Chapter 12
Clint strolled down the main street of Beacon Hills and couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like to grow up in a town like this. They'd decided that he should confront Stiles alone because the only other person who would need to be there was Bucky but the arm was a bit conspicuous and if there were werewolves around they didn't want to be picking an unnecessary fight. But he and the others were here, waiting at a safe house for Clint to give the go ahead. None of them were amused that Stiles had just left either. He knew where Stiles was - Tony had found his cellphone that had been left with his friends and off until Stiles had turned it back on upon his return. It said that Stiles was at his house, the one he'd grown up in, and that's where Clint was headed. He got there and found a blue jeep parked on the curb out front and he knew from Tony's digging that it belonged to Stiles.
He heard the front door get tugged open behind him and so turned, leaning back against the jeep to see Stiles come out, not noticing him as he pulled the door shut and locked it, sliding the keys in his pocket even as he wiped tears from his eyes. The sight had an ache forming in Clint's chest, and despite the fact that Stiles was no longer tiny nor did he need Clint's protection, he still wanted to wrap the younger man in his arms and keep him safe.
"You didn't say goodbye." He said, unable to keep silent any longer, and watched Stiles head shoot up, and there was no missing the surprise or the warm affection that filled Stiles' gaze.
"What are you doing here?" He finally asked, wiping the last tears away, but there was no embarrassment about the emotion and it surprised Clint. Few people were so comfortable showing weakness. Then he corrected himself. Few people didn't consider emotions weakness. Before Clint could answer, Stiles was speaking again. "I didn't think you guys would notice I was gone so quickly." Stiles admitted, and there was a self-deprecation to the tone that said even adult Stiles was still afraid he wouldn't belong anymore now that he wasn't young.
"Jarvis told us the second you disappeared. I left as soon as he told us." The affection warmed and Clint didn't know how he felt about how badly he wanted to just reach out.
"I didn't want you to convince me to stay." Stiles admitted. "I had to come back, I had to let them know I was okay and that's something I had to do in person."
"Stiles." Clint whipped around at the growled word and found himself facing a man probably only just older than Stiles with broad shoulders, dark hair, and that scruff that was somehow sexy despite how ridiculous it was to find something like facial hair sexy. But Clint had seen how the man's eyes had flashed blue and his gun was out before he'd even fully turned.
"Derek, stop. This is Clint." And then Stiles was there, right beside him, hand on the arm holding up the gun. "Derek's just feeling a bit over protective. He's not going to hurt either of us." Clint lowered his weapon at Stiles' touch, he remembered what Stiles had said about Derek as he'd aged, but that didn't make him feel any better about the glare the werewolf was levelling in his direction. Stiles didn't move out of his space though, hadn't removed his hand from Clint's arm, and the archer wasn't sure why he found that so comforting.
"Derek. Stop. It's fine." Derek's eyes narrowed and Clint's hand tightened on his gun which Derek didn't miss, earning a snarl. Clint felt Stiles' grip tighten and glanced over to see his eyes flash with the bright energy. "Scott." He called softly, but the name seemed to echo. Moments later, a shape was leaping down from a roof across the street and Clint realized this was another werewolf, and the way his eyes flashed red, Clint guessed this was the alpha. The one Clint assumed was Scott took in the situation with a frown, purposely stepping in between Derek and them.
"What's going on?"
"Your second's decided he doesn't like me much."
"You brought a gun to Stiles' house." Scott pointed out, though not accusingly. "And you smell like gunpowder and violence."
"Violence has a smell?" Stiles smirked at the words which earned a responding fond smile from Scott.
"You're dangerous. I'm sure you can understand why letting someone as dangerous as you near Stiles without knowing who you are would be difficult for us." Clint conceded by sliding his gun away and Scott smiled gratefully, coming forward then and offering his hand. "Clint, right? I'm Scott, by the way. It's nice to meet you. We've already heard a lot of good things." The words surprised him and he glanced at Stiles to see him blushing faintly. Stiles finally stepped back, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck and Clint missed the warmth of his hand the moment it was gone.
