#stacksonweek

Derek raised a brow as he followed the younger man. “Jackson? The nerd you tripped at the party and then got into a fist fight with?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Now, that is a trip.” 

Stiles scowled at him. “Don’t start with me. It was just a movie. We saw Camille Claudel and talked for a little while. It was nice, I guess.” 

Derek sighed, sitting on the couch. “That’s cool. I got the impression that you hated the guy.” Derek smiled at him. “It’s good you had a nice time. I’m sorry that I haven’t been there for you the last couple years.” 

“It’s alright. I haven’t exactly let you. I think I felt like if you all saw me upset, you’d try to fix me. I did not want to be fixed.” He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Derek before lighting his own. 

Derek took a cigarette and stole Stiles’s to light it. “You’re still an asshole but that is our job, Stiles.” he chuckled and wrapped his arm around his friend’s shoulder. His phone went off and he pulled it out to check his messages. “Looks like Isaac is going to stay at Scott’s tonight.” 

Stiles groaned, throwing his head back. “I really don’t want to think about the crazy three way sex they are probably having.” He chuckled, staring at Derek. “Want to get high? I have some great pot in the jeep.” 

Derek laughed. “Yeah, sure. It’s been a while since we just hung out.” He took a drag from his cigarette and sighed. “As long as it’s just a joint or two. I’m not doing anything else stronger. I hate that you do that other shit.

Stiles groaned. “It numbs the pain a little bit, Derek. I do not want to talk about it.” He got up and ran to the jeep to get the bag of joints. He returned and sat next to Derek and handed him the bag. 

“You have like 50 joints in here, Stiles. Who sells you this crap?” Derek sighed as he lit one and handed it to Stiles. “You have got to learn the meaning of moderation.” He chuckled, shaking his head. 

“You won’t get a word out of me. I tell you, I lose my supply, and he gives me an amazing discount.” Stiles took a drag, slumping on the couch. “Let’s forget about it.” 

Derek nodded. “So… Jackson?” 

Stiles groaned. “Or we could talk about Levi.” He smirked at his friend. 

Derek glared at him. “No. Jackson.” He growled, taking his own drag. 

Stiles sighed, rolling his eyes. “What is there to know? We had coffee, went to a movie, kissed, and I said goodnight.” 

Derek hummed, nodding. “Oh, you kissed him. Are you going to see him again?” 

“It really depends on what you mean by seeing him. I’m not sure. He is my tutor and i;m supposed to meet him before forensics tomorrow.” He licked his lips and sighed. “I am not sure if we’ll go on another date. I’m not exactly sure I’m good enough to date a rich kid.” Stiles chuckled. “Tonight’s date kind of cleaned me out. I’ve kind of got $5 left.” 

Derek raised a brow at him. “Well for one, you could stop buying all the drugs and that would help.” He laughed softly. “You’d be a great guy, if you gave yourself a chance. You were always the best of us. Why did you let yourself change?” 

Stiles cursed. “You know exactly why, Derek.” He stood, pacing the room. “I do not deserve to be happy. I don’t deserve to forget what I did to Erica, but maybe I can make the pain go away for a few moments a day.”  

Derek stood and placed his hands on Stiles’s shoulders. “I am sick of watching this pity party. I stuck around long enough for Levi. He loves you and I stayed quiet because he did not want to hurt you, but you need to realize that you are the only one who blames yourself. It was a bloody accident, Stiles. It’s not like you bloody pushed Erica off that cliff.” 

Stiles ripped himself away from him. “I took her up there Derek.” He growled and stepped closer to him. “We would not… none of us would have been up there if I had not insisted on it.” Logicly he knew that he should not blame himself, but he was having trouble internalizing the concept. “Derek, you just don’t get it. She was your sister. Why don’t you hate me?” 

Derek groaned, running a hand over his face. “Because accidents happen. Maybe I blamed you for like five minutes, but I was angry.” He stared at him sadly. I don’t need to lose another brother, and that is what will happen if you continue down this path.” 

Stiles nodded and wiped away his tears. “I’m going to lose you anyway because you are not going to let Levi go to Brown without you.” He shook his head. “I love you man, but I cannot handle this right now.” He pulled him into a hug. “I’ll call you.” He did not wait for Derek to answer before running out the door and driving away. 

Derek sighed as he ran after him and watched him leave. He picked up the phone and called his father. “Sheriff?” 

Noah smiled. “Hey, Derek. How can I help you?” 

Derek chewed his lip. “Stiles was just here, but he left really upset. I’m not sure what he is going to do, but I wanted to give you a heads up.” 

The sheriff sighed, pinching his nose. “Erica?” 

“Yeah, and I think he is starting to realize that we are all leaving. I’m really worried he is going to do something stupid.” 

Noah let out a long breath. “I’ll send out a deputy to see if he can find his jeep, but all I can do is wait. Thank you for calling, Derek. I thought he would have gone straight home after his date.” 

Derek nodded. “Yeah, he came over to talk to Isaac, but Isaac was with Scott. It’s a bloody mess.” 

Noah chuckled. “Alright. I’ll call you if I hear from him.” 

“Thank you, Sheriff.” Derek sighed, hanging up the phone. 

📚

Stiles banged on the door, crying. Peter opened and stared at him. “Hey, kid. What is going on?” He opened the door and grabbed his arm, dragging him to his office. “It is almost midnight, and you’re going to wake the neighbors.” 

Stiles fumbled after him and wiped his eyes. “I need a pick me up, Peter.” He looked around the house and made an umph sound as he was thrown into a chair in the office. “Do you have some angel dust or some molly?” He hiccuped, wiping his eyes.

Peter leaned against his desk watching him. Stiles had pulled him from bed and he was in nothing but his boxers. “First, tell me what happened.” 

“I went on a date.” Stiles glared at him. “I’m kind of broke, so I’ll have to pay you next week.” 

Peter raised a brow at him. “Dates don’t usually end in tears like this. Was it really that terrible?” He walked around the desk and began looking through the drawers. “It’s on me, this time, but you have to help me grade essays tomorrow.” 

Stiles shook his head. “No, the date was fantastic, but I went to Isaac's to tell him about it. He was off with Scott, so I had to talk to Derek…” 

“Stop right there. I’ve got the picture.” He tossed him a bag with 5 pills. “So a date. This is a first for you.” 

Stiles shrugged. “Well, Jackson and I-“

Peter coughed, choking on air. “Wait, you and Jackson? That kid you got into a fight with, in my driveway, just this weekend?” 

Stiles shrugged, placing one of the pills in his mouth. “Yeah, We decided to go see a movie. I don’t want to talk about it. I’ve already decided I won’t be seeing him again.” He sighed and bit his lip. “Though, that was a really great kiss.” 

Peter nodded, raising an eyebrow at him. “Kid, you are crazy. You are punching a guy one night and kissing him the next. Are you going to fuck him tomorrow?”

Stiles glared at him. “What do you take me for? So, I’ve had a few sexual partners, but I actually don’t want to hurt Jackson like that.” He leaned his head back, letting the drug take effect. “Can I just sleep here?” 

Peter patted his shoulder. “Sure kid. I’ll make the couch up for you.” 

