"You realize that I can hear that you're full of shit, right?" Derek asks, not unkindly. He sits down next to Scott and sighs, reaching up to scratch at the stubble on his chin. "I don't hate it here. I never have, but I didn't really leave anything or anyone behind. I knew you guys would get along fine without me."

He looks over at Scott, frowning at that damn puppy-eyed expression. "But Stiles, he was kind of a mess. He never stopped missing his father, and you, everyone back home. But he's.. starting to acclimate, I think. He's doing okay. He's going to school and he has a job, he's settling." He bumps his shoulder against Scott's. "You will, too. And we're here to help."