"Right, okay, well I mean, I think we've covered that there are no threats here so everyone can just chill." The words had Derek finally relaxing, rolling his eyes.
"As if you could ever be chill." Stiles just shot the older werewolf a look, but there was no heat behind it, and Clint couldn't help but wonder, somewhat anxiously, if Stiles would want to come back now that he was home again. Then Stiles was looking at him again and that fond amusement was there in his eyes even as he smiled.
"So where are the others hiding anyways? There's no way they let you come alone."
>>>
Clint followed Stiles into the house the others were hiding in, Scott on his heels though the alpha had convinced Derek to stay behind. Clint was a little surprised but more relieved that the first thing Stiles did was walk right up to Bucky and hug him tightly. Bucky's arms came up immediately in response and they could all hear Stiles' murmured apology. He moved to Natasha next, not even hesitating, and Clint just knew she was relieved by the action. He moved to the rest after, and he'd done it in the right order, but Clint couldn't help that ache from coming back. He wanted Stiles to be hugging him. Then Stiles was turning back, grinning at Scott despite the tears in his eyes.
"Scott, these are the Avengers." Scott's responding grin was sunshine bright and just as warm.
"Only you, Stiles." Then he turned his attention to the others. "I'm Scott, alpha of the Hale-McCaul territory."
"I'm not even remotely surprised that your best friend is an alpha." Tony all but whined, and Stiles threw him an impish grin.
"He's more than that, he's a true alpha. All that moral righteousness and shit."
"Language." Steve said before he could catch himself and Stiles burst out laughing.
"Sorry, Steve. I should have warned you, adult me has a foul mouth."
"As if Steve can talk. Shoulda heard him when we were in the army." Bucky added, and Stiles couldn't keep the smile from his face. He looked at Scott who was smiling back at him, but it was a sad smile, and he knew then that Scott had figured out what Lydia had.
"Come on. You should meet the rest of the pack." Scott said, reaching for Stiles, and Stiles moved into the touch, Scott guiding him with a hand on his back, fingertips brushing against his hip with a casual comfort that spoke of an intimacy they hadn't expected.
Clint didn't realize how tense this was all making him until Bucky's fingers were tangling with his and he looked over at him to see understanding. Stiles had been just theirs for so long now - it was hard to share that with people who'd known him even longer. Clint couldn't help but wonder if Bucky felt the same curl of jealousy in his gut at how comfortable Stiles was with the intimate nature of Scott's touch.
>>>
"Stop it." Stiles looked over at Lydia who'd found him hiding in the doorway while the pack and his heroes mingled, and rolled his eyes.
"I'm not doing anything." Now it was her turn to roll her eyes and she moved closer, tucking herself into his side, sliding her arms around his waist.
"You're beating yourself up about all of this. I'm not mad, neither is Scott."
"Yeah but what about Derek?"
"Derek can handle himself." The words had Stiles huffing out a laugh.
"Now that I know isn't true." She tilted a smile in his direction, but it was as warm as it was amused.
"You know better. What are you really upset about?" He stayed silent a moment but Lydia was patient, and the fact that they knew each other so well had his chest aching.
"Does leaving mean I'm abandoning everything we fought for? Forgetting everything we've gone through?" He met Lydia's gaze and she was reminded of just how much grief Stiles was hiding.
"You're not abandoning us. You're pack. No matter how far you go. You just have a bigger family now." He laughed and there were tears in his eyes again as he pressed a kiss to Lydia's temple.
"You always know what to say." Her smile grew wicked as she shifted so she could whisper in his ear.
"Don't think I haven't noticed the longing looks the archer is giving you. And the soldier. They're just itching to be near you." Her words had Stiles' cheeks going red but before he could escape, Scott was there on his other side, wide grin on his features.
"I like them." Scott said, having moved right into Stiles' other side to keep the conversation private. "And they clearly like you."
