this one wicked road ❧ you're gonna make it right

[exercise]

Who: isaac lahey ( algidity ) and scott mccall ( exercise )
Where: their room.
When: first day after the event
Rating: pg-13
Summary: dark depressing thoughts to cute fluffies and love confessions!!
The Story:

[ There's not any bit of drama when Mirror Scott leaves and the real one comes back- just a jerk, a sudden unanticipated push, and he's gone, and Scott's left to deal with the consequences of the other's actions. His body feels used, tired. Exhausted from sleepless nights when the real Scott wouldn't let him sleep- ached from the scars both of them continually forced on this body, cuts which now long to heal, ragged edges of skin wanting to form back together into seamless, invisible lines.

The physical is nothing compared to the mental, though. Even with his Mirror gone, Scott still hears the hiss of you're worthless, you're pathetic, you're useless, idiot, idiot, idiot, in the back of his head- and for once, he believes it. Because he allowed horrible things to occur over the last week, horrible, unfair things that he was powerless to stop. Allison, Isaac- Mirror Stiles he doesn't really give a shit about- Cora. He owes them all an apology, and somewhere inside him knows that the longer he waits, the worse it will get.

But he can't be bothered. He doesn't deserve forgiveness. He doesn't deserve healing wounds and he doesn't receive them- just lets the off-red color of his blood seep through his shirt while he lays down on his bed and thinks about Isaac. About all the cruelties Scott had said- of course none of it was true, but he had given his other self the tools to hurt him with. The knowledge of his father, the severity of their relationship.

Scott doesn't want to think about it, because it only makes him feel worse- though he knows he deserves to feel like the pile of garbage he is. He turns his head over and breathes in Isaac's lingering scent stuck on the pillows, curling up into a slight ball while he tries to sleep.

And then he remembers he can't sleep without Isaac. ]

Comments

aaand like the ever loyal beta he goes running

[algidity]

[ Listening to Allison mumble in her sleep, her soft breaths and occasional sighs was cute at first, until he heard his own name, then he felt like he was trespassing on dreamland that he shouldn't be trespassing on. Silently, he scoops the bundle of fluff off his chest and places it back on the couch in her room and then he's sneaking out, pulling the door closed silently behind him.

Eating in the kitchen had turned into sleepily scanning over the network to realize that wait, people are back to normal? That realization causes the teenager to shovel food into his mouth rather unattractively, trying to sort the rumbles in his stomach out before he's all but bounding back to Scott's room. Anyone that saw him might wonder where the fire is but this is important, he needs to be sure Scott is safe and back to normal.

He wants to see him, normal - okay. When he's back to their hall, he has to pause, he needs to breathe... For all he knows he could be met with the same Scott that had been terrorizing him... The scent of blood makes his stomach churn and he's almost tempted to just go back to Allison's room. He finds himself pushing Scott's door open, blue eyes scanning the room until they stop on the familiar boy. His heart is thudding a million miles a minute and it only picks up more when he sees the state Scott is in.

His voice is quiet, slightly rough from the morning disuse. ] Scott?

best beta :'(

[exercise]

[ Isaac's scent is fierce even through the door ( anywhere, Scott considers, he could place that scent anywhere ) but it's him actually opening the door up that causes Scott to sit up straight, loudly slapping his forehead on the top bunk bed. ]

Ow... [ A hand moves to rub the tender area- he's almost thankful it gives him a reason to close his eyes because he doesn't want to look at Isaac, doesn't want to feel the wrath from a week of abuse. That's the weakness his mirror was talking about- knowing he deserves whatever is coming to him, but not being able to face it, not being able to let go. Even if Isaac doesn't hate him, there still has to be pain or something, something that implies he's less than pleased with Scott.

Scott isn't exactly happy with himself either.