Stiles sighed, yawning. “What did you give me?” 

“Stop taking things from me without asking, It’s called lunesta. It’s a sleeping pill.” Peter sighed, helping him to the office couch. He knew the kid was hurting, but all he needed was some sleep. 

Stiles whimpered, laying on the couch. “You’re so fucking evil, Peter.” He sighed as he began drifting to sleep. 

“Yeah, I know, kid. See you in class tomorrow.” He turned off the lights and watched Stiles for a moment before going back to bed. 

📚

Jackson sighed, sitting across from Levi at the café. “Good morning.” He sipped his latte and smiled sadly. 

Levi looked up from his homework and frowned. “What is wrong? You have never looked less put together.” He pushed his laptop to the side so he could give the other man his full attention. 

Jackson groaned. “Have you heard from Stiles?” He chewed on his lip. “We went out a week ago, but he has been skipping our tutoring sessions all week and… Did I do something wrong?” 

Levi chewed his lip and reached over for his hand. “Did you try calling him?” 

Jackson shook his head. “He did not give me his number. I don’t want to seem to be desperate anyway. If he doesn’t want to talk to me, that’s fine, but I just wish he would let me know that.” 

Levi shook his head. “Peter said that he has been having some trouble. I’m sure he is just… I’m not really sure what to say here, Jackson. Stiles is great at pushing people away. Give him time. You really like him, huh?” 

Jackson nodded, looking at the table. “I thought our date had gone very well, and now he is completely avoiding me. Maybe I came on too strong.” 

Levi smiled at him. “Well, I have yet to hear about this date. Tell me about it.” 

Jackson tried to smile but it was a little hard. “Well, he took me to this little theater and we watched a French movie. Afterwards we went back to my dorm and he kissed me… twice.” He blushed and sipped his coffee. 

Levi smiled softly. “Stiles hates foreign films. He has to like you if he sat through that.” He gripped his hand. “How were the kisses?” 

“I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest.” Jackson chuckled softly. “I thought he really liked them too, but I guess he decided differently. 

Levi nodded. “Give him time. How about I talk to him for you?” 

Jackson shook his head. “You don’t have to do that. I just wish he would come back to our tutoring sessions. I don’t want him to fail just because of a bad date.” 

Levi shrugged. “I don’t know. He hasn’t even been showing up to class. If we can't get him to go back, he won’t pass with or without your help.” 

Jackson looked up at him, shocked. “He’s skipping classes too?” He shook his head, pulling at his hair. “What is he thinking? Is he alright? Dammit.” 

Levi cringed and let out a long breath. “Honestly, we really don’t know where he is. He fell asleep on Peter’s couch Monday night and when Peter got up Tuesday, he was gone.” 

Jackson growled at him. “And why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” 

Levi shrugged. “I was kind of hoping I would not have to. He has been texting his father and me. So we know he is alright, but he is refusing to tell us where he is. Peter suspects that he is on a bender.” 

Jackson shook his head. “He could get himself hurt.” 

Levi chewed his lip, trying not to cry. “He’s been gone all week and I’m so worried, but We don’t want to push, or he might not come back. I don’t know what else to do. He turns 18 tomorrow and it is not like we can force him to come back.” 

Jackson nodded. “Give me his number. Maybe I can talk to him. Hopefully, he will answer. I did give him my number.” 

Levi nodded and grabbed a napkin. She wrote down Stiles’s number. “If you find him, please call me. Tell him that we are all worried about him.” 

Jackson nodded, running his fingers through his hair. “I’m ahead in my classes. I can take a couple days off to look for him.” Jackson took a deep breath. “I’m sorry to bring my whining to you. I really had no idea, and I was feeling sorry for myself.” 

Levi shook his head. “No, I should have told you Stiles was missing.” 

Jackson nodded. “Has the sheriff tried tracking his phone?” 

“Kind of. Stiles kind of keeps his phone off a lot of the time. We’re not exactly sure when the best time would be to try to track it.” 

Jackson groaned. “How the hell am I supposed to call him?” 

Levi shrugged. “You’re guess is as good as mine. Just try. I’ll keep trying as well, hopefully one of us will get through.” 

Jackson nodded, getting up from the table. Stiles Stilinski was going to be the death of him. 

📚

“‘Ello.” Jackson let out a relieved sigh, hearing Stiles’s voice on the other side of the line. He had been calling and searching for the other man for five days now and everyone was becoming more and more desperate. 

“Stiles! It’s Jackson. Please don’t hang up on me.” Jackson cried into the phone. “Where are you?” 

Stiles groaned and sat up. He looked around the room, letting out a long sigh. “I’m not really sure.” He rubbed his eyes and stood up. It looked like he was in a hotel room but he wasn’t sure where he had gotten the money to pay for one. “I just… Why do you sound so upset?” 

“You’ve been missing for 10 days, Stiles. Everyone is going nuts.” Jackson bit his lip. “I just want to know that you’re okay.” 

Stiles looked out the window and groaned. “Looks like I’m in London. I’m fine, if not a little hung over.” He ran his hand through his hair and cringed at how much he smelled. “Let me shower and I’ll head back to Beacon Hills.” 

Jackson nodded. “Levi and I will meet you at your father’s.” 

Stiles cursed. He was not prepared to listen to his father yell at him for disappearing, as he did. “Yeah, I’ll see you later.” He grumbled and closed his eyes, trying to collect himself. “Hey, I’m sorry.” 

“It’s fine, Stiles. I’m just glad that you are okay. We’ve all been going around the bend with worry for you.” Jackson smiled. “See you in a few hours.” 

“Yes, No more of this partying, I guess.” Stiles sighed and hung up the phone. He stared around the room for a moment before going to shower. He could not believe that he had been gone for 10 days. His father was going to be so pissed at him. 

📚

Noah sighed, pacing his living room. “What did he say?” 

Jackson chewed on his lip, twisting his hands in his lap. “That he was in London, and that he was going to shower before heading back to Beacon Hills. I don’t think he even remembers what he’s been doing for the last 10 days.” 

Noah, placed a hand on his shoulder. “At least you were able to get through to him. I’m glad that he is coming home.” 

Levi frowned up at the sheriff. “What are we going to do when he gets here? He can’t keep on going on benders like this, or he is going to end up dead.” He had been crying for the last few days and he did not think he had any tears left. “I just want to kill himself, if he gets any worse.” 

Jackson looked over at him. “Well, we can’t be too harsh on him, or he’ll run off again.” He pushed his glasses back up his nose and fixed his hat. “I’m not sure what we should do.” 

Noah watched them both smirking. “Must I remind you both that I am the father, in this situation? I’ll be taking his car keys and sending him to bed. Anyone willing to pick him up for school tomorrow?” 

Jackson smiled, blushing softly. “I’ll pick him up, sir. Sorry for my presumption.” He turned his head hearing a vehicle coming up the driveway. “I think he is here.” 

Noah nodded and opened the door, running out to meet Stiles. Jackson and Levi got up to follow him and saw the Sheriff pulling Stiles out of the jeep and into a hug. Jackson just leaned against the door frame waiting. Stiles looked safe if not a little worse for wear. Jackson looked over at Levi and sighed. “I should get going. This is a time for family.” 

