Chapter 11
Stiles lunged forward towards Natasha, trying to land a hit and quickly felt his center of gravity switch as she fell backwards, kicking her feet up, feet landing squarely on his chest as she threw him backwards.
He felt the breath flow out of him when he was thrown into the air, landing hard against a body that had not been there last time he checked. It thankfully stopped him from landing on the ground in a heap.
Natasha grinned at the man who was holding Stiles in his arms. “Nice catch Barton, perfect timing.”
Barton placed Stiles back on his feet and Natasha came over. “Stiles, meet Clint Barton. Clint meet Stiles Stilinski, Steve and I’s new pet project.”
Stiles rolled his eyes before shaking Clint’s extended hand. “Nice to meet you Clint. Natasha please tell me you don’t plant to have hawkeye teach me how to use a bow and arrow. I once almost shot someone with a crossbow. I don’t look forward to repeating the experience.”
They both chuckled before Natasha finally spoke. “Getting him to teach you isn’t a bad idea.
Stiles sighed. “It’s your funeral if I accidentally shoot you in the leg with an arrow”
He turned away mumbling. “I used to be an avenger, and then I took an arrow to the knee.”
Clint snorted, clearly getting his reference. “I like him. Are we ready to head out for paintball?”
Stiles perked up at that. “So that’s why he’s here. He’s your plus one. This is going to be awesome. Just try not to kill anyone we are pitted against. We already have a way unfair advantage on everyone else.”
Clint and Natasha’s eyes met and they grinned and Stiles stilled. “I don’t like that look, what did you do.”
Natasha grinned. “I may have mentioned to a few of our SHIELD buddies that we were taking you and Nick out and they asked to join. So we won’t just be playing against teenagers.”
Stiles gaped. “So we are going to be going up against trained super spies? Nat are you trying to get us killed?”
Natasha snorted patting his back. “Don’t worry Stiles. You are a better shot than half the guys there and they have been in the field for years and I know you and Nick spar at least twice a week and he’s getting is own self-defense training and target practice in. Now we just need to see how you deal under pressure. It’ll be fun. Besides, we have Cap, Clint, me and Tony on our team. You and Nick will be fine.”
Stiles opened his mouth but closed it when Steve walked in, Nick in toe. “I come bearing friends!”
Nick grinned, eyeing the gym with a whistle. “So this is where you’ve been training. It’s so vintage, I love it.”
Stiles grinned, showing Nick around and then hopping into the ring for practice while waiting for Tony to show up. Natasha, Steve and Clint throwing suggestions and comments.
When Tony walked in, he rushed to the TV, clicking it on. “Cap you need to see this.”
Everyone made their way to the television where an announcer was speaking, photos of Steve at his Safe Spaces talk, flashing on screen. “Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America spoke at the well-known New York LGBTQ group, Safe Spaces. He spoke to the teenage support group, where photos were then posted by attendees all over social media. “
Steve raised a brow as they discussed the meaning behind him speaking to the kids, if he was an ally or gay himself. “What’s the big deal, It’s not like I care what the public things about my sexuality, let them talk.”
Tony shook his head. “Keep watching.”
The next photos made Steve stiffen in outrage and Stiles blood chill. “After the talk, Steve Rogers was spotted at a vintage diner looking pretty cozey with this unknown young man. After they were seen entering Steve Rogers apartment building and the unknown man was only seen exiting the apartment building the next morning. Maybe the rumors of Captain America’s fluid sexuality are reality? Let us know what you think on our twitter feed.”
Stiles pointed to the screen, trying not to yell. “How the hell did they get those shots? We were seriously tailed by a paparazzi and now everyone thinks we’re dating!? You are so lucky we are in New York, the age of consent is 17 here. If we were back in Beacon Hills you would be screwed buddy. ”
Tony snorted. “Kid, tell that to your dad when he sees this on the news.”
Stiles grabbed his phone so fast, it nearly flew out of his hands, turning his back to everyone and dialing his dad’s cellphone number, letting it ring until his dad answered the phone. “Dad, listen. I want to prepare you for what you might see on the news. Yes… That’s what I meant… No dad, we are not actually dating. Dad, I am not dating Captain America. Dad, I know you blew me off the first time I tried to come out and you are trying to be super supportive right now, even if he is much older than me but trust me dad. I am not dating Steve. No I am not dating Nick either. I’m not dating anyone dad, If I was I would tell you immediately. I love you too dad”
He hung up and turned to see everyone staring back at him with varied expressions from smug amusements, grins to Steve’s surprised gape. “What? My dad has a bad heart, the last thing I needed was for him to get a shock and get a heart attack.”
