#affluff

Hiccup takes great joy out of his relationship with Snotlout. They grew up together, so they got to leave out the part in which they needed to learn about one another. Instead, there was already a level of comfort there, a measure of trust. There was no tiptoeing around each other, they could say whatever was on their minds. And entrusting Snotlout with his body was easier than it would’ve been with a complete stranger.

There was pleasure and satisfaction in their sex, neither of them felt neglected. Their dates were fun and perfectly tailored to the both of them. Their conversations were meaningful in how utterly mundane they were. Just a little over half a year of them together, it already felt as though they’ve been married for a decade.

And sure, Snotlout has his shortcomings. Being his boyfriend means doubling as his parent as no one bothered to teach him how to take care of himself or his household. He can be brash, he says the wrong thing all the time. But Hiccup would be lying if he were to claim that he’s free of any imperfections.

Just last week, he’d shut his boyfriend out the second things got tough. To be fair, the drama was revolved around a false positive on a pregnancy test and his own emotions were high, but that doesn’t meant Hiccup doesn’t feel like he could’ve handled the situation better.

With both the good and the bad, Hiccup loves Snotlout.

And this morning, he brings him breakfast in bed.

“What’s the occasion?” Hiccup asks as he sits up in bed, fluffing his pillow up against the head board behind him.

“You know,” Snotlout shrugs nonchalantly as he places the tray on his lap.

On it is a plate with two baked eggs, some strips of bacon, warm toast and a tall glass of orange juice.

“You sure this isn’t for a special occasion?” Hiccup asks just to be sure. They’re still quite some time away from their first anniversary and both of their birthdays have already passed. There’s nothing that they need to be celebrating today.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Snotlout takes a seat on his desk chair and swivels on it.

There’s a moment of silence as Hiccup takes a couple of bites, though it’s incredibly awkward to sit there and eat while his boyfriend watches.

“Is it because of last week?” He inquires before taking another bite from his eggs. One’s a little too salty, the other just a little too peppered.

Snotlout halts the chair mid-round before swiveling back and stares at his boyfriend in thought for a moment.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“Okay, fine! Yes! I feel like I could’ve handled the news of our non-existent baby better. I feel like shit for how I treated you,” Snotlout admits, arms crossed and slouching in his seat.

Hiccup gives him a sympathetic smile.

“You know, I could’ve handled it better, too?” he admits in return. “The last thing I should’ve done is shut you out.”

“No, you don’t get it. If I wasn’t so stupid to just stand there and say nothing, I wouldn’t have given you reason to-”

“No, no, no, no. Snotlout, no. I gave you shocking news, of course you were going to be a little shell-shocked about it. I was, too!” Hiccup tells him. Despite being the subject of said news, he seems to have a more objective perspective on this.

Snotlout sighs and rolls his head back. Evidently not quite agreeing with him.

“Snotlout,” he looks over and watches as Hiccup holds the tray out for him. He rises and takes it from him. Hiccup scoots over, sitting closer to the wall, accepts his tray again and then pats on the mattress next to him. Snotlout sits, kicking off his slippers and swinging his legs onto the bed with him.

Y/n remembers the days when she would wish she was of age and could do whatever the fuck she wanted. No one to tell her where she can go and when to be back. To be free.

But she’s a Shelby. And Shelby’s fall in line like good little soldiers and march to the sound of Thomas Shelby’s orders.

For the women though, they must follow not only his orders, but Polly’s as well. 

Then you have to add that Y/n is the second youngest Shelby, so she has a list of brothers and a sister to listen to as well.

All in all, she’s not fucking free.

Which is why she is sitting at the kitchen table on number six Watery Lane, doing the books and checking Tommy’s diary before he comes for the meeting. 

Ever since Y/n has turned eighteen, men have been asking to walk her home or take her to the pictures. She talked to her aunt about it, but Polly said they would go away… except they haven’t. 

Two days ago, a young man Y/n went to school with, knocked on the door. When he explained to Polly that he wanted to ask Tommy for Y/n’s hand in marriage, the older woman decided that this is serious. 

So her aunt confined her to number six until Tommy returned from America with Grace. 

Fortunately for Y/n, her brother returns today and wants to have a family meeting as soon as possible. 

With that thought in mind, Y/n jumps from her seat when the door opens but her determination deflates when it’s John. “Oh, it’s just you.”

“Just me, eh? I’m the fucking best brother to walk through that door.” John says as he pulls his sister’s hair.

“Fuck John! Let go!” She glares at her laughing brother but gasps when she’s shoved from behind. 

“Let’s go, little sister. Tommy’s back. Family meeting.” Arthur announces as he guides her into the betting shop. 

Y/n easily slips around her brother to grab the diary and books off the table before following her brothers. 

“Hey Tommy, how was America?”

“Yeah, did you fuck on the streets of New York?” John teases.

Y/n makes a disgusting face as she sits, thankful Tommy ignores their questions.

“Right. Business first.”

Polly and Arthur update their leader as Y/n shows him the books. 

“You have an appointment tomorrow morning, Tom.” She informs him when Arthur finishes. 

Tommy nods, lighting a cigarette. “Good. Good.” He takes a puff before raising his eyebrows at his baby sister. “I heard you’ve been confined to the house.”

Y/n’s head snaps to her younger brother, glaring accusingly. 

Finn’s eyes widen, a twinkle of fear in them. “Tommy wanted to know how you were doing. And how the bloody hell did you know it was me that told him?”

“Cause you’ve always been a snitch.”

Polly smacks John and Arthur’s arms when they start snickering just a little too loud.

Y/n ignores them, focusing on the brother that matters right now. “I didn’t do anything wrong, Tommy. Polly is being overdramatic.”

“Oi! I am not.”

“They’re going to stop with Tommy being back, so let’s just forget it.”

“I don’t think so, Y/n.” Polly tells her sadly. She wishes she could leave this between them two, but when the last man asked; Polly knew Tommy needed to be involved. 

“I am me own person! I will fucking decide when-”

“Enough!” Tommy bellows, slamming a hand down on the table. He waits for everyone to settle and look at him. “What the bloody hell is going on, eh? Polly?”

Polly sends her niece a silent apology before answering. “There have been multiple men who have asked to marry our Y/n.”

“Did you tell them to fuck off?”

“Fucking hell, I’m leaving.” Y/n stands, but stops at her brother’s growling tone.

“I haven’t given you permission to leave.”

Y/n rolls her eyes. “Fucking tyrant.” She whispers but sits back down in her seat.

“Pol? Did you tell them to fuck off?” Tommy repeats the question.

“Of course I did. I’m not worried about them.”

Tommy frowns, annoyed with how vague his aunt is being. “Then what the fuck is wrong?”

“The last one to ask for Y/n’s hand in marriage was-” She pauses, hoping her nephew doesn’t blow his top. She sends a silent prayer for Y/n not to make this situation worse.

“Pol, I don’t have all fucking day.”

“Alfie Solomons. It was Alfie fucking Solomons. He sent me a letter.” She says the last part to her niece. 

“The fucking bastard!” Arthur booms.

Y/n breaths out a disbelieving laugh. “Alfie?” She shrugs her shoulders. “I’m okay with that.”

“Y/n.” Tommy warns, a finger pointing in her face. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Y/n.” Polly hisses.

“Drop it, Y/n.” Tommy orders.

Y/n tilts her head to the side, as if she’s thinking about it. “I wish I could, but I don’t want to. I mean, I… think I’m in love?”

The eighteen year old laughs when all four of her brothers glare at her. “Oh please. Do you gits really think Alfie Solomons would really want to marry me? I mean, he loves me; but he always said it's in a brotherly way.” She pauses to let them think she could be right. “Unless it’s changed since I started living with Ada part time to help with the distillery side of the business.”

Y/n smiles proudly as she watches their brains working, trying to figure out if their sister is right or not. 

“Well, I’m going to take a nap. I have a long train ride ahead of me.” She stands to her feet and turns to leave but stops, twisting her neck back so she can make eye contact with her fearless leader. “I do have permission to go, right Tommy?”

