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Stiles had just gotten beaten within an inch of his life and while he was still in the hospital the sheriff came to the group of teenagers. He begged for them to take his son away from the dealings of the pack.
Scott was the first to nod in agreement he didn't want to see his best friend die or worse. He was followed by Derek who nodded along grunting about useless humans. Lydia nodded a little more hesitantly but agreed none the less. They loved Stiles they did but watching him tear himself apart time and time again for their sakes was going to lead to the boys death. They knew if he continued on this path he would last more than a year. They're friends life was more important than any friendship the group had acquired.
Know I got Stiles they knew they just couldn't ignore him since he knew about the supernatural he would always find a way to weasel his way in so they of course went to Deaton. Who after giving them a long look and a speech about consequences gave them the a potion to take away his memories forever.
The pack knew that if they gave their friend this potion they would have to stay away from him if this was ever going to work even as much as it might hurt. This was for the betterment of Stiles future they reasoned. The only thing they didn't think about was how little they might have really knew their friend and how hard it was to stay away.
***
Scott grinned with an almost wishful smile when Stiles came back to school a grin on his face, "Here buddy." He said as he handed the candied potion disguised as a simple candybefore pulling him closely, "I love you man."
Stiles pulled back with a grin before popping the candy in his mouth and smacking his shoulder against Scott's, "Love you too, bro." They walked to class like normal and Scott could only think of this as a goodbye.
By the end of the day, Stiles remembered nothing of his friendship with Scott, Lydia, Jackson, and Derek as well as the supernatural as a whole. Other than perhaps flitting memories of times before the supernatural tore apart their world. Playing video games with Scott, pining after Lydia, and being bullied by Jackson.
Noah watched as his son came tramping down the stairs throwing a leather jacket over his flannel covered shoulders and a grin on his face, "Hey pop's what's a cooking?"
Noah grinned watching as his son crammed food into his mouth, "Nothing much just enjoying the thoughts of a new day."
Stiles snorted, "Rad." He flashed a toothie grin before stumbling to get his shoes on and falling over. He got up with a thumbs up and stumbled out the front door before yelling back, "Hey I'm hanging with the guys tonight I'll see you tomorrow!"
Noah's smile faded around the edges and he found himself texting the teenagers in a panic that maybe the spell didn't work.
The pack gathered at their lockers in a slight panic as Stiles made his way through the front door of the school. Lydia turned to Scott, "Do you really think the spell failed?" He only looked at her with fear in his eyes before turning back to watch the other boy.
Stiles rushed forward a grin on his face and stopping briefly to talk to different students before leaving with a wink. He was charming them in a way that Stiles had never done before. He moved with ease from group to group in more fashionable clothes than they had ever seen him in. Lydia made a remark about 90's alt being fashion but none the less they had never seen him dress so put together before. The strange limbo the pack was left in put a kind of breathless ness over the group as they waited for their once friend to make his way toward them.
Finally after making his way through the different groups that crowded the hallway Stiles made his way over to his locker and the pack reaching them with the same grin. "Hey guys you ever heard of my band Sunset Curve?"
Scott raised his eyebrows, "What?"
Stiles grinned, "Its my band anyway we got a show this weekend and I got a few shirts for our adoring fans but I think I can spare on for you gorgeous," he winked and pushed a shirt into Lydia's hands, "It's size beautiful."
He grabbed his books from his locker and sauntered off before turning with a goofy grin, "Tell your friends."
Later when a teacher walked into the class room a phone to his ear asking aloud to whoever was on the other line, "How are you?"
Stiles raised an eyebrow turning around answering, "Honestly not that great. You see I ate these hotdogs..."
The teacher and rest of the room gave him a funny look before he gasped slightly, "Oh I get it... Your not talking to me. Right." He turned making finger guns, "An honest mistake." Stiles then turned back to typing rapidly on his phone mumbling to himself quietly.
Lydia huffed a laugh and Jackson rolled his eyes. What an idiot.
If things couldn't get any weirder after lacrosse practice coach yelled for them to shower and Stiles grinned goofily once more, "Dibs on the shower!" And after noticing the funny looks continued, "I just love showers and the occasional bath."
Scott sighed something had to have went wrong with that spell and now either Stiles was a whole new person, even asking people to call him Reggie, or he was fucking with them. The pack with the Sheriff meet later at the Hale house to discuss their options.
The sheriff grinned slightly guilty, "He hasn't been this happy since the move, I just don't know what to say."
Scott slightly winced, "It's just his behavior is weird. Who the hell is he texting all the time and when did he become so goofy and flirty?"
Lydia thought carefully for a moment, "What do you mean the move? And do you remember how Stiles was before the supernatural? Maybe this is him without all the trauma?," she paused, "and why the name Reggie all of the sudden?"
The sheriff looked at them funny, "We moved here when Stiles was 13 don't you guys remember? And I figure he's talking to Luke and Alex he's always been goofy around them." The older man smiled slightly, "He always went by Reggie before the move, but when his mom died he just got sick of it saying he could hear her say it so he changed it to Stiles for Stilinski. I don't know why he wants to change it back, but it is what it is at least he's happy. I think we should all keep our distance for the moment."
