now don’t wolf out and kill me for this. I would burn some sage or candles to try and drive her effects out but that would alert the hospital and set off the sprinklers which neither of us want. So instead we’ll have to do a bit more of a ‘hands on’ cleansing ritual. I’m actually surprised that an Argent related hunter would sink to the level of witchcraft, but after Kate I guess nothing should really surprise me” shrugged Stiles, opening the man’s shirt to apply the burn paste to his injured chest. As he did so he let his unique healing magic sink into Peter’s body.
“Don’t worry mate of mine, you’ll have your revenge you just have to be patient a little while longer” said Stiles as he applied the paste to Peter’s other arm and face.
Sitting back in the chair Stiles grabbed the ritual he had jotted down in his newly designated grimoire and began to chant.
“Within his being, I seek relief, body, mind and spirit find release. With gentle touch and soothing grace, I heal his wounds. Energy flow, vibrant and strong, restoring health, where it went wrong. As I speak, so shall it be, a healed and purified existence, I now decree”
With a satisfied smile, Stiles watched as the man’s burns disappeared thanks to his magic. He knew that Peter was far from healed mentally, but this was just the first step, healing the body and getting him away from his nurse.
Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, Stiles turned to the door to see Derek ‘Sourwolf’ Hale standing confused in the doorway.
“Just in time, Derek!” said Stiles. “You need to sign Peter out of here, as his only remaining kin you have power of attorney”
“What!?! Who are you and what are you doing to him!?!” demanded an overwhelmed Derek. Years of working alongside the young man made it so that Stiles could easily read the angry eyebrows.
“I’m Stiles, son of the sheriff, and more importantly I’m the Spark who is trying to heal your Uncle from the damage the hunter posing as his nurse has done to him”
“His nurse?!? How do I know that it wasn’t you who is doing something to him”
“Well I guess if you had a time machine you could go back and not abandon your uncle, leaving him vulnerable to torture by hunters… but that’s asking a bit much” snapped Stiles, still mad years later about Laura and Derek’s decision to leave a wounded pack member behind without any protection on top of abandoning the territory.
Derek let out a growl at that and his eyes blazed blue. Stiles growled back feeling his own eyes blaze purple.
“As touching as this display is, nephew, if you would please sign me out saying I’m going to a special care facility I would be most grateful” came Peter's suave voice, shocking the pair out of their stand off.
“Uncle Peter -”
“Now, Nephew, all will be explained in time” ordered Peter flashing his Alpha red eyes at the shocked young man.
Derek turned and exited the room to follow the order given to him allowing Peter fix his full attention on Stiles. Stiles shivered a bit under the force of the older man’s gaze.
“It seems I have caught myself quite the knowledgeable little spark last night” commented Peter. Leaning back in his chair and looking unfairly good for someone who was half scar tissue not a quarter of an hour ago. “Well, little spark, you seem to have healed me, how do you suggest I leave this hospital without them crying miracle?”
“I can place a glamor over you easily enough” shrugged Stiles. “Do you have any input on where we go next? Knowing Derek he’s planning to camp out in the burnt remains of the house and my place is out of the question due to the whole ‘sheriff father’ thing”
“We will go to one of my safe houses until I have handled the danger and I can establish a proper den for us” decided Peter.
“Ok, sounds like a plan… Do you want to kill your nurse or should I?” offered Stiles. “You’re doing a lot better than I thought you’d be at this point, but you are still recovering”.
“You’d kill my nurse for me, darling?”
“Of course” scoffed Stiles, offended by the question… though he guessed that this Peter didn’t really know him yet and all he was capable of.
“I will come back and deal with Jennifer at a later date” hummed Peter as Derek reentered the room.
“I signed all the discharge papers, though the hospital argued against it” announced the wolf. “You’re free to go”
“My little spark will you place your glamour for me?”
Stiles reached into his bag and pulled out a piece of charcoal which he used to draw runes on Peter’s chest which when activated made the man’s previous wounds appear.
“Phone, please” demanded Stiles, holding his hand out to Derek.
Bewildered by all the sudden changes, the twenty one year old played along, handing his phone over to Stiles. Stiles quickly input his name and number into the Sourwolf’s contact list.
“I can’t be seen with you as you leave for obvious reasons. Text me directions when you get to the safe house and I will meet you there. Be safe” ordered Stiles, before running a hand up and down Derek’s arm scenting him as he passed back the phone. Approaching Peter, Stiles ran his hand over the man’s neck, a space only mates touch, causing Derek to gasp. In turn Peter ran his nose from Stiles’ pulse point to his ear, breathing in his scent deeply. Doing his best not to get caught up in the absolute pleasure that was scent marking, Stiles grabbed his bag of supplies and hurriedly exited the hospital room.
Seeing as his work at the hospital was done for now, Stiles headed home to get some rest while the Hales carried out their great escape.