Tommy glares at his baby sister, wondering when she became so mischievous. He waves his head, the gesture to leave being the only response he grants her. 

Y/n heads up to her room, a victorious smile on her lips the whole way. 

As she lays on her bed, she pulls a piece of paper out from under her pillow.

Hello Y/n,

I’ve heard about the unqualified men who have been trying to snatch up the Shelby princess. I thought this would be a most opportune time to get back at one Tommy Shelby. I will be writing a letter to your dear aunt, asking for your hand in marriage. I do hope when Tommy gets back from America, he will be eager to answer me. Good luck, Princess Shelby. Your one and only, Alfie Solomons.

Y/n grins. She may still be bound by her brother’s ropes; but at least she can occasionally take back some of her freedom. 

Her grin falls when she hears a knock on her door before her brother opens it. “No bloody privacy.”

Tommy stops, his eyebrows raised high. “Would you like me to knock again?”

“Yes.” Y/n knows he wasn’t serious, but she wants him to know she is.

Rolling his eyes so she knows he thinks this is ridiculous, Tommy heads back into the hallway while shutting the door. He turns to face the door once again and knocks.

Y/n slowly counts to ten before bidding her brother in. 

The raised eyebrows are back, clearly telling her he didn’t like the pause, but she doesn’t give a shit.

“What do you want?”

“I spoke to Mr. Solomons on the phone.”

“That was fast.” Y/n thinks to herself. “What did he say?”

Tommy gestures to the bed, wordlessly asking his sister if he can sit. He waits for her to nod before sitting next to her. “I’ve been a lousy brother lately.”

Y/n snorts. “No argument here.”

Tommy pulls out a cigarette and lighter. Y/n waits for him to light it and is shocked when he offers it to her.

“I know you smoke.”

She blushes at her brother’s statement. She’s been smoking for about three months and she really thought no one knew but Ada. 

“Ada didn’t tell me. I figured it out on me own.”

Realizing her brother doesn’t disapproved, she takes the bud from him and brings it to her lips. She takes a few puffs, enjoying the taste as Tommy lights one for himself.

“I know you and Alfie were playing a prank.”

“You sure about that.” 

Tommy sends her a warning glare. “Let me finish.”

“Sorry.” Y/n mumbles. Yeah, she’s a bit rebellious right now, but in all honesty she’s a good person. She likes to obey her brother, make him proud of who she’s becoming. 

“I know about the prank. A well-deserved prank. Nevertheless-”

“It was well-deserved.” She can’t help but pipe in.

“Nevertheless, Y/n, you should come to me when you have a problem. Grace and I just bought the Arrow House. You are more than welcome to stay with us. But I will allow you to permanently live with Ada in London if that is what you desire.” 

“Allow? Allow me?” She shouts as she stands to her feet. “Tommy, that’s the whole bloody problem. You think I’m one of your soldiers you can order around. I understand when I was younger, but I’m eighteen now. I can decide for myself.”

Tommy stares up at his sister, waiting for her to calm down. 

Hating his steely gaze being directed at her, Y/n sits down.

“I’m letting you decide where you want to live and how much you want to be involved in the distillery side of this company.”

“Oh.”

Tommy can feel the corner of his mouth tugging upwards at how subdued his sister is now. “You are you’re own person; but you’re also my baby sister and I will do anything to keep you safe, even if you fucking hate me.”

Y/n hugs him, each careful of their own cigarette. “I know, Tommy. I do. Just sometimes I feel like all I can be is a good little soldier. That it’s all I’m good for.”

“Don’t forget babysitter.”

Y/n shoves him away as a small laugh escapes. 

Tommy lets her take a few more puffs before gently grabbing her chin. “No more deviant business with Mr. Solomons, eh? He’s a business partner but that can easily change.”

Y/n nods when he lets her chin go. “I’ll be careful, Tommy.”

He nods, believing she will try. “Good little soldier.”

This time he gets a punch to the arm.

“Oi!”

Before Tommy can retaliate, the little devil is out the door and running down the stairs. 

“See you in London, Tommy!”

Forevers: @desiredposion @theseakrakence @simonsbluee

Cora Hale and Stiles Stilinski have been best friends since the womb. Okay from the time they were born they have been inseparable.

Talia and Claudia have always been powerless to separate them. The two kids did everything together. They were always at either the Hale's or the Stilinski's, rarely if ever separated. Sleepovers became an every night kind of thing.

Cora loved soccer and swimming. Stiles loved cross country and swimming. So naturally Cora joined cross country and Stiles joined soccer. They would get up at the crack of dawn and go running every morning and then practice soccer drills for at least an hour every evening. They were both extremely competitive–still are–with each other and then would team up and be competitive with others. Everything from sports, to clubs, to their grades to video games...if they could compete, they would.

Everyone kept waiting for them to become rivals or to have a falling out, but they never did. Year after year they only grew closer.

Eventually people stopped expecting them to fight and began to expect them to fall in love or at least fuck. Stiles and Cora were aware of this, but they have never allowed other people to determine their relationship.

That all changed on New Year's Eve their junior year of high school. They had gone to the party together but not like together together.

Cora is determined to kiss Stiles. She is finally going to tell her best friend how she feels. As the countdown begins, she tries to find Stiles.

"5...4...3..."

"Stiles?" she calls out only to see his lips claimed by a girl named Heather, in their grade as everyone shouted.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Cora's heart shatters and she turns away, missing the moment when Stiles pushes away from Heather with a scowl on his face and searches for her as he wipes his mouth with a disgusted expression.

Stiles is panicking. He had a whole plan. He was going to kiss Cora. He was going to tell her how he feels, but she is nowhere to be found. He calls her but it goes straight to voicemail. He texts her but gets no response. So, he goes to the Hale House only to find that Derek won't let him in.

"Please Der? I need to see her. I have to–"

Derek crosses his arms. "You don't have to do anything. She doesn't want to see you right now. So go home."

"But Derek I–"

"GO!"

Stiles clears his throat as he tries to swallow the lump of emotion stuck in it. With a nod he turns and climbs back into his jeep. He glances up at Cora's bedroom window and finds the curtains shut. She always left them open for him and now–He starts the jeep and drives away. He is left heartbroken and decides to give her space.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

When Stiles shows up to school the following Monday after a very depressing weekend with zero contact from his best friend, he plans to just march right up to her and talk to her.

It's not until he gets in the front doors that he notices everyone staring at him with varied expressions. Pity. Anger. Surprise. Confusion. Stiles gives them an uncertain smile as he makes his way to his locker. He doesn't understand why they are looking at him like that.

That is until he turns down the hallway for the lockers and sees Cora with her back against his locker, her lips slotted with Theo of all people.

He stands there frozen, staring as his heart shatters into pieces, before turning on his heel and heading to class. He has never been more grateful that he never stores anything in his locker.

His seat in calculus is usually right next to Cora's and for a moment he debates switching seats but then decides against it. He won't change things just because his best friend decided to make out with Theo.

Shaking his head, he pushes the sight of Cora and Theo's make out to the back of his mind and focuses on his schoolwork. He had finished his calculus early on Friday afternoon, so he'd have the whole weekend free. Granted he had pictured telling Cora how he feels and then them spending time together just the two of them but well...

He barely notices her trying to get his attention and he is reminded again of the kiss when she sits with Theo and Jackson at lunch. He sits at their usual table grateful for Allison and Isaac.

Allison looks at him worried. "Is everything okay with you and Cora?" she whispers.

Stiles takes a bite of his curly fries to avoid answering verbally but he shakes his head and then shrugs.

Isaac pushes his own curly fries over and offers a reassuring smile. "You need them more than me."

"Thanks guys."

💧💔•💋•💔💧

The misunderstanding with the New Year's kiss is what starts it all. Cora gets competitive and decides to one up Stiles by kissing someone. She wasn't planning on kissing Theo of all people, but she knows by the way Stiles retreats that she should've kissed anyone but the guy who had never been kind to Stiles.

Cora remembers what Theo did to her best– are they still best friends?–their freshman year of high school which makes her feel even worse.

