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Summer Before Freshman Year
‘Man, I can’t believe we’re gonna be in high school in a month!’ Stiles exclaimed (not for the first time this summer) from his spot on Scott’s bed. Scott turned from his desk to look at Stiles, rolling his eyes.
‘I know, dude. We’ve done this already.’
‘Yeah, but high school, Scotty. It’s a whole new ballpark! This is the year, man! This is the year Lydia Martin is finally gonna notice me.’ Stiles told him, sitting up, a look of determination on his face.
‘If you say so, Stiles.’ Scott said, wanting to believe for his buddy’s sake, but pretty sure that this year would be just like the last… six, was it? He’d lost count of how long his friend had been in love with Lydia Martin. ‘I’m bored, man. It’s Friday night, and we’re sitting around doing nothing, again.’
Stiles got that look in his eye which usually meant trouble was coming his way, and Scott almost regretted opening his mouth. Then again, Stiles’ record for getting them back out of trouble after getting them into was getting better. And his plans had like, a ninety percent fun rating, trouble or no.
Scott grinned, leaning forward in anticipation of whatever Stiles had come up with. A few hours later, he’d think back and regret that anticipation when the Sheriff was hauling them both by the necks of their tops and all but shoving them into the back of his cruiser.
Then again, when Stiles turned to him, grinning, as soon as his dad was gone, Scott couldn’t help but grin back. Sneaking into a high school party had been awesome – right up until someone had called the cops on it, and Stiles and Scott had been caught by Stiles’ dad. But, since they hadn’t been there long (and Scott was still able to exert some level of control over Stiles’ wilder ideas) they hadn’t had any alcohol so at least they had that on their side when their parents decided on punishments. And they didn’t know any other people in their year who had ever been to a real high school party before. Maybe Stiles was right. Maybe this year would be different.
Summer before Sophomore Year
‘Come on, dude, I wanna make first line this year, that means practicing.’ Scott said, staring at Stiles who was sprawled across his bed. Scott stood in the doorway of Stiles’ room, lacrosse stick in hand, staring at his best friend.
‘But Scott! It’s summer!! Summer is meant to be for fun and sleeping and being lazy.’
‘Dude, you’re always lazy.’ Scott laughed, and Stiles shot his hand up in the air, giving Scott the finger. ‘Come on, you practice with me this afternoon, and it’s your pick for tonight.’
It was Friday night, and Stiles had spent the last few complaining they never did anything exciting. So as expected, when Scott dangled that possibility, Stiles sat up.
‘Really? Anything I pick?’ He asked, already looking like he was in planning mode. Scott nodded.
‘Anything.’
When he’d promised that, Scott really didn’t imagine it meant he was going to be spending his Friday night in the mall trying to find Lydia Martin because Stiles had apparently overheard one of her friends making plans over the phone when he’d gone to the shop for milk that morning.
They’d been at the mall for nearly an hour now, and they’d already tried countless shops that Stiles was sure would be the type Lydia would go to, and not a single sighting of her.
‘Dude, your dad finishes his shift in less than an hour, and if we’re not ready to go when he gets here you know he’ll leave us and we’ll have to get the bus and then walk back to your place.’ Scott said, and Stiles threw him a quick glance.
‘Don’t worry, Scotty, we’ll find her, I’m sure of it. Come on, there’s a few more places we haven’t tried, she’s got to be at one of them.’ Stiles sped up and Scott rolled his eyes. The things he did because Stiles talked him into it.
As they sat on the bus nearly two hours later, having never found Lydia, Scott chose to ignore his sulking best friend in favour of playing around on his phone. When that got boring, he opened the camera on his phone, and started taking photos. First he tried a few of himself but they kept coming out blurry or his aim was way off. So he switched to taking photos of Stiles.
He managed to take a few before Stiles realised what was going on, then he started complaining, then moved swiftly to making silly faces at the camera. When Scott was checking one of the photos, Stiles stole his phone from his hand and suddenly Scott found himself on the other side of the camera.
He scrunched up his nose, then decided to mimic the faces Stiles had pulled earlier until Stiles was laughing. Then Stiles pulled Scott in and turned the camera.
They didn’t manage to check any of the photos since the bus pulled up to the stop closest to the Stilinski house and they had to race to get off.
But the next day, when Scott was flipping through his photos, he found one photo of the two of them that was in focus and had both of them in the frame. Stiles had his arm around Scott’s shoulder, which was just visible, and their faces were pressed up against each other, both grinning into the camera. Scott made sure he saved the photo, sent it to himself to save on his laptop then set it as his phone background. It hadn’t been such a bad night after all.