Levi shook his head and sighed. “You found him, Jackson. You are family now.” He wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Deal with it.” 

Jackson chuckled. “I just don’t want to intrude.” 

“You told Stiles you would be here.” Levi smiled, raising a brow. He tilted his head. “Come on.” He walked over to Stiles and pulled him into a hug. 

Jackson followed and smiled at him. “Hey, Stiles. I’m glad to see that you are right.” 

Stiles looked at him and grimaced. “Hey, I’m sorry that I got you mixed up in this.” He chewed his lip and shook his head. “Thanks for calling me.” 

Jackson nodded, smiling softly. “Anytime. You know… you can call me anytime if you need to talk.” 

Stiles chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “That would be nice…uh are you still okay meeting so we can study?” 

Jackson nodded, letting out a small laugh. “Yeah, of course. I better see you after school tomorrow. You have a lot of catching up to do if you are going to graduate.” He gulped. “I’ll talk to Father about excusing your absences.” 

Stiles smiled and hugged him. “Thanks man.” He stepped back, looking between everyone. “Can I go up to bed now?” 

Noah scowled at him. “We will talk more later. I am happy you are safe and have returned, but you have no idea how much trouble you are in.” 

Stiles nodded and grabbed his backpack. “I’ll see you guys around.” He made his way into the house and stumbled his way up the stairs. He was exhausted and felt like he was never going to wake up again. He collapsed into bed and immediately drifted to sleep. 

📚

Stiles glared up at Mr. Harris, shaking his head. “Why do I have to be here? You are just a chemistry professor.” He understood being pulled into the headmaster’s office earlier, but he hated dealing with Mr. Harris. The man had had it out for him since the moment he stepped into this school. At the moment, the man was yelling at him and calling him every negative name under the sun. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to speak to a student like that.

”If it were up to me, you would be expelled, Mr. Stilinski. As it is, the headmaster has found it in him to give you a final notice. You have an entire week to make up, and he thinks the best way to do that is to give you tests over the material that you missed.” Harris growled at him and slammed 5 test booklets on his desk. “You have 2 hours, then the headmaster wants to see you again.” 

Stiles nodded and opened the first booklet. He really wished the headmaster had chosen any other teacher to proctor these tests. 

📚

Stiles stood in front of the headmaster, with his head down. He knew that he had really screwed up, but this was getting ridiculous. He was not even allowed to attend classes until the test result came back. “I understand sir. I had not meant to be gone for so long but it was beyond my control.” 

The man nodded. “I’m not going to lecture you anymore on the subject, Stiles. You are on thin ice and you are more than capable of understanding the situation. If Jackson had not come to your aid, you would have been expelled.” He let out a breath. “I’ll make sure your tests are graded tonight, so that you may return to class tomorrow.” 

Stiles nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Yes, sir.” 

Robert nodded. “I want to see you in uniform everyday. You have been stripped of all privileges. You will go to class or be in the library when on campus.” He walked around the desk and stood in front of the student. “I have talked to your father, and You may not drive to campus. You can get a ride from him, Levi, or Jackson. Do you understand?” 

“Yes, Sir.” Stiles growled at him. He could not believe this. He was an adult and they were treating like a child. 

The man held up his hand. “I do not want the attitude, Stiles. No one will hear about this little incident, and I won’t even put it on record.” He placed a hand on Stiles’s shoulder. “Jackson assures me that you have such promise. I trust him, and I hope by the end of your education here, I hope that I will see whatever it is that he sees in you.”

Stiles gulped, stepping back. “Can I go now?” 

The older man nodded. “Go put those cigarettes in your jeep and head to the library to meet with Jackson.”  

Stiles sighed as he left the office. 

📚

Jackson looked up from his laptop as a book was dropped on the table in front of him. He grinned. “You’re looking better.” He closed his laptop, staring at Stiles. “How was your first day back?” 

Stiles shrugged as he slipped into a chair. “I’m still a little tired. Harris called me into his office to yell at me and to give me like 5 tests to make up for all the work I missed. I’m sure I passed them all. I also got called into your father’s office, for more yelling.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m tempted to just drop out at this point.” 

Jackson reached over to grip his hand but Stiles pulled his hand away. He just nodded and sighed. “I’m sorry that your day has been so terrible. Is there anything I can do to help? I don’t want you to drop out” 

“It’s fine, Jackson.” Stiles smiled at him. “We have like a month and a half. I can make it, but your dad has given me detention every lunch hour until graduation.” He looked down at the table. “And my dad has grounded me until further notice.” 

Jackson nodded, leaning back in his chair. He could see how upset Stiles was and he hated it. “Let’s get out of here.” He started putting his computer away. “We really can’t get anything done until we get the results of those tests back.” 

Stiles looked up at him. “Are you sure? You did hear that I’m grounded.” 

“You’re 18 now, right?” Jackson smirked. “We’ll hang out in my room, if you’d like.” 

Stiles frowned, playing with the cover of his book. “Do you have those Dr. Peppers?” 

Jackson chuckled and nodded. “Come on, Stiles.” He got up and offered him his hand. “I’ve got a flat screen and we could watch a movie.” 

Stiles smiled, taking his hand. “Do you have Star Wars?” 

Jackson smirked, grabbing his backpack. “You’re a Star Wars fan?” 

Stiles nodded, following him through the halls. “Yeah, I’m a big fan of Han Solo.” He ran his thumb over the back of his hand as they headed toward the dorms. “Look, I’m sorry I disappeared after our date. It had nothing to do with you. I was just dealing with some crap.” 

“It’s fine, Stiles. You don’t have to keep apologizing.” He blushed, trying not to think too much about how it felt to be holding Stiles’s hand. “Please don’t do it again, Stiles. It’s so self destructive and you have so many people who care about you.” 

Stiles nodded. He stopped at the dorm entrance and looked into his eyes. “I’m going to try to be better. It kind of scared me when I realized that I had been out for ten days, babe.” 

Jackson blushed. “I like when you call me babe.” He bit his lip, and reached up to push Stiles’s hair from his eyes. 

Stiles found himself leaning into the touch and sighed. “Maybe I should go. Can we…” 

Jackson shook his head. “No, please don’t go. I keep screwing this up.” 

Stiles chuckled. “It is definitely not you screwing this up. I just - I’m not good at this, Jackson. I’ve been pushing people away for so long, and now everyone is just pushing themselves back into my life.” 

Jackson nodded as he squeezed his hand and began walking toward his room. “Then let them in, as much as or as little as you need right now.” 

“But now there is you, Jackson. I’ve treated you horribly and you want me to call you babe.” Stiles shook his head. “I’m utter shit, Jackson.” 

Jackson opened his door and pulled Stiles into the room. He sat him on the bed, looking into him. “You’re not shit, Stiles.” He cupped his chin, looking into his eyes. “You’ve made some bad choices, but I’ve seen how people care about you, and I’ve seen how sweet you can be.” He licked his lips and kissed him softly. “Sorry.” 

Stiles chuckled, shaking his head. “You’ve known me a total of what? Five days?” He twisted his hands and smirked. “Don’t apologize for kissing me. It’s nice.” He kissed the corner of his mouth. “I want us to know each other better, babe.”  