After the initial obstacle of the bed, Scott manages up on his feet, wobbling while he stands. He's embarrassed he let himself keep bleeding out, and shamed that Isaac has to bare witness to his self-loathing. Scott's free hand moves to wrap around his torso, and he just stands, keeping his distance. Peeking his eyes open the slightest bit to see if he's fallen to the ground yet. ]

Hey- yeah, it's me. Me, me. [ It seems dumb to say, but he really doesn't know what to say- there's no amount of words for how sorry he is, how he wishes he could have fought harder and longer to prevent last week from ever happening. He wishes he weren't the weakling his mirror likes to call him, and wishes a whole grand variety of other things- but they don't do any good. Scott just swallows, letting the hand on his head fall down while he gazes over at Isaac, blinking a bit too frequently to have dry eyes. ]

I'm sorry.

best alpha :)

[algidity]

[ Isaac winces visibly with secondhand hurt for Scott, he cannot count the number of times he's done something similar. He just wants to reach out and hug the other teenager there and then, but he doesn't.

By the time Scott is up and standing Isaac has moved inside leaning against the door to close it for a moment to listen to him spout off how it is actually him and not that twisted version of him and then there's an apology that tugs at Isaac's heartstrings a bit. ] You're still hurt. [ This is familiar. But let him tell you, he is a great doctor. There's no hesitation in the way he pushes off the door, eyes still on him as he moves closer so he can get a closer look.

He knows what he'll see, but regardless, he grabs the hem of Scott's shirt to lift it. Personal space? Boundaries? What are those? Can you eat them??? Normally he'd be too intimidated to do something like that but this isn't his first rodeo and they are alone. ] Take it off. [ A tug at the item of clothing in question is paired with the order. It isn't sexual and for once he sounds rather confident in his demand.

Baby blues flicker up from the injuries to scan over Scott's forehead before landing on those familiar chestnut eyes. Then he finally says what he knows Scott needs to hear but probably won't believe either way: ] It's okay.

perfect pack then!!

[exercise]

[ He keeps his head tucked down and to the side when Isaac notices his wounds- some part of him ashamed, but the grander part of himself knows that he deserves this, even if he wished Isaac wouldn't have seen. This is what happens to the heart that thought it could be cruel to Isaac and everyone else, and dealing with the physical is much easier than the emotional burden. It's a good distraction- and he's convinced himself that maybe if he hurts enough, he'll somehow be able to make it up to everyone.

Of course, this isn't the typical Scott McCall thinking process- but having his mirror wrestling around inside his brain for a week has left him vulnerable, almost, emotionally drained. He's given up the fight and the ghostly reminder of his mirror's voice echoes you're weak, you deserve this, and he does. And if someone were to show up right now, with a gun and wolfsbane bullets? He'd probably ask for them.

But his shirt comes off without so much as a fuss- because he can't think any better, and he's not really in the position to deny Isaac anything. Scott's quick to catch the other man's hand, though, lips catching in between his teeth before his eyes finally flicker up to gaze into stormy blues. ]

It's not okay. [ He shakes his head, disbelieving, hurt at the fact that Isaac would consider forgiving him so easily. It's almost worse than if he were yelling- and Scott can't bare it, dipping his head in to rest his forehead against Isaac's shoulder. ] It's not okay.

basically

[algidity]

[ When Scott grabs his hand Isaac lets him, curling pale fingers around Scott's. He doesn't look mad, or tired; he looks contemplative as he stares back at Scott. Comforting people and words have never really been his strong point, he's never needed to comfort someone, he's never had the chance, so he looks at him, no disdain or hatred. The adoration that is always there when he looks at Scott is the only thing that can be found.

Isaac lets out a "hm" in thought finally, it sounds borderline sarcastic and borderline disapproving. There's a moment where he just stays silent, holding Scott's hand and letting him rest his head against his shoulder, not even seeming to be bothered by the possibility of getting blood on his clothes. Silently his arm moves to wrap around the Alpha resting on his back before sliding up to wrap fingers around the back of his neck slightly. ] I think that's for me to decide, and I decided it's okay.

[ There's a hitch of Isaac's breath and if Scott pays attention he might feel Isaac pulling his pain away from him through black ribbons connecting the two of them, and yeah, that's definitely a thing he's doing. It doesn't last too long, but it's enough to ruin the plan of hurting on purpose. ] Scott, [ It's so weird to be telling Scott what to do, he's used to falling into step behind people like Scott and Derek or Allison. He doesn't want Scott to hurt, to be in pain, to be upset; Isaac wants - no, he needs him to be okay. ] you need to heal.