Scott looked at him with full on puppy eyes, "Luke and Alex?"
The sheriff just shrugged, "They have been friends since literally the sandbox I don't know what to tell you guys. I don't know why he never said anything, but he's always kept them close to his heart."
Derek grunted, "I thought Stiles and Scott knew each other that long? Friends forever and all that bullshit."
Lydia tapped her fingers on the top of a book she had been holding, "Now that you mentioned it I do remember you guys moving here from Los Angeles right?"
The sheriff nodded and everyone froze as a loud ringing started off. The sheriff blushed and pulled out his phone shaking it before answering, "Hello?"
Reggie hollered from the other end, "Hey pops I'm gonna just stay down here with Luke and Alex okay? We got a show this weekend and Alex might be getting kicked out and anyway I'll see you Monday ight?"
The sheriff mumbled out an okay before the line went dead. Lydia looked up at him, "That's another thing since when has Stiles been in a band?"
Jackson snorted, "What was it called Sun Rise Bend?"
Lydia held up the shirt he had gifted her, "Sunset Curve. You know in size beautiful."
The sheriff shrugged, "If he isn't with you guys he's playing the bass or hanging with Luke and Alex I don't really try and keep up with the rest."
The pack took that statement with slight discomfort vowing to themselves to keep an eye on the other boy. The meeting ended soon after with little answers to the pressing question; What the hell happened to their friend?
***
Time passes and soon six months passes with them seeing Stiles less and less. For the first few weeks Stiles jumped from group to group keeping up a goofy demeanor the whole way. The pack watched from afar but never made a move to question the boy. They would keep their distance for now. Lydia turned to Scott, "Isn't your mom having dinner with the Sheriff tonight?"
Scott nodded not taking his eyes off of the other boy, "Yah why?"
She rolled her eyes, "Well why don't you go because I heard that Stiles friends are coming to town and it might give us some insight of what the hell is going on? Tell the sheriff we saw Stiles looking at something to do with the supernatural or something-if you have too."
Scott nodded, "But only if you guys come too I don't want to face the music by myself for interrupting date night. Or meet Stiles secret friends by myself either."
The plan was set and that night as everyone sat down it was more awkward than Lydia imagined it would be.
Reggie sat with two chair feet on the ground staring at them as his dad and Melissa flirted in the kitchen while getting things ready, "So what's hanging?"
Lydia cleared her throat ignoring the question, "So when are your friends going to be here."
Reggie placed the feet of the chair on the ground and in a deep flirty voice said, "Answering a question with a question I like that, cutie." Before wiggling his eyebrows. A few seconds past as the pack was stunted into silence by the other boys behavior before the door opens and slams shuts. "Hey Reggie were you at man?"
Reggie hollers back, "In here." Within a few seconds two pretty attractive boys come in. The blond one flops into a seat with drums sticks in his hand while the other one stands behinds Reggie pulling him into a Spider-Manlike kiss. The pack gasps and Scott stutters out, "Dude you were just flirting with Lydia."
The other boy rolls his eyes, "Reggie flirts with everyone, but he and Luke are solid." Luke grins and slips into the chair beside Reggie.
Luke looks over at them, "So what are you guys doing here? I thought this was a whole meet the parents type bullshit? Not the whole goddamn neighborhood."
Jackson seems to be choking on air before answering, "Boyfriend?"
Luke nods with a smirk, "Problem?"
Lydia elbowed him sharply, "What he means to say is we didn't know Stiles was dating. We were under the impression you all were friends."
Alex huffed, "We are and he prefers Reggie."
Scott carefully took a deep breath before asking, "So how did that happen?"
Luke gave them a goofy grin with his eyes set on Reggie. They had a warmth to them that spoke of the fondness he had for the other boy, "I just kinda wished for it."
Standing up with a grin, Reggie said, "I wish for a puppy?" Nothing, "A hamster?" Still nothing when he peeked his eyes open, "A pizza?" When nothing came he pouted and kicked the wall lightly before setting back on his butt.
Luke grinned, "I think I know something that will cheer you up?" Before getting up and grabbing a guitar off the wall and began strumming.
The sheriff poked his head out the kitchen door and asked, "A little before dinner music, Luke?"
Luke grinned, "Yes sir."
Alex began patting out a rhythm on his body and turned to look a Reggie, "Come on Reginald." Before beginning to sing the band is back and getting Reggie to join in after the rolled his eyes at his friend's tone. The pack watched as Reggie grinned ear from ear clearly the happiest they had ever seen him. He danced around them singing and playing off of his friends. The sheriff watched from the doorway a clearly fond look on his face.
During dinner things changed slightly they saw the sharp snap that Alex had, Luke's disregard for the rules, and Reggies easy laid back simple approach to life. They had never expected their dear friend to have such a different life than the one they built with him. Lydia finally having enough slammed her hands down onto the table causing the chairs to fly to the ceiling. Reggie grabbing his band mates whispered, "Maybe she's a witch?"
