A/N: This story is set in the same story universe as "Liam Dunbar: Cuddlewolf Extraordinaire" s/12358217/1/Liam-Dunbar-Cuddlewolf-Extraordinaire and takes place some time after chapter 4 of that story. However, it's not necessary to read that story first. The only real background info you have to know is that Isaac is back and Liam and Corey are friends now, but that's pretty much said outright in this chapter anyway. That said, you should totally go read "Liam Dunbar: Cuddlewolf Extraordinaire." It's a bit funnier and lighter than this story and the chapters are really short anyway, but both stories are meant to be humorous and fluffy. This one's just a bit heavier on angst and hurt/comfort.
Not Invisible
Chapter 1: Scott & Isaac
Corey didn't want to be part of the pack, so it didn't matter that they were ignoring him. At least that's what he told himself as he sat in an armchair away from the group while everyone else cuddled on or around the couch.
It was 'pack night' at Scott's house, which as far as Corey was concerned wasn't even really a thing. They had 'pack night' at least three times a week on varying days, so it was silly to act like it was this special event if they insisted on doing it all the time. Besides, not everyone in the pack was even here. Liam and Hayden were out with Brett, which was making this particular 'pack night' even lonelier than usual for Corey. Hayden had been in the chimera pack with Corey, and as a result they had forged a distinct bond from that madness. Liam by contrast had been a raging dick to Corey at first, but lately things had changed for the better. Liam had changed for the better, and he was actually being really nice and affectionate now. Apart from Mason, Liam and Hayden were the only two people in the pack who ever noticed Corey. Corey might as well have been spending 'pack night' actively invisible for all the attention anyone else was paying him, except Mason of course.
Mason. Corey's chest fluttered and he brushed his socked foot against Mason's leg. Mason looked up at him and smiled as he rubbed Corey's ankle.
"Are you sure you don't wanna come sit down here with me?" Mason asked, giving him an adorably hopeful look that almost had Corey reconsidering.
Almost. Corey glanced at the free spot next to Mason on the floor where he had managed to sit for all of three minutes before making an excuse and moving to the armchair. The spot was between Scott's legs, and no, Corey definitely didn't want to sit there.
"I'm fine here," Corey answered.
"Then I'll come to you," Mason said, giving Corey the full force of his brightest smile as he shifted to stand.
Isaac made a whining noise in the back of his throat and squeezed Mason's shoulder with the hand that had already been resting there. "Nooo, you're my foot warmer."
Mason laughed. "I'm sure you'll be okay."
"Stay," Isaac requested in a voice that was far too flirtatious for Corey's liking as he moved his hand and brushed fingers against Mason's neck. "Corey doesn't mind, do you Corey?"
That was maybe the fifth time Isaac had ever spoken directly to him and the first time he had ever addressed him by name. Corey was mildly surprised Isaac had even bothered learning his name.
"It's fine," Corey answered, fighting the swell of jealousy in his chest and mindful to avoid picking a fight with his alpha's...boyfriend? Corey couldn't be sure. It was hard to tell who was with who in that little group. All he knew was that pissing off Isaac would be a quick way to draw negative attention from Scott, and Corey couldn't risk doing that again.
"Ssshh, I'm trying to watch the movie," Malia snapped, adding a soft growl. She was on the floor between Lydia's and Scott's legs, draped all over them and leaning her head back against Stiles' side. Stiles was lying lengthwise across Lydia's, Scott's, and Isaac's laps.
Corey sighed. It seemed like they were showing off, flaunting their closeness in Corey's face. The only trouble with that theory was that none of them but Mason even seemed aware of his presence. Isaac had spoken to him, but Corey was pretty sure the werewolf had already forgotten he existed.
"I'm going to the restroom," Corey whispered in Mason's direction. He needed some time by himself properly alone, not just alone in a room full of people who were supposed to care about him but didn't – he could go home and be with his parents if he wanted that.