[ Then before Scott can even contest the idea he pushes him gently backwards and leads him to be sat down on the bed. ] I need you to heal. [ He doesn't figure that will get the job done, so instead he turns away without much warning and wonders into the bathroom, only to return with a damp cloth and the first aid kit he'd used on Allison. He doesn't think he'll need the latter, but might as well have it handy. ]

[exercise]

[ It's kind of weird how quickly Isaac can change Scott's mind- how quickly he longs to heal and be better just because he asked for it. He doesn't, of course, but the want is still there- the disappointment he has in himself that he's continually letting Isaac down, making a big idiot of himself when he's meant to be the powerful one, the guy in charge, confident.

Isaac helping him is something he appreciates, though, and taking away his pain sends tendrils of relief washing up his spine, shivering against where he's perched on the other's shoulder. It's nice to be taken care of for a change, even though he still wants to embrace Isaac and shoo away the worries he knows are there- Scott's still not brave enough to do all that, not sure the other won't just shove him away and leave him alone. He doesn't want that. He probably deserves it but he doesn't want it, just wants to cling onto Isaac until the end of time, until he has the courage to stand on his own two feet again.

Still, he's quiet while Isaac pushes him down, and quiet while he leaves. Only when Isaac come back does Scott speak up, glances the other up and down a few times before running a hand through his hair. ]

I'm sorry I didn't tell you- about being an alpha, I mean. [ He shakes his head, offerings a sympathetic look. ] There's a lot I have to apologize for, but I guess that's the easiest.

Deaton says it only happens, like, once every hundred years or something. A werewolf comes along who doesn't have to steal their alpha powers from someone else. It just sort of... [ He shrugs, holding his hands out in an "I don't know" sort of way. ] happened. I didn't have to kill anyone.

[algidity]

[ It's hard to be mad at Scott McCall, Isaac has learned that. He tries so hard to fix things, to keep them from going awry. The taller werewolf pauses to listen to him explain, his arms fall to his sides, cloth in one hand and the kit in the other. The fact that Scott didn't kill someone, instead he did it naturally, well that is impressive. The idea in itself amuses Isaac, drawing a faint upward quirk to his lips. ]It's okay. [ He wants to ask if Scott were even planning on telling him. ]

Do I know in the future? [ No one ever tells him about the future, it's frustrating, sometimes he wonders if it's because something terrible happens to him, or... Would they tell him?

An arched eyebrow lifts up his forehead as he moves to kneel in front of Scott. It's hard to even look at the injuries on him, he'd looked at the picture the mirror had sent him so many times it's like the injuries were imprinted on his brain. He chuffs slightly before pushing Scott's knees apart and settling in between his legs. For not being able to protect and help people he sure has done this twice too many times now. The first aid kit is placed beside Scott on the bed. ] Congratulations. [ Yer an Alpha, Scotty.

But where does that leave the two of them?

Does Derek know? Why didn't he tell him?

He licks his lips before sticking his tongue out in thought, one of his hands moves up to rest on the side of Scott's throat, the other presses the cloth to the beginning of the injury, wiping gently at the blood around it. There is no way in hell that he is stitching Scott up, if he wants that done, Isaac can wake Allison up. ]

[exercise]

[ Scott let's himself be moved into place, not really minding one way or the other. If Isaac wants to clean him up Scott's not going to argue, and he presses his palms flat on the bed, stretching out the cut until it stings. Easier for Isaac to clean, he tell himself, even if he's craving the burn, just a bit. ]

Um- far as I remember, I didn't tell you. I think you knew on your own, though.

[ But he shakes his head quickly- that sounds like an excuse, and Scott doesn't want that. ]

I should have told you. [ A hand moves out, fingers tiptoeing across the pale column of Isaac's throat, retracing now invisible marks that he's so fond of making. He doesn't exactly feel bad about keeping that information to himself, but he understands that Isaac at least had a right to know- as a friend, beta, m... ate. The word feels a little inappropriate though- they're not an established thing anymore, Scott doesn't think so. They're casual.

Even if there's love and hefty feelings brewing under the surface. Scott tries to ignore it.