💔•💋•💔

There's never been a time in their lives that they weren't spending time together. Not even when Cora had ear surgery when she was five. Stiles convinced his mother to let him stay and he would curl up in the bed with Cora.

When Stiles was supposed to go to camp one summer, he refused cause it was only for boys, and he wanted Cora to go too. So, they signed up for a summer camp that allowed both girls and boys to come. They were eight and had the best summer ever.

At age ten they share their first kiss. It was inexperienced and they giggled afterward but it was still special.

💔•💋•💔

Little moments all special to her, flit through her mind as the school day passes torturously slow but when the final bell rings, she rushes to the parking lot only to tear up when she realizes Stiles's jeep is already gone.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

As the year progresses, they drift apart more and more, neither of them knowing how to bridge the gap.

Then comes junior prom, which is all anyone who's anyone is talking about.

Heather corners Stiles in the library where he's studying and typing away on his laptop.

"So, I was thinking..."

"Sounds dangerous," he murmurs distractedly.

Heather huffs and slips her arms around his shoulders from behind uncaring of the way he stiffens in response. "Go to prom with me, Stilinski. You've got all the makings of a King."

Stiles grows even more tense and shakes his head. "I'm not much of a dancer. Plus, we're juniors. There is no King."

"Hm. Maybe not but imagine getting Prince this year and then King next year," she purrs in his ear, making him feel nauseous.

"No. I'm not going to prom." He gathers his things and after saving his work shuts his laptop and stands up. "Find someone else."

Heather reaches for his arm, and he pulls out of reach. "Oh, come on baby. Go to prom with me."

Stiles sets his jaw and glares. "I said no. Don't call me baby. Don't touch me ever again. Leave me the hell alone."

"You kissed me back!" She shrieks.

"You can't kiss back when you never wanted the kiss in the first place. You're the one who forced yourself on me. I meant it when I said no. So go find some other boy toy. I'll report you if you try it again."

He turns and leaves the library with his head held high. Stiles has a couple stops to make: the coach's office, the music room, the English classroom, the guidance counselor's office and finally the principal's office. It's time he got out of here.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Despite Stiles turning down a date to prom, Cora still goes, and she goes with Theo. Stiles's heart aches at the sight of her accepting Theo's promposal. He can't just fall out of love with her, but he can't tell her how he feels either. It seems pretty obvious to him that she doesn't feel the same as he does. He hates what Heather did but maybe it was easier this way?

Cora feels nervous and wants to back out so badly, but Theo asked her to prom and well Stiles is going with Heather. So why shouldn't she go to prom too? No one else asked her anyway.

Derek is the one who is home when Theo comes to get her. She's wearing a short lavender dress with sparkles all over it. Theo of course decided against matching, but he did give her corsage. The only problem is that she's allergic to flowers. This makes her brother's eyebrows turn down into a glare, but before he can chew Theo out, Cora has taken her date's arm and is being led to his car.

The car drives away and Derek huffs pulling out his phone. He fires off a text and heads back inside.

[To Stiles] Is that invitation to hang out still open?

[From Stiles] Sure, is Der-Bear. Come on over.

[To Stiles] I thought we said you wouldn't call me that anymore.

[From Stiles] I said no such thing. You told me not to and I ignored it. I know you secretly love it. Now hurry up or the pizza will be gone by the time you get here.

Derek rolls his eyes but smiles as he grabs his jacket and keys. Pretty soon he's in his Camaro and speeding down the road. There had better be some pizza left.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Prom is not what Cora expected it to be at all. Theo is quite handsy and Jackson badmouths Stiles a lot. Lydia just rolls her eyes and smirks at his remarks.

Cora is regretting coming. She feels extremely uncomfortable. She even pulls out her phone when she escapes to the bathroom for a few minutes debating calling Stiles but changes her mind.

When she exits the restroom, her eyes scan the crowd, but she doesn't see Stiles anywhere. She does spot Heather though and is confused to see her making out with Caitlin. Since when is Heather into girls and why would she be here without Stiles? Cora heard her ask him to prom.

She pulls her phone out, ignoring Theo's arm around her waist and texts her brother.

[To Derek] Hey big brother. Is there any change you could come get me?

[From Derek] Why? I thought you were excited for prom.

[To Derek] I was. Kind of but Theo is an asshole, and I don't want to be here anymore.

[From Derek] Text Peter or Laura. One of them will come and get you, I'm sure.

[To Derek] Why can't you come?

[From Derek] I'm with friends right now.

Cora swallows thickly. Derek is with friends, and he didn't say who, which means one of them is probably Stiles.

[To Peter] Hey Uncle Peter. Can you come get me from the school?

[From Peter] Someone not having as good of a time as they had hoped? I wonder why.

She huffs and fights back tears.

[To Laura] Please come get me?

[From Laura] I'm already on my way.

With a sigh she slips her phone back into her clutch and steps away from Theo. "So, this was not fun and I'm going to head out now."

"Whatever," Theo says with a smirk. "I'm surprised you stayed as long as you did."

Lydia and Jackson smirk and Cora feels furious. "Well, you're an asshole. All three of you are. All you do is bad mouth my best friend and–"

"Sweetie, are you sure he's your best friend?" Lydia asks with a faux sympathetic look. "I mean if I had been his friend in some alternate universe where I was literally insane and I pulled the shit you did, I wouldn't want anything to do with you."

Jackson laughs and nods as he slips his arm around Lydia's shoulder. "Come on, this is Stilinski we're talking about. He's always had a few screws loose and he's just–"

Cora feels her phone vibrate as grabs a glass of punch throwing the sticky liquid all over Lydia and Jackson with a furious expression. Her tone is glacial. "Stiles Stilinski is the best thing to ever happen in my life. Yeah, I don't know if we're still best friends, but seventeen years of friendship since fucking diapers isn't going to just vanish because I kissed an asshole."

Theo grins. "Maybe if it was any other asshole but me." His grin becomes a smirk. "After all, how could he forgive you for it when we both know I'm the reason he almost–"

Cora snags his drink and dumps it on his head before storming out with a big 'Fuck you!' thrown over her shoulder.

Laura is waiting outside, and Cora quickly slips into the passenger seat. She barely manages to fasten her seatbelt before she bursts into tears.

Her sister doesn't say anything as she starts the car and drives them home.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

"Thanks for coming to hang out Der."

Derek looks over at Stiles who is flipping through the pages of a journal. "Of course. I mean I–" He hesitates. "I'm sorry for..." he trails off.

Stiles glances over at him and shrugs one shoulder. "You didn't do anything wrong. I was worried you wouldn't want to hang out after the whole thing."

"As if. You're my friend even if you and my sister are on the outs. Plus, you got me pizza."

That elicits a laugh out of Stiles. The two guys had bid Isaac, Danny, Allison and Kira goodbye a couple hours ago and that left just the two of them.

"What's the journal for?" Derek asks.

Stiles closes it and stands up making his way to the attic ladder. "It was once something but now it's nothing." He deposits the journal on a shelf in the attic and then closes the door.

Derek frowns. "It was for her, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," Stiles mumbles. "Oh. Would you do me a favor?"

"Sure. What's up?"

Stiles walks over to his desk and picks up an envelope. "Would you give this to her?"

Derek takes the envelope from the amber eyed boy and nods. "I will." He swallows thickly, having noticed the packed bags. "When are you leaving?"

"In the morning."

Derek isn't a hugger normally, but he pulls Stiles into one. "Call me if you need anything."

Stiles chuckles wetly. "Never thought I'd see the day where Derek Hale would hug me."

"I'm serious," the older man whispers.

"I know. I will call if I need you. Okay?"

They part and Stiles walks Derek out. He needs to get some sleep. It's a long drive in the morning. He glances at his desk once more when he reaches his room. The diploma is hard to look at but well he's a high school graduate now.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Cora is a wreck and after she gets home, she quickly shucks her prom dress before getting in the shower to wash away the night. Now she's sitting on the couch with her knees against her chest and her chin resting on her knees.