The sheriff frowned, "Why don't you guys head out into the hall while I talk to these guys." The pack went to walk out but the sheriff held up a hand to stop them, "Not you guys."
The look on Luke's face could kill and Reggies face was one filled with hurt, Luke grabbed his shoulder, "Come on boys."
They headed upstairs to Reggies old bedroom shutting the door when Reggie spun around hurt still lingering in his eyes, but a clear defiance in his shoulders, "Just cause they told us to leave doesn't mean we can't listen."
The boys smirked and carefully phase through the door and move down to sit on the first step were they could clearly hear the conversation from below.
The sheriff, anger lining his features, "What the hell was that!?!"
Lydia shrunk back slightly and Scott took a stance in front of her, "He clearly isn't Stiles something must have went wrong with the potion."
The sheriff shook his head a tense set to his shoulders, "I think I would know my son."
Luke pressing a kiss to Reggie's head and stood walking down the stairs upon reaching the bottom he looked at the whole group of them. "Would you though?" He asked through the silence that laid over the room.
The sheriff's head shot up over the group's shoulders to see the boy his son was dating, "Would I what Lucas?"
Reggie and Alex joined him at the bottom of the stairs; Reggie the farthest back with Alex's arm holding him close. Luke, defiance in his every bone, "Know your own son."
The sheriff sputtered and Scott turned to look at the boys, "I think we know Stiles better than you."
Luke rolled his eyes, "Why because you can hear ever time he lies?" He paused, "I don't need to hear his heart beat. Reggie is my best friend, my band mate, and my partner. I can see it line his face when he lies."
The groups gasps at the declaration of the band's knowledge. Jackson snorted, "Looks like Stilinski can't even keep a secret."
Luke's eye narrow, "You didn't even know when he died. You're all shitty friends." He turns to Noah rage building as the lights start to flicker, "Firstly you hit your son when he was alive blaming him for your wife's death then when he runs away after being cast aside by his so called friends your in cahoots with. Finally to top it all off when he dies, you know about six fucking months ago after you practically adopt a whole host of kids, you have the audacity to say you know him! Fuck you!"
Reggie grabs his shoulder whispering softly, "Luke they don't matter man let's just go back to Julie's."
Luke, eyes full of steel, looked over the pack but carefully laces his hand in Reggies. "You're right man they aren't fucking worth it are they," he scuffs before snorting and turning towards the door.
Scott's voice cracks, "Dead?"
Reggie looks over them all sadly, "We all ate some really bad street dogs."
Lydia with her ever scientific mind asks, "How can we see you?"
Luke wraps Reggie in his arms gently cradling him. Alex sighed, "A friend of our could see us and when we play music together others could see us too until we almost died died then as corny as it sounds the power of friendship. Now we can be seen if we choose to be we can't still do a lot of things, but it's better."
The sheriff reached forward as if to grab his son from a crossed the room, "Tell me this isn't true?"
Reggie sighed, "Look it is what it is."
"It is what it is!?! That's all you have to say." The Sheriff spat out face red.
Reggie shrunk back almost hiding in Luke.
"Maybe we should all take a deep breath," Melissa spoke soothingly as she gently put a hand on his arm.
The sheriff shuck her arm off, "Like hell I will."
She flinched back slightly recalling the words Luke had just said looking at the angry man in a new light. She turned to the pack of teenagers, "Let's go until he calms down kids."
Luke shook his head almost in disbelief at the man, "Yeah we are out." Before teleporting away, Alex shared a look with Reggie.
"I'll be there in a minute," Reggie said gently waving Alex away.
Alex nodded silently vowing to have Ray talk to Reggie as Ray had a way of getting through to Reggie that no one else could before he too seemed to pop out of existence.
Reggie turned to the pack, "I'll answer your questions, but then I got to go."
***
The drive to the McCall house was silent when they reached there, Derek was surprisingly waiting. They all settled into the living room.
Scott asking quietly, "Are you really dead?"
Reggie nodded, "As far as we can tell plus the whole ghost club thing kinda confirmed it."
Derek silently gabbled, "Dead?"
Reggie waved a hand, "Yeah you know kicked the bucket, nail in the coffin, gave up the ghost all that jazz."
Derek silently nodded. Lydia looked over Reggie in the mean time, "When did you remember the supernatural?"
Reggie shrugged, "I think after I came back from the dead all my memories came back, but I had told the guys way before that so I'm sure at some point it would have been jarred anyway."
Melissa asked a slight smile on her face although muted, "What are you going to do now?"
Reggae gave them all a soft smile, "I think it's time for new beginnings. I'm going to join this band we are calling Julie and the Phantoms and do what I love most."
Scott looked up a sadness a crossed his features, "What about us?"
"I'm going to forget you like you wanted," Reggie said with no hint of malice in his voice.
He then gave them one last fond goofy smile before vanishing from sight leaving aching hearts and sad eyes behind.
"Sometimes we do the most we can to protect someone only to drive them into something more dangerous."