His hand moves up to brush across Isaac's chin, thumb propping him up so they can look at each other, hold him in place. It's important, he knows, their rankings in being werewolves. Scott's an alpha which means he needs a pack- and, well, Isaac is the first obvious choice there. ]

It doesn't have to mean anything. [ Still, he doesn't want to force it- unlike Derek he's not going to make promises he can't keep, won't build the lifestyle up to be greater than it actually is. Scott doesn't know anything about being an alpha, and he's about 100% sure that after this week, he doesn't really meet any qualifications. ] You don't have to be my beta, I mean. We don't have to be pack, if you don't want to.

[algidity]

That makes sense. [ Honestly, he can see himself putting two and two together, especially after some of the things Scott has done. He focuses on Scott's words and breathing as he cleans the blood away. He wishes he could just force the skin together on his own instead of waiting for Scott to actually want to heal.

He tilts his head to allow Scott further access to his neck, something that seems to be second nature now whenever Scott even shows interest in his neck. He should probably be more careful, it's instinct to want to tear someone's throat out when fighting, but he knows Scott would never hurt him. It's trust, blatant and obvious in its purest form. ] Mmm, future me figures it out. [ That's an obvious "it's cool bro."

Those words catch him off guard, It doesn't have to mean anything. You don't have to be my beta, I mean. We don't have to be pack, if you don't want to. He doesn't know what to do other than stare back at him, looking up at Scott, unable to break the gaze, not only from the hand angling his head upwards but also the intensity, the words mean so much more than they sound.

He opens his mouth and then closes it only to do it one more time before speaking. ] We've always been pack. [ He doesn't know what he means by that, but it's true, since they first met, Scott's protected him. He doesn't particularly want to leave Derek alone though - he owes Derek... But then again, Scott has always been more of an alpha to Isaac than Derek... he finally drops his gaze again without tilting his head back down. He's looking at the injuries again, lashes flutter as he scans over and over the damage. ]

Remember in the rave? When you said you didn't want me to get hurt? [ He's going to change the topic, give him time to think, of course he knows he already has made up his mind - it's probably obvious on his face, he just... Needs to think of what to say to Derek. ] I don't want you to hurt.

[exercise]

[ After his initial comment, Scott's hand falls back to hook around Isaac's neck, fingers feeling out the soft curls of his hair, wanting to bury his nose in them and lose himself. He doesn't- he just watches Isaac's mouth, listens to the beat of his heart, and considers for the first time that he might actually make an all right alpha. Because what wouldn't he do for Isaac? For pack? What wouldn't Scott McCall do to protect his friends?

He feels the strength in numbers at the confirmation- having it always be there but not fully recognizing it until just now. But he feels powerful, rejuvenated, even if his pack is small Scott still feels as though he and Isaac could take on the world without faltering. Some part of him wonders about loyalty, some part of him wonders about love. He's not sure if he's strong because he has a beta or strong because he has Isaac, but either way he can smell sweetness expelling off his own skin in waterlilies, lemongrass, honeysuckle- protectiveness, affection, love. ]

I don't want you to hurt. [ Scott repeats after him, fingers tracing down the back of his neck, and sifting back through his hair after a moment. He watches Isaac's fingers do their work around his stomach, and the cut slowly stops bleeding. Doesn't heal yet, but at least the dark black-red blood stops sluggishly pulling out of him. ] I want to protect you.

[ Which he didn't do a very good job of last week, he has to remind himself, but he fights against letting the wounds fester anymore, trying his hardest to focus on healing. Voices still whispering that that he doesn't deserve to be healthy don't help, and he ends up sighing, free hand going to rest on Isaac's over the cut. ]

I'll get better, and I'm not just saying that. Someday - [ There's a sharp inhale while he looks to the wall- though it's clear he's not really looking, just trying to think something out. ] - someday I'll stop screwing things up with you.

[algidity]

[ His eyes fall shut as he lets himself get lost for a short second in the sensation of the pads of Scott's fingers on his neck and his hair, it's distracting but he doesn't waste much time, instead he continues sorting Scott's wound out. He's sure he can make sure that Scott is okay, he can clean it, and talk him into healing.

I want to protect you. He holds his breath for a moment, trying to decide how that makes him feel. After spending so much time with Allison he almost wants to say "I can take care of myself" but there's a stronger part of him that wants that, that wants to be protected. He could get drunk on the sweet scents filling the room - they're some of his favourites, especially when he's spent countless times trailing his tongue over tanned skin to go straight to the source and get a better taste of them.