By the time Corey returned a few minutes later the movie was over and everyone was up and shuffling around. Corey was frustrated but unsurprised to see Mason chatting with Scott. Mason actually liked and trusted Scott. Corey on the other hand was just biding his time until Scott and the older pack members graduated and left. He was cautiously optimistic that next year might be better with just Mason, Liam, and Hayden around, plus wherever Brett fit into the picture, but Brett wasn't that bad.
Corey pretended to be interested in his phone as he leaned against the wall waiting for Mason to finish talking to Scott. Did anyone even buy his act, believe that he had someone to text with? Mason was here in the room and although Corey was relatively close with Liam and Hayden, they seldom bothered to text him.
Corey tried to stay calm as Isaac approached him, a cheeky smirk on his handsome face.
"Sorry, I monopolized your boyfriend tonight. He's just so cuddly," Isaac said, and Corey had no idea whether Isaac was legitimately being nice or if he was rubbing it in Corey's face that he had snuggled with Mason.
"It's fine," Corey answered, not quite making eye contact as he spoke.
I guess having Scott and Stiles wrapped around you isn't enough, so sure go ahead and also take the only person who gives a shit about me.
Isaac's smirk softened into something more gentle and Corey tried not to stiffen as Isaac leaned in and wrapped him up in a hug.
"I'm gonna go upstairs and shower, so in case you're gone when I get out, thanks for coming and I'll see you later."
Corey sighed and tried not to melt too shamelessly into Isaac's embrace. With the exception of Mason and sometimes Liam, Corey didn't get much physical affection, and werewolf hugs were indisputably awesome. Like Liam, Isaac was warm and absurdly strong and solid, but unlike Liam the height difference had Corey cradled against Isaac's chest, and it made Corey feel tingly and safe.
When Corey made no move to let go, Isaac laughed and squeezed the back of Corey's neck. "Next pack night you can sit on my lap."
Corey felt himself blushing as he pulled back, trying to brush off the comment and pretend he wasn't imagining it.
"Night," Corey mumbled as they separated, any resentment he had for Isaac earlier in the evening effectively quelled.
"Ready to go?" Corey asked Mason as he and Scott strolled over to him. Corey was nervous. Did Mason mind that he had hugged Isaac? Did Scott?
Mason opened his mouth to answer but Scott spoke first, addressing Corey. "Actually will you hang back? I wanna talk to you about something."
"Uhh..." Corey looked to Mason for help only to find a smile on his face that was half-apologetic, half-sly. He was up to something, and suddenly Corey was very curious about what Mason and Scott had been discussing.
"It's okay. I'll call you later," Mason said, kissing Corey and then joining Malia and Lydia by the door.
Mason and the girls said one more round of goodbyes and then they were gone, followed by Stiles a little while later once Scott had helped him find his shoes, which he had somehow not only lost, but lost in two separate parts of the house. Scott didn't say it outright, but Corey was pretty sure Scott's strategy for finding the missing sneakers was to sniff them out. Werewolves were weird.
"Let's go up to my room," Scott said to Corey once they were alone.
Corey's eyes widened and he felt a twinge of panic. Scott's room wasn't exactly Corey's happy place. If he never set foot in it again it would be too soon.
"It's okay," Scott said, his hand on Corey's elbow to guide him. "You're safe."
Corey certainly didn't feel safe, especially with Scott's hand on him, which also didn't have the best associations for Corey. He wanted to ask that they stay in the living room, or maybe see if they could compromise and go to Isaac's room or something, but Scott was the alpha and the last thing Corey wanted to do was piss him off, so he reluctantly went upstairs with Scott to his room.
"Take a seat," Scott said, motioning to his bed.
Corey swallowed and did as he was told. He reminded himself that even if Scott didn't like him, at least he wasn't like Theo, at least he probably wouldn't kill Corey and take his power.
