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Language:
English
Series:
Part 81 of A Drabble a Day Keeps the Dread Doctors Away
Collections:
sterekdrabbles
Stats:
Published:
2021-04-18
Words:
100
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
6
Kudos:
73
Bookmarks:
3
Hits:
1,067

The Parts We Leave Behind

Summary:

The sheriff’s been gone for a while now, but Stiles sometimes forgets and the loss hits him all over again. Derek is always there to comfort him when that happens.

Notes:

Hey, this was inspired by the prompt words scream, grandfather, wrong, as supplied by the @sterekdrabbles blog over on tumblr, and by something that happened to me in real life shortly after my grandfather passed away. Could possibly be read as a sequel to Part 72 of this series, Wedding Rings and Waiting Rooms, but doesn’t have to be. As is probably to be expected in a story dealing with grief, it’s a little melancholic, but I hope there’s some comfort in there too. xxx

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

When Stiles returned from the store empty-handed, trembling, eyes screaming his distress, Derek went to him immediately.

“What’s wrong?”

“Stupid juice!” 

“What?”

“Dad’s favourite juice was on sale. I thought I’d get him some, then...”

“Then you remembered he’s gone.”

Stiles nodded. “It’s not fair!” he yelled. “He’s supposed to be here! He’s supposed to get to be a grandfather, maybe even a great-grandfather! He’s not supposed to be dead!” 

His face crumpled as the anger subsided.

“And now there’s nothing left of him. He’s just… gone.”

“Not true,” Derek murmured, cupping Stiles’ cheek. “Part of him’s always right here.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading. As I mentioned in my earlier note, this was inspired by a real life incident where I went into our local shop not too long after my grandfather had died and the first thing I saw was a display of his favourite fruit juice on special offer. I was actually reaching for one of them when I remembered he was gone. It was all I could do not to cry right there in the shop. The ending, however, is inspired by the fact that sometimes my uncle will tilt his head a certain way or my brother will laugh that great big belly laugh of his and I’ll see and hear my grandfather in both of them. Anyway, I’m just making myself sad now so I’ll shut up!

If you feel like sharing your thoughts on the story please feel free to do so, either here in the comments section or over on tumblr where I’m also known as novemberhush. Take care of yourself and if it’s safe for you to do so then give someone you love an extra squeeze tonight. xxx