Tony snorted. “Your dad sounds like he is going to be fine. So what are we doing about this? It won’t take long for the media to find out who Stiles is and that could put him at risk. Do we call for a press conference and speak out publicly explaining what the situation is? Maybe we should have Stiles give a statement.”
Steve shook his head. “We are not getting Stiles involved in this.”
Stiles stiffened. “Excuse you? I’m already involved if you hadn’t noticed my face plastered all over the news.”
Steve opened his mouth to argue but Tony cut him off. “Kid is right. He’s a man now and has the right to plead his case.”
Jarvis spoke from Tony’s phone, once again cutting off Steve’s reply. “Excuse me, Sir. Ms. Potts is on the line and demanding to be put through, it involves the news debacle that Stiles is involved in.”
Tony sighed. “Put her through on speaker.”
Pepper’s voice could be heard clearly, quivering in outrage. “Have you seen the news Tony? Something needs to be done and soon! We need to set up a press conference and clear the air before this explodes and puts Stiles at risk. If he’s comfortable it would be best if he actually gives a statement too. If we hide him people will think that there is a reason we are hiding him. He needs to give a statement but he does not answer any questions. He’s not trained for that yet, we can play the age card if we need to for that.”
Tonys eyes met Steve’s, lip quirking lightly. “You heard the woman, if anyone knows how to diffuse a blowout it’s Pepper, she’s done it plenty of times for me. Pepper, do whatever needs to be done to make this happen. Think we can get it as soon as tomorrow?”
Pepper was silent a moment, the noise of a keyboard clacking before she finally spoke. “I will get in touch with Phil and try to contact Bruce and Thor. If we make this an avenger’s thing, announcing their stance against discrimination and confirming their stance as Allies, it might diffuse the situation and take attention away from Cap and Stiles. I’ll get them both flown over on the private jet if needed.”
Tony Grinned. “You are the best Pepper. We are in your hands, just tell us when and what to say. We are about to head out for paint ball now. Let Phil know we expect him there or I’m formally adopting Stiles and I’m building him a suit.”
Pepper said her goodbyes and Tony clapped his hands. “Alright, let’s ignore that shit show and have fun pelting people with paint balls shall we?”
Everyone was herded into vehicles and they made their way to the indoor paintball arena.
Phil was there when they arrived, his concerned gaze not leaving Stiles until he was wrapped in his arms in a big hug. “You alright?”
Stiles huffed but returned the hug just as tightly. “I’m fine Uncle Phil.”
They separated and Phil smiled. “I spoke to Pepper, you’re in good hands. We will have a press conference tomorrow to deal with this. For now, let’s go have some fun with everyone.”
The first few games were fairly easy, being pitted against mostly teens. Most of them took the loss pretty well, mainly happy at the fact that they had played against the majority of the avengers.
The final team they were pitted against had no teenagers in sight and Stiles knew this must be the agents of Shield that Natasha had mentioned.
He eyed the group, noticing two very familiar faces and everything finally snapped into place as Sky winked at him and May just smirked.
Stiles pointed to his Uncle, voice cracking as he tried not to scream in triumph. “I knew it! You’re an agent of SHIELD!”
Tony, Natasha and Steve face palmed, hiding their grins and Phil just gave Stiles his mysterious smile he always did when Stiles confronted him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about Stiles.”
Skye was the one to finally speak up, grinning. “Oh he’s not just an agent of SHIELD, Stiles. Meet Phil Coulson, Director of SHIELD.”
Stiles eyes bugged out in shock before he finally smirked. “Man I called it when I was eight.”
Everyone chuckled and Natasha quickly called the rules. “Basically, there were no rules and first team to take out all the members of the other team wins.”
Both teams went to their starting area, discussing tactics as they went.
When they arrived, everyone grabbed their guns, Barton moving to a case he had placed against the wall.
Opening it he pulled out a quiver and bow, causing Tony to snort. “Really Clint?”
Clint shrugged. “It’s an Airow gun. It’s been inspected and I was given green light to use it. The bow is my weapon of choice. I wasn’t going to waste this baby on teenagers since I modified her myself but since we now have a challenge, I figured I’d get to take her out.”
Everyone chuckled at this and then Phil called everyone over into a huddle. “Alright, we need to pair up into teams and spread out. Natasha, you need to take out May as fast as you can she is the biggest threat. Clint get up high and do your thing. Nick you’re with me, Cap you’re with Stiles. Nat you’re with Tony. Speaking of which, Tony did you bring any of your toys with you?”