Jackson blushed, placing his hand on his shoulder, rubbing his neck with his thumb. “That sounds like a great idea. My father won’t exactly be happy, but fuck that.” He chuckled and pulled Stiles into a slow soft kiss. 

Stiles groaned into the kiss, wrapping his arms around the other boy. He pulled back after only a moment and sighed. “Are you sure that you really want to get involved with me? I’m nothing but trouble.” 

Jackson laughed softly. “No you’re not. You only think that you are. So, where does that leave us,”

Stiles smirked, toying with Jackson’s hair. “Do we really have to put a label on it? We’ll see where this goes.”  

Jackson sighed, thinking for a moment. “Well, we really can’t go on a proper date until you are no longer grounded, but we can study here, and make out if you want. We can watch movies here. My room is a safe space, Stiles. I just don’t want you using drugs or smoking while you are here.” 

Stiles frowned. “Everyone is obsessed with getting me to stop smoking.” 

Jackson shook his head. “I’m not asking you to quit. I just don’t want to smell it in my room.” He scrunched up his nose. “It kind of stinks.” He laughed. 

Stiles laughed, laying on the bed. “Alright, I get it. No, smoking, and no drugs while I’m here. I think I can agree to that.” 

Jackson grinned, patting his knees. “Good. I’m pretty sure I promised you Star Wars.” 

Stiles grinned and sat up. “Yes you did.” He giggled, giving him a quick kiss. “Bring on the rebel alliance.” 

“Wow, that had to be hard,” Stiles offers obviously surprised.

“Yeah, it was,” Jackson nods, absolutely serious.

“And what did you do?” Stiles asks warily, biting his lip.

“Well, I was a mess. My parents didn’t get it, my best friend didn’t get it and even I didn’t totally get it. Because I knew I could actually finish it, and pass the bar and find a job… but also, in the back of my mind, I knew I couldn’t go on if I didn’t have a passion for it, you know… but for a while there I really thought I was stupid for not seeing it sooner… for wasting two fucking years of my life before I saw it. And I thought something was wrong with me… some people would call it a crisis, I suppose…” Jackson shrugs. “In the end, I left… stayed in France for a while… then I was backpacking through Europe… and decided to study economics and most probably start my own business in the future.”

“But that’s not what happened…” Stiles shakes his head.

“No... My boss… he changed all that. Somehow he trusted me, he recruited me and I realized this is what I was supposed to do.”

“You found your destiny,” Stiles declares. “Wow… that’s so cool.”

Jackson smiles. “I guess, it’s cool, yeah.”

“What about you? Is your call being a journalist?”

“I think so, yeah.” Stiles nods. “When I was a teenager, I thought I wanted to be a writer…”

“Really? Jackson raises his eyebrows.

“Yep. I have a lot of imagination in case you haven’t noticed—”

“Oh, I’ve noticed,” Jackson smirks.

“But writing is not a career… you have to be lucky to actually make money with it.”

“So, you just forgot about it?” Jackson furrows his brow.

“As employment? Yeah, I did… but I still, I write… just a hobby… plus, it’s not like I have a lot of free time… and anyway, I love my job… I don’t write fiction but I write about things that matter—our reality— and that’s important… Hopefully, I make a difference showing what’s going on out there and you know, every day is different and I never get bored. I guess not many people get to say that… although of course, you’re not one of those.”

Jackson gets that and he believes him, but something tells that probably those are all things that help him cope with the fact that he’s not doing what would have been his first choice.

“I mean,” Stiles continues, “unless, you got so used to traveling and kicking strangers who follow you…” Stiles gestures with his hand. “In that case, maybe you should have become a lawyer after all.”

“God, no,” Jackson smiles, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t change what I do for anything. And you know, if I hadn’t kicked you, we wouldn’t be here right now…”

“That’s most probably true,” Stiles smirks.

“It is,” Jackson bites his lip. “And believe me, I’ve told you stuff that…” Jackson snorts, smiling, “few people know about me.”

And that is honesty right there. It’s true he’s not been on a date in a long time but still, now that he thinks about it, he can’t remember a date where he talked as much about himself as he has tonight. Obviously, there’s something about this guy that makes it easy to talk and just be himself in a way that doesn’t really come natural to him. Thank god Lydia won’t find out what they talked about because if she did, she would be teasing him about it endlessly.

“Well, I hope that means that you wanna see me again… even if I’m only really good at English and I’ve asked more questions that you probably wanted in your lifetime.”

Jackson drinks some more wine and licks his lips. “Yeah, but I’ll just text you next time. I hope it’s not too disappointing.”

Stiles smiles. “I admit it. I could get used to your fingers sliding inside my pocket, but I think I can deal with it. And you know, since it’s been established that your so called-plan for Christmas Day absolutely sucks, I think you should come over to my place and have lunch with my father and me. I’ll be cooking, not him, so it’s safe to say that you won’t die of starvation.”

“Wait—Your father and you?” Jackson raises his eyebrows.

“Yeah, he’s coming to visit for a few days. But don’t worry, if it bothers you that he knows that we are… you know…” Stiles waves his arms.

“Dating?” Jackson tries hard not to smirk. Stiles can be really ridiculous.

“Yeah. If that bothers you, you can come as a friend. I’m not trying to con you into anything… it’s just Christmas lunch… between friends. Well, family and friends… two friends.” Stiles closes his eyes for a moment, waving his arms. “You know what I mean.”

“I don’t think that me meeting your father is the best idea you’ve ever had… especially after just one date.”

“On the contrary, everybody likes my father. There’s even the risk that you could like him more than me…” Stiles smiles. “And hell, I just don’t want you to be alone. Besides, I’m sure anything is better than whatever you are going to eat at home after working out like a maniac.”

Jackson rolls his eyes dramatically but finally nods. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll go… but don’t do that. Don’t lie to him. As I said before, what’s the point of lying?” It feels stupid to do that. If the father is half as smart as Stiles is, he will see the way his son looks at Jackson and will know the truth anyway.

“Okay. I won’t.” Stiles shakes his head.

“So, are you gonna order any dessert or what? They are pretty good at this place.”

“Are you kidding? I never say no to dessert… especially cake… chocolate cake or apple cake… any cake, really...”

The way Stiles’ face illuminates at the idea of cake is too cute… maybe even beautiful. Jackson can’t help but grin. Somehow Stiles’ eagerness is contagious and he wants some cake too… and the thing is he never has cake. Too many calories.

“It’s so hard.” He frowned, laying back on the counter. He growled as Chris hit his hip. “Noah did not raise you to give up because shit was hard. Do not let your friends go because it was hard.” He leaned against the counter and smiled. “Get your ass out there and try.” 

“Fine.” Stiles cursed and hopped down. He kissed Chris’s cheek and walked into the living room. The others were sitting around the television trying to figure out what movie they were going to watch. “Wow. This is so riveting.” 

Isaac looked up at him and sighed. “We really can’t agree on what to watch.” He smiled at Stiles. “It’s like this every time we get together, and usually Chris just gets fed up and puts in some John Wayne movie. Save us.” 