Why? Why does he want to protect him? It's the first time that someone has ever wanted to protect him. He'll admit his dad used to protect him, and there were moments when his dad protected him from harm as long as the harm wasn't caused by him. Why does Scott want him in his pack? ]

First you need to heal. [ Does he sound like a broken record? He feels like a broken record but he's not going to let Scott get away with being hurt this badly and not healing. Isaac wants to press kisses to his skin until he cannot refuse to heal, but he doesn't. He listens and stays put. It' not apathy, he feels, he just doesn't know what he feels.

When he decides that he's cleaned most of the blood up he leans forward, his arms move to wrap loosely around Scott's waist as he finds an unaffected spot to rest his forehead against Scott's skin. It's a comforting gesture and Isaac is pretty sure he could just stay there forever feeling Scott's warmth, his scent almost tangible in the whole room, his heartbeat and his voice. All of it is calming and relaxing especially after the last week. ]

[exercise]

[ There's a whole lot Scott wants to say- wants to grab Isaac up by the cheeks and say he wants him in his pack, but it seems like it would be unfair to do so. Scott's done nothing to prove he's worthy of being anyone's alpha, and for someone he cares about as much as he cares for Isaac? He deserves better. Better than Derek, too, he deserves the best. Scott, the true alpha, might be there someday, but right now? It seems like he can't protect anyone. ]

I'm trying. [ The last word is accentuated with a pathetic attempt at a laugh, free hand moving to draw lacy designs on the top of Isaac's back. The other keeps toying at his neck, holding him there once Isaac moves to rest against his chest, and Scott wishes there were something he could do to help him- any words he could say that might put their hearts at ease. But he's tongue tied, too afraid to confess to anything, too lost to really know what to say.

He bends at the waist after a second, picking Isaac's head up a bit so he can kiss somewhere in the mess of his hair. ]

I'm sorry he hurt you.

[ He sighs a bit, still buried in curly hair, because he knows Isaac won't want to hear it- he's already said time and time again that it's okay, but it's not, it doesn't feel like it is. Of course, he doesn't want to force anything out of Isaac and if he doesn't want to talk, Scott won't make him, but it feels important- like something he needs to at least try and address.

Scott kisses his head again, more soundly wrapping his arms around Isaac, until he's offering more of an embrace. ]

I won't let him come near you again.

[algidity]

I know. [ It's to everything Scott's said, because he does know. He's trying, he's sorry, and he'll protect him. He's not mad at Scott, that would be ridiculous, it wasn't Scott that terrorized him or Allison or Cora or anyone. ] I heal. [ The words are spoken quietly, but loud enough for Scott to hear. It's true after all. He's always healed from this stuff, even if when he was a human it took a little longer, it'd left scars when he was human, made bones ache, but now, he could take on the world and heal from any injury.

He smiles and leans in to kiss Scott's warm skin in return for the kisses placed in his hair. Scott had said he was in love with him... Well, Mirror Scott did... He's pretty sure that was something that was on his brain and Allison's since it'd been said. For a minute he can just forget the turmoil this last week has caused, the fact that everyone and their mother knows far more about his life than they should if they were paying attention... He knows Cora saw it, suspects Santana did... And he'd shown Allison... But the latter was his choice, he let her in on his own. ]

Can I - uh - Can I stay here tonight? [ He doesn't have anything against sharing a room with Allison actually she's a very peaceful roommate, only a little intimidating... But she's funny and easy to be around. The point is, he misses Scott, it's surprisingly hard to get to sleep when he doesn't have Scott curled protectively around him. ] With you. [ It seems like a silly question, but it's not silly to him and he's sure the other teenager can tell by how his heart picks up and anxiety floods off him.

Isaac idly and blindly traces ghosts into the skin of Scott's lower back. He obviously still wants him... Right?... He asked him to be part of his pack... They're still touching and looking at each other as if they're lovers... Scott said he was in love with him. ]

[exercise]

[ The area Isaac kisses feels tickled, warm from his lips, wanting for more but he's not really going to push it in one direction or the next. He's lucky enough that Isaac has forgiven him- god, is he lucky, he doesn't even want to think about how lucky he really is- and if Isaac wants to spend the night? Scott wants him to. He'd like it any night and every night if he's allowed, because he can't imagine a better feeling in the world than falling asleep beside him, and waking up to the softness of Isaac's lips on his neck.