Summer before Junior Year
Scott lay on his bed in silence, thinking about the past few months, all the changes both good and bad. Then he thought back to his conversation with Stiles earlier that day when they were practicing lacrosse.
‘No lacrosse. No popularity, no girlfriend, nothing.’
‘Dude, you still got me.’
‘I had you before.’
‘Yeah, and you still got me. Okay? It’s a life fulfilled.’
Scott was surprised by how much the idea of no girlfriend didn’t really hurt any more. When Allison had first ended things, following the absolute disaster that was the of the lacrosse final, he’d felt broken. Broken heart, broken spirit, just… broken. But now, nearly two months later, the hurt had started fade. Still there, but more manageable.
His summer had been spent much like most of his previous summers – just him and Stiles. When Stiles had reminded him earlier that he still had him, the thought had made Scott want to grin, wide. After being bitten by Peter, and then meeting Allison, Scott hadn’t spent as much time with Stiles as he usually would in the last few months of school. Between suddenly having a girlfriend, and trying to stay alive and getting caught up in werewolves and kanimas and everything, it had rarely just been the two of them.
Today it had felt like Stiles was reassuring him that he would always be there, and after everything, even with as much as he’d loved Allison, hearing that was the best thing he’d heard in a long time.
Scott was still lost in thought when he heard the front door open, and he propped himself up on his bed. His mum was working the late shift, so who – he heard the familiar heartbeat just before the footsteps started up the stairs and smiled. Of course, who else would just let themselves into his house? Although, he was surprised he hadn’t heard the jeep pull up.
‘Scotty! I come bearing supplies!’ Stiles’ called out, as if Scott wouldn’t have heard him by now.
Scott contemplated sitting up, but decided instead to simply roll over on his bed so he was on his stomach, facing the door. Stiles rounded the corner into his room, and Scott’s eyes widened when he took in the bags Stiles was carrying.
‘Uh… Stiles, what’s going on? You moving in or something?’ It looked like Stiles had a bag full of clothes, his PlayStation plus controllers, and two bags of food.
Stiles dumped everything just inside the door and bounded over to the bed, dropping down beside Scott with a thump that made Scott bounce.
‘Nope. Well, not technically. Dad’s on call all weekend, and I know Mama McCall is on late shifts so we’re having a boys weekend! You, me, junk food, video games and movies.’ Stiles’ eyes were sparkling, and Scott felt his excitement grow. They hadn’t had a bro night in longer than Scott could remember and the prospect of a whole weekend just the two of them hanging out like they used to – it was exactly what Scott needed.
He grinned, sitting up to face Stiles.
‘Tell me you have pop tarts.’ He said, trying, and failing, to sound serious. Stiles rolled his eyes.
‘Of course I have pop tarts, dude – who do you take me for, and amateur?’ Stiles shoved his shoulder good naturedly, then slipped off the bed to start fiddling with the PlayStation and Scott’s newly repaired tv.
Scott was content to just watch Stiles tinker.
Summer before Senior Year
The next summer, things were different – Allison was gone, Isaac and Derek had both left town, and Scott’s pack had expanded to include a werecoyote, a kitsune, Scott’s first ever bitten beta and a banshee they had thought was human. Stiles was dating Malia and still trying to help her integrate back into human society (Lydia was handling the school part after over hearing some of Stiles’ teaching methods). Scott was sort of dating Kira, even though she had been in New York for most of the summer.
They only had one more week until Summer was over and they began their final year of High School, and Scott could tell that Stiles was starting to get antsy about it, although he wasn’t entirely sure why.
So tonight, for the first time this summer, he’d made sure it was just gonna be the two of them – Liam was hanging out with Mason, and Lydia was taking Malia shopping for new school wardrobes or something.
So Scott let himself into the Stilinski house, nodding a greeting to the Sheriff who was sitting at the kitchen table looking over a case file.
‘Hey, Scott.’
‘Hi. How’s it going?’ He asked, and the Sheriff gave him a small smile.
‘Been a quiet summer, so can’t complain. The opposite, actually – it’s been refreshing, especially after the last year.’ Scott smiled in return – it was certainly easier for them with the Sheriff finally in the know, but he knew how hard it still was for his friend’s dad to have so many cases he couldn’t officially close because ‘it was a werewolf’ wasn’t really something he could put in an official report.
‘It’s been nice.’ Scott agreed.
‘Stiles is upstairs, doing… something.’ The Sheriff told him, and Scott nodded his thanks before bounding up the stairs, and entering Stiles room.
