Acceptance - Stiles imagine
Based on this prompt. Note, I’m not a non-binary person myself, so I apologise if there’s something that isn’t quite right, please feel free to correct any inaccuracy you find. b/n = Birth name o/p original pronoun, i.e. before they started to identify as non-binary and using they and them pronouns. I enjoyed writing this, hopefully you enjoy it.Â
You didn't expect for there to be a parade or something when you came out, maybe some cake and balloons and a paintball fight. That would've been epic. Or even just an okay, and everyone moving on with their day, nothing different. Except it was, or rather you had changed, the way you understood yourself and finally made sense of the feelings you'd had for a while. About a lot of things. You decided to tell your best friend first, and that totally backfired on you. By the end of the week everyone knew and you were the new butt of their jokes. The jokes you could handle, losing your friends were harder. You realized they hadn't been much of friends anyhow so it didn't hurt as much as you thought it would when you knew you were on your own. The constant bullying however, the graffiti on your locker and in the bathrooms, nasty anonymous comments online because the cowards they are. Not a single person stood up for you, not even the teachers, who continued to call you by your birth name and using your old pronouns. They didn't give a single fuck.
You almost cried with relief when you were transferred to Beacon Hills High. This was a chance for a fresh start, no one knew you here, there was no history you could be who you wanted. You kept telling yourself that it would be fine. And it started out okay, you met a really nice guy with doe eyes and moles all over who showed you around and babbled on about everything and anything, sometimes going off on a bit of a tangent before catching himself and asking questions here and there. What the hell is a Stiles? Was the first thing you said when he introduced himself again at the end of the tour, giving you a number if you had any more questions, coaxing a genuine laugh from the boy. “You're going to fit in just fine. This is your stop. Good luck.” It was awkward as always the first day of school, you were the lone outsider and you could feel everyone's eyes on you as you hurried  your way through one introduction after another. The only one who didn't make you introduce yourself was Coach Finstock, just gesturing for you to sit down, which you gladly did.
It lasted  until last period, Mr Harris that asshole, read your birth name out loud to the class, you promptly froze in your seat next to a friendly looking guy you had another class name, Danny maybe?
“It's Y/n. It should be on the list.”You managed, gripping on to the desk so tightly your knuckles were turning white. It was over, your secret was out. You just about made it through class, rushing out the door to get to your locker hurrying to get out of there. You weren't quick enough. A body came up beside you, the locker suddenly slamming shut in front of your face and you startled to see one of the jocks looking at you expectingly.
“Hey, b/n. You don't seem to bad, maybe a little bit of a make over,  you could be attractive. Maybe even date a lacrosse player.”
“You-” You were so mad, you couldn't form sentences right now. You'd had it with these ignorant jerks who think they know better, like that would be a compliment right there.
“Hey Jackass, shut up.” A voice spoke up, stepping in between the two of you, the plaid shirt seemed familiar. Right, it was the guy from before. Stiles.
“I'm just talking to o/p. It's a free country Stilinski. Mind your own business.”
“They have a name. It's Y/n. Even an ignorant asshole like yourself could wrap your hand around remembering something so simple as a name, right? It's a combination of sounds you make to refer to someone or get their attention.”
“Oh, that does it.” The next thing you knew, Stiles was on the floor getting himself a beatdown, people cheering in the background. You felt sick to your stomach, but you couldn't bring yourself to move, or even look away. This was all your fault.
“Hey, what the hell is going on here?” Coach Finstock broke through the crowd of spectators who had gathered to watch the interaction, pausing briefly to take in the scene of Stiles' bloody nose and the jerk currently pinning him to the ground dealing out punches. The two of them hadn't noticed his arrival, not breaking apart until two guys wearing lacrosse shirts showed up and lifted him off, if you didn't know better you'd sworn they practically threw him off, judging by their interaction they were friends of Stiles, the shorter one sending a concerned look your way. The light was probably just playing a trick on you, it had been a long first day. Week. Month. Year. You were tired, drained really. A show like this was the last thing you wanted, drawing more attention towards yourself.
“Alright principal's office now, both of you.” Stiles threw you an assuring smile over his shoulder as he was being led of. Jackson didn't even look back at you and you were thankful for that. The bell rang and the crowd was disbanded, the hallway empty once again and you finally breathed out, not realizing you'd been holding your breath the entire time. You were confused, not sure why this person, a stranger practically, would stick up for you like that like not even the people you thought were your closest friends would. You had barely had a conversation with the guy and he showed you more respect and decency than most people you knew. But why, that was a question you couldn't shake. You held on as long as you could, finally blurting it out the next day in the middle of the cafeteria, stopping all conversation when you walked up and continued without waiting for any kind of invitation.
“Why did you do that? I don't need you to defend me, I can handle myself.”
“I never doubted that. It was more for myself than anything. And because he was a jackass who needed to be brought down a notch. It was a long time coming, you just happened to be the last straw.” He shrugged, taking another bite of his pasta like it was no big deal. You weren't sure how to respond to that. You were used to condescending people, always asking for something in return. No one was ever just nice. Except for him, apparently. Maybe things would be different here after all.
“Stiles, aren't you going to invite them to join us?” A girl with light hair spoke up, directing a sweet smile your way. “I'm sorry about him, we're still working on his manners. Join us. I want to know everything about you.” You had a feeling you just walked into the lion's den, the theory confirmed when your gaze locked with Stiles' amber pools.
It was strange, and a bit overwhelming, but for the first time you didn't hate lunch period. It was an interesting mixture of people, so different you couldn't quite see how they got to be friends in the first place because they were so different. You realized you were enjoying yourself, getting to know them all and observing the way they interacted with each other. It was more than just friends, they acted like a family. It was equally beautiful and heartbreaking to see. A reminder of what you didn't have.
“Hey, you okay?” Stiles’ shoulder bumped against yours, you didn't realise he'd been paying attention to you. You willed yourself to meet his gaze, feeling a little uncomfortable at the intensity of it.
“Yeah, it's nothing.” You mumbled, the lie falling off your tongue easily. He and Scott exchanged a meaningful gaze, it was as if he knew what you were thinking. But that was crazy. You were a damned good liar, you'd had plenty of practice perfecting the craft. Thankfully, he dropped it.
“Anyway, I have a truly important question for you, you must answer it correctly or we can no longer be friends.” He paused for dramatic effect, taking a sip from his juice box. “Marvel or DC?”
“Marvel, of course.” Duh.
“Good answer, finally someone else who understands what I'm taking about. Scott doesn't think there's a difference.”
“Was he raised by wolves or something?” You blurted before you could stop yourself. Beside you Stiles bursted out in laughter, racking throughout his entire body.
“Oh my god.” He breathed, finally collecting himself, ignoring a glare from Lydia.
“Okay.” You continued, oblivious to what was going on. It's possible your new friends were all crazy.
He took a second to absorb this new information, before turning to the curly haired boy, a serious expression on his face.
“Scotty, I'm sorry dude but Y/n is replacing you as my best friend effective immediately.” He ignored the low whine coming from the boy in question, it was almost animalistic, fixing you with a grin you couldn't help but to return.
Things were starting to look up for you. Finally.
