Chapter Text
Moving back to the small town of Beacon Hills wasn’t exactly ideal, Stiles hated the town. Absolutely detested it. The town itself bared nothing but painful memories of his drunken father. After his mom got sick, Stiles's dad hit the bottles, leaving a young Stiles to raise himself. He didn’t hate his father nor did he blame him. His dad was grieving the loss of his wife and it was understandable, but at the same time, Stiles was only ten and he needed him.
Stiles's aunt had come to collect him so he could live with her and her husband in Phoenix, Arizona, claiming his dad to be unfit to take care of Stiles. His dad didn’t really put up much of a fight, seemingly to agree, however he hugged Stiles, promising to sober up so he could be a better father to him. Now, seven years later, his Aunt Renee is pregnant with their third child. And though she insisted Stiles didn’t have to leave, he fabricated some story about how much he missed the crazy town and was excited to head back, so that’s how Stile’s found himself waiting at the San Diego Airport for his dad; Beacon Hills one and only Sheriff Noah Stilinski.
Stiles didn't have much on him, just the one suitcase and his carry on, containing all of his favorite flannels and graphic T-shirts and his laptop. Beacon Hills was about a 2-3 hour drive from the airport, meaning 2-3 hours of awkward conversation between the two Stilinskis. Stiles was just an awkward, gangly teen with long limbs that flailed about whenever he got excited, and was constantly tripping over nothing. He didn’t have any athleticism to him whatsoever. But what he lacked in sports, he made up for with his underlying passion for knowledge and sarcasm.
Stiles spotted his dad amongst the crowd of people who were either looking for family or were waiting just like him for their ride. Stiles waved above the crowd hoping his dad would see him and gathered his things to begin making his way over. Sheriff Stilinski wore a huge smile on his face as soon as he spotted his son. His son whom he hadn't seen since three summers ago, was taller and was no longer sporting his signature buzzcut. As soon as Stiles was within arms reach, the sheriff pulled him into his arms in a great bear hug. “ Hey kiddo, I missed you, its been awhile.” The sheriff said still holding onto Stiles like his life depended on it. Stiles laughed and patted his back. “ I missed you dad.” His dad grabbed his suitcase and kept one arm around his sons shoulders as they walked towards the sheriffs car. Upon approaching the vehicle, Stiles thanked whoever was listening that his dad didn’t decide to pick him up in police cruiser. Nothing slows down traffic better than a cop.
The ride to Beacon Hills wasn’t as awkward as Stiles thought, his dad asked him how he’d been and what he’s been up to and Stiles wanted to know if his dad was seeing anybody new. He wasn’t, though he had been visiting Melissa McCall more often lately. Melissa was the mother of Stiles’s childhood best friend, Scott McCall. They had met in elementary school during recess. Scott had an asthma attack in the middle of the playground and Stiles had been the one to rush for his inhaler. He also stayed with him while the nurse looked him over and helped calm him down. Following that event, Stiles stuck by his side constantly making sure the kid was okay and always having an extra inhaler on hand just in case. They’ve been inseparable ever since. Leaving Scottie behind was hard, but they each had something to look forward to every summer until now. Now, Stiles wasn’t just visiting for a few weeks, he was moving. Stiles was moving back to Beacon Hills in the middle of the school semester.
About two hours later, the sheriff pulled into the driveway of a house that Stiles grew up in. The outside looked the same, a few plants littered around the perimeter of their yard which had Stiles guessing was Melissas doing. Stiles walked up the front steps and took a deep breath before opening the door and walking in. The inside wasn’t much different. His dad still had the same curtains that his mom picked out, the same painted walls and couches. All of the pictures remained hung up in the same place, only removed when they were being cleaned and put right back where they were. The lump in Stiles’s throat grew bigger and he had to clear his throat a few times when he heard his dad walk in behind him. “ I uh..got you a new bed and sheets.” His dad said rubbing the back of his awkwardly. “ And a printer for your schoolwork” Stiles gave a small smile. “ Thanks dad, I appreciate it.” The sheriff nodded not really one for being sentimental and just glanced around the living room before sighing. “ Well, I suppose I’ll let you settle in. I need to go to Melissas and pick something up, I’ll be back soon okay? “ “ Yea, that’s fine dad” Stiles smiled, grabbing his suitcase and headed upstairs to his old room. One of the good things about his dad?…he doesn’t hover.