‘Hey Stiles.’ Stiles looked up from his laptop where it was sitting in his lap as he lounged on his bed.
‘Hey, Scott. What’s up?’ He asked, moving his laptop out of the way, closing the lid.
‘Not much. Thought we could hang, just us.’ Stiles’ eyes narrowed, and Scott cursed. Stiles was always able to read between the lines with him.
‘What is it? What happened? Is it Malia? Kira? Liam? Did he have like, a pre moon wolf out and run around naked again?’ He asked, and Scott shook his head.
‘No. Seriously, everyone’s fine, I swear. I just thought it would be nice for us to hang out just us, like it used to be.’ Scott explained, and Stiles relaxed minutely, though he was still staring at Scott like he was waiting for the but.
‘Ok.’
Scott moved into the room, kicking his shoes off and then sitting on the end of the bed, legs crossed, facing Stiles.
‘Ok. Fine. There is something I wanted to talk about – ’
‘I knew it! There is something wrong – ’
‘Stiles.’ Scott cut him off, using what Stiles had dubbed his alpha voice. Stiles always liked to claim it didn’t actually work on him since he wasn’t a werewolf, but nine times out of ten if Scott used it, Stiles would shut up.
This was one of those times.
‘It’s nothing bad, I just… You’ve been really focused on this whole post-senior year plan, like really focused, even for you, and I just – is everything ok? I mean, I totally understand wanting to keep us all together, I don’t like the idea of the pack just going their separate ways at the end of the year but, I don’t know, it seems like this is more than that.’
Stiles looked down at his hands, and Scott waited, watching him. Finally, he looked up at Scott and shrugged.
‘I asked my dad a few days ago who he still talks to, from his high school friends – do you know what he said?’ Scott shook his head at the question, but from Stiles posture and voice he could guess where this was going. ‘None, Scott. He doesn’t talk to a single one of his friends from high school.’
‘Is that what’s had you so wound up? You think that’s gonna be us?’ Scott asked, and Stiles shrugged again, then nodded once. Scott wanted to laugh, but bit it back, knowing it wouldn’t help.
‘Stiles – hey, look at me. That sucks for your dad, and yeah, maybe that happens to some people – but that is never going to be us, ok? First, we’re not all just friends, we’re pack, that means something.’ Stiles nodded, but he still didn’t look convinced. ‘And second? You and I? We’ve never just been friends – Stiles, you’ve always been more than just a friend, you’re the most important person in my life besides my mum. And after everything we’ve been through – Stiles, you stepped into gasoline while I held a lit flare to save my life or die with me. And I would do anything to keep you safe too. So yeah, I’m really sorry for your dad and all those other people who lose their high school friends but we’re never gonna be those people.’
Stiles blinked at him, then started to smile, and Scott grinned in return.
‘You’re right, there’s not really any high school friendship like ours, is there?’ Stiles said, and Scott shook his head.
‘Nope. We’re one of a kind. Dude, you’re always gonna have me.’
‘I always have.’ Stiles responded, and Scott was suddenly reminded of that day last summer.
‘It’s a life fulfilled, right?’ He asked, hoping Stiles would remember. From the way Stiles’ eyes widened, then filled with happiness as he grinned, he too remembered that day.
‘Absolutely.’ He agreed, and they laughed. And Scott gave an internal sigh of relief that he’d figured out what was troubling his best friend, and had – hopefully – managed to fix it. At least for now.
Summer after High School
‘Dude, we did it.’ Stiles said, and Scott turned to look at him from the passenger side of the jeep. They were sitting in the jeep in the car park of the school two hours after their high school graduation ceremony.
Everyone else had left, the rest of the pack having not long taken off in groups to head to their favourite dinner for a celebratory dinner. Their parents had headed home with instructions to have fun but, under no circumstances, wake them up when they got home. They both had early shifts.
‘I know, I can’t believe we graduated.’ Scott agreed, and Stiles shook his head.
‘No, man – I mean yes, we did, but we did more than that. We survived.’ Stiles told him, turning in his seat to face Scott.
‘Stiles – did you mean it?’ Scott asked, and Stiles looked at him. ‘The night… the night they took you, the riders – you called me, but I didn’t know who you were…’
‘You remember that?’ Stiles asked, before he winced and ducked his head down.
‘Hey.’ Scott reached out, put a hand on Stiles’ shoulder, waited until Stiles looked up again. ‘Yeah, I remember. It came back when I saw you again for the first time at the hospital. Did you mean it?’