Except, maybe, if Allison were on his other side, kissing the other side of his neck. Scott can remember a time that never happened- waking up with them curled up beside him, an arm wrapped around each, remarking the way that when life's peaceful, and they're not running for their lives, and when the early sun hits them just right -

He's in love. At least half of his affections are somewhat returned, which is more than he deserves, but he still craves more. He still wants Allison alongside Isaac. ]

It's your room too. You don't have to ask. [ Scott still understands that he needs the reassurance, though, and he bends over to kiss at his cheek, arms wrestling around and beneath Isaac's to press against his sides. Rubbing affectionate circles into them, adoration rolling off of his shoulders because that's actually a really dumb question. Scott doesn't want to be alone anymore than Isaac does. ]

Come here.

[ Isaac doesn't need to do much work, though, because Scott is already hauling him up, turning them both over so they can lay rightly on the bed.

Thread by thread, Scott's wounds start closing up. ]

[algidity]

[ Isaac smiles up at Scott, face lighting up like a small child's on Christmas morning. There's a slight tiredness to his face, the bags under his eyes doing him no favours, but somehow the happiness manages to cut through it all. The touch to his sides causes him to tense briefly before all but melting in Scott's grip, he was afraid it was going to be tickling, but then it was comfort...

Then he's being manhandled and pulled to where Scott wants him, not at all putting up a fight, instead letting out a startled little laugh before settling into where Scott wanted him. The bloodied cloth got lost somewhere in transmission of being moved up to the bed with Scott, he'll find it later on the floor and throw it in the trash. The first aid kit also managed to get knocked off, hitting the floor with a dull thud.

His body basically moves on its own as he leans in to press his lips to Scott's, it's chaste and full of adoration as he move to press another one to the corner of Scott's lips. ] Allison's sofa is too short. [ The fact sounds random enough, but that's where he's been sleeping since Scott was taken over. As if to put emphasis on the fact he pulls back to stretch his legs out, and his arms above him, following them with his gaze, resembling Parker when he stretches out... They do say the owner and the pet begin to look alike...

When he's done basking in the fact that he's on a bed he turns to look at Scott once again, his hand reaching out to brush over his jaw and then rest on his cheek. They should talk about it. He's scared to. But he knows they should and he figures Scott is waiting for it. He just needs to figure out how to pull it from his thoughts and put it eloquently... ] You said you were in love with me. [ Or... Not. Isaac pauses, that's not how he'd meant to say it... ] Well - uh - your mirror did... Is that... [ True? ] Did you mean it? [ He pauses for a minute, baby blues still on Scott, traversing from his eyes down to his lips. He can hear the beating of their hearts. It's not in tune, but they're relaxed for the most part. ] It's okay if you didn't.

[exercise]

[ Funnily enough, Scott wasn't expecting it. He imagined Isaac was just going to let it pass, like it wasn't a big deal, or it was an accident, or something along those lines. He didn't really think Isaac wanted to talk about it, based on the whole not dating thing that they're doing at the moment. For a second Scott's heart skyrockets, and he keeps going over what his mom would tell him right now in his head. Carve it on a tree, put it in a poem, tattoo it on your chest.

Isaac's heartbeat is steady, at least, and that makes the urge to go cover his face in embarrassment subdued for now. He takes a deep breath, laying on his side while he stares at Isaac - and he can't help but think no, duh, I'm in love with you.

A blind man could see how much I love you. ]

I was- I was trying to convince him that you were, like, this great guy and if he hurt you it would end up hurting him too. I was trying to tell him about all the little things about you to make it seem like you guys were friends, almost but - it just made him hate you more, I think.

[ Scott's not good with words, he doesn't have any idea where he's going with any of this, so he just breathes, tries to look like he's debating something when he's really just looking for anything to say. He can't talk. He's not really ready to - but then, if he loves someone, they should know it, shouldn't they? Even if he and Isaac aren't exactly "together" right now, Scott knows he isn't the first person to get feelings for a fuck buddy. And Isaac wasn't his friend with benefits when Scott first got feelings - the night at the rave when Scott said he didn't want Isaac to get hurt.