"Is this about Isaac?" Corey asked, scooting away on the bed as Scott sat next to him.
"Isaac?" Scott's brow furrowed. "What about him?"
"Are you mad because I hugged him? I know he's your..." Corey's cheeks burned. He didn't know how to finish that sentence and didn't want to say the wrong thing and offend Scott or look stupid. "Isaac."
Scott grinned and chuckled. "He is my Isaac, but he's also the pack's Isaac. So you can hug him or whatever" –he waved his hand and let the implication hang in the air for a moment before continuing– "whenever you want. I mean as long as he's into it too."
"Uhh..." Corey would definitely need to talk to Mason before doing whatever with Isaac, and would Isaac even be interested in doing whatever with him? Wait, did that mean he would have to let Mason do whatever with Isaac too? Ooh! What if we all did whatever together?!
"You still with me?" Scott asked, waving a hand in front of Corey's face.
"Sorry," Corey said, returning his attention to Scott and still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Anyway, Mason said you were feeling left out of pack nights, or I guess just left out of the pack in general?"
Corey felt a stab of embarrassment and a flare of betrayal. "He told you that?"
"Don't be mad." Scott's hand was on his arm. "He's just trying to look out for you."
"I'm fine."
Scott shook his head. "I don't think you are, and I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner."
"Really, I'm fine," Corey answered, nervous about the focused way Scott was looking at him. "Please, just forget about it."
Scott tilted his head and sniffed the air. He frowned. "Are you afraid of me?"
"No," Corey answered, but even he could tell his heart rate was speeding up.
"Dude, why would you be afraid of me?" Scott asked, genuine surprise in his voice. Scott moved his hand from Corey's arm to his shoulder and Corey jumped. Scott's hand was much too close to his neck. "What is it?"
Corey folded his arms and glared, letting anger displace some of his fear. "You seriously don't know, do you? My feelings are that irrelevant to you, aren't they?"
"Of course your feelings aren't irrelevant to me. You're part of the pack." Scott had the decency to look abashed as he continued, "But I don't know what I did."
Corey didn't want this conversation to continue. He held up his hands and backed up as much as he could without falling off the bed. "I don't need to be part of the pack at all. I was just trying to do it for Mason's sake. Let's just stay away from each other."
"What?! No!" Scott got a wild look on his face that sent a shiver of fear up Corey's spine and when he reached for Corey's arm again, Corey jumped off the bed.
"Stay back!" Corey shouted, still holding up his hands and aware of the panicked edge in his voice.
"Dude, I would never hurt you," Scott said, climbing off the bed but keeping his distance as requested.
"You already did!" Corey shouted.
Realization flashed across Scott's face. "This is about the time I tapped into your mind isn't it?"
"Yeah," Corey said, folding his arms and latching onto his anger, emboldened by the apologetic look Scott was giving him, "the time you performed a dangerous and painful procedure on me without my consent and forced me to relive the time a bunch of lunatic doctors performed an even more dangerous and painful procedure on me without my consent."
"I...never thought of it that way."
"Why would you?" Corey answered with a bitter sneer.
"I was desperate to find Liam and Hayden."
"I know. They matter to you and I don't. Got it."
"Corey, that's not true at all," Scott answered, taking a half-step forward. Corey took a full step back in response. "You weren't part of the pack then, but I-I would be just as freaked out if something happened to you today, just as frantic to find you."
"Yeah right." Corey rolled his eyes. "Don't lie to me. Just admit you don't care."
"I do care." Scott was a good actor. The hurt, kicked-puppy expression he wore almost looked genuine. "I promise I care. I was just trying not to push you because..."
Corey raised his eyebrows, curious what Scott was going to say, what he could possibly say to justify ignoring Corey for all this time.
Scott continued in a lower voice, "Because I know about your situation. I know your parents abuse you."
"They've never laid a hand on me!" Corey snapped, anger pulsing through him. Scott didn't get to stand there and talk about his parents. He didn't know shit about Corey's family life.