The fireplace is crackling, and she gets lost in thought staring at the flames. Her hair is in a messy bun which is familiar and comforting because it's how Stiles always loved her hair to be the most. She's even wearing one of his hoodies and a pair of his boxers he had left behind once, and they had gotten thrown in with the Hale's laundry.

Her tears have long since stopped falling but her heart still aches. It's half past 1 am when the front door opens. Peter is shut in his office working on a case. Laura had gone out with her girlfriend, Lyla. So, it's either her mother–which is highly unlikely considering Talia and Claudia had gone for a ladies's retreat–or Derek.

Her brother peeks his head into the living room and locks eyes with Cora. "You're still up?"

She nods. "Yep."

"Can't sleep?" he asks.

She shakes her head. "Nope."

Derek sighs and makes his way over to her. He plops down on the couch and turns to face her. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really," she whispers, surprised at his offer. Derek hates to talk about feelings. "Did you have a good time with your friends?"

"Definitely."

Cora swallows thickly. "Were you with Stiles?"

Derek quirks a brow and nods. "Yes. I was also with Isaac, Kira, Allison and Danny."

"Oh." She nods and sniffles. "I'm glad you had fun."

Her brother reaches into his back pocket and holds out the letter. "Stiles asked me to give this to you."

Cora's eyes widen and she snatches the letter from him. Her fingers trace the amber eyed boy's handwriting of her name and how he has always drawn a heart in the center of the o. "Why didn't he give it to me himself?"

Derek's expression makes her wince. "Really?"

"Yeah. Okay. Fair."

"I'm heading to bed." He gets up and kisses her forehead before heading upstairs to bed.

Cora stares at the letter afraid to open it. What if he doesn't want to be friends anymore? What if he hates her? What if he is explaining himself? What if he wants to be with Heather? What if–She heads upstairs and shoves it into her nightstand drawer. Tonight has been too emotional for her. She'll read it tomorrow.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Stiles melts into his mother's arms as she hugs him. "Be safe and call me when you get there."

"I will Matka."

She kisses his forehead and ruffles his hair. He laughs and places a kiss on her cheek before climbing into the jeep. His bags are in the backseat all packed and ready to go.

"I love you Mischief."

He waves and hollers out his window as he pulls away. "Love you more Matka!"

She chuckles and watches as he disappears down the street. "I love you most."

Noah gets home from the station a few hours later and heads to bed to sleep off his shift. Claudia does some cooking before settling in to watch her favorite show. She and Talia got back early this morning so she could say goodbye to Stiles.

The two mothers are worried about their kids, but neither will intervene yet if at all. Some things have to be learned the hard way.

Plus, Stiles turns eighteen this summer and Cora will turn eighteen as well at the end of summer. They're adults now and need to spread their wings a little. This is why she was more than fine with her son going to his grandparent's house for the summer.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Cora bursts into her brother's room late in the afternoon the next day. Derek snaps his head in her direction, having been deep into a book he was reading. "What is your problem?"

"Maybe I should just go see him. He can tell me in person what the letter says."

Derek sighs and bookmarks his place before looking at his younger sister. "He said he's leaving but wanted me to give that to you. So, you should just read it."

Cora's jaw drops. "Leaving?! No. Why?"

Derek sighs. "Read the letter." Then he goes back to his book.

Cora's heart races, tears forming as she dashes out of the house, running as fast as she can to Stiles's house only to have Mrs. Stilinski tell her that he is already gone.

Her best friend is gone. "Stiles," she whispers to herself as she walks back home. She sits on her bed and reads the letter.

Cora,

I hate saying this in a letter but needs must and I just can't say it out loud.

I'm leaving for the summer. I need to get away. I need to think and just clear my head.

I hope you had a good prom and that you have a good summer. I'm sorry I won't be there to help you perfect your dives, but I know you can do it. You've always had better form than me anyway.

Enjoy summer break. It's the last one before you'll be getting ready to leave for college.

My phone won't be on, and I'll be out of reach. Please let me have this time.

Always,

Stiles.

She reads it several times before carefully folding it up, sliding it back into the envelope and putting it back in the drawer of her nightstand.

Then she curls up under the quilt he made her when they were in seventh grade, as she cuddles with the stuffed wolf he gave her. She misses him so much.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

It takes a little over six hours to get to his grandparents' house and upon arrival, he melts into their hugs. His grandparents own a mansion in the country and the fresh air is doing him wonders already. It's calm and serene out here.

He eagerly helps his grandmother with chores, especially cooking and baking. His grandfather gives him more lessons on how to ride a horse. He has his own horse named Mischief. It's what his mom has always called him since he was little.

For the first week that's all he does is ride Mischief and make sure she's brushed, fed, watered and that her hooves are cleaned.

During his second week of the summer at his grandparent's house, Stiles meets Avery Astor. She is sarcastic, sweet and a lot of fun to be around.

He's sure that if his heart didn't already belong to Cora then he'd have given it to Avery and then asked her on a date.

"Why is it that we can't have who our hearts want?" Avery asks as she sits in the shade of an old oak by the river.

Stiles skips a rock and shrugs. "I don't know. Sometimes I say fuck the universe."

"Who has your heart?"

"Her name is Cora. We've been best friends since we were in diapers, though our mothers say we were friends since conception. It's a running joke I think but it's serious."

Avery tilts her head, her blonde curls bouncing. "So, what happened?"

Stiles's shoulders slump and the last rock just sinks to the bottom. "I don't know. I mean I do but I also don't." He sits next to her and fiddles with the blades of grass. "It's hard to explain."

"Well, I have all summer. So, you can talk to me if you need to."

"I'll think about it. What about you?"

Avery snorts. "There's a girl I've loved since she saved my life at the pool like three years ago. She was a lifeguard and I had done this dive to try and impress her. I embarrassed myself when my head hit the board as I fell wrong. She ended up reviving me. Her parents aren't my biggest fans."

Stiles frowns. "Why not? You're amazing."

"Thanks Bambi but you see these tattoos and piercings, right?"

"Yeah. They're badass."

"Well, her parents are snooty rich folks, and their daughter is like Miss California or something. Even if she loved me, they'd never approve, and she wants their approval."

Stiles tilts his head. "They're rotten for that. Does she love you?"

Avery shrugs. "I have no idea, but I think it's best I move on. Either way, I can't have who I want."

They exchange a look and Stiles swallows. "So..."

Blue eyes bore into his own amber eyes as she moves closer. "What if we had some fun, Bambi? Just you and me. I mean neither of us can have who we want."

Stiles blinks. "Are you even straight?"

"Oh, Bambi I'm bisexual as fuck. Plus, you're gorgeous. So, I figured why not? I mean, it's up to you."

His heart wants Cora but they're not together and he doesn't know where they are in their friendship. So, it's easy to lean forward and capture Avery's lips with his own.

She moans softly and guides him to lay back. She slowly straddles his hips, and they move together as their kisses deepen. It's pure lust, fueled by desperation to be close to someone. She feels so good with her heat surrounding him and he's glad he keeps a condom in his wallet.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Avery and Stiles have a fling that becomes dating but neither expects it to go anywhere. Avery knows Stiles loves someone else and so does she, but they find comfort in each other since they can't be with the ones they love.

She is the one to talk Stiles into a couple tattoos and a couple piercings, the day after his eighteenth birthday, as well as a new wardrobe. Not to change him but to help him feel more settled and comfortable in his own skin.

"You know I had my doubts," Stiles says as he checks his reflection in the bedroom mirror. "Yet, I have to say I look good." His fingers trace the tattoos on his arms. He got a fox on one shoulder and a wolf on the other.

As he admires them, he feels slim fingers trace his nipples while Avery's chin rests on his shoulder.

"I told you that you're hot, Bambi. You just couldn't see it under all those layers." Her voice is soft, and her fingers tease the metal bars in his sensitive buds making him moan.

He spins around and captures her mouth in a heated kiss, their tongues dancing, eliciting shivers in her body at the feeling of the cool metal of his tongue piercing in her mouth. He's shirtless and she eagerly falls back on the bed letting him hover over her.

Within mere minutes they're naked and she's rolling a condom onto his cock before he sinks into her in one smooth thrust.