Stiles laughed, shaking his head. “We are going to watch Suicide Squad.” He raised a brow at everyone. “Any objections?” He reached out and pulled the dvd off the shelf. 

Levi sighed, rolling his eyes. “That’s fine with me.” The bell rang and he jumped up. “Oh, I’ll get that. It’s probably Jackson.” 

Stiles groaned. “You invited Jackson?” He sighed as he started getting the movie set up. 

Levi smiled. “Yes. He has to get out of that school.” He walked over to the door and let the man in. “Hey, Jackson. Welcome.” 

“Hello. Um…” He looked around the room blushing. There were so many people. “Hey, Stiles… Mr. Hale.” 

Peter grinned, waving at him. “Come in, take a seat. We are just putting on a movie while Chris finishes dinner.” 

Stiles grumbled and waved at him. “Whittemoore.” He sighed and sat between Allison and Peter. Isaac sat at his feet and he grinned, running his fingers through the other boy’s hair. 

Jackson smiled. “I brought a bottle of sparkling grape juice. I know Levi said to just bring myself, but father always said it is appropriate to bring a gift.” 

Allison smiled as she got up to take the bottle from him. “Thank you. Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll take this into the kitchen.” she glared at Stiles. “Be nice.” 

Stiles gasped, faking insult. “Who do you think I am?” 

Allison rolled her eyes. “Honestly, I don’t know anymore.” She smiled lovingly as Jackson sat beside Stiles. She seriously had never seen anything so awkward. There were six people on the couch and the two were trying to sit as far from each other as they could. “I’ll be right back. Pa, can you make sure that everyone behaves?” 

Peter chuckled. “I make no promises, Ally.” He looked around at all the teens around his living room and sighed. “Derek, why don’t you get us all something to drink? I think Chris has some wine chilled in the kitchen.” 

Derek raised a brow at him. “You know that some of us are still under 18?” 

“Yes, and none of us are going out. There should be no problem with a couple glasses of wine, to celebrate.” He grinned. “It’s the first time we’ve all been together in so long. Let loose a little.” 

Derek growled at him. “Bad things happen when we let loose.” 

Stiles frowned. “Derek, we…” 

“No… we don’t need to talk about it. I’ll get the wine.” Derek sighed as he stormed into the kitchen.

Jackson chewed his lip. “I think I’ll just have water. I mean someone needs to drive people home.” 

Stiles scoffed. “Always the straight laced goody two shoes.” He cursed as Scott kicked him. “What?” 

“Allison said to behave. Can’t you be nice for a moment?” Scott sighed and tossed some popcorn at him. 

Stiles rolled his eyes. “I don’t like him. I think I have made that perfectly clear.” He got up and walked back into the kitchen. He sighed as Jackson got up and followed him. “

“What is your problem with me?” Jackson sighed, leaning against the counter as Stiles pulled a bottle of tequila out of the cabinet. He grumbled as Chris took it from him and put it on the counter. 

“You just rub me the wrong way.” Stiles sighed as he grabbed a bottle of wine from Derek and poured himself a glass. “You are… god. You’re so judgmental, and the perfect rich kid.” 

Derek raised a brow. “Like we aren’t all rich kids, Stiles? We never based any of our friendships on money.” He smirked, sipping his wine. 

Stiles glared at them. Was everyone going to be on the Jackson train? “Well, he’s my tutor, not my friend. I did not think I had to see him outside of school, where he could judge me on my life choices?” 

“Who’s judging here, Stiles?” Jackson growled, throwing his hands up in the air. “I have been nothing but nice to you, and you are treating me like garbage.” He looked over at Chris. “I’m sorry sir, I do not mean to yell in your house.” 

Chris shrugged. “No, it’s alright. With so many teens in the house, it almost always devolves into a screaming match, at some point in the night.” He smiled at him. “Please just try to enjoy yourself.” He pulled a lasagna out of the oven. “Stiles! Stop being an asshole and call everyone into the kitchen for dinner.” 

Stiles cursed and downed the entire glass of wine. “Whatever.” He stuck his head out of the kitchen and yelled. “Dinner is ready!” 

Chris sighed, pinching his nose. “I could have done that Stiles.” He began putting the food at the table. “Derek. Pour everyone a glass of wine. Um, Jackson, would you grab the salad for me?” 

“Of course, sir.” Jackson glared at Stiles as he grabbed the salad and began taking it to the table.” 

Stiles rolled his eyes and put his foot out, tripping him. Jackson fell forward and the salad flew into the air going everywhere. Peter caught the bowl as he stepped into the kitchen. “Stiles, can we talk in my study for a moment?” He sighed, rolling the bowl in his hands, before handing it to his husband. 

Chris sighed, looking at the salad on the floor. “Dammit, Stiles.” He whispered. 

Peter kissed his cheek, before grabbing Stiles by his shirt collar. “There is extra in the fridge. It won’t be as fantastic as the one you made, but it’ll do in a pinch.” He growled as he dragged Stiles out of the room and up the stairs to his office. “Sit.” 

Stiles sighed, sitting in one of the chairs. “Sorry.” 

Peter shrugged. “No you’re not. I just wish you would not do stupid shit to ruin my husband’s dinner.” He pulled a pill bottle out of his desk and tossed it to Stiles. “Take a literal chill pill. Levi invited Jackson because he is his friend. We don’t really know the kid but we are willing to give him a chance?” 

Stiles swallowed one of the pills and sighed. “I do know him and he’s a complete nerd. You do not want him here.” 

Peter raised a brow at him. “You’ve known him for like a week, sweetheart.” He sat at his desk, putting his feet up. “If I were him, I would have punched your lights out back there.” 

Stiles laughed. “Like he would have gotten a punch in.” Stiles closed his eyes and leaned back. “What did you just give me?” He felt like he was already starting to float.

Peter smirked. “You really should learn to ask before taking the shit I gave you.” He watched him for a moment and sighed. “It’s just a bit of xanax. You will be fine. Are you ready to go back down to dinner?” 

Stiles sighed and nodded. “In a moment. Didn’t you promise me some cocaine?” He chuckled as he stood up. 

“Right you are.” Peter smirked as he pulled a baggy from his desk. “Don’t do it here. I think you’ve disrupted my husband’s dinner enough tonight.” He gave the drug to him and pulled him into a hug. “Let’s go. You owe me $100 for that.” 

“Yeah… Yeah, I’ll get it to you at class Monday.” Stiles sighed as they walked back to the kitchen. Everyone was already eating when they sat down. “Sorry, Jackson.” He chuckled. 

Jackson glared at him for a moment. “Whatever.” 

📚

Jackson walked to his car and threw his jacket into the back seat. He had never met someone so infuriating or had a more awkward evening. Stiles Stilinski was a complete asshole and he found himself wanting to beat the shit out of him. He looked over at the jeep where Stiles was doing something on the hood. He rolled his eyes and walked over to him. “Stiles, I just want to…” He stopped and glared at him. “Are you doing cocaine?” 

Stiles looked up at him and rolled his eyes. “What do you care?” He leaned against the hood and stared at the other man. “I’ve got a hot tip on a party and I plan on having a good time.” He smirked at Jackson. “You are such a square, Jackson. Or should I say Jackass?”

