Chapter 6
It had taken a week for Stiles’ burns and bruises to heal. He knew it would have taken much longer if it weren’t for the salves that his uncle had given him. He was convinced there was magic involved and no one could convince him otherwise.
He felt like he was walking on air when his uncle dropped him off at school on Friday. The stares had died down, but still not completely gone.
Nick had his arm around Stiles’ shoulder before Stiles had even realized he was there, cell phone in hand. “Selfie time, bitch!”
Stiles rolled his eyes before smiling up at the camera until he heard the shutter click. His friend had started demanding they take a selfie together every morning since the shopping expedition, adamant that if they were going to be dressing up in such expensive labels, they needed to be recording it for posterity.
They separated with Nick checking his photo with a grin. “Ah yes, the selfie game is strong in this one. Hey, do you have Facebook or Instagram? We’ve taken so many photos and I want to tag you on these.”
Stiles froze, hand going for his phone. He hadn’t touched any of his social media since he had moved away, afraid that it would make him homesick or bitter.
Was he ready to finally open it back up again? He thought of the weeks he had been here and didn’t feel the bitterness he did before when thinking of everyone he had left behind. If any of them wanted to get back in touch with him, he wouldn’t refuse them. He didn’t think things could ever be like it was before, but he was willing to be the bigger person and not completely burn his bridges.
He pulled his phone out and nodded. “Yeah, I have Facebook and Instagram. Here, let me add you.”
Logging into his Facebook, he ignored the new messages and added Nick to his Facebook and Instagram.
Nick beamed, clicking ‘accept’ on both requests on his end. “Prepare for a flood of tags!”
Stiles couldn’t help but chuckle; Nick had transformed since the bullying had stopped and they had gone shopping. He was much happier and outgoing and confident now that he didn’t have to look over his shoulder all of the time. “So, are we set for tonight?”
Nick nodded, smiling. “Yeah, remind me to thank your uncle when he picks us up, okay? I really wanted to go to Safe Spaces but I just didn’t want to go alone. I’m glad we’re going together.”
Stiles nodded, thankful that he didn’t have to go to the LGBTQ support group alone. He had always accepted his sexuality, but actually coming out and talking about it would be hard without having his friend by his side.
Nick sidled back over, nudging Stiles in the side with his elbow. “So, are you excited for your first session with Mr. America tomorrow?”
Stiles tried his hardest not to blush. “It’s Steve, not Mr. America.”
Nick grinned brightly and replied in sing-song. “That wasn’t a no.”
Stiles huffed. “I’m nervous as hell! The guy is hot, sweet, considerate, and just so beautiful I could cry. I can’t help but trip up as soon as I see him. How am I supposed to learn self-defense like that?”
Nick squealed, ruffling Stiles hair. “Awww someone is in looove. Don’t worry, if anyone can manage to overcome their crush to learn something, it’s you. I have confidence in you, buddy.”
Stiles snorted, patting his hair smooth. “Thanks, Nick.”
Nick preened before entering their first class. “You’re welcome.”
They walked into class and settled themselves into their seats, quieting down when the teacher walked in.
Stiles couldn’t help reaching for his phone when their teacher turned her back and started to write on the blackboard.
Pulling up his Facebook, he brought up his messages and surprisingly he had a few.
He pulled up Scott’s first, throat feeling suddenly tight.
“Dude, seriously? You didn’t even say goodbye? I had to hear about it from your dad when I came over to see if you were sick after you stopped answering my texts and didn’t show up to school.”
“I’m sorry I said you should move away. I thought you meant for a month or two. I really miss you man. You’re my brother and it’s just not the same without you here.”
“Stiles, please reply back! This is driving me crazy, man. We’ve never been away from each other for this long. Life just isn’t the same without you here. Even Lydia looks like she misses you. She actually asked me where you were.”
“Stiiiiiilllleeeeesssss, I miss you :’(“
Stiles snorted at the last message and Nick gave him a sideways look and shook his head.
Finally, he clicked on the reply button and wrote him back.
“Hey, buddy.
I’m fine, settling into my new life here. I’ve made some interesting friends and surprisingly really enjoying myself. I can’t say that what you did didn’t hurt me, Scott. Not just telling me to go, but everything that was leading up to it. And what hurts the most is you most likely didn’t even realize it; you were so wrapped up in Allison and fighting what you had become. I don’t know if we can go back to the way things were, but I am willing to keep in touch and see if we can still be friends. You were my brother once; and though that somehow changed, I don’t want to give up on you.”