"Emotionally," Scott answered, face gentle. "They may not hit you, but the way they make you feel is still abuse."
"What is it when you do it?" Corey retorted, hating how vulnerable he felt and hoping to sting Scott.
It worked. Scott looked like he had been visibly slapped by the remark. "I never meant to make you feel like you didn't matter. I wanted to give you your space and wait for you to come to me."
"That's stupid," Corey answered, no longer sure what to think. "Even if that's true, why would you think that was a good idea?"
Scott opened his mouth but a voice from the doorway cut him off.
"Probably because that's what I needed."
Isaac was leaning against the door frame. His hair was still damp from his shower and he wore a baggy t-shirt and loose pajama pants. He looked physically comfortable, but the discomfort in his voice was obvious when he spoke. "Sorry, werewolf hearing. Didn't mean to eavesdrop," he said, glancing between them. Then his gaze settled on Corey. "My dad used to abuse me. Really fucked with my head when it came to trusting people."
Isaac walked into the room and slid his arms around Scott's waist, pressing their heads together and smiling at him before he continued, "Scott was the first person I learned to trust again, and it was only because he waited for me to come to him."
"I...never knew that," Corey said, fighting the urge to vanish. Things were getting too heavy in this room.
Isaac raised his hands to Scott's face and kissed him. Then he turned and crossed the short distance to Corey.
Corey wanted to step back but he was starting to like Isaac and after finding out what he had just found out, he didn't want to risk making him feel rejected, so he allowed it when Isaac gently gripped his wrist and made eye contact with him.
"I admit I'm probably a little biased, but Scott's pretty much the nicest person in the world. He'd never have hurt you on purpose and if anyone deserves a second chance it's him."
Corey felt like protesting. He wanted to point out that just because Scott cared about Isaac didn't mean he cared about Corey, but Scott was looking at him with such hopeful eyes that it was hard to believe he didn't care. Besides, things had turned out pretty well when Corey had given Liam a second chance, and Mason was going to stay in the pack regardless, so if Corey left it would only make things more complicated and difficult for Mason.
"Okay," Corey said with a shrug.
Isaac's and Scott's faces both lit up, and Isaac pulled Corey in for another tight hug. This time Isaac was even warmer and smelled minty from his shower. At this rate, the Isaac hugs alone might make forgiving Scott worth it.
"I'll let you guys talk," Isaac said, squeezing Corey one more time before letting go and walking out of the room.
Scott sat back down on the bed and looked expectantly at the space next to him.
Corey gave him a cautious smile and rejoined him.
"I screwed up really bad and I never apologized."
"You just did," Corey answered.
"But I don't really feel like that's good enough now that I know how it made you feel. I'm so sorry I didn't realize sooner. I don't know how I didn't notice."
Corey laughed but without humor. "People never notice me. I guess that's why I got the ability to turn invisible. I basically already was."
Scott swallowed and put his hands on Corey's shoulders. This time Corey didn't flinch.
"You're not invisible anymore and I promise you never will be again."
Corey snickered and vanished.
Scott laughed and pulled Corey's invisible body closer. "Not what I meant," Scott whispered into his ear.
Corey giggled and reappeared. He tentatively wrapped his arms around Scott, hugging him for the first time.
Scott made a sound of contentment and lay back, pulling Corey down onto his chest. "No more sitting by yourself on pack nights."
Corey smiled and snuggled deeper into Scott's embrace. "Don't worry, I'm planning to sit on Isaac's lap next time."
Scott chuckled and ran a hand through Corey's hair, then traced his thumb lightly over the back of Corey's neck. "He'll have to fight me for you."
Corey knew that was never going to happen, but oddly as he sighed and shut his eyes it felt like it was the Scott-and-Isaac-fighting part that was unrealistic, not the them-both-wanting-him part. Maybe pack nights weren't going to be so bad anymore.