"What, are we back in high school now?" Stiles grumbled, cheeks still bright red. "Clint's the one who saved me." Stiles reminded them. "I was lost and scared and alone and he didn't even think twice about helping me. And Bucky - he protected me from everything. Even if it was just needing space from everyone else. They took care of me. Don't make that creepy." Scott just grinned at him, that dopey uneven grin he'd carried through the years.
"You're being obtuse." Stiles snorted from the reminder of Scott's word-a-day days. "You're back to being you again. And they've noticed." Stiles realized then what the two of them had done even as Scott's hand slid along the back of his shoulders, the other hand resting above Lydia's arm that was wrapped around his waist from the front. They'd made quite the sensual image of the three of them, what with the casual embraces and the intimacy they'd creates by speaking right into his ears. He realized all of the avengers would have noticed by now and he was actually surprised none of them had said anything. Though he supposed since he'd returned both their touches there wasn't much they could say. Before he could speak, or move away, Lydia was speaking again.
"Neither of them understand it yet. They're just getting used to each other and they just wants to be near you - but it can go that way, if you want it to." Her eyes cut away from him and back, the smirk growing. "Well, your archer doesn't know. Your soldier may have an idea." Stiles just huffed out another breath. Leave it to these two.
"Do you want it to?" Scott asked, and Stiles looked away from the two with him then, over at the others and found Clint easily. Their gazes met and he sighed, finding Bucky's gaze over his shoulder. And from the knowing look in his gaze, he had a pretty good idea of what they were talking about. God he was so screwed.
"Yeah, I think I might."
>>>
Clint was outside the Hale house, sitting on the roof above the porch, when the wolf from before, Derek, found him.
"Nice place you got." Clint said to break the silence, and Derek gave a hum.
"That tower wasn't so bad either." Clint shrugged, trying to roll away the tension but not succeeding. They sat in silence for a minute before Derek spoke again.
"He isn't going to stay with us." Clint tensed but didn't look over and so Derek continued. "The three of them have been like that almost since the beginning. Scott and Stiles have always been tactile, but after the nemeton - the Nogitsune-" and the both winced at the reminder of the demon, "Lydia attached herself to Stiles then, and Stiles had always fought viciously to protect her. The three of them - the three of them are terrifying." Derek admitted, and his voice had softened to the point that Clint had to look over, had to be able to see the wolf's mouth so he didn't miss anything. "Stiles and Lydia - they needed Scott to keep them in the light. They were both used against their will and it made them angry, and it was an ugly anger. Scott held them back. And then when it got too much for Scott, they returned the favour." Derek's eyes looked haunted now. "Stiles used to wake up screaming. He used to scream until his voice was raw. The only thing that could stop it was the two of them being there while he slept." Derek's eyes focused again and he smirked at Clint, but it was sad. "I know you want to ask, and the answer is yes, Stiles and I dated." Clint didn't miss the use of the past tense. "For a couple years, but as much as we wanted it to be, it just wasn't quite right. We were both kind of relieved when we ended things." The smirk became more mocking when Derek noticed Clint's shock but his words were still open and honest. "He isn't going to stay with us." He repeated. "He came back to say goodbye." Then Derek was leaping off the roof and leaving Clint to his thoughts.
>>>
"They know something we don't." Stiles didn't react as the super soldier came up behind him in the kitchen, leaning against the counter next to where he was stirring what could actually be called a vat of pasta sauce.
"Which they are we talking about?" Stiles asked, and Bucky shot him a look.
"The alpha, and Lydia." Stiles wondered what it meant that Bucky called Lydia by her name but not Scott and he shrugged.
"I'm used to it. Lydia hears the dead, she always knows something we don't." Bucky didn't reply right away but Stiles just continued on as he was. He knew the other would speak eventually.
"They're sad." Stiles tensed at the words and then Bucky was closer, hand on his shoulder. He relaxed marginally at the contact but it didn't make him feel any less guilty. "And you look guilty. That's why you're hiding in here." Stiles' shoulders sagged and he finally stopped stirring the pot, looking at Bucky, and Bucky couldn't help his relief at what he saw - he saw Stiles, their Stiles, but he also saw the same need for comfort the younger version had needed. He didn't hesitate then to pull Stiles in, and he knew he'd made the right choice when Stiles all but sagged against him.