Stiles had just finished unpacking when he heard his dad pull in, followed by another vehicle. Out of curiosity, Stiles approached his window to see who it was and as soon as he spotted his best friend, he ran down the stairs nearly slipping in the process and rushed out the front door. “ SCOTTIE!” Stiles slammed into his best friend letting out winded ‘oof ‘ at the impact. “ Damn dude, have you been working out? You feel like a fucking a tank.” Scott just laughed and pulled him into a bonecrushing hug. Literally. He’s pretty sure he heard something crack. “ Stiles! Buddy! I missed you! I can’t wait until you meet everyone tomorrow, they’re dying to meet you. “ Scott says bouncing on the balls of his feet excitedly. Scott kind of reminded Stiles of a puppy who just found out he’s being given a new toy.
His dad cleared his throat to get their attention. When both boys turned to acknowledge the sheriff, he started talking. “ Since it’s gonna be Stiles’s first day why dont you let him give you a ride in his jeep Scott? “ Stiles blinked bemusedly. “ My what? I dont have a…” Stiles trailed off seeing both his dad and best friend exchange huge grins that rivaled the cheshire cat. His dad then tossed a pair of keys at him and motioned towards the baby blue jeep sitting behind him. “Happy early birthday son.” His dad grinned. Scott patted him on the back wearing a similar smile. “ m-moms jeep? “ Stiles hated how his voice broke over those two words but at the moment he didn’t care. His dad gave a sad smile and nodded. “ She planned to gift it to you when you turned 18, but I figured a year early wouldn’t hurt no one.” Stiles closed his fist around the keys that used to be his mothers, the same keys she used to hold in her own hands when she was still alive, and cradled them to his chest. “ Th-thank you. Thank you, thank you , thank you!” Stiles threw himself at his dad wrapping his arms around the mans shoulders.
“ Should we take her out for a test spin?” Scott asked, excitement clear in his voice. Stiles laughed wiping his eyes and nods “ Hell yea! I’m craving some curly fries.” The sheriff shook his head in amusement as the two boy climbed in the jeep. “ I need to head back to the station son, so I won’t be back until the morning. You have a good day at school incase I don’t see you. “ His dad patted his arm and waved bye to Scott. “ OK, be careful dad, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Stiles pulled out of the driveway and headed in the direction of the towns small diner. “ So scotty boy how have you been? I was being serious back there, youre body is like a brick wall, what have you been taking? “ Stiles laughs jokingly. Scott laughs and punches his arm lightly. “ I’ve been good, a lots changed since we were fourteen. I’m on the lacross team…co-captain actually” Scott says blushing slightly.
Stiles eyes widen in surprise before a grin break out on his lips. “ Congrats! buddy! , how do you do it tho? With your asthma and everything? “ Scott shrugs. “ I don’t uh..really have it anymore. “ Scott mumbled sheepishly. Stiles whips his head to the side to stare at his best friend in shock. “What do you mean you ‘dont have it anymore’? It doesn’t just go away scotty, how’d that even happen?” Stiles was confused because he was pretty sure a person with asthma was pretty much stuck with it for life. Scott just shrugs. “ I dont really know, I just slowly stopped having attacks. Are you nervous about school tomorrow? “ Scott asked changing the subject. Stiles narrowed his eyes at him and scoffed. “ Nice subject change. I don’t know, a little bit? It’s just been so long man. “ Scott gives him a sympathetic smile. “ You’re gonna be okay man, I’ll be right there with you. I also can’t wait until you meet my new friends”
Stiles laughs and turns his attention towards the road. They sit in silence for a few moments before Stiles suddenly remembers. “ Wait you said co-captain, so who’s the other captain?” Scott groans and thumps his head back on the head rest. “ A pain in the ass and no one you know. He and his family moved down here last year and coach, who immediately fell in love with him, had the bright idea of making us be co-captains.” Scott pouted like a petulant child. Stiles just laughed. “ Is he good? “ Stiles asked half joking. “ Amazing” Scott grumbled.