He doesn't want him to hurt - really really doesn't. If Scott could kiss all his fears away, he'd do it gladly. He only wants Isaac to be safe and comfortable and warm, at peace in a place that he can call home - wherever that might be. ]

Then I realized that the more I loved you, the more he hated you. And once I said it I couldn't stop - I just kept telling him no, don't do that, I love him. [ There's a pause, and Scott laughs a bit, burying the side of his face into the pillow, shutting his eyes. His voice is muffled a bit by the cloth. ] I tried so hard not to - I thought maybe if I could stop loving you, he'd stop hating you, and he'd leave you alone.

[ Scott worries his lip between his teeth, a hand tentatively moving to lightly skirt across Isaac's back, lazily and without focus. Really, all he wants to do is kiss him and tell him everything's going to be all right now - but it won't feel right unless Isaac says he loves Scott back. And Scott doesn't know that for sure, he doesn't really know anything anymore, but he's happy to have Isaac in anyway that he can, friendship or otherwise. ]

I can't stop, though. I meant it. I really do love you, like, a lot. [ His face grows a little solemn, eyes opening but not looking at Isaac, just staring at his chin while Scott pouts. ] I love you enough to know that you deserve a lot better. You should- I think you should be with Allison.

... But at the same time, I think it would take a crowbar and a mountain of wolfsbane to take me away from you. I can say that you being happy would be enough for me to be happy all I want, but I don't think I can be honestly happy without you. And her, I guess. I love you both.

[algidity]

[ Isaac stays pretty much deathly silent, listening to Scott's heart and his words. His cornflower blue gaze follows invisible trails. From Scott's eyes, to his lips, to his jaw, then back up to his eyes, then from there down the portion of his neck that Isaac could see and then to the healing injuries. His body is moving again without his say so, it's almost like autopilot the way his hand moves from Scott's jaw to his chest, Isaac's attention on it as he slides his palm over to rest over Scott's heart. He'd just poured his heart out to him... And Isaac has no idea what to say. He's never been in this situation or anything like it.

He's supposed to say I love you too, he knows he is, but the thought of uttering it is a bit terrifying. He's never been in love, but he knows that it's what he's in right now. With both of them, with Scott and Allison. The hand on his back causes him to curl towards Scott a bit. He wants to roll onto him, to press skin against skin, straddle hips and kiss him until he's dizzy, but instead he's mindful of Scott's injuries. ] I'm glad you didn't stop. [ Scott's Mirror's torture was worth it if it meant that Scott didn't stop feeling for him. ] Then he would have won, and I don't want to lose you.

[ Scott has always been too much of a hero for his own good, and now? He's trying to push Isaac towards Allison, for their happiness, not his. But Isaac refuses to go one way or the other, he's going to be steadfast and stick to his guns, keeping one hand tangled with Scott's and the other with Allison's, metaphorically speaking. ] Scott, stop. I like Allison... I.. It's complicated. But I like you too and... [ He trails off, falling almost completely silent, aside from the chuff of air he blows out, pulling the face that obviously says he doesn't want to be doing something, or is mentally preparing himself from something. It's the same face he'd probably make if someone told him he had to jump off a bridge. ]

I don't want to choose between you or Allison. [ It sounds stingy, but they'd had it once, they'd made it work. Why should he have to be cowed into choosing when he knows the other option went wonderfully. He wants them both, and he knows that sounds terrible, but it's not fair. At least they're past the part of Isaac trying to claim he didn't have any feelings for her. That had been awkward and at one point he'd even tried convincing himself that he didn't. But then she died and it was his fault... He just couldn't keep lying.