"Gods, Bambi!" she cries out as he pummels her g-spot over and over again.

Stiles nips at her neck and wraps his pink lips around her nipples before tracing each pink erect peak with his tongue.

Avery cries out, clamping tight around him squirting as her orgasm crashes over her, him following not far behind her.

After they clean up, Stiles goes back to eyeing his tattoos and she smiles fondly at him. "You really do look good."

"I feel good."

With one last look, he pulls her up and tosses a bathing suit at her. "Let's go for a swim."

Avery laughs and tugs on the bikini. "Race you?"

"Oh, you're on!"

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Stiles's clothes are much more form fitting now and he loves it. He doesn't feel different exactly. He still feels like himself, but he looks more confident and well he feels a lot more confident too. Avery helped him own his body, his looks and his entire being.

He may also have gotten a small tattoo on his ankle in her handwriting.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Cora tries to do what Stiles said in his letter and enjoy her summer but it's really really hard when they've spent every summer together. She does perfect her dive but he's not there to see it so it doesn't feel as special. She still gets Laura to record it just in case.

She also gets to meet Lyla for the first time and couldn't help the pang in her heart when she sees how happy her sister is with her girlfriend.

Lyla and Laura are college roommates and went from roommates, to friends, to best friends to dating. Cora won't be surprised if they're endgame. They sure look like it.

Derek hasn't heard from Stiles since the last time Cora asked and gives her a disapproving look. Which is fair because Stiles did say he'd be out of touch. She can't help it though if she wondered if he was just going to apply that to her.

Still summer sucks and she's looking forward to when it ends because that means Stiles will be back and she's been rehearsing all summer what she'll say to him.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

After he rides Mischief once more, he gets his things packed into his jeep. Avery is leaning against the fence with a soft smile on her face. "Well, I guess this is it, Bambi."

Stiles pulls her into a hug and kisses her cheek. "Guess so, but we'll see each other again. I'd like to be friends if you would."

Avery smiles and kisses his cheek. "I'd kick your ass if you just disappeared on me."

"Well, good thing I don't have any plans to do that then." He glances at the road he's about to take on his way back home and his shoulders tense. "What if our friendship is irreparable?" he asks softly.

"Didn't you say you two have been friends since you were born?"

Stiles nods. "Yeah."

Avery sighs and hugs him burying her face against his chest. "Then don't give up on it. Not everyone is so lucky to have such a friendship."

"She broke my heart. She kissed Theo."

"She did and I'm not excusing her behavior, but you can either talk about it and forgive her or you can let him win and allow what happened to ruin an eighteen year friendship."

Stiles huffs and nods playing with her hair absentmindedly. "All right. Theo is a fucking asshole. I'll see about talking to her. Maybe we can at least be friends."

"You'll always want more."

"I know."

"Can you live with that?"

Stiles shrugs. "I'll have to. I'd rather have her in my life as my friend than not at all." He feels his phone buzz and pulls back. "That's my alarm. I have to get going. Call you when I'm home?"

Avery playfully punches his shoulder. "You'd better or I'll hunt you down myself."

They exchange a final hug and a final chaste kiss before he's on the road back to Beacon Hills.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

The day Stiles is due back, Cora is a ball of nerves. She has turned down every single one of Theo's advances because her heart belongs to the boy full of mischief. She can only hope his heart can belong to her.

Theo spread salacious things about her and how she was in bed. It's ridiculous because they never even had sex but it doesn't stop people from believing it and well if Stiles were here, they'd never say it but he's not here. So, it's a free for all.

Cora shows up to the Stilinski house to wait for Stiles to get back. She gets there early and watches the Sheriff head into work around 8 am. Then Mrs. Stilinski heads to her nursing shift around 11 am. After that it's a waiting game until Stiles's jeep pulls up around 3 pm that afternoon.

Her stomach sinks to her feet as her heart gets lodged in her throat. Here goes nothing and everything all at once. To say that it is a shock to see Stiles again is an understatement. The guy doesn't even look like Stiles but then again, those eyes are still full of mischief.

"Oh. Hello Cora," he says as he gets out of his jeep.

Cora stands from her place on the front steps of his house. "Hey Stiles." Her voice is soft as her eyes take in his appearance. She sees a glint of silver near his mouth and his clothes are tighter. He looks good. He looks really fucking good.

Stiles grabs his duffel bag out of the back seat and walks up to the house. Cora steps aside and tries to find words but is surprised when Stiles gestures. "You wanna come inside?" he asks as he opens the door.

"S-Sure. Thanks."

"Have a seat. You know where everything is. I'm gonna shower quick."

Cora nods and watches him head upstairs before she gets settled on the couch. Cora's cheeks twinge pink at the image of Stiles in the shower. She shifts uneasily feeling herself get turned on. She's always been attracted to her best friend but there's just something about him now that intensifies that feeling. She squeezes her thighs together to try and quell the growing want.

Stiles isn't faring much better as he takes himself in hand and jerks off fast. It's nothing like sex was with Avery because it's Cora. It's Cora who he has loved since before he really understood what love really was. He bites his fist to keep in his moan as he releases when his orgasm rushes through him.

After he's come down from his high, he quickly but thoroughly speed washes his body and hair before stepping out of the shower and drying off. He hurries to his bedroom and tugs on a pair of sweatpants–forgoing underwear–and a tight black tank top.

Cora almost squeaks as her cheeks flush crimson when she glimpses Stiles walking to his room without a shirt and only a towel around his waist. She takes several deep breaths because it seems so wrong to be ogling her best friend when she needs to be prepared to apologize. The ogling can come later.

Stiles comes back downstairs in sweatpants that hang low on his hips and tight black tank top. He gets them each a Gatorade–blue for himself and orange for Cora–before plopping down next to her on the couch.

"Stiles, there's something I want to talk to you about," Cora blurts out fiddling with the label on her Gatorade bottle.

Stiles takes a drink of his own Gatorade and nods. "Okay. Shoot."

Cora takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. It's like all her words have suddenly left her and now that she's here face to face with him she doesn't know how to start. "About after New Year's–"

"Let me stop you there. That was months ago, and I'd rather not relive it. Thanks," he states firmly but not unkindly.

Cora tilts her head. "You'd rather not relive your first kiss?"

Stiles snorts and then shakes his head as he frowns. "You were my first kiss."

"We were ten!" Cora sputters.

"Uh huh. So?"

Cora splutters again. "You consider that your first? Why?"

Stiles looks away and gives a one shoulder shrug. "Because it was with you."

'This gorgeous ridiculous beautiful mischievous man.' Cora thinks to herself. "I'm sorry."

He glances at her. "For what?"

"Kissing Theo. Going to prom with him. Hurting you."

Stiles looks away and sucks in a breath. "Why did it have to be him?"

Cora swallows thickly, her gut churning with guilt as she remembers what Theo did to Stiles their freshman year of high school.

💔•💋•💔

They had been warming up at a cross country meet for their run when Theo made some scathing remarks and gave colorful taunts. Stiles as usual ignored them but it was harder for Cora to do the same. Stiles was the fastest runner at their school and had never been beaten. Theo hated it and it's why the two of them never got along.

As Cora crested the final hill, she was shocked to see how close Theo was to Stiles. It made no sense to her. Then it was like a car crash, and she couldn't look away. Stiles had just crossed the finish line and was drinking from a water bottle when Theo, who had been a couple yards behind him, barreled into him.

She heard Stiles cry out and then she saw red. By the time she came back to herself Stiles was passed out and there was so much blood she almost got sick. Mrs. Stilinski was kneeling down by her son and the Sheriff had called 911. Theo was smirking subtly, and Cora socked him in the nose.

It was with blood on her knuckles that she accepted Stiles's medal. Theo's behavior and him attacking Stiles disqualified him from the event. Thus, Cora took second place and Brett from Devonford Prep took third place.

Stiles was in the hospital sedated for two weeks. Cora was there for every second of it holding his hand. His left arm had minor nerve damage that was almost completely permanent. Luckily the doctors said he wouldn't lose feeling or use of his arm completely and in a few days would be just fine. It didn't make it any less scary though.

