Spoilers for 3/10. All of them.

[runboyrun]

...

Well, that collectively kicked all of our asses. And I think it's not too much of a stretch to say, mine more than most.

...Not as much as Scott's, but...

[He rakes his fingers through his hair.]

I don't- I know I've said this before, but I can't. My Dad is still missing, and now Scott's Mom is too, and Scott is gone. He's with them. The bad guys. And I just-

...

Comments

[runboyrun]

Yeah, that're pretty much exactly what it means. Like... being dealt a royal flush. I guess? That's sort of the idea of rolling a twenty.

Dude, that is the opposite of help! God, one of these days I need to make you watch Buffy. There's this whole subplot in season seven revolving around motivational speeches and keeping the team hopeful.

[sassiopath]

We can't help it, I suppose. Naturally amazing.

So I'm expected to give motivational speeches now? We know this isn't going to end well, right?

[runboyrun]

Yeah, and that modesty is just so attractive.

Not full-on motivational speeches, that's sort of Derek's job. Just a pat on the shoulder and a "You're not gonna die" is better than the doom and gloom.

[sassiopath]

...Are you looking for traits of mine to find attractive? Oh my, Stiles. You flatter me.

You're not going to die. Of most in this town, I believe it of you as much as I do myself.

[runboyrun]

Haha, like you don't do a good enough job of flattering yourself.

Not that I don't appreciate it, but there are others who could use that affirmation way more than me.

[sassiopath]

Until I can find someone else that does it as well, I have little choice but to do it myself.

I don't have as much faith in them living as I do you.

[runboyrun]

Maybe if you did it less, other people would do it more.

Dude, the ones least likely to survive are the ones who need affirmation the most. Even if you're lying, at least you give them hope. And that can be a pretty powerful motivator.

[sassiopath]

You really believe that? No. They're too busy painting me as the villain, Stiles. I'm okay with that though.

So you'd rather I lie to people about living? You know you're about as grey as I am, don't you?

[runboyrun]

Yeah, I'd rather you lie. If you're gonna send people skipping off merrily into the jaws of death - by which I mean if someone is, not you, specifically - isn't it better they think they stand a chance?

[sassiopath]

What if I believe we only stand a chance if we're fighting for our lives? If you think you'll survive because someone else believes you will, will you fight as hard? Will you do as much as you must?

It's why prophecies are horrible things. They give false hope.

[runboyrun]

If you think it's hopeless, you just give up anyway. If the only possible result is death the easiest option is not to fight at all. You have to make them believe they have a chance, at least.

[sassiopath]

They're not going to believe me, Stiles. They'll think I'm fattening them up for the kill. You and I both know that.

[runboyrun]

That's why you use subtlety. Lay off the "there's no point, you guys are dead" talk and just... be a rock.

[sassiopath]

Right. Rock. Sure.

Even if I wasn't entirely wrong, and was right in the long run. Just saying.

[runboyrun]

It doesn't matter if you're wrong. It doesn't matter if you're lying through your teeth. Give them something to believe in, and it'll still be a better death than just giving up.

[sassiopath]

You don't give up. You have pack. You never give up on pack. Even when you kill them. You're missing that point. I am there for them because they're pack.

If you bring her up, I will get a rolled up paper and smack you with it.

[runboyrun]

You're missing the point that half of the Pack are- were just dumbass kids. They were scared, so they ran. They didn't grow up in a Pack like you did, they didn't know how it works.

[sassiopath]

And they're learning. Well, Isaac's learning. I'm actually impressed with him.

[runboyrun]

He's learning because that's how Scott works. And if anyone can make you wanna stick around and fight the good fight, it's Scott.

[sassiopath]

Sure. Maybe that. Oh wait. Not me. I mean, he's all that and a bag of chips, sure but he's not a leader. Natural is not the same as leader.

[runboyrun]

Oh god no. Scott can't even find his ass with both hands and a map, most days. I mean, sometimes he has some really great ideas, but...

He's more like a figurehead or something.

[sassiopath]

Which isn't going to keep them alive.

[runboyrun]

Not by itself, no, but you know what they say about hope.