Chapter Text
“Almost there,” Peter assured Stiles and held his hand firmly while they trekked through the Preserve, Claudia contently snoozing away in the carrier on Peter’s chest. It had been a couple weeks since Stiles and Peter officially met for the first time, and since then they had spent a lot of time together, every outing clueing Stiles more to the fact that the feelings he had for the older man were far from platonic. Today their destination was a meadow by a lake Peter had told about earlier. Stiles had grown inside an asteroid, hearing only stories of what Earthen nature used to be like, not believing he could ever experience anything even resembling something like that. And yet here he was in a vast habitat, one of many, floating in space, created specifically so that even a little bit of that nature could be preserved. And when they finally stepped out of the forest, the view took Stiles’ breath away.
“It’s so beautiful,” he whispered reverently, then chuckled at the cranky sounds and snuffling coming from Peter’s direction.
“Perfect timing, as usual,” Peter said and kissed the top of Claudia’s head, and turned to Stiles. “Could you spread the blanket?”
“Sure.” Stiles dropped his backpack and took out the picnic blanket Peter had packed. He looked around and then saw a spot where grass wasn’t as high and there weren't as many flowers to be squished. “This okay?” he asked beside it, then spread the blanket there after Peter’s okay.
Peter had already unstrapped Claudia from the carrier and was holding her towards Stiles. Peter had quickly won the baby over, and she was most of the time very much in favor of cuddling with him. Except when waking up. Then only Stiles would do.
There was plenty of space on the blanket, but by the time Peter had pulled out all their fancy packed foods, they were practically pressed side by side, and Stiles was suddenly filled with resolve.
“Peter?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“I really want to kiss you now.”
“And I’m not opposed at all.”