Stiles continued going to his classes but otherwise he spent all his time in Isaac's room. Jackson had to head back to his own school, but he would come back the following weekend. Stiles slowly started feeling weaker and was nauseous all the time, but he wrote it off as stress. However, when he collapsed unconscious in the middle of campus, they couldn't ignore it anymore. Isaac and Cora got him back to the dorms and into his own bed, but he was sweating heavily, and his magic kept lashing out defensively. They were able to use a cold cloth to take care of most of the sweat and Isaac got his shirt off and switched him into shorts.
"What's happening to him?" Cora asked in a whisper when Isaac returned to the living room.
"I think I know but–" Isaac paused and sighed. "Do you remember me saying that Scott and I found out we were soulmates and then he–" Isaac swallowed thickly.
Cora whined and pulled him close, nuzzling her nose against his neck. "I remember." She glanced at Derek who was leaning against the kitchen island, completely closed off but she knew he was listening.
"Well, when soulmates find each other it's like a whole new ball game. The connection boosts each individual and the sensations are other worldly but as good as it is when the connection is made you then have to imagine the exact opposite of that when the connection is broken."
"So, Stiles is feeling the effects of a broken soulmate connection?" Cora asked.
Isaac nodded slowly. "Yes, but it's even worse because this is–" he stopped and glanced at Derek apologetically before continuing. "The second time."
Derek tensed and felt sick to his stomach as his heart clenched. "Fuck!" he exclaimed.
"Iz? How do you know about this, and I don't?" Cora whispered.
Isaac gave a small wry smile. "He told me about his accident that summer he went to visit his aunt, after Scott cheated on me and I felt the utter demolition of the connection. It's obviously not the same as getting rid of the mark but it's close. I think they lied to us when they said it's supposed to be painless for the other person because after what Stiles told me it was the most pain he's ever felt," he whispered.
Derek felt his eyes fill with tears. "I-I didn't know. It's killing me that he's in pain and I can't do anything. That doesn't even scratch the surface though does it Isaac? There's so much more isn't there?"
Isaac nodded. "It's not my place to say more and I'm pretty sure the only person who knows everything is his aunt."
Cora sighed and felt a tear fall down her cheek. "So what do we do?"
"Well Jackson–" Isaac stopped when Derek growled.
"I'm sorry. Shit. I didn't mean to growl."
Isaac smirked but rolled his eyes playfully. "It's fine Derek. It's not like you just recognized him as your soulmate and therefore feel even more protective or anything."
Derek felt his cheeks flush and gave a small smile but then cooled his expression. "So in essence this is the lack of connection right?"
Isaac nodded. "Basically yes. Why?"
Derek and Cora exchanged a look and Derek took a deep breath. "I want to show you something, but you can't tell anyone." Isaac glanced between the two Hales and nodded. Derek looked down at his wrist and smiled. "Pretty Little Fox?" Isaac gasped when he saw the moving soul mark on Derek's arm.
"Holy fucking shit!" Isaac exclaimed. "Since when?"
"I'm not sure but not long," he said quietly. "What if I give Stiles something of mine with my scent? He'll have me close that way even if I can't be physically close. I mean it's a place to start right?"
Cora smiled and nodded. "That could work. I should call his dad and let him know what is happening. Der? Do you want to go grab something and Isaac can stay with Stiles?"
The three of them parted ways Derek to get something with his scent, Cora to call Noah and Isaac to stay with Stiles.
✦✧✦✧
Stiles felt his nose twitching, but he didn't know why. All he knew was that something or someone smelled good. It was probably Cora or Isaac but no wait. Cora smelled like peppermint, cedar, lemon and lavender. Isaac smelled like pine, campfire smoke but sweet, black licorice and lemon because of his connection to Cora. This scent was sweet like burning birchwood, petrichor, ginger and–Nope. Stiles knew who that scent belonged to because he'd drunk it up in the club when their bodies were grinding on each other. He'd felt so drunk on it and now it was comforting him? No. Stiles turned his head away from the scent and groaned in pain. He couldn't remember the last time he had eaten and he doubted he could've kept anything down anyways. He wanted to talk to his aunt about his magic but he didn't have the energy to grab his phone anyway. Sleep sounded good and it was easy so that's what he did.
✦✧✦✧
Derek brought back a small drawstring bag of his t-shirts and two hoodies. "Will these um work?" he asked, feeling uncertain.
Isaac smiled and nodded. "Definitely. He may not want them, but he'll accept them eventually. He's a stubborn asshole but well you already know that."