He sighed, coming back to his message list, surprised to see he had a message from Derek. He had made him a Facebook page as a joke, telling him that they needed to be able to keep in touch with him when he wasn’t answering his phone. Apparently he had kept it.
Opening it, he was even more surprised that there was an actual small chapter. More words than he had ever heard Derek speak.
“Stiles,
I’m sorry. I was angry at Scott and what he did to me and because of that I lashed out at you. You did not deserve that and I am truly sorry. You might talk a lot and be annoying but you’re loyal to a fault and you’ve saved us more than once. You managed to hold me up for three hours in that pool when you could have let me sink and saved yourself. The Betas told me what you did for them too. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry; I don’t think that we would be better off without you.
Derek
P.S.: Scott is impossible without you here to keep him reigned in.”
Stiles couldn’t help but smile. Of course Derek would be better at communicating in the written form. Clicking respond, he quickly wrote him a message.
“Hey Big Guy,
Apology accepted. I never would have thought that you could actually form sentences with how little you talk in person! I won’t be coming back for a while unfortunately so you will have to find a way to keep him reined in by yourself. Maybe try not to order him around too much; he never had it easy with male authority figures. Try to be his friend first. It might be hard for you, but I think you can do it.”
His eyes moved up, keeping an eye on his teacher before he continued on, surprised that he had a message from Lydia.
“Really, Stiles? You just move away without letting any of us know? What the hell? I expected more of you.”
“Thank you for bringing me to him. I wouldn’t have been able to save him without you.”
He couldn’t help the small smile at the message, which was so typically Lydia, before replying.
“The move was dad’s idea after the whole going missing on the lacrosse field and coming back beat up. He freaked out a bit and sent me to live with my uncle. He sent me on the next plane out.
Anytime, Lydia. I couldn’t let you get yourself killed.”
Jackson was next, which surprised him even more than Lydia.
“Seriously? You didn’t have to move away just because you couldn’t have Lydia. I didn’t peg you for a coward, Stilinski.”
“Thank you for helping me. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you at first and sorry for the restraining order.”
He huffed rolling his eyes before answering.
“Trust me, Jackson, that is not why I moved away. I wouldn’t have left her in your claws if I had any choice about it.
And you’re welcome. Just take care of her or I will be on the next plane out to kick your ass.”
The next message was a heartfelt one from Allison.
“Hi Stiles,
I noticed I hadn’t seen you for a few days and Lydia told me you had moved away.
I just wanted to say that I am so sorry about everything. The trouble I caused, the things my Grandfather did, and that I let myself be manipulated by him.
I’m finishing this school year and then my father and I are going to visit Paris. It will give me time to think away from all of this.
I hope that you can forgive me for the things I have done and that you find happiness wherever you are.”
He swallowed tightly before hitting reply.
“Allison,
It wasn’t your fault, that grandfather of yours is a manipulative son of a bitch. He tortured me, not you.
I am not going to say that the things you did are completely forgivable. But if you truly feel horrible for what you did, take that time in Paris and find yourself. Please don’t let your family turn you into a monster like your grandfather was.
You are a sweet wonderful girl and you have the potential to do great things. Just remember that.”
The last message was from Danny of all people and Stiles had a huge grin spreading across his face.
“I noticed you were not at school for the last few days and got worried and asked around. Turns out you moved away without saying goodbye. I’ll miss your stupid questions.”
“And yes, you are attractive to gay guys; you have that twink look about you. Not my type, per say, but you would definitely turn heads at the Jungle if you wore the right clothes.”
He chuckled under his breath before replying.
“I always knew you secretly liked me!
And it’s alright, I’ll find some gay club to prowl around over here and test out your hypotheses, now that I have better clothes. My friend Nick will be flooding photos of our the new wardrobe soon, I’m sure. I always assumed everyone knew I was bisexual, but apparently not, since my uncle and my dad both sat me down. Dad for a super emotional talk about how he will always love me for me no matter what, and my uncle to let me know that he enrolled me in an LGBTQ support group and that I have no choice but to attend. I found this out because he left the pamphlet in my room.”
The bell rang, causing Stiles to jump and Nick to chuckle. “Dude, you didn’t listen to anything the teacher said.”
Stiles shrugged. “I already know everything we’re learning right now, and besides, you copied down notes and I can copy off of you, can’t I?”
Nick grumbled as they walked out of class, trying to pretend to be angry.
The day passed by fast after that, until he was being picked up Tony for his internship. They had already agreed that his internship would end at the regular time today and his Uncle would pick up Nick, before picking him up at Stark Tower, to go to Safe Spaces.