"She knew." Stiles breathed, but Bucky heard him clearly. "She saw me and she knew I wasn't ever planning to stay. She knew before I did. And they're okay with it." And though he was clearly relieved, Bucky could hear the hurt.
"You think they want you to leave." Bucky surmised, and then he chuckled. He remembered this insecurity.
"It's not funny." Stiles grumbled, but rather than pull away he actually seemed to hold tighter. This was definitely still their Stiles.
"Ever think maybe they aren't telling you they want you to stay so it'll be easier for you?"
"That's exactly what they're doing. Assholes."
"Watch it, Steve's going to be getting the soap out if you keep it up." That earned a snicker.
"Did you forget that I have magical powers? I could totally get out of that." Bucky chuckled again, giving one last squeeze before letting him go, but he didn't pull away, hand resting at the base of Stiles’ neck, and Stiles was reminded of Lydia's earlier words.
"Have you talked to Clint yet?" That earned Bucky a frown and he watched Stiles run a hand through his hair, tugging a bit on it anxiously.
"Not yet. He's hiding on purpose."
"He thinks you're going to stay." That had Stiles blinking in surprise.
"Really?"
"You looked real cozy with Lydia and the alpha." Stiles just rolled his eyes.
"Don't even get me started. Assholes." And with that he turned to leave the room, feeling a tingle run through him when Bucky’s hand slipped from his skin. Right before he could leave though he turned back to offer Bucky a warm smile. "Thanks."
>>>
Stiles needed to say goodbye to the forest. He'd spent so much time in there – spent so much energy – and now their tunes were harmonic. He'd miss this forest. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and felt the moment someone else was there with him; knew exactly who it was.
“I thought you were avoiding me.”
“Why would you think that?”
“You've been hiding outside.” Stiles opened his eyes again and turned to face Clint.
“Derek talked to me.” Clint admitted, hands in his pockets as he wandered forward. He watched Stiles' expression tighten, looking guarded, scared. It was a shock to realize Stiles was afraid of what he might say. For some reason, that gave him confidence.
“Funny, I thought he was avoiding me too.”
“He wanted to tell me about Lydia and Scott.” It had Stiles' shoulders slumping.
“Look, they're my best friends – we've been through a lot together -” Stiles began, but he broke off at Clint's smirk. “Derek told you.”
“Told me you two dated too.”
“We did. For a couple of years. He's with Braedon now. She came back. Decided to settle down.” Stiles' smile was fond. “More or less.” Clint finally reached where Stiles was standing and Stiles realized how close they were standing. He could almost feel the energy between them, crackling like electricity. He couldn't help but wonder if that was why Clint needed Bucky - why maybe he did too - to diffuse that restless energy. “What else did Derek tell you?”
“That the only reason you came back was to say goodbye.” That came as a surprise to Stiles, his eyes widening.
“Derek said that? What a jerk. I was supposed to tell him, he wasn't supposed to already know.” the words were relieving, and they brought a smile to Clint's face.
“How long do you need?” Stiles just stared a moment and then the tears welled in his eyes. Clint reached out in alarm and before he'd even realized what Stiles was doing, the younger man had thrown his arms around Clint and was hugging him tightly. Clint could only return the embrace. “Stiles, what's wrong?”
“I thought you'd changed your mind.” Stiles said honestly. “I thought you might’ve changed your mind and wanted me to stay here.” Clint couldn't help but tighten his hold on the younger man.
“I don't want you to stay here.” and he realized this was the first time he'd held Stiles since he'd become an adult. It felt different, but he didn't want to let go.
“I wanted to thank you.” Stiles said, though he didn't move away. “For saving me. I – I can't really tell you how much it means to me.” Clint didn't know how to respond so he just gave a squeeze to show he'd heard.
"I'd do it all again." Clint finally managed. Stiles laughed and it was a teary sound.
