Chapter Text
After two months, Stiles is feeling pretty comfortable in his new home at Chico State. His summer classes are going well, and those and the online classes he took will put him right on schedule with his classmates come September, so that’s good. He’s got a small apartment just a couple of miles off campus, close enough that he rides his bike while the weather is still nice. And Roscoe will get him around when there’s snow in the winter.
His roommate, Justin, is from a small town outside of Fresno, so they bond over “my town was so small that…” stories. He’s got dark skin and darker hair and his family sends the best care packages ever and Justin’s willing to share. In fact, after Justin’s mother meets him, she starts including extra items in an effort to fatten him up. Best roommate ever.
The first month was hard and it was different, back to going to classes on a schedule that has nothing to do with feedings and naps. It took some time getting used to a set schedule of classes, along with being in a new place with new people and none of his old people. Most of the pack was gone with college last year, but now his Dad isn’t around and of course, neither are Peter or Fox.
But it’s good. It’s normal and a routine and god knows he needs that after the last year. School and getting together with new friends and skyping with the pack back home. Routine.
So it’s not routine to come home from the library and find Justin sitting on the front steps outside their building.
“Hey, dude, what’s up?”
“Hey, Stiles,” Justin says, standing and brushing off his butt. “Thought I’d give you a heads-up about a visitor you have. Upstairs.”
“Upstairs?” Stiles asks, hearing his voice rise unattractively. “You let someone in? Who is it?” The wolves would have a field day listening to his pulse jump.
“He said he’s a friend of yours from back home. And I’m guessing that means an ex? And I can see it; he’s kind of an ass and he’s completely your type -- a total DILF.”
“You’re picking out guys for me? And you’re telling me he’s a DILF?” Stiles asks, giving Justin a raised eyebrow.
Justin smirks and says, “I have been your wingman often enough this summer that I can pick out a guy for you with no problem. This guy is totally your type. Older, seems kinda shady…”
“Blue eyes?”
“No homo, but really pretty blue eyes. Like the ocean.” Justin stops and looks up to the sky and says, “Okay, maybe a little homo. You should go upstairs before I start that experimenting that people are supposed to do at college.”
“Not with this one, but any time you want to go out…”
“Thanks,” Justin says. “And by the way, I’m going to stay at Cheryl’s tonight. Have fun.”
Stiles enters his apartment and yes, Peter’s sitting on his sofa, feet on the coffee table and Stiles’ computer open on his lap.
“Don’t you think you should have a password on this? It’s as though you left Beacon Hills and forgot everything you knew about paranoia.”
“Nice to see you, too,” Stiles says, grabbing the laptop and putting it back on the kitchen table. “And I’m not the one who let you in here.”
“Justin. He seems like a nice boy,” Peter says, looking at the stack of books on the table. “Platonic?”
“Yes, he’s my very straight, but open minded, roommate. Not that it’s your business, Peter.”
They look at each other for a moment and finally Stiles smiles and points to the couch. “Sit down, wolf. You want some coffee?”
“That would be nice, Stiles, thank you.”
Peter ignores Stiles instructions to stay on the couch, choosing to follow Stiles to the kitchen, looking around as he goes. “So how are you enjoying living here, Stiles? Enjoying the hustle and bustle of the big city?” At his first sip of coffee, he smiles because it’s exactly as he likes it.
Stiles grins and takes a large swallow of his own coffee. “Hey, don’t make fun of Chico, it’s a hip, happening town.”
“Really, I wasn’t aware of that,” Peter says, eyes open as though in wonder.
“We have a Costco,” Stiles answers, leaning back with a smirk.
“Goodness, it’s just like Manhattan. Now we’ll never be able to lure you back to the farm.”
“It is good here and I’m doing well. Looking forward to the fall semester when everyone’s around…but it’s good.” He stops and looks into his coffee cup, moving it around in front of him. “I’m sorry I haven’t really kept in touch. I thought maybe we both needed…”
“Space,” Peter finishes, nodding. “And time. A little bit of time apart after…”
“Yeah, some time so we could both get back some equilibrium.” Stiles takes a breath and says, “So tell me what’s going on back in the hills. Do you know how Fox is doing?”
Peter smiles, the genuine smile Stiles remembers from when they were taking care of the baby. “Randy. It’s been hard getting used to it, but he’s Randy.” He raises an eyebrow and says “Named after his father’s father, Randolph. Valerie thought Randolph was a little heavy to give to a child, so they agreed on Randy.”
“Ah, I understand being named after relatives, that’s for sure. But Randy’s not an awful name, not really.” Stiles gets up and pours more coffee, grabbing a package of Oreos from the cabinet, more for something to do with his hands, than because of any hunger. “So you’ve seen him?” he asks.
“Yes,” Peter says, nodding. “It was probably a week after you left, so almost a month after we gave him up. I was at the grocery store picking up a few things – dinner for your father, actually – and suddenly I heard him squealing and yelling ‘Da! Da!’ I went over and he practically leapt out of his stroller. So of course I grabbed him and he snuggled right in.” He goes quiet for a moment and eats a cookie before he continues. “Valerie was lovely right from the start. We ended up going up the block to get coffee and talk in private and she let me carry him. Not that there would be a lot of choice, he was just wiggling and his eyes were flashing until I flashed back at him and told him to stop it. Valerie said he’d been doing it at home a lot and she was nervous to even take him out.”
“So she’s cool with you around him?”