He ignored the staring as he hopped into Tony’s convertible, this not being the first time that his uncle had work and wasn’t available to pick him up for his internship. It was usually Tony who picked him up in those instances, taking a deep satisfaction in the attention it brought on Stiles when he did so.
When he was finally buckled, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and pulled it out, noticing it was a Facebook notification.
Bringing it up, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. It was a selfie that they had taken on their shopping trip. Nick and Stiles were in the front with Tony and Steve behind them smiling at the camera. Nick had put in the description box. “Shopping with the bestie and Tony Stark. Steve Rogers just happened to meet up with us at Oakley, because you know, this is my life now, thanks to Stiles.”
There were a few comments from people he assumed were Nicks friends. The newest ones were all from his friends.
Scott McCall: “WHY ARE YOU HANGING OUT WITH CAPTAIN AMERICA AND IRON MAN!?!?!?”
Danny Mahealani : “Oh man. Is Cap as hot in person as he is in pictures? Tony always looks so sharp, no surprise there. P.S.: Stiles, looking good in that suit!”
Lydia Martin: “Why in the world is Tony Stark taking you shopping? Whoever picked that suit out for you has great taste. I’m guessing it was Tony or Pepper.”
Allison Argent: “This might be the coolest thing I’ve ever seen! Stiles is hanging out with superheroes now. Good for you, Stiles, and that suit looks great on you!”
Jackson Whittemore: “Why the hell would Iron Man and Captain America want to hang out with a dweeb like you?”
Lydia Martin: “Jackson, be nice.”
Jackson Whittemore: “Nice suit. Hope you were smart enough to pick up at least a pair of Oakley’s.”
Heather Caruthers: “I have no words for how epic this photo is!”
Tony looked at him from the corner of his eye. “What’s so funny, kid?”
Stiles shook his head. “I finally logged back into my social networking and Nick tagged me on some photos; one of them is the photo we took while out shopping with you and Steve. Some of my friends are losing their minds over the fact that I was hanging out with the both of you.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, we get that reaction. I’m sure if I add you to Facebook their brains will explode.”
Stiles stared back at tony, brows furrowed in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you’re planning on adding me to Facebook.”
Tony shrugged. “Well, you’ve pretty much been adopted by Pepper, and Jarvis is already able to access most of your information. Why not add you to Facebook officially?”
Stiles snorted, shaking his head.
Arriving at Stark Towel they quickly made their way up to Pepper for his debrief of what he would be doing today.
Honestly it was just an excuse to get to say hi to Pepper and spend a few minutes with her before he had to report to whatever department he was shadowing.
Pepper smiled brightly as soon as they walked in. “If it isn’t my boys. Thank god you’re here, I needed the break.”
Tony moved forward and gave Pepper a kiss on the cheek before pulling out his phone. “Come on, Pepper, we need to take a family photo and make the people back in whatever hick town Stiles is from jealous.”
Stiles sputtered before Pepper just gently moved him between them both laughing, used to Tony’s antics.
Huddling together, Tony put his arm around the both of them so they were all in the frame of the photo and Pepper leaned in to land a motherly kiss against his cheek causing Stiles to smile softly.
After the shutter clicked, they separated laughing lightly when Tony muttered. “That’s the last kiss you get from Pepper, or I’m changing my mind on the whole adopted thing.”
He fiddled with his phone for a minute and suddenly Stiles phone suddenly exploded with notifications.
He pulled it out of his pocket, bringing up the Facebook app, frowning lightly.
He saw the photo Tony had just taken, with a caption of “Pepper took in a student for an internship at the tower. We might have accidentally adopted him. He’s okay, I guess; he doesn’t ask stupid questions like the others. I might let her keep him.”
His friends were absolutely losing their minds at the fact that not only had he met Tony Stark, Pepper Potts and Steve Rogers, but he apparently was friends with them.
There were a few celebrities who replied as well, commenting on how cute Stiles was, baffling Stiles more than anything else that had happened these last few weeks.
He noticed his dad had replied that he might be willing to share his son, but he wasn’t losing him to Tony, even if he was a billionaire.
He couldn’t help but smile at that, until something odd came to mind and he clicked on Tony’s name. “How are you on my friends list, Tony? I didn’t accept any friend requests.”
Tony just game him his best ‘bitch, please’ look and Stiles sighed lightly. “Why do I even need to ask? Of course you’d be able to hack my Facebook.”
Tony grinned patting his shoulder. “You’re learning! Good job, kid.”