Tony grinned. “You said there are no rules so I brought toys. The outfit pretty much works like my suits. The visor does calculations and aims, the gloves shoot and so does my shoulder pads. I also have Paint ball grenades with huge splatter radius. Guys if I give the signal, get out of the blast radius because you will get splattered.”
He started passing around headsets. “New communication devices I came up with. Stick those in your ear and the whole team can communicate together.|
Phil grinned, a twinkle in his eye. “Alright, everyone spread out and let’s win this thing.”
Stiles and Steve made their way around the a few barricades before they barely dodged bullets by a grinning Skye.
Stiles quickly shot back, bright neon yellow appearing right in the middle of her chest.
Stiles and Cap high fived each other before moving forward once again.
Communication in their ear helped them keep track of what was happening as they made their way deeper into enemy territory.
May and Natasha had apparently had a pretty even fight before Natasha had successfully taken her out.
Phil and Nick had been taken down and Tony in retaliation had thrown a grenade which had not only hit three of the opposite team but him and Natasha as well, causing them to be out of the game.
This left Tony, Clint and himself in the game as well as two SHIELD players.
Turning the next corner they came face to face with one of the players who opened fire with his semi-automatic.
Steve, being the self-sacrificing bastard that he was threw himself over Stiles, taking all of the bullets.
Possibly being way too much into the game, Stiles retaliated with barely contained rage and extreme precision when he managed to get himself out from under Steve, smacking the man right smack in the middle of his visor.
When he was downed, Stiles saw the last remaining player turn the corner and Stiles ran towards him in a dead run, throwing himself down in a slide when he opened fire, bullets whistling inches from his face and managing to grab a hold of his leg to pull him down.
They grappled before his opponent managed to get out a handgun, aiming it for Stiles head.
Before he could pull the trigger he heard a loud THWACK and a groan from his opponent as Clint shot him in the back with his bow before jumping down to help Stiles up.
Clapping Stiles on the back he grinned. “Good job kid. That was fun; now let’s get back to the team.”
Stiles laughed. “That was the most fun I've had in a long time.”
Clint grinned, slyly. “You sure? No dates or anything worth mentioning?”
Stiles scoffed. “Please, who would date a scrawny kid like me?”
He raised a brow at the teen. “Kid, you’re not scrawny. I know a few guys and girls that I’m sure would love to have a good time. I can set you up.”
Stiles shook his head laughing. “If you want to play matchmaker, why don’t you set up my Uncle Phil with someone.”
Clint snorted. “Natasha and I took care of that years ago.”
He frowned confused. "What? I've never seen Uncle Phil with anyone"
Clint blinked a few times, jaw going slack before he quickly rushed away with a quick. “Oops.”
Stiles called out after him. “What do you mean Oops? Clint? Clint!”
Stiles rushed over to the group who clapped his shoulder, congratulating him on the job well done.
He smiled and nodded taking the praise, biding his time until he could pull his uncle away from the group.
When he finally did Phil smiled at him. “What is it Stiles?”
Stiles looked his Uncle straight in the eye. “Alright Uncle Phil, I get the secrecy about SHIELD and I honestly have no issues with that. But what did Clint mean when he said that he and Natasha took care of setting you up with someone years ago? I've never seen you date anyone since I've been here.”
Phil smiled ruefully. “I figured it would come up eventually. I didn't tell you at first because most people don’t react very well to our kind of relationship and it was more important to me that you feel safe, comfortable and happy. I didn't want to force my relationship onto you.”
Stiles frowned. “What is it? Are you gay? Cause you know I have no issues with that.”
Phil smiled, shaking his head. “It is and it isn't. You see, Clint, Natasha and I are in a polyamorous relationship together.”
Stiles was silent in shock for a moment, absorbing the information. “So you are all dating each other?”
Phil nodded, waiting for a reaction from Stiles.
He looked his uncle straight in the eye before asking. “Do they make you happy? Do they treat you well?”
Stiles saw the genuine smile spread across his face, that sparkle he had only seen in his father’s eye when his mother was alive, before he answered. “More than I can ever describe.”
Stiles pulled his Uncle into a tight Stilinski hug, because this deserved it more than anything else. “If you’re happy, Uncle Phil, that’s all that matters to me.”
His Uncle hugged him back tightly before they were interrupted by Tony calling out. “Come on guys, we’re going out to eat Shawarma to celebrate!”
They separated, and Phil kept his arm around his nephew as they once again rejoined their team, ready to join in the celebrational feast, the SHIELD team obviously invited to come along.