“I’m a square because I don’t do stupid shit, like take drugs?” Jackson glared at him. “You were an ass all through dinner, to me and to all your friends. You are going to get yourself hurt and end up with no friends if you keep acting like this.” He growled at him and sighed. 

Stiles guffawed. “What gives you the right to talk to me about my friends? Yeah, you’re friends with Levi, but you know nothing about the rest of us?” 

Jackson growled, throwing his hands in the air. “Levi told me all about Erica. Fuck.” He groaned as Stiles punched him in the eyes. “What the hell?” 

“You don’t get to talk about her. You have no idea what we’ve all gone through.” Stiles pushed him against the jeep. 

Jackson glared into his eyes. “That’s the thing. You aren’t dealing with it. You’re just going through life ignoring it, and hiding behind drugs.” He sighed and kicked his legs from under him, quickly pinning him to the ground. “You don’t think I’ve learned to defend myself? I’ve been in kickboxing for 12 years.” 

Stiles squirmed, Kicking at Jackson. “Let me the fuck up.” 

“Only if you calm down.” Jackson sighed, trying to keep his own temper in check. “You need to fucking stop acting like an asshole.” 

Stile let out a breath and tried to punch him again. “How the hell are you so fucking strong?”  

“I told you, I take kickboxing. Are you even listening?” Jackson groaned, as he pinned his arms to the ground. “Stop trying to hit me. I’m already going to have a black eye tomorrow.” 

Stiles growled, feeling like walls were closing in on him. “Just let me up.” He whimpered and shook his head. 

Jackson felt a hand on his shoulder as someone pulled him off Stiles. “I think it’s time for you to leave.” Peter sighed, tossing him toward his porsche. “I’m not sure what is going on here but I would hate to call the cops.” 

“Maybe he needs a night in jail. Not only did he assault me, but he was doing drugs in your driveway.” Jackson sighed, straightening his jacket. 

Peter shook his head. “No, I don’t want the trouble. Stiles is strung out and he has anxiety problems.” He looked at Stiles who was weeping, curled against the jeep’s tire. 

“You’re just going to let him do coke in your driveway and go home strung out?” Jackson yelled at the man. 

Peter shrugged. “Honestly, he’s done worse. I’ll make sure he gets home safe, Jackson. He’s going to feel terrible in the morning.” 

Jackson sighed, shaking his head. He stared at Stiles for a moment. He had no idea how he had gone from angry to this destroyed creature in front of him. “You know what? I don’t feel like dealing with his crap tonight. I’ll see him on Monday.” Jackson sighed and walked toward his car. He took one final look at Stiles before he got in the car and drove away. 

Peter sighed, kneeling in front of Stiles. “Come on kid, get your ass up. You couldn’t wait to get out of my driveway before doing that coke?” 

Stiles looked up at him, wiping the tears from his eyes. “Why is everyone on my case tonight?” 

Peter sighed, pushing his hair from his face. “Because you are being a royal pain in our asses. You know, I do not need the cops here wondering where you got that cocaine.” He stood and offered his hand to Stiles. “Let me drive you home and I’ll just walk back. You can pick your jeep up in the morning.” 

Stiles shook his head. “No, I can drive.” He took his hand and stood up. “I just need the time alone.” He gave himself a mental shake and climbed into the jeep. “Yeah, I need to just let some steam off.” 

Peter sighed. “Please, be careful. If you get hurt, I’m not giving you another drug.”

Stiles laughed. He dug into his glove department and threw $100 at Peter. “Don’t  start pretending like you really care.” 

Peter picked up money and shoved it into his pocket. “Stiles, I am the person who has never judged your downward spiral.” He sighed, clapping him on the shoulder. “Go home and get some rest.” He wasn’t really sure what else to say. “We all love you and we don’t want you to get hurt. Well, except maybe Jackson, but that is on you.” 

“Way to ruin my fucking high.” Stiles grumbled as he started the jeep and pulled out of the driveway.

📚

Stiles barged into Levi’s room and growled at him. “You fucking told Jackson about Erica, didn’t you?” He sat on his bed and sighed. He could not believe one of his oldest friends had betrayed him like this.

Levi sighed, rolling his chair away from his desk. He guessed that he could study later. “I needed someone to talk to Stiles. Someone who was not involved in all the drama.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking into Stiles’s eyes. “Jackson had a nice little shiner today. Should I assume that came from you?” 

Stiles chuckled. “He has no right to know about that night and he had no right to say her name to me.” He shook his head as he got up to pace the room. “If you needed someone to talk to, you could have talked to Chris. He is always willing to listen.”

“So is Jackson. I don’t know what you have against the guy.” Levi groaned, spinning in his chair. “It used to be that if I had a problem, I would talk to you, but… Dammit you know, the last time I got to really talk to you was over a year ago. I thought we’d be able to talk to you yesterday, but you were a complete and utter asshole.” He gazed into his eyes and sighed. “The only one you don’t treat like an asshole is Isaac.” 

“Isaac has been through enough.” Stiles sighed. “You know I love you guys, but it’s too hard.” 

“Yeah, he really has, but you need to get over whatever hang up you have that is preventing you from talking to the rest of us.” Levi sighed, getting up to grip his shoulders. “I love you, and I don’t want to leave at the end of the summer with us still being so distant.” 

“Levi. You are missing this point here. You were talking to Jackson about me behind my back!” Stiles growled at him. “I do not want to talk about Erica!” 

“WELL YOU HAVE TO!” Levi shouted, gripping Stiles’s jacket. “You can’t bottle this up forever or you are going to end up dead.” Levi rested his forehead against Stiles’s. “I was hoping that last night would be a fresh start but you refuse to open up to us.”

Stiles pulled away from him, shaking his head. “Yeah, easy for you to say, but you are not the one who killed her.” 

“You did not kill her either, Stiles. It was an accident. The quicker you realize that, the quicker you can move on.” Levi cupped his face, frowning. “I don’t want to lose you. If I have to turn down Brown and stay here, I will.” 

Stiles shook his head, trying to stop the tears. “You can’t do that. You have been dreaming about going to America all our lives.” Stiles chuckled, wiping his eyes. “Can you just not talk to Jackson about me?” 

Levi shrugged. “I’ll keep you out of the conversation. You have every right to ask, but I need someone to talk to, Stiles. You won't talk to me, and I feel like I’ve lost my favorite brother.” 

“Well, I’m talking to you now.” Stiles cried as he fell back onto Levi’s bed. “How do you not hate me?” 

Levi sat beside him, running his fingers through Stiles’s hair. “Because, honestly, you haven’t done anything wrong. You have been dealing with so much crap this year, and you needed time. We are tired of giving you that time and want you to get the help you need. No more drugs, no more drinking, and no more fighting.” 

“I can’t agree to that, just yet. I’ll try, but if Jackson talks to me again… I can’t explain why I don’t like him.” He leaned his head against Levi’s leg, crying softly. “Maybe I should go.” 

“No, stay as long as you want. I’m just studying for tomorrow’s test. You can nap if you want.” Levi chuckled. “You look like rolled over crap.” 

“Oh, haha.” Stiles sighed. “I’m supposed to study with Jackson tomorrow before the test. I’m not going to go.” 