Theo was suspended and banned from cross country. Stiles bears a scar as a reminder of what happened, but he hasn't ever let it change who he is or keep him down. It's a battle scar and he'll wear it proudly. The medal still has a tiny dash of crimson on it all these years later.

Stiles went on to win the state championship the next two years as well.

💔•💋•💔

Cora lets the tears fall down her cheeks and shakes her head. "I don't have an explanation that makes a difference. I fucked up. I know I did. I let myself get jealous and when I saw you kiss Heather, I wanted you to hurt like I hurt."

Stiles clenches his jaw. "I didn't kiss her."

"What?" Cora says confused. "But I saw–"

"She kissed me without my consent. I pushed her away, but I guess you didn't see that part."

"She asked you to pro–"

"I turned her down and once again she touched me without my consent."

Cora's face pales and she sets her Gatorade aside feeling like she's going to be sick. "That fucking bitch."

Stiles snorts Gatorade out of his nose and then starts laughing before it turns into sobbing. "Yeah. D-Definitely a b-b-bitch."

Years of offering comfort kick in and she wraps her arms around her friend, uncaring about the sticky blue drink dripping from his mouth and nose. He's still beautiful to her. "I'm sorry. I should have been there for you." Her voice is soft as she runs her fingers gently through his hair.

Stiles rests his head heavily against her chest, tucking himself under her chin and sighs. "I managed just fine without you."

"You shouldn't have had to handle it alone. I'm still gonna smack her."

"No, you aren't."

"Yes, I am," she promises as her fingers continue to card through his hair while her other hand rubs circles on his back. Her gaze shifts and she gasps when she spots the tattoos. "You got inked."

Stiles blushes and pulls away reluctantly. "Uh yeah. It wasn't my idea, but I love them."

Cora smiles. "Can I see them?"

"Huh? Oh, uh sure." He pulls his tank top off and turns his back to her.

The heat of his skin makes her shiver as she traces the fox and wolf. "They're beautiful," she whispers.

Stiles blushes and clears his throat. "Just like you," he says in barely a whisper, making Cora freeze. She doesn't know what to do or what to say. He must sense that because he quickly continues. "You don't have to say anything. I can keep my feelings to myself. Especially since you don't feel the sam–"

"I DO!" she snaps with desperation and moves around to cup his face. "I do. I always have. I-I was going to tell you on New Year's Eve but then I saw the kiss and I thought..."

The hope in his eyes makes her want to cry but the affection and love makes her want to jump for joy. "I was going to tell you that night too. I tried to find you, but you were gone, and Derek wouldn't let me in. He said you didn't want to see me."

Cora sniffles and sighs. "I didn't. I told myself that if you were happy that's what mattered but I was so angry and so hurt. It wasn't planned but I saw your good morning text and asked myself 'Does he send her that too?' and I just pushed Theo against the locker and kissed him."

Stiles takes her hands from his face and intertwines their fingers. "You're the only one I always say good morning and good night to. You're the one whose opinion matters most to me. You're the one I dream about and you're the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about before I fall asleep."

"Fuck I'm so stupid," she mutters melting at the way their fingers slot together perfectly.

"We all make mistakes. That doesn't mean we're stupid."

Cora snorts. "What mistake did you make?"

Stiles shrugs. "Not telling you sooner I guess."

She tilts her head and uses her thumb to catch a drop of Gatorade from his lips. "Once I'm forgiven and we're back to where we were. Tell me again. Okay?"

"I don't know how long that will take," he whispers, feeling conflicted.

Cora nods. "I know but if you still love me when we get there tell me and if you don't then I'll still want you as my best friend."

Stiles smiles and pulls her into a hug. "I can do that."

He's oblivious to the internal war going on inside Cora at the feeling of his bare chest pressed against her clothed one. Cora has always felt safe when she's wrapped in his arms. She loves him so much. Always has and always will.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

With Stiles having already graduated high school, Cora ends up attending classes on her own for her senior year. It sucks so much. Usually, she'd have someone by her side but he's home taking online classes for his first year of university.

However, he does drive her to and from school every day. They get breakfast and then he'll drop her off. They'll get milkshakes after school after he picks her up.

Theo pops up again and Cora is glad she told Stiles everything or the rumors would've shattered her best friend. She isn't expecting to find a bloody and bruised Theo by the dumpsters when she heads to the soccer field for practice, but it does bring her a sense of satisfaction. Therefore, she doesn't say a word about Stiles's bloody knuckles when he picks her up.

Two months into the new school year Stiles tells her about Avery and shows her his tattoo. It would have hurt more than a little if she too hadn't had her own Avery. They laugh about it because it figures they'd find someone with the same name to be their first. That night they have a sleepover and neither of them miss the smiles on their mothers' faces.

The first semester flies by and Cora is finished with classes the week before Stiles takes his last final. Then they take a trip to their favorite ice-skating rink just like they used to do every winter. Cora chooses to tell herself that her cheeks are red from the cold and not from the heat of Stiles's hand on her hip where her shirt slid up when she almost fell.

The second semester starts, and senior prom is already being advertised. It brings up bad memories and Cora has every intention of not going. At least she wasn't going to go until she arrived at Stiles's house for movie night a month before to find him holding a sign.

You will always be my queen whether in sweats or a gown But you deserve to be courted and shown off So will you go to the ball we me and dance in my arms Just say yes...I'll make sure the jeep doesn't turn into a pumpkin

Cora starts laughing and throws herself at him. "You're so goofy," she mumbles into his shirt.

He chuckles and sets the sign aside as he wraps his arms around her. "Does that make you Pluto or Mickey?'

"I don't know," she says with a smile even as she thinks to herself. 'It makes me yours.'

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Stiles goes with her and Laura to pick out a dress. She chooses a floor length velvet burgundy dress with glitter, a corset fastening in the back and the dress is strapless. Stiles gapes at her and she blushes almost the shade of the dress. "What do you think?"

He smiles at her. "I'm going to prom with the most beautiful girl in the world. You're breathtaking."

Cora grins at him and looks at her sister who seems both amused and pleased. "Perfect!" Laura crows. "Let's get it."

Cora expects them to get something to eat after that, but Laura drags Stiles away and Derek comes to hang with Cora. "Where are they going?"

He snorts. "Stiles has to get a tux."

She frowns slightly. "Oh." She chews her lip. "Do you think he'll want to match me?"

Derek smiles. "I do. He's not an asshole like he who must not be named."

"True."

"He is still a certain species of asshole though. It's just the lovable kind."

Cora snickers and sips her milkshake waiting for her best friend and sister to return.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

"I don't know about this one Laura."

She huffs. "Why not? It looks perfect on you."

Stiles snorts. "I wouldn't say perfect but..." he trails off and ushers her over to the ipad and scrolls through the selections. "I was thinking something like this."

Her eyes scan the image, and she grins. "Oh, I love it!!"

A few minutes later Stiles is once again on the platform, this time in a burgundy red velvet suit with a burgundy red vest, white dress shirt and a black bowtie. His shoes are black, and his pocket square is white to match the dress shirt.

Laura takes some pictures and whistles. "Looking good there, hot stuff."

Stiles flushes and bites his lip. "Do you think she'll like it?"

"Pssssshhh. Of course, she will but she will not just like it, she will love it. Now let's get it and go. Derek is probably at his quota of social interaction for the day."

They pay for the suit and head out.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Prom night arrives and Cora is all dressed up in her gown with high black stiletto heels on her feet. She has a black clutch with a silver chain and her hair is curled and pulled into a braided bun with face framing tendrils. She also has a velvet shawl to cover her shoulders. She debates not bringing it, a part of her hoping Stiles will offer her his jacket but she decides to bring it just in case.

Laura comes to her room and gasps, tearing up. "Oh my god Cora! You look amazing!"

"Really?" she asks quietly. "You promise?"

Her older sister hugs her and smiles. "I swear on curly fries."

Cora giggles. "You've been spending too much time with Stiles."

Laura scoffs. "There is no such thing as too much time with Stiles. He's almost here by the way. Are you ready?"

