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When Jackson wakes up he finds Stiles looking at him. His neck hurts and his hair and his clothes are a mess after sleeping in that chair next to Stiles bed.
"Stiles, why didn't you wake me up?" Jackson says, getting up so that he can kiss Stiles softly on the lips and check that he's really okay.
Stiles groans against Jackson's mouth, wrapping his right arm around Jackson's neck.
"I see that you missed me last night," Stiles says quietly as he holds Jackson.
Jackson moves away. "You really have some nerve, you know that?"
"I'm sorry," Stiles murmurs.
"I know you are... but look at where we are. Back at this damn hospital once again."
"I know you're mad but--"
"But nothing, Stiles." Jackson interrupts him. "I told you this was going to happen, didn't I? I asked you to find some other job but you decided this is what you wanted to do and you promised me that we wouldn't end up here. Which, by the way..." Jackson snorts and waves his arms. "I never believed for a second... but I respected your fucking decision... and here we are."
"Shouldn't you be upset with the guy who put me here?" Stiles tries another tactic.
"Oh, I'm furious at that dickhead and I'm going to be all over his case as soon as you get out of here... but at least that piece of shit didn't kill you, so I can still be grateful for that. Another piece of shit might shoot you in the head or in the chest next time and we won't be having this conversation and that's the problem here. Besides, the fact that you can't see that... that makes me angry too."
"Jackson, I honestly thought we were past this." Stiles bites his lip.
"We can never be past this." Jackson shakes his head. "I just don't think that's ever going to happen."
"They say it gets easier." It might sound lame but that's all Stiles can think to say right now.
Jackson snorts. "Really? And who says that exactly?"
"People... You know, cops' relatives."
"I honestly don't give a fuck what those people say. I only know how I feel and it's not easier, I can tell you that."
"You're not being reasonable. Why do you have to make it so damn difficult for me if you know that this is what I want to do? Stephen doesn't have this problem with Cynthia, you know?"
"Sure. Did she tell you that? I'm sure it was Stephen... and I don't know why he told you that but he was obviously lying or he's stupid and doesn't know how she feels."
"Jackson, Stephen is not stupid, I'll never understand why you don't like him but he's not a bad guy, and he's my friend." And the idea of his husband and Stephen being in the same room without him terrifies him. "I know you and I hope you didn't accuse him of anything after what happened."
"I didn't say anything that wasn't true," Jackson says reluctantly.
"Fuck. I knew it." Stiles says, shaking his head.
"That guy is an incompetent, Stiles. You should ask for a new partner." Jackson waves his arms.
"Jackson, I'm the one who fucked up. It was my fault. But I've learnt from this... and it won't happen again."
"I hate that you keep defending him as usual." Jackson takes a seat.
"And I hate that you keep accusing him." Stiles licks his lips. "I want you to give him a chance... like for real this time. And I want you to apologize for whatever shit you said to him last night. I don't want him to think that I'm married to an asshole, okay?"
"But you are married to an asshole." Jackson smirks.
Stiles rolls his eyes dramatically. "That may be the case but still, you aren't the same person I knew before the coma. I'd still be a bachelor because I wouldn't have given a chance to that person. And I wouldn't have two kids with him either. So, I know that you'll apologize... not because I've asked you to, but because you know he didn't deserve it and it's the right thing to do."
Jackson sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "You really know how to torture me."
"Look, I've reached the conclusion that no matter who was my partner, you'd never be happy."
"That's not true." Jackson shakes his head. "If Jordan was--"
"Jordan is not human." Stiles interrupts him. "I'm talking about humans obviously. People like me, remember? I don't need a supernatural being to protect me. And what has happened... it doesn't change anything. I'm not the first cop to get shot and I won't be the last one."
Jackson closes his eyes for a second, thinking what to say to that but nothing comes out. His husband is one of the most stubborn people he knows and, as much as his wolf wants to protect him and keep him safe, his human side wants to respect Stiles's right to work on what he likes. He just doesn't know how he'll react if this happens again.
"So my father and Stephen were here before, right?" Stiles asks after an uncomfortable silence.
"Yes, of course. Your father and Scott were here with Stephen until you came out of the surgery and since you were okay, I told them to go back home and get a few hours of sleep. I'm guessing they'll be here in a couple of hours. At least I don't think that your father will work today."
"And the kids?"
"I called my mother. I told her you were okay, so she's taking them to school."
"I'm sure they'll convince her to make them pancakes for breakfast," Stiles smiles.
"Yeah. Probably." Jackson smiles too.
"I told her that I'd pick them up after school and I'd bring them here," Jackson says.
"Are you sure?" Stiles frowns.
"Yeah. They're old enough and besides, now they'll officially think you're a hero or something. They'll only worship you more." Jackson smirks.
"They don't worship me..." Stiles rolls his eyes.
"Oh yeah, they do. I'm just a boring lawyer... You're the cool cop with the uniform and the gun catching the bad guys." Jackson says matter-of-factly. "I only make sure that they stay behind bars."
"When you put it that way... Your job is a little boring." Stiles smiles.
Jackson smiles back. He's just happy to see Stiles smile again... to see him safe.