“No, you should go study with him. You need to pass that test. Take a nap and then I’ll help you study when you get up.” Levi smiled at him. “Hey, I love you.” 

“I love you too.” Stiles sighed, closing his eyes. 

📚

Stiles sat in front of Jackson and placed his notes on the table. “I’m sorry I punched you.” He rolled his eyes and opened his book. “I should not have been acting like an asshole. You honestly did not do anything wrong.” 

Jackson looked up at him and raised a brow at him. “Wow, that actually sounded like a genuine apology.” He placed his pen on the table and let out a breath. “You’re forgiven. Now, what can I do for you?” 

Stiles frowned, glaring at him for a moment. “I studied with Levi yesterday, but there are a few minor points I want to go over before the test this afternoon. Would you please be willing to look over them with me?” 

Jackson smiled and nodded. “Since you asked so nicely. Why not?” He sat up and pushed his glasses up on his nose as he pulled up the notes on his laptop. “So these are the main subjects she will be touching on. She is allowing you to have one sheet of notes, and I suggest that you have the formulas written out. I can help you type up a cheat sheet and print it out, so that you can use that during your test.” 

Stiles gaped at him and nodded. “That actually does sound helpful. Why couldn’t you bloody tell me that Friday?” He chewed his lip as he looked through the notes. “Maybe I can put the points that I am not as sure about into the cheat sheet?”

Jackson smiled at him. “Well, to be honest, you were not really willing to listen, Friday. You were insistent that I just give you the answers.” He began typing and looked over the other boy’s notes. “That’s a good idea. Why don’t you show me what you’re not sure about and I can try to clarify it with you as I type this up?” 

Stiles nodded and smiled at him. “Thank you. Again, I’m sorry. Levi may have pointed out that I was being unreasonable.” He sighed and pointed at a formula. “What the hell does this mean?” 

Jackson laughed. “That’s actually fairly tricky. Let me show you a little work around.” 

Stiles nodded watching him solve the problem. 

📚

Stiles sighed, walking out of his class. The test was a lot easier than he had thought it would be and he was just glad it was over. He was walking toward his jeep when Jackson pulled up next to him on an electric scooter. “Um, hello?” 

Jackson grinned, chewing his lip. “Hello. So, how was it?” He leaned on the scooter looking around them. There was still another hour until the last class let out and the parking lot was completely clear. “You don’t have a class, now?” 

Stiles sighed. “It was a lot less stressful than I thought. Thank you for your help.” He sighed as he reached into his jeep and grabbed his leather jacket. He pulled off his ties and threw the jacket on. “Here’s the truth. I finished most of my classes last year and only have three classes this year; Forensics, Classical Literature, and trigonometry. The only reason I have not graduated is because I started skipping literature and trigonometry last year.” He turned toward the other man, leaning against the jeep.

Jackson nodded, smiling at him. “Why forensics?” 

“No one has told you that I want to be a forensics anthropologist?” Stiles laughed, shaking his head. “I thought that was everyone’s new favorite pastime, gossiping about me.” He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. “It’s my favorite class and Mr. Hale is a genius. I’ve taken forensics for the last 4 years and I’m his teacher’s aid for independent study this year.”

 “That is actually pretty cool.” He blushed, licking his lips. “You really shouldn’t be smoking.” 

“Yeah, I know, it’s terrible for my health.” Stiles sighed, rolling his eyes. 

“Well, there is that, but it’s also not allowed on campus. The headmaster or Harris will call the cops on you.” Jackson shrugged. 

Stiles nodded, sighing softly. “Well, I was supposed to meet you in an hour for tutoring, but I’m starving. Want to go to the café? I’ll drive and you can put that monstrosity in the back.” 

Jackson frowned. “It’s just a scooter… but that sounds fine. I’ll pay.” 

“You won’t get an argument from me.” Stiles sighed as he climbed into the jeep. He could not believe he had offered to eat with Jackson, but he was not one to turn down a free meal. “You have a Porsche. Why are you riding around on a scooter?”

Jackson climbed in and stared at him a moment. “The Porsche belongs to my father. There is no point to me having a car like that when I really don’t go anywhere. The scooter is better for getting around campus.” He pushed the glasses up his nose as he buckled his seatbelt. “Though my father did say he’d buy me one when I graduate. It's a gift for getting into Oxford.” 

“Right…” Stiles sighed as started driving toward the little café he frequented for his afternoon meal. “You really are the typical rich boy.” He grinned at him. 

Jackson rolled his eyes. “My father is rich. I do not have a dime to my name.” He huffed, crossing his arms. “It’s not like I go on shopping sprees every night.” 

Stiles raised a brow at him. “I have an after school job, to help my dad so I have money for college… Well I had a job. He fired me last week.” He sighed, waiting at a red light. “Let me guess, your tuition is already paid.” 

Jackson groaned, laying his head back. “I have a scholarship, but I had to work really hard for that honor, Stiles.” He licked his lips, looking over at him. “I’ll admit that I have a trust fund, but I can’t touch that until I graduate college.” 

Stiles nodded, raising a brow at him. “Your dad is really tight on the purses, huh?” He smiled at him, patting his shoulder. “I’m just messing with you. It’s not your fault that you’re rich, Jackson.” He thought for a moment as he pulled into the parking lot. “I don’t think I can go to college. I’ve really fucked that up.” 

Jackson shrugged. “Well, you’ll need to if you want to go into forensic anthropology.” He smirked at him and sighed. “Take a gap year, work on your test results and apply again next year. I can help you.” 

Stiles parked the Jeep and turned in his seat to face Jackson. He was a little shocked that the boy was making such an offer. “Why the bloody hell would you want to help me? I’ve been nothing but an ass to you…” He stared at him for a moment. “I think my father would really like it if I went to college but even if I got in, I could not afford it.” 

Jackson nodded. “You could apply for scholarships or grants. I really don’t mind helping you.” He hopped out the car and started walking toward the Café door. He did not really know why he cared about whether Stiles went to college or not. They barely knew each other. 

Stiles followed him into the café, with a shrug. “Look, you really do not have to do me any favors, Jackson.” He slumped into a seat and looked up at Jackson. “I’ll take a nonfat cappuccino with a honey croissant.” He grinned. 

Jackson chuckled and walked over to put in their orders. He was back a few minutes later and slid into a seat across from Stiles. “Anyway… It’s not that I think that you need the charity or anything, but I feel like you should not give up on college.” 

Stiles chuckled, shaking his head. “You really can’t really leave well enough alone.” He looked around the café with a groan. “I’ll think about it, and talk about it with my dad. If I know him, he’ll be on your side.” 

“Sounds perfect.” Jackson smiled. 

“Why do you care so much? You hardly know me?” Stiles chewed his lip staring at the table. He grabbed a napkin and began tearing it into tiny pieces. 

Jackson watched him frowning. “I feel like we’ve been through this, but the truth is, I don’t know. I don’t hate you and it’d be nice to get to know you better. I don’t have a lot of friends, except Levi. Levi loves you, so you must have a softer side.” 

“Such high praise.” Stiles laughed, shaking his head. “So you just want to spend more time with me? That is weird. I’m a complete dick.” 