"Me too." Then Stiles was pulling back, but the energy was still there, still humming along his skin. He shrugged it off, stepping away from Clint and reaching out his arms, sinking his energy into the earth around him. When he opened his eyes, Clint was still there, but there was awe in his gaze now, and Stiles knew what the archer was seeing - knew his eyes were coloured bronze, energy flickering in his irises. Then he pulled the energy back in, pulled it back within his own body, and felt the tug of the earth - of the Hale land realizing what he meant to do. He wondered if the others would understand just how sentient the land was but shook his head. It wasn't his place to explain. They would either feel it or they wouldn't. The trees groaned around the clearing, the breeze coming to caress his skin in goodbye, and when it finally settled, Stiles dropped his arms, opening his eyes again. Clint looked was looking around at the clearing, gaze sharp, and when he met Stiles' gaze again there was a question.
"It feels… sentient." He finally settled on, and Stiles couldn't help but blink. Nor could he help the dopey smile that spread across his face. Of course Clint noticed. No wonder he felt so strongly bound to these two men.
"It is."
"And it's-" he hesitated, looking around again. "Sad?" Stiles shrugged.
"Yeah. I've been in tune with the energy here for over a decade. Probably for my whole life, but I’ve only been about to hear and communicate with it for the last few years. So in a way we're the same. And it's hard to leave a part of yourself behind, or let a part of yourself go." And he made sure to smile now, so Clint would know it was okay. "But that's life. You have to move forward or nothing ever changes." Stiles took a leap of faith then, stepping forward and offering his hand. "I'm good to leave tomorrow. I've got to officially announce that I'm leaving and then everyone's gonna want to have one last puppy pile before I ship out plus we wouldn't want to miss breakfast because I make the best waffles ever and I saw all the ingredients in the kitchen earlier. But after that? We could go back?” He realized he was rambling, wondering if Clint would take his hand or not, wondering if maybe he'd misread this, but then Clint took his hand, linking their fingers together with a smirk.
"How could I say no to free waffles?" And Stiles let out a laugh, releasing the breath with it he hadn't realized he'd been holding. When they left the trees and found themselves back on the Hale lawn, Bucky was out front waiting for them and Stiles felt that tightness in his chest again, that possibility of rejecting. Instead Bucky just came towards them, smirk of his own in place.
"So this is how it's gonna be?" And he found Clint letting go of his hand to curl an arm around his waist, standing behind Stiles to hook his chin over his shoulder. He could all but feel the archer grinning and Stiles couldn't help but flush bright red again. Bucky's grin was lightning fast and just as mischievous and he reached out a hand, curling it around the back of Stiles' neck, other hand resting on Clint's arm at his waist.
"You never pick the easy road, do you?" And now Stiles couldn't help but grin as well.
"What's the fun in that?"
"Stop flirting and come inside. We're not in high school anymore, Stiles." Came Scott's shout, and Stiles made a sound of disbelief, pulling away so he could glare at where his best friend stood in the doorway. Much to both Clint and Bucky's delight, the grin that then took over Stiles' expression was devilish.
"Oh, you're so on, Scotty my man. I'm going to make you regret every single time you made heart eyes." And that earned him a surprised chuckle from Bucky, a wink from Clint. The archer immediately moved to wrap his arm around Bucky, hand dangerously low on his hip, and then he gave Stiles a lazy once over.
"Come on, babe," he drawled, and Stiles could already see Scott going pale as Clint made a come hither motion with his free hand. "We gotta say goodbye before we can drag you back home with us." It took every ounce of self control for Stiles not to laugh at the scandalized look on Scott's face as Stiles tucked himself against Clint's side and Scott fled inside. That's when Stiles finally let himself laugh, the other two joining him. He lifted his head from Clint's shoulder, finally just looking at the other two. Bucky was right, it would be hard. He'd been 5 years old for months, for one, and not to mention the fact that despite all their joking, he was fairly certain none of them were prepared to take any steps in the direction they'd been teasing Scott with. But it could still be his, he realized, just like Lydia had said. If he really wanted it to be.
"Let's start saying our goodbyes." Stiles said decidedly, finally feeling settled again in his own skin. "Then let's go home."