Fanfic / Play It Again

In which Stiles goes along with goes along with one of Derek's plans and ends up in an alternate universe as a result. He should've known better. He did know better, actually, and that means he has no else to blame but himself.

—The Story's Summary

Play It Again is a rather popular pre-slash Sterek fanfic by metisket.

It's set in two AUs of Season 3a of Teen Wolf, but we only get to see one of those AUs in the fic, i.e. the one that the Stiles we know lands into.

In this fic, Stiles is driving, (read: speeding), away in his Jeep from Peter Hale. In another universe, Stiles is also speeding in his Jeep, but it's because he's was supposed to pick up Scott over 20 minutes ago. Suddenly, right as the first Stiles thinks he's got away, Peter Hale jumps in front of his jeep, while a deer runs in front of the second Stiles.

Both of them crash the car.

Only one of them wakes up in a hospital, in a universe that's definitely not their own.

(Not to be confused with Play It Again, Sam.)

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Play It Again contains examples of:

• Angst? What Angst?: Played for Laughs, but Derek lampshades this with Allison regarding her grandfather.
  Allison groans, sounding very big sister-like, so apparently Stiles is making progress on that front. Although...this is Allison's grandfather they're talking about dismembering. Shouldn't she be upset?
  • Stiles also almost seems to fit this trope on the outside, but he's actually very torn up about his world and what has most likely happened in it.
• Bad Future: It's Downplayed, but the universe Stiles came from is a bit farther in time than the one he jumped into. It's implied that a lot/all of this friends/family from his universe are dead.
• Blatant Lies: When Laura asks Stiles if he would care if Peter died. Everyone gives him a very judgmental look afterwards.
• Big "WHAT?!": Scott to Stiles in response to his other universe knowledge. Other characters might also count as a milder example.
• Catapult Nightmare: Stiles has one which may or may not be a vision of what happens in his original timeline after his death. When his father tries to wake up (because Stiles is screaming in his sleep), Stiles instinctively draws the combat knife he keeps nearby
• Cloudcuckoolander: True to his character, Stiles is this. And it's commented on by other characters, repeatedly.
• Comically Missing the Point: Again, Stiles. It gets to the point where he starts to confuse the entire Hale Family.
• Enter Stage Window: Just like on the show, Derek climbs in Stiles' window. Because of this, Stiles views it as completely normal, Derek (and Laura,) ....don't.
  Laura [over the phone]: Derek's at your house right now? Oh my God. Did you catch him sneaking around your yard and invite him in or something?
  Stiles: Hm? No, he climbed in my window. Why?
  Laura: He what?
• Everyone Can See It: Stiles and Derek, repeatedly. Derek is mostly the one getting the brunt of this trope from his family.
• Living Lie Detector: Discussed Trope. As with the show, Werewolves can listen to your heartbeat and detect a lie. Stiles knows this, the werewolves knows he knows this.
  Laura: Oh, of course he told me the whole story. Because Stiles is so forthcoming with information. Haha! Ha. No. Actually, I wasn't there for the show, but Mom says he apologized and claimed he was reacting to the wrong person. I don't understand him. He knows we can hear lying.
  Derek: Exactly. We know he's lying, so it doesn't count as lying. It's his way of telling you to mind your own business without actually telling you to mind your own business.
• O.O.C. Is Serious Business: When Other!Scott asks why Stiles is suddenly encouraging him to make more friends/hang out with other people.
• Magic Is Evil: Somewhat averted, but because of their lineage, plus what happened to Gerard in this universe, Allison and her dad automatically assume this.
• Morality Chain: Scott and Stiles' dad to Stiles. Stiles even somewhat Lampshades it.
• Moral Sociopathy: Stiles is a mild example. It's Played for Laughs.
  Laura [cautiously] So you don't...care if our parents die?
  Stiles: Sure, I care. Our lives would instantly get way harder if they did. Plus, I like your parents. But they're not, I don't know, they're not my problem.
  Lydia: He's kind of a sociopath, isn't he?
• Noodle Incident: Other!Stiles asked out a girl named Veronica to prom as opposed to Lydia, and that in turn apparently resulted in something humiliating happening at prom.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: To Stiles' delight, the Hale Family, who are entirely capable of dealing with the Gerard problem.
• Sarcastic Confession: It's a case of blink and you'll miss it, but Stiles briefly does this. He even Lampshades how useful the trope is for him.
  (Allison) "...Right. I've been meaning to ask, Stiles-how exactly do you know my dad?"
  "From another life," Stiles tells her earnestly. She rolls her eyes and drops it. And that is why being a sarcastic asshole is such a blessing: you don't even have to lie, and they still won't believe you.
• Shell-Shocked Veteran: Stiles' father explicitly compares his mental state to someone who's done several tours of duty.
• Ship Tease: Derek and Stiles. Considering it is Pre-Slash....
• Survivor Guilt: Stiles feels this towards his friends/family in his universe.
• The Cloudcuckoolander Was Right: In-universe example. Most of the things Stiles does/says confuse everyone, but he's still generally right about them.
• Undying Loyalty: Both Scott and Derek say this about Stiles. It's even a bit of a plot point.