"I-I think so?" she replies weakly.

"Okay. What's wrong?"

Cora sighs and fiddles with the chain on her clutch. "Prom last year was awful from beginning to end. From Theo giving me flowers even though I'm allergic to the way they talked about Stiles. It sucked and I will literally cry so hard if this turns out badly."

Laura tilts her head. "What makes you think it will go badly?"

Cora just shrugs and glances at the window, seeing a pair of headlights coming up the road.

"Listen to me little sis," her sister orders and Cora meets her gaze as she continues. "Theo is a fucking asshole. Stiles is an asshole too but he's the good kind. He's been your best friend for years. He is nothing like Theo and he's a big boy. He can take care of himself. You're psyching yourself out of what could be the best night of your life."

"He is pretty amazing, isn't he?" she says with a dopey lovesick smile.

Laura snorts but smiles. "Yeah. He sure is."

"And gorgeous. Oh, and smart and funny and–" Cora blushes and huffs. "Okay. I'm going."

"Thata girl!" Laura crows as they leave the youngest Hale's room and head to the stairs.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Stiles gets to the Hale house early both because he is excited and because he is nervous. Derek ushers him in and gives him an approving smile and nod at his outfit. He does help Stiles straighten his tie though since it is a little crooked.

Derek also helps distract him by talking about his college courses but when they hear a swishing sound by the stairs, they both glance over.

Stiles's jaw drops open as Cora descends, his breath catching. "Gorgeous," he breathes in awe.

Cora watches him with the same intensity as her earrings catch the light along with the silver bracelet he had gotten for her as a belated eighteenth birthday present. It has a fox and a wolf chasing each other on it and the underside has an inscription of their names. "I was going to say the same about you. You look amazing Stiles."

He scoffs. "Says the queen to the pauper." His hands are behind his back hiding a final gift.

"What do you have behind your back?" she asks even as she rolls her eyes fondly at his words. "You're no pauper."

Stiles shrugs. "Agree to disagree, your majesty," he teases and then pulls a box from behind his back. "I know that it's traditional to offer a corsage but we both know you can't have a normal one. However, I think you'll find this is better than any real flower could be."

She takes the box from him and opens it to find a corsage made entirely from origami flowers. She sniffles and holds her wrist out. "Would you put it on me please?"

"It would be my pleasure."

💧💔•💋•💔💧

After more pictures are taken Cora steps out onto the porch confused when she doesn't see the jeep. "Where's Roscoe?"

Stiles joins her and helps fasten her velvet cloak. "She's staying home tonight but don't worry I have something else in mind anyway."

A beep sounds and Cora's eyes widen. "No fucking way!"

Derek never lets anyone drive his baby and yet here they are getting in it and Stiles is driving it for fucks sakes. Her phone vibrates and she pulls it out as they pull away from the house.

[From Derek] No, I haven't gone insane. He asked and I said yes. Enjoy it!

Cora laughs and smiles when Stiles takes her hand briefly on the way there. Laura is right, tonight is going to be the best night of her life.

💧💔•💋•💔💧

They are a little early getting there so they take their time getting out of the car and going in. Stiles hesitates and she turns to look at him. "What's wrong?"

He blinks and searches her face. "Cora, I–"

"Stiles! Cora! Over here!"

They glance over to see Isaac and Allison arm in arm looking stunning in their matching outfits with lavender accents.

Cora waves and turns to look at Stiles wanting to make sure everything is okay, but he offers his arm with a soft smile. "Shall we?" he asks, and she nods, taking his arm.

"We shall."

💧💔•💋•💔💧

Everyone on the prom committee really outdid themselves this year. The theme is royalty and well everyone looks like they could be royal.

They chat with Isaac and Allison for a little while before migrating to the dance floor. Cora will never get tired of being held by her best friend. No one else has ever made her feel this way or this safe. The way he looks at her steals her breath away in the best way.

Not even Theo's dirty looks, Jackson's sneers or Lydia's gestures can ruin this night for her.

"You really do look amazing Stiles."

He grins. "So do you. Thank you for saying yes to going with me."

Cora smiles and moves closer to him as they sway. "Thank you for asking." She tilts her head searching his face. "What were you going to say before we came inside?"

Stiles's eyes widen and his cheeks twinge pink. "O-Oh. Well, I just–"

"Students, if I may have your attention, please?" the principal says into the microphone up on the stage. "It is time to announce this year's Prom King and Prom Queen. Would the nominees please make their way to the stage?"

Cora squeezes Stiles's hand and in a moment of courage kisses his cheek before making her way up to the stage. She is one of four nominees for queen, the other three being Lydia Martin, Heather Custer and Allison Argent. The four nominees for prom king are Theo Raeken, Jackson Whittemore, Isaac Lahey and Danny Mahealani.

"This year we will announce Prom King first."

The guys all puff up their chests–well Theo and Jackson do–as they wait for the results.

"This year's Beacon High Prom King is...Theo Raeken."

Theo smirks and steps over to accept his crown as the principal pulls out the next envelope. He winks at Cora who scowls at him before swallowing hard when the Queen is announced.

"This year's Beacon High Prom Queen is...Cora Hale!"

Her eyes find Stiles who is whistling and cheering loudly for her as she accepts her crown.

"As is tradition...make room for the dance of the King and Queen."

With a smug look on his face Theo leads her to the dance floor and pulls her in for a dance. There's alcohol on his breath when he leans in to whisper in his ear. "How does it feel to know that if it wasn't for you, he'd be in my place, and you'd be dancing with him but instead you're here dancing with me while he has to watch. I bet it is painful for him."

She feels sick even as her face forms a furious expression. "Fuck you, Theo!"

"If you'd like to, I won't say no. I mean I must say you look divine."

She tries to pull away, but his arm is like a vice around her waist. She's about to headbutt him when he flies back from her clutching his nose. "WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?" he hollers.

"I thought we came to an understanding Raeken," Stiles snarls and stalks over to the other boy. "Seems you forgot. I mean I'm not shocked. Your brain is smaller than a pea. I don't think you even have two cells to rub together. We all know that you and Jackson would be flunking if Lydia wasn't doing your homework for you. I wonder how you'll survive college. I mean that is if you get to go. I heard someone informed the principal of Lydia doing homework for you both, so I don't expect you'll get to go to college. Not to mention the drugs you've been selling. They'll probably expel you. Seems fitting in my opinion. You're just as toxic as the drugs you sell, if not more so."

Theo glares at Stiles as he takes a step towards him. "You're just a jealous motherfucker cause I had her first."

Stiles makes a fist and then relaxes it as he smirks. "She's not an object you can have and you're wrong by the way. I've been hers since we were in diapers. So, fuck off and good luck trying to get out of this one."

Cora's heart races at her best friend's words. 'I've been hers since we were in diapers.' She doesn't wait around to watch Theo get escorted out along with Lydia and Jackson. Instead, she drags Stiles outside and wraps her arms around his neck. "I love you," she whispers.

His smile is brighter than the sun. "I love you more."

She leans in their breaths mingling as their foreheads rest together. "I love you most."

They have both grown up hearing Mrs. Stilinski say that to her son and her husband. It felt right to say it to each other now.

He searches her face and when she nods her consent, he kisses her. Warmth floods their bodies as fire pulses through their veins. Nothing exists or has any meaning outside of each other and the feeling of their lips dragging hotly together over and over again.

They get into the backseat of the Camaro and shuck their outer layers. Stiles's jacket gets tossed in the front seat and Cora's shawl joins it as he cups her face when their tongues start dancing together. Fuck that tongue ring feels so good in her mouth.

The passion ramps up as he grows hard, and she moans when he bites her lip and tugs gently. They're both panting heavily when they pull apart. Their grins are so wide their cheeks hurt as their cheeks flush darker red.

"Do you want to–"

"Are we going too–"

"You first," they say simultaneously and then end up laughing.

Cora clears her throat as Stiles speaks. "We don't have to do anything else."

She chews her lip. "But if I wanted to, would you want to?"

