Chapter 14
Stiles waved goodbye to Nick as he dropped him off at the YMCA for his self-defense lessons, pulling out and making his way towards the gym for his own lessons.
The first day of school had come and gone without incident, bullies still ignoring the both of them. They still received looks and everyone nodded to them as they went by in the halls as if they were considered part of the in crowd even though neither of them had shown interest in joining any of their clicks.
Stiles phone rang and he patched it into the Jeep with a grin when he saw it was his dad. “Hey dad, you couldn’t wait till tonight to hear about my first day of school? It wasn’t anything big. We’re still apparently popular even though we don’t hang out with any of the popular kids and none of the bullies have even looked our way. I’m just on my way to the gym to train with Steven, Clint and Natasha.”
Stiles heard the strain in his father’s voice immediately. “That’s good to hear. Listen son, I have some bad news and I’m not really sure how to break it to you.”
Stiles felt his blood run cold as his dad finally told him. “Heather was just found murdered, it’s not pretty Stiles. It’s most likely going to end up on the news and I didn’t want you to hear about it like that.”
Stiles hand moved without volition, pushing the hang-up button, his ears buzzing, a pressure starting against his temple as if his head was going to explode. He heard Jarvis as if from a distance speaking to him but his hands stayed locked tense against the wheel, unable to move.
He couldn’t breathe; he felt it coming like water rising up to swallow him whole, causing him to scratch at his throat, begging for a breath, he felt it coming, he was going to lose consciousness.
Then suddenly he felt a hand on his on arm and looked up to see Steve staring back at him with concern.
He stayed with him, talking him through his panic attack until Stiles was able breathe again, slumping into him and becoming aware that they were parked on the side of the road, a few bystanders gawking. “I was driving…How?”
Steve huffed, relief clear on his face. “Jarvis pulled the car over when he felt that you were having a panic attack and called me. Never thought I’d say it but his idea to put Jarvis in the Jeep was a good one.”
Jarvis Spoke up. “Stiles your father is frantic with worry, I have done my best to calm him but I suggest returning his call now that you are feeling better.”
Stiles huffed, removing his seat belt and shifting to the passenger’s side. “You’re going have to drive; I can’t handle it right now. Jarvis you can put my dad through.”
Steve shrugged. “I ran here so we’re good. Just sit back and talk to your dad.”
His dad came on the line yelling. “What the hell were you thinking driving while on the phone Stiles!? I thought I taught you better than that!”
Stiles flinched. “Sorry dad, I had it on speaker, I wasn’t expecting to have a panic attack. Thankfully Jarvis managed to take control of the Jeep and called Steve, he’s driving now, I’m too exhausted.”
His dad took a breath before speaking again. “Thank him for me will you? He’s a good guy, I’m glad you had friends by your side when you needed it.”
Stiles huffed. “Dad, although I do consider Jarvis a friend, you are aware that Jarvis is Tony’s AI right?”
His dad was silent in shock before choking out. “I just had a conversation with a robot?”
Stiles chuckled weakly. “Something like that. Listen dad, I’m about to pass out. I’ll call you later tonight okay? I love you.”
His dad was quick to respond with his own “I love you too.” Before they disconnected.
They drove in silence, Stiles dozing until Steve woke him up gently and Stiles saw his Uncles building standing tall behind Cap.
Steve followed him up to the Condo, ordering him to sit before heading to the refrigerator and coming back with a glass of orange juice, which Stiles took thankfully.
Sitting next to him, Steve asked gently. “Do you want to talk about what triggered that attack?”
Gently placing his glass on the coffee table, Stiles clasped his hands tightly, throat suddenly tight with unshed tears. “Dad told me that Heather was found murdered. We’ve been friends since pre-school. Our mothers were best friends. We used to take baths together.”
He shakily rubbed at his face, tears falling even as he laughed sadly. “She just turned seventeen, she messaged me last week telling me that she would have liked me to take her virginity so we wouldn’t be seventeen year old virgins anymore. “
Stiles only realized he was trembling when Steve scooped him up into his arms and Stiles tucked his head into the crook of Steve’s neck, weeping softly.
Steve’s hand gently rubbed his back, slowly calming him until he was finally able to pull away with a sniffle. “I’m sorry; I don’t usually lose it like that.”
"Never apologize to me for an honest emotion, Stiles. You can always be open with me," Steve said quietly.
Stiles glanced over and his gaze was captured by Steve's intense blue eyes. The compassion and love he saw there almost made him want to weep again.
Steve's large hand cradled Stiles cheek as they stared into one another's eyes. Neither one of them could have said who moved first but their lips met in the middle in a tender kiss. Almost chaste, the kiss more about comfort than lust.
Stiles' eyes slipped closed as he savored the sweetness of this first kiss with Steve. Slowly their lips parted and Steve's arms tightened around Stiles as he cuddled close and snuggled his head into the crook of Steve's neck.
With a deep sigh, Stiles slid into an exhausted sleep, only waking when he heard his Uncle whispering. “Natasha and Clint rushed over to get me. What happened?”
Steve whispered back, his hands tightening lightly around Stiles. “His dad broke the news that one of his friends was murdered and he had a panic attack. Luckily Jarvis pulled the car over and called us, since we were nearest to him.”
Stiles heard a shutter snap and Natasha and Phil both sighed in unison before Natasha whispered. “Way to ruin the moment Clint.”
He could almost hear Clint shrugging as he replied. “Come on Nat, you know Stiles would want a picture of this for future reference. They are cute as hell right now.”
Steve sighed before shifting Stiles into his arms and getting up. “I’m going to tuck him into bed. He had a tough day and is exhausted.”
Stiles snuggled closer, feeling weightless as Steve walked to his bedroom, easily shifting him and opening the door, closing it with his foot before gently placing him on his bed and slipping his shoes off before tucking him in.
He stopped playing possum them, smiling up at Steve. “Thank you.”
Steve sat gently on the side of the bed, his hand stroking the side of his face, blushing lightly before whispering, not wanting the others to overhear. "I know you won't be giving your virginity to heather, but I want you to know that I understand. When.... IF you decide to be with me, you should know that I am a virgin too. We can have that together. I know it's unusual today. But it means a lot to me that we could be each other's first and only lovers."
Stiles eyes widened in shock. “Really? You? But.. You’re you! And just… Look at you. Y-you never? But what about Peggy… Bucky?”
Steve blushed, ducking his head. “Bucky never returned my feelings and it was a different time back when Peggy and I met. We took things slow and danced around each other. She had just agreed to go on a first date with me before I crashed the ship and was frozen. After that I never managed to connect with anyone again until you. I guess I’m different or it could just be my upbringing but I don’t develop a sexual attraction to people until I actually start developing feelings for that person.”
Stiles hummed nodding before he spoke. “You’re Demisexual. It makes sense.”
Steve’s lip quirked. “Of course you would have a name for it. It seems this generation needs to have a name for everything.”
Stiles grinned, shrugging, unrepentant and Steve brushed the hair from his forehead before leaning forward and gently kissing him once more. “Sleep well Stiles.”
Stiles yawned, wrapping himself into a blanket burrito. “Goodnight Cap.”
Steve smiled, amused, before quietly stepping out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.