Chapter Text
Scott looked up to see the last person arrive. This was the first time that he'd ever seen Derek in a suit, much less in his shifted form while wearing a suit. He, too, was shifted due to the full moon glaring mournfully down from the sky at the group. Danny and Jackson had already been waiting with Scott, staring solemnly at the ground. As Derek arrived, all four gathered in a circle around the fresh mound of dirt.
Danny, Jackson and Scott had all attended the real funeral for their friend Stiles, but it seemed right that those who actually knew the boy's brave actions should have another ceremony. They agreed to gather the night after the funeral, when Stiles would have been experiencing his first full moon as wolf, had he lived. Scott stood at the foot of the grave, with Danny and Jackson on one side of the tombstone, and Derek taking up the other.
They all bowed their heads respectfully for a moment, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. The boy in the grave had died to save them. Before he started crying, Scott spoke. "Stiles was a great person," he said, choking back tears. "In fact, he was the greatest person I've ever known. It almost seems fitting, that he should d- go as a martyr. Anything less wouldn't fit the beautiful life he led. He was a great son to his father, taking care of him after his mother died. He really put his dad first, despite the fact that he was young and in pain, too. He was a dedicated lacrosse player and a supportive teammate. He always treated the team like a family, trying to be supportive of everyone. He was also the best friend I've ever had. I owe so much to him. He was there for me whenever I needed him, never judging or condemning. I would have never been able to survive my transition into a werewolf without Stiles' guidance and help. He was the only man I'll ever love. I only wish that he'd lived long enough for me to thank him-"
Derek patted a clawed hand on his Beta's shoulder as the boy shook with tears, suddenly overcome. He spoke up, trying to lighten his booming Alpha voice. "We all owe a debt to Stiles. He sacrificed himself so that we could live. Jack would have probably killed us if this human hadn't done everything in his ability to save us. This just shows what a committed friend and loving person he was. He gave everything so that we could go on. We owe our lives to him, as does the rest of this town. They may never know it, but Stiles has done a service for all of Beacon Hills. That is why we have to keep his memory alive. Never forget the gift that this boy has given each of us. Never take a single day for granted, because Stiles gave up the rest of his for us. To keep his memory alive, we need to continue the wonderful traits that made him so special."
Scott took over, finally able to compose himself enough to speak. "We all need to keep him in our memories. We need to keep him alive by embodying the qualities that made him such a great person. So, after tonight, laugh a little harder, because Stiles knew the power of humor in trying times. Love with no abandon, because Stiles never held back his compassion. Think a little deeper, because Stiles dedicated himself to bettering himself through knowledge. And help anyone whenever possible, because Stiles gave until it hurt without ever thinking twice."
Having finished his speech, Scott broke into sobs once more. Danny decided to say a few words as well. "I didn't know Stiles that well, but I understood more about him than he knew. We were both madly in love with wolves, and willing to die to protect them. I can understand how he was willing to play with fire, just to see it shine. He did the right thing, even though it meant facing a danger that he had no hope of overcoming. I remember… I remember once, he randomly asked me in the middle of class if gay guys found him attractive." A small, sad laugh broke through everyone's tears. "But that was just Stiles. He said what was on his mind. He was always himself, never trying to act differently from how he felt, and just asked you to like him. He just gave you all of himself and hoped that it was enough. So, that's something else that we should all do for him. Be comfortable enough with yourself to show who you really are, and screw anybody who doesn't like you for who you are."
Silence pervaded for a few seconds, the sounds of the quiet, somber night filling the ears of the four men. Jackson broke the quiet night. "I wish I could have known Stiles better. No, I knew him pretty well. I guess I wish I had treated him better. He always showed me kindness and respect, though I never reciprocated. That was just how he treated everyone; he genuinely cared about every person that he met. So, I guess that's one more thing that we can do to keep Stiles' memory. Treat everyone with dignity and compassion, even if they don't show it to you, because Stiles constantly respected everyone he came into contact with."
Derek picked up, straining once again with his overbearing Alpha voice. "Stiles and I didn't particularly get along either. We weren't exactly enemies or anything, but he seemed to be in my life a lot. At the time, I dismissed him as an obstacle to controlling Scott. Now, I think I understand. He talked about wanting to be a wolf sometimes, because he wanted our advanced abilities. He sometimes even envied Scott, but always remained supported despite his jealous feelings. He put others first. Now, I'm starting to think that he wanted to be a wolf because he always put others first. He didn't want all of these abilities so that he could be better than other people. I think he wanted to feel more secure in his life, so that he could help others. He wanted to be able to protect those he cared about. He wanted to help Scott in his struggles, protect his father, who was constantly in danger as a police officer unaware of the wolves in his town, and protect Lydia. I honestly believe that if Stiles had become a werewolf, he would have spent all of his new strength and skill helping and protecting others. With the passing of his mother, he understood what it was like to feel helpless and vulnerable, and wanted to help others feel more secure. So, maybe we could all use what abilities we have, as wolves or simply as living beings, to make other people feel better, because Stiles knew what a scary world this could be."
A heavy silence pressed down on the group. The sky shone brilliantly with innumerable stars, all of which were overshadowed by the brightness of the full moon. The headstone seemed to glow in the pale light, the words etched into the stone contrasting darkly, promising to keep the memory of the fallen boy alive. The stone seemed to look at the pack, in on the secret of how the boy beneath the ground had died to save the entire town. It seemed to look mournfully down on the earth in front of it, knowing that beneath, an unsung hero was resting, his brave deeds never to be known by those who he protected. Scott looked up at the moon, feeling as though he wouldn't be surprised to see luminescent teardrops fall from the mighty stone face as it watched them from the heavens. He howled mournfully, paying homage to his comrade. Derek raised his head, joining the boy in making a deafening chorus. Jackson and Danny joined in too, their human voices adding depth to the hymn. That night, the entire town of Beacon Hills could hear the woeful tail of their hero, unaware that they were listening to the dirge of a martyr.