Stiles quirks a brow. "It depends on what you want to do. I think your brother might murder me if we make a mess in his car."

"Well..." she trails off and gives him a seductive smile as she looks up at him from under her eyelashes. "I was thinking of these." She takes his fingers and puts one into her mouth, hollowing her cheeks as she sucks on his middle finger. Then she switches to his index finger and finally his ring finger. Each one gets a turn and then two and then all three.

His pupils dilate as he watches her with rapt attention, and he moans at the feeling. "O-Oh fuck!"

She giggles and pulls her mouth off his fingers loving how his pants are tenting and he looks all flushed. "I have pictured these fingers so many times and I would feel so guilty afterwards," she admits shyly.

Stiles gulps and leans forward gently tracing his other hand up her thigh. "What did you picture?"

Cora guides his hand under her dress and to her now dripping core keeping their gazes locked. "I pictured them inside me, curling just right and making me come undone so completely I couldn't think of anything but your name." His fingers brush her thong, and she shivers.

"I can do that. I-I want to do that. Let me? Please."

With a nod she captures his lips again as he sinks one finger into her easily and with how wet she is he slips in a second finger right away. The windows begin to fog over as the pressure builds in her abdomen and they pant open mouthed.

"St-Stiles!" she cries out. "I'm go-gonna–AH!!" she screams in pleasure, throwing her head back as she cums around his fingers.

He works her through the aftershocks and then slowly pulls his hand out, careful not to get anything on her dress. He slips his fingers into his mouth as he reaches into his pants to stroke himself to the taste. Just as he's about to cum, Cora's lips seal around his cock and he chokes back a stuttered groan. She swallows every drop. "Fucking hell, Cora Hale."

They take a few minutes to get their breathing back under control and then right their clothing. They drive to the Hale house to return the Camaro and then head inside to change out of their outfits.

Cora pulls on the boxers and hoodie belonging to Stiles and then heads to the kitchen to make them something to eat.

Stiles comes downstairs in sweatpants and a tank top. He finds her in the kitchen and grabs out two Gatorades–one blue and one orange–and takes them into the living room. He cues up their favorite children's movie–Fox and the Hound–and grabs the quilt his Babcia made for them.

Not even ten minutes later they are curled up on the couch together. Stiles is laying on his back with his head on a pillow on the arm rest with Cora's head on his chest, her body between his legs and the blanket over them. She blushes as he hand feeds her the fruit and they settle in to watch the movie.

It truly has been the best night of Cora's life. She has a boyfriend who is her best friend and she's happy. Plus, seeing him put Theo in his place was hot.

She looks up at him, his face slightly shadowed as his gaze is fixed on the movie. He's beautiful and he's hers. "I love you," she whispers.

He glances down at her and smiles fondly, his eyes full of love and affection. "I love you more."

"I love you most," she says as she leans up slightly to bring their lips together.

Neither of them hears the door shut quietly but later when Cora checks her phone, she'll see a text from her brother.

Wanda groaned as she pulled the sweater dress over her head and struggled to adjust it around her curves. “Boha,” she cursed as she turned around, her head only moving when she had to, checking her reflection in the mirror. Nothing was fitting right nor was it hiding the protruding bump in front of her that she and Bucky desperately tried to keep a secret. She faced the mirror again, her hand resting on the bump and the other on her back. “Why didn’t I get a bigger size?”

“What’s wrong lisichka?” Bucky walked into the room, fingers working the buttons of the navy shirt he wore.

“I don’t think we can hide it anymore, miláčik môj,” Wanda sighed, looking at his reflection. Her hand ran over her belly as her head tilted to the side. “I think it’s time we finally told everyone.”

He finished the last button and wrapped his arms around her, his flesh hand resting over hers as he rested his chin on her shoulder. “They would be blind not to see that you are pregnant,” he mused, a small smirk forming on his lips.

“James,” she groaned, her eyes lit with amusement, “I’m talking about us...telling them about us.”

“Why do they need to know? I mean, we were able to date and get married without any of them, including Natasha, knowing about it.” He looked at her in the mirror, and noted the narrowing of her eyes. “Oh...you don’t want them to think you got knocked up from a one night stand. Ooof!”

Her high heeled foot slammed onto his bare one, knowing he could take it.

“James,” she warned, “si niekedy neznesiteľný, vieš o tom?”

“Lisichka,” he soothed, his metal hand coming up to drag a finger down her cheek and neck, “I’m teasing. I’m sorry that I offended you, lyubimaya.” He placed a kiss on her neck before stepping back. “If you want to tell them tonight, we will. And you look beautiful, Wans. Just like on our wedding day.”

They arrived on time but sat in the car for almost an hour as Wanda was having second thoughts about telling everyone close in their lives that she and Bucky had been secretly married for almost two years and now they are expecting a child in the next five or so months.

“We don’t have to go in, lisichka,” Bucky said softly, his flesh hand taking hers and giving it a squeeze.

Wanda shook her head and smiled. “It’s Steve’s birthday, we should go.”

“Lyubimaya, he’s going to have many more after this one. We don’t have to do this now. We can wait until mladshiy is here,” he offered, raising her hand to press his lips to her wrist.

“What makes you think it’s a boy?” she asked with a giggle, her hand turning to rest against his scruffed jawline.

“It’s a guess. Also, I really want a boy. I’m scared to be a girl dad.”

“She’s not going to break–”

“I don’t want to kill every person that comes to the door to court her.”

“That’s very sexist,” she teased, her hand falling to unbuckle her seatbelt. “Alright, let's go. They are going to find out sometime in the future.” She took a deep breath and opened the door. Bucky was by her side in seconds, his arm going around her waist and taking her purse from her.

“What the fuck am I seeing?” Tony’s jaw looked like it would fall off and drop to the floor, making Bucky chuckle to himself as he watched Steve glare at the billionaire.

“Tony,” Steve groaned, rolling his eyes and uncrossed his arms as he walked towards Bucky and Wanda. He gave them both a warm smile and hugged each one of them before he looked at Wanda. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks Steve,” Wanda replied with a bright smile.

“So, when did that happen?” Sam asked with a smirk, looking at Bucky with a raised brow.

“When did what happen?” Bucky replied stone faced, but Wanda could see the glint of mischief in his blue eyes.

“Oh, you know what,” Sam scoffed, shaking his head.

“Oh, we got married about two years ago,” Bucky replied nonchalantly, his right shoulder going up as his mouth pulled up in one corner. His response earned a sputter from Tony, who was downing a glass of scotch. His reaction made Bucky laugh, earning a light slap to the chest from Wanda, who was smiling.

“No shit,” Natasha teased, winking at the couple, “you tried hard, Barnes, but you didn’t succeed.”

“You knew?” Wanda asked, her eyes widening. “How–”

“I was a Russian spy. It’s my job to know things,” the redhead replied. “But I didn’t tell anyone. Not my business. Just a bit hurt that you didn’t tell me.” She gave her a mock frown but raised her glass in a salute and smiled.

“Well, Laura and I knew,” Clint added as he fiddled with something Wanda couldn’t see. “She called Laura within days of knowing, asking about everything she needed.”

“She told Clint and you kept it from me. I’m hurt, Buck,” Steve laughed. “C’mon, we can talk about this over here while Tony adjusts to the news.”

“Fuck off Rogers,” Tony replied, rolling his eyes. “Just more of trying to accept that these two are a couple and we never noticed...outside of Natasha. By the way, you need witnesses to get married, who did you have?”

“T’Challa and Nakia,” Bucky answered as he walked with Wanda over to the couch where Clint moved to the floor to let her sit.

“That’s where we got married too. In Wakanda. Away from prying eyes,” Wanda added, sinking into the comfort of the couch and slipped off her heels.

“Two years,” Tony repeated, “You two have been married for two years. How did we miss this?”

“He’s an ex-assassin and she’s a mind controlling witch,” Clint replied, pointing the straw he was fiddling with at Wanda. “Even if we did find out, I bet she could make us forget.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” Wanda scowled, her hand moving to hit the back of his head. “You’re all like family to me, to us, but there are something we weren’t ready to tell.”