Derek snorted, smiling. "He is but well he wouldn't be Stiles if he wasn't."
Cora walked over and sighed. "So, I just talked to Noah. He said to keep him updated but that there are a few things we can do. See Stiles is made up of three components that have to be attended to."
Derek tilted his head listening intently and Isaac nodded. "His Spark, his fox and him."
Cora nodded. "Exactly. His magic is lashing out because he's scared and doesn't feel safe. So, he needs to feel safe, or his magic will keep lashing out and he can't help it."
Isaac nodded. "So, his Spark needs to be calmed down."
"His fox needs tactile and sensory reassurance?" Derek asked.
Cora and Isaac grinned at him, making Derek blush. "Exactly Der," Cora affirmed.
"And what about him?" Derek asked.
Isaac rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "That's going to be up to you to handle, to be honest."
"Why me?"
Cora placed her hand on Derek's arm. "Most likely it'll be both of us. Isaac didn't know, so Stiles himself isn't upset with Isaac. He's hurt by you and has been for a long time. He's also hurt by me for keeping this from him."
"Yes, but surely he knows you did that for me?" he asked.
Cora shrugged. "Maybe. Which is why Isaac is right that it'll be up to you."
Derek took a deep breath and thought for a moment before meeting their gazes. "All right. Most importantly he needs to feel safe so we can calm his magic. Getting my scent in there should help because his fox will recognize the scent of–"
"Mate!" Cora cut him off with a teasing smile despite the seriousness of the situation.
Derek choked on his own spit but nodded before clearing his throat. "Exactly. So let's start with a shirt." Derek grabbed out one of his t-shirts and then closed the bag, setting it by the couch. "Isaac? Will you lead the way? He trusts your scent right now."
Isaac nodded and headed down the hall to Stiles's bedroom. "Just stay calm Derek." Isaac opened the door and stepped into the room and Derek was hit with such a strong scent but a whirlwind of emotions that made his wolf whine. He sucked in a breath and took a step towards the bed watching Stiles carefully. Derek just hoped it would be the first step on the way to finally having his mate.
✦✧✦✧
Stiles could smell it getting stronger, and it had his fox whining which of course meant he was whining too. He started panting and writhing. The scent was so close and yet not close enough. He was half asleep, but he managed to open his mouth. "Mine," he croaked out. His limbs felt too heavy but then the scent was right there–which fuck that because Stiles doesn't need–oooo shirt smells like mate! Stiles felt his fox yip and he buried his nose in the fabric saturated with his ma–with Derek's scent. "Mine. Mine. Mine." He kept repeating it, despite the hoarseness of his voice, and he could smell the happiness radiating off of someone–probably Derek, which that's actually cute–no Stiles he's–he's trying to help you. Stiles felt his fox settle at the scent and felt himself purring. He felt the bed dip and he knew it was Isaac because Derek wouldn't–would he? Stiles wondered what it says about him that he wasn't completely opposed to the idea. His mind, body, fox and spark were at war with each other. He felt so untethered and felt locked inside his own mind. It wasn't until he felt three sets of hands on his body just resting there and had a nose full of Derek's scent that he felt his fox settle completely. He felt his magic flowing throw his body in sparking tendrils but they stayed beneath his skin not hurting anyone before settling because his spark knew what his fox knew...he was safe.
✦✧✦✧
Derek, Cora and Isaac made a joint unconscious decision to place their hands on Stiles gently and the effect was almost immediate though that may also have to do with the fact that Stiles had his nose plastered in Derek's shirt. Derek felt his wolf rumble pleased but he didn't think he smelled that great. Cora's expression let Derek know she found it as adorable as tease worthy, but she said nothing. Isaac was able to curl around Stiles and Derek had to force himself not to growl but he could worry about his wolf's need for his mate later. Right now, he just wanted to see those amber whiskey melted gold eyes again. He breathed out in relief when he felt the fox settle and then watched as his soul mark crawled down to where his hand was holding Stiles's hand.
The little fox looked up and Derek questioning and Derek tilted his head bringing his wrist closer to Stiles causing the little fox to touch Stiles's skin and as if Stiles's spark sensed it Stiles's skin went back to it's normal shade and if Derek noticed the wolf on Stiles's bicep move just a hair he decided to keep that to himself for when Stiles woke up and they could talk. After all, everything Derek was feeling was locked inside him because he only wanted Stiles to scent happiness, worry, compassion, comfort and such. He wanted his scent to be a comfort and to show that he wasn't going anywhere unless ordered away which Derek hoped would never happen.