Stiles stared at him, and Scott just held his gaze, not moving. He just waited. After what felt like an eternity, Stiles nodded once.
‘I meant it.’
‘Scott? Hey, Scott, where are you? Where are you right now?’
‘Who’s this?’
‘Scott… no, please – please, Scott, you have to remember ok? They’re coming for me, but you have to remember, please – remember me. Remember… remember that I love you. I love you Scott, I never said it before but I do, I love you. I love you. Remember that.’
‘I love you too.’ Scott told him, and Stiles started to shake his head but Scott moved his hand from Stiles’ shoulder to cup his cheek, stilling the movement.
‘I do. When I realised what was missing from my life, that they’d taken you it was like this… I don’t know how to describe it, but I knew then. I need you in my life, always, not just because you’re my best friend but you’re the person I love more than anyone. I’m in love with you Stiles.’
Stiles’ eyes had filled with tears as he listened, and he blinked.
‘Are you sure?’ He asked softly, and Scott heard the fear in his voice.
‘Never been more sure.’ Scott told him, his voice steady and serious.
‘I’m in love with you too.’ Stiles admitted, and Scott smiled and then before Stiles could move Scott had leaned it, bringing his other hand to the back of Stiles’ head to pull him forward to meet him, pressing his lips to Stiles’.
Stiles squeaked in surprise, but quickly melted into the kiss, bringing his own hands up – one to mirror Scott’s and cup the back of Scott’s head, the other to wrap around Scott’s back, trying to pull him closer. Scott tilted his head slightly, and then deepened the kiss, pulling a groan from Stiles that Scott wanted to hear again and again.
When Stiles pulled back slightly, just to catch his breath, he grinned at Scott, and Scott mirrored the expression.
‘Well… that was new.’ Stiles said, and Scott laughed, rolling his eyes at the statement that was so Stiles.
‘But good?’ He checked when he stopped laughing, and Stiles bit his lip, and nodded.
‘Definitely good.’ Stiles started to lean in, and Scott moved as well but then Stiles’ phone went off, and he groaned. ‘I want to ignore it. I do. But that’s the ringtone Lydia set for herself and I fear that if I don’t answer she’s going to make me pay, somehow.’
Scott bit his lip to keep himself from laughing, and nodded his agreement. Lydia had certainly changed over the last couple of years, grown into herself and her abilities – but she still hated to be ignored. If she called, you answered. And if you didn’t, you were on your own, pack or no pack (Liam learned that lesson the hard way early in Scott and Stiles’ senior year).
‘Lydia? What’s up?’ Stiles asked, answering the phone just before it rang out.
‘Stiles? Where the hell are you guys? We’ve all been here for ages, and everyone’s getting hungry – and by everyone I mean the werecoyote, werewolf and teenage boys!’ She nearly shouted into the phone, and Stiles winced, staring at Scott with wide eyes. They’d both forgotten they were meant to be meeting the rest of the pack for dinner.
‘Uh, sorry, the jeep was acting up again, but I think it’s sorted now. We’ll be there in like, ten minutes. You know what, Scott and I always get the same thing there anyway, why don’t you just all go ahead and order, and order ours too? That’ll keep the others happy.’ Scott grinned at him – they were meeting at their favourite diner, and he and Stiles had been ordering the same thing for years.
Scott listened as Stiles rattled off their orders from memory, then after swearing to Lydia they were getting on the road right this minute, he hung up.
‘Oops?’ Stiles said, grinning at Scott.
‘Oops.’ Scott agreed, then, Lydia and her threats be damned, he leaned back across the centre console to kiss Stiles once again.
When he pulled back, Stiles looked a little dazed before shaking his head as if to clear it. Scott settled back into his seat with a smile, watching as Stiles turned the key in the ignition, letting out a little prayer (thank you jeep gods!) when it started with no fuss.
Stiles pulled out of the spot and drove out of the car park, away from the school. When he reached the main road, he reached out and grabbed hold of Scott’s hand, holding it as he drove. Scott let his head roll to the side, smiling at Stiles, content to watch him drive them to meet their friends – their pack.
It was the first night of their summer vacation – the first one after finishing high school, their last before college and the demands of adulthood hit. And if this was any indication, this was going to be the best summer yet. They had other friends now, they had their pack and allies. And, like all those summers before, they had each other.
Scott gave Stiles’ hand a small squeeze, and Stiles looked over quickly, smiling at him.
He remembered their conversation from last summer, and the one before. This wasn’t just a life fulfilled. This was everything.