He leans in once again, this time to nuzzle along his jawline and down to his neck where he pauses, staying there to simply inhale the scent of Scott, no, not inhale, bask. Then he's withdrawing again, this time to catch Scott's eye, this is important and he wants to be sure that Scott understands that. ] I'm not going to choose if you try to make me but I love you too. [ The words fall out of his mouth and for a minute he holds still as if expecting the world to shatter to a million pieces or something. He knows it needed to be said, even if he was kind of terrified by the idea of admitting it. It feels different saying it aloud, like he can't take it back now, and the flood gates are open for the feelings. Like not being able to unsee something. It'll always be there, hanging in the air. ]

[exercise]

[ It's once the words finally leave Isaac's mouth that Scott's heart starts thrumming wildly - he'd said like, I like Allison, I like you, so Scott wasn't expecting much. It was fine if Isaac didn't love him, especially after this week, it would be fine if Isaac didn't even want to look at him. Scott would understand. Honestly, he probably deserves that, rather than the cleaning of his wounds, or the cuddling in his bed or -

Or this man's love, which is brighter and sweeter tasting than anything Scott's ever had before. And he's stuck staring at him, heartbeat doing the cha-cha beneath Isaac's palm, before he finally crosses the distance and just kisses him like a madman. With intensity and passion that might have otherwise been held back and probably was before - it's all out on the table now, Scott loves Isaac and Isaac loves him in return, and Scott isn't capable of hiding it anymore.

Scott rolls them over so he's hovering over him now, kiss not breaking while his thighs press against Isaac's sides. He kisses him and kisses him and kisses him - and would keep kissing him if air didn't seem to be a problem eventually. When that moment comes around, Scott pulls away and immediately goes to hide his face in the crook of Isaac's neck, teeth flattening against the skin there because he's grinning. A hand seeks Isaac's and pins it to the bed - not in a sexual way or anything, just so he can look at their handhold without Isaac seeing the embarrassing flush across Scott's cheeks. ]

You didn't have to say that.

[ But he did, it's out there and in the open, and Scott's happy for that - for once, things are clear between them and it's a nice change of pace. He nuzzles into Isaac's neck, obviously scenting him, before slumping against his shoulder, still pining Isaac's hand to the mattress. ]

And - I want that, too. You, me, and Allison. [ His eyes watch their hands together, enjoying the contrast in color. His smile has faded a bit, but it's not at the consideration of a threeway relationship, it's at... the thought of being the thirdwheel on the Isaac and Allison show. Their feelings for each other are plain as day - and back in Beacon Hills, Allison and Scott's feelings were obvious as the sun.

Right now, though? He has no clue. And Scott leans forward to kiss Isaac's throat affectionately, letting his lips drag with every word. ]

I don't think she's into me anymore, though. That's the problem.

[algidity]

[ He doesn't really have time to even comment on the way Scott's heart is acting, no, because in an instant there are lips against his, and it's almost overwhelming the way Scott kisses him, and keeps kissing him even as he shifts their positions. Isaac tries to keep up, one of his hands finding the back of Scott's neck where blunt fingernails dig into his tan skin to leave crescent moon shapes and pull him into the kiss further. And just when Isaac was starting to feel dizzy from a lack of air, Scott pulls away.

The grin against his skin causes Isaac himself to grin and lean his head against Scott's. It's not long before he's turning to look at their hands, the contrasting skintones weaved together. The nuzzling draws a chuckle out of him and his free hand slides up to sift through dark hair.

Then there are lips on his throat and he can't help but tilt his head back, giving Scott as much access to it as he wants, eyes falling shut in thought. ] She definitely still likes you. She looks at you... The way you look at her. [ He's not jealous, not really, well, maybe a little bit. Allison and Scott? They have history, they've been together, and even if the three of them have been together before? Well - they'd been together longer. Isaac wasn't completely sure they weren't together when he'd first come to wonderland. The fact that she'd roomed right across the hall from him, it was... Something. There was also the way she'd stalked him on their lacrosse trip...

Though he wasn't blind to the fact that Allison had feelings for him either. She'd stood up for him when Scott's mirror was trying his hardest to tear him down. She'd punched him in the face. She'd gotten so angry over the mirror fiasco... Not to mention the kiss... And she held his hand and let him stay with her... Which had been more of a burden on her than Isaac really had wanted to put on her, especially when he'd woke up from a nightmare with her there at his side, sweeping fingers through his hair only to be met with golden eyes and fear. But Isaac still didn't think she was over Scott, if anything, Isaac assumed she liked him because he reminded her of Scott... ]

I think you should talk to her before you jump to conclusions. [ He knows exactly what Scott meant, that he thought that she wasn't into him anymore because she'd moved onto Isaac. But she'd been so in love with him, twice before, he knows that's impossible to forget. ]