23. Wishing on a two-way radio

[voluntaryapnea]

[Video]

[He almost doesn't log on when he realizes what's going on. Almost. But he's never been good about refraining from doing things when it comes to finding out what's going on. And he's just hoping like hell that his dad really is okay like Liam told him, that Melissa's doing well, that things in Beacon Hills aren't as screwed up as they usually are. He hopes.]

So, anyone out there from Beacon Hills listening on this thing?

[Private to Jean]

I have a question for you. [Actually it's more like a possible request. He's not entirely sure yet.]

Comments

[ video ]

[notsoneedy]

I've been...really good, actually. I'm glad I picked this place to come, after. Turns out I was right, I fit right in.

What about you? How are, uh, things?

[ video ]

[voluntaryapnea]

Of course you do!

[There was never any doubt in his mind. But at her question, he grimaces a little and switches the feed to private. Then he shifts the camera to reveal the sleeping Scott beside him.]

Scott's been in a coma. Over two weeks now.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

Ohhh. Fuck.

[Well isn't that a downer. She tries to look optimistic about it, for his sake.]

I'm so sorry, Stiles. Maybe he'll wake up soon. I...I mean, I hope he does. For your guys' sake.

I'm sorry.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He nods a little, lets out a breath and glances at Scott.]

Personally I think he's just waiting on true love's kiss to wake him up. He's such a mushy romantic. [He rolls his eyes, but it's more playful than mocking.]

Anyway, what's up there? Anything interesting going on?

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

Not right now. I've been doing my best to keep it all quiet on the homefront, with you guys gone. Nothing I haven't had to handle before, right?

[Needy Lesnicki, professional monster killer.]

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, that's good. I'm glad you're doing okay.

[A beat.]

I miss you.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

You too. And Lydia, and Allison, and...almost everybody, really.

I'm sorry I didn't stay to say goodbye. I hope. I hope you aren't too mad. It's not like I didn't care, really.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He smiles a little, then shakes his head.]

No, I'm not mad. Promise. I get it. Goodbyes aren't...[He shrugs.] Besides, I knew it wasn't forever anyway.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

It's definitely not forever. You're stuck with me now, whether you like it or not.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

Hey I'm definitely not complaining.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

Good. I can't wait for some of you guys to get back. I'm looking forward to hanging out around here, for real.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He smiles softly. He think it's going to be awhile, at least for him, but he's still looking forward to that day, too.]

Have you met my dad, by chance?

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

The uh, sheriff? Yeah.

Well. Sort of.

In passing. I haven't really talked to him, though...I wasn't sure what to say. How to introduce myself. How to explain, you know. Everything.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He nods, chewing his lower lip as he thinks.]

If you need something, you can talk to him though. I mean, he knows about all the werewolf stuff and everything.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

Oh, well that's good to know, at least. I wasn't sure.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

[Stiles nods. He'd have told her that after she graduated, and before she left, but...]

Yeah. He's in the know about all of it. Also -- there's Derek Hale, if you really need something. He's grumpy a lot. Might threaten to rip out your throat with his teeth, but he's mostly more bark than bite.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

Yeah. Derek - I've already met him. He's kinda hard to avoid.

He says 'hi'. Or, something like it, anyway.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

Oh god. He's not doing his lurky thing, is he?

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

Uhhhh. Not at this very second.

[Hold as she conspicuously checks her surroundings. But nope. No Derek.]

I think.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

[But Needy, if you can't see him, that probably means he is there. Lurker.]

But you're getting used to that, I see.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

Yeah. Well, what choice do I have? Besides, after the Barge, I got a pretty high bar for 'weird'.

If anything this is almost...homey. So to speak.

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

[Stiles flashes her a bright grin.]

Yeah, that sounds about right.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

I thought you would understand.

Hey, look. I'm going to see who else I can manage to get on this thing - but if I don't hear from you again today, say 'hi' to everyone else in the pack for me okay?

[ video ; private ]

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, I definitely will. Take care of yourself, Needy.

[ video ; private ]

[notsoneedy]

Thanks. I can't wait to see you again, Stiles. So you better take care of yourself until then, okay? Tell Scott the same thing, as soon as he stops imitating a bump on a log.