Peter shrugs and finishes his coffee, pushing the cup away. “Yes, completely. We spoke for almost an hour that first time. She’s decided to stay in Beacon Hills because she feels safe there and knows Randy is safe there. She’s working for Deaton now.”
Stiles snorts and eats another cookie, offering the pack to Peter before he closes it. “Deaton? What’s she doing for him?”
“She’s his office manager. She was an office manager for a physical therapist before everything happened and it’s not much different. Patients, appointments. And it’s good for Deaton, I guess, that he actually has someone who knows about supernaturals working for him.” Peter smiles and reaches into his jacket pocket. “Pictures of Randy; he’s gotten so much bigger since you last saw him.”
Stiles takes the camera, flipping through the pictures of Randy, Randy and his mother, Randy and Peter, more of Randy and a couple pictures of the three of them, all smiling and looking radiant.
“He looks…he looks great,” Stiles says and turns the phone over, sliding it back to Peter. “He’s so big.”
“He’s walking almost completely on his own now,” Peter says, smiling as he flips through the photos. “He uses furniture for support, but he’s pretty steady. And his vocabulary is increasing; it’s still only his demands for food or attention, but in words now.”
“That sounds great, sounds like you’re all doing well. Do you think maybe…when I’m back, maybe I could see him, too?”
Peter chuckles and says, “Of course! He’d love that. Sometimes when I come over, I swear he looks behind me and says, ‘Da?’ If I were more sensitive, it would hurt my feelings.”
“He remembers me?” Stiles asks and hopes he doesn’t look as pathetic as he feels.
“Of course,” Peter says, reaching over squeezing his hand. “I took one of your sleep shirts that you left at my house and turned it into a pillow case. When I gave it to him, he was so thrilled, he squeaked. And he loves looking at your pictures.” Peter opens his phone again and shows Stiles pictures of himself holding Randy and one of Stiles alone. “Valerie asks about you, too, I know she’d love to meet you and have you be in Randy’s life.”
Stiles sits quietly and Peter cocks his head, squinting at him. “What’s wrong, you got tense. And unhappy. I thought you’d want to hear about Randy.”
“First, stop sniffing me, you freak. Second, I am glad that Randy is doing well and yeah, I’d like to see him. And I’m happy for all three of you,” Stiles says. He pushes his chair back and takes both mugs, putting them in the sink and filling them with water.
Peter steps behind him, arms caging him against the sink. “You’re not happy; I know you when you’re happy. Talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Stiles says as he turns around, now facing Peter. He pushes against Peter’s chest until the wolf takes a step – a small step – backwards. “I guess I have been out of the loop; my dad didn’t mention that you and Valerie are dating and…”
“Whoa, what are you talking about?”
“Dating. You and Valerie and that’s great, good for you, guy.” Stiles punches Peter in the shoulder and immediately rubs his knuckles because it’s like punching a wall. Stupid werewolves.
“We’re not dating, you idiot. We’re friends. I babysit her child a couple of times a week while she’s at work. We go for coffee or dinner sometimes, like you do with your friends. Assuming idiots like you have friends.” Peter sits down at the coffee table again and shoves the opposite chair out with his foot. “Sit,” he orders.
Stiles makes a face, but sits and looks at Peter. Peter looks at Stiles, trying to keep a smile off his face. “You’re the idiot,” Stiles says sullenly.
“Very mature, Stiles. First, I’m definitely not dating Valerie. And I came out here hoping to ask you out. Ask you to go to dinner with me.”
“Maybe, yeah sure. I could eat and we’re friends. I guess,” Stiles says, looking around the kitchen, anywhere except at Peter.
“No. That’s not what I meant and I think you know it,” Peter answers and reaches for Stiles’ hand. “Why did you think I came here?”
Stiles looks at their joined hands and squeezes gently. “Because Costco has boneless, skinless chicken breasts at $1.99 a pound? And you need to feed my dad?”
Peter shuts his eyes for a moment and sighs. “Again, no. Although that is a good price. I’m here to ask you out. On a date. Finally doing it right and hopefully it’ll be the first of many.”
“Okay,” Stiles says, smiling. “Okay, I’d like that. We even have an Olive Garden. Unlimited breadsticks, dude.”
“That sounds like a nice place for me to take you and your roommate for a pity dinner sometime. I checked and picked out a few places that might be a little more…appropriate for a first date.”
Stiles pulls his hand back, raises an eyebrow and says, “What does that mean?”
“Quiet. Candles. Wine list. I do have an Italian options if that’s your preference.”
“Olive Garden has all of those, too, you know,” Stiles says. But he’s grinning and his smell is happy and excited. “You know we may need to make out for a while. I mean if that’s okay with you.”
“I’m fine with that actually. Before or after dinner?” Stiles’ stomach growls and Peter says, “Sounds like after.”
Stiles shrugs and says, “Sorry, it’s another week until my financial aid comes in and I’ve been living on ramen and…ramen. And whatever Justin’s mom sends us.”
Peter stands, pulling Stiles out of his seat. “So I’ve traded one helpless child for another?” he asks, dragging his lips along Stiles’ neck.
“Not completely helpless and definitely not a child,” Stiles answers, tilting his head back and pressing against Peter. “I can wait for a bit longer for dinner actually. If you want a tour of the house….”
“Lead on, please, if you’re sure you can wait for dinner,” Peter says, reluctantly moving away to take Stiles’ hand again and follows as Stiles leads him down the hallway towards the bedroom.
Stiles turns and says over his shoulder, “I can wait for dinner. We’ve both waited too long for this.”