“Not a complete dick.” Jackson grinned. “Just a self sabotaging dick.” Their orders arrived and Jackson began sipping his latte. “I don’t know the circumstances very well, but I have decided not to judge you over things I have no idea about.” 

“Bloody hell, you are too fucking reasonable.” Stiles groaned. He picked at his croissant, thinking. “So… Instead of tutoring today… seeing that I just took that test… why don’t we catch a movie? I’ll pay for the movie.” 

Jackson raised a brow at him. “You are offering to spend more time with me?” 

“Yeah, well, Levi wants me to give you a chance?” Stiles smirked. 

“So… is this just making Levi happy or would this be a date?” Jackson sighed. 

Stiles laughed, shaking his head. “I don’t really date, and I had no idea you were into guys.” 

Jackson frowned, looking at the table. “I really don’t know what I am into. I haven't been on many dates either. What I do know is that I find you fascinating. I can’t really get you off my mind… Whether I’m cursing your name or smiling over some idiotic thing you’ve said.” 

Stiles nearly choked on his cappuccino. “That is both the worst and the nicest thing anyone has said to me.” He shook his head. “What the hell? I’ll pick you up at 7 tonight and we’ll go on a bloody date.” He smiled ruefully. “I’ll even wear my good jacket. It’s the one without the blood on it.” 

Jackson snickered. “Did you just quote Brooklynn 99?”

”You know Brooklynn 99?” Stiles gasped. “You are way more complex than I thought.” 

Jackson smiled. “I have many sides, Stiles Stilinski.” 

📚

Stiles stood in front of the mirror frowning. “”I look like a spaz.” He sighed, looking at his best friend. 

Levi shook his head. “No, you look nice. Jackson is… I still can’t believe you are going on a date with Jackson. Just two days ago, you two were in a fist fight.” He shook his head and began combing Stiles’s hair. “Are you sure you want to do this?” 

Stiles groaned, slapping his hand away. “Why not. It’s just a movie, right? I can spend a couple hours at the cinema, and I guess Jackson is not such a bad guy.” He glared at him, sitting on his bed. “This shirt is too tight. What is wrong with a simple white t-shirt?” 

“You are not a 50s greaser?” Levi sighed. “Just yesterday you were telling me how insufferable Jackson is, and suddenly you are going to see a movie?” 

“He bought me coffee and we actually got to talking…” He smoothed out his hair again before looking at his watch. “I should get going. I told him I’d pick him up at 7 and the movie starts at 7:30. I really should not be late.” He fiddled with his hands, looking around the room.

Levi grinned. “You are totally getting into this.” He gripped his shoulder. “You are right. It’s just a movie. Calm down.” 

Stiles looked at him, chewing on his lip. “I don’t date, Levi. This is weird. The last time I went on an actual date it was a disaster.” 

“You were 14, and it was to get pizza. We were never going to turn into anything more than friends. I don’t even know why we called that a date.” Levi quipped. “I always had a thing for muscles. You’re too scrawny.” 

Stiles laughed. “Good thing Derek is completely in love with you. He’s got plenty of muscles.” He raised a brow. “So, why did you dump him?” 

Levi groaned. “Not you too. I’m going to the states. I do not want him to have to wait for me. What if I don’t come back?” 

“He’d go with you if you asked. He loves you.” 

“That is not fair to him, Stiles.” Levi shook his head. “And it’s too much pressure. I’m only 18, and he wants a more permanent relationship. Yes, I love him. He has supported me through so much… Erica’s death and my transition, but I don’t know if I’m ready to marry him.” 

“He’s not asking you to, Levi.” Stiles groaned. “Isaac says he’s completely shattered about losing you. Just talk to him. Let him know what you want and let him decide whether he wants to wait for you.” 

Levi glared at him. ‘I’ll think about it. When did you become the reasonable one?” 

“I’ve always been reasonable. Sometimes falling apart is the logical solution.” Stiles grinned. “You deserve for you and Derek to figure this out.” 

Levi nodded. “Get out and go on your date.” 

Stiles chuckled. “Fine. Love you, Levi.” 

“Yeah, yeah love you too.” Levi sighed, slumping in his chair.

📚

Jackson fixed the sleeves on his black button up and looked at himself in the mirror. He knew this was just supposed to be a simple movie date but he was killing himself trying to look nice. He fixed his hair a final time and grabbed his wallet and keys, pushing them into the pocket of his slacks. There was a knock at his door and he went over to answer. 

Stiles stood at the door, staring at him. “Wow, you clean up nicely.” He chuckled and blushed softly. “That was awkward…” 

Jackson laughed. “You look very nice too. Where would you even get red jeans that are that tight?” 

“Oh, I borrowed them from Levi. You’d have to ask him.” He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “Are you ready to go?” 

Jackson chewed his lip and nodded. “Uh, yeah. Let me just grab the keys to my dad’s car and we can get going.” 

“No, I can drive.” Stiles frowned. “If you don’t mind.”

Jackson shrugged. “If you’re sure.” He led Stiles out of his room, locking the door behind him. “It’s a pretty cool jeep. Kind of old but it’s got character.”

Stiles smiled as they walked down to the parking lot. “Yeah, it was my mom’s. My dad gave it to me when I got my license. It’s better than riding around town in a sheriff’s cruiser.” 

“Wow, I’ve never heard you talk about your mom before.” Jackson smiled at him. “She sounds like a pretty cool person, I guess.” 

Stiles nodded. “She died when I was ten. I really don’t know much about her.” 

“Oh, sorry.” 

“No, you didn’t know. It was frontotemporal dementia.” Stiles shook his head as he opened the jeep door for Jackson. “Why don’t you tell me about your parents? I mean you’re the headmaster’s son. That is crazy.” He chuckled. 

Jackson laughed, climbing into the vehicle. “Actually I’m adopted.” 

Stiles closed the door, staring at him. “Really? I guess your parents chose you. My father is stuck with me.” He chuckled. 

Jackson laughed, shaking his head. “Come on or we’ll be late for the movie.” 

“Well, there’ll be like 15 minutes of previews first.” Stiles smiled climbing into the jeep. 

“That is the best part.” Jackson frowned. He was actually surprised that they were having fun already. “You cannot enjoy the movie without watching the previews first.” 

Stiles laughed, putting the jeep into drive. “That is absolutely insane, but I guess I can get us there in time for your previews.” He smiled at the other man and started toward the cinema. “So, do you have any contact with your birth parents or is it some sort of sealed documents thing?”

Jackson blushed. “Uh, my parents were involved in a car accident when my mum was pregnant. My dad died on the scene.” He gulped looking down at his hands. “My mum was put on life support and died less than an hour after I was born.” 

Stiles cursed, shaking his head. “Dude, I’m so sorry. I’m such an asshole.” 

Jackson smiled at him. “No, it’s not like you knew. It’s not something I advertise, you know.” He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. “I’ve always felt lucky to have the Whittmores in my life. They’re good people.” 

“Okay, let’s just start over. I keep making this night awkward.” Stiles sighed, rolling his eyes. “So, this movie is in a foreign language. Is that alright? French… Do you speak French?” 

Jackson smiled and nodded. “Fluently. I love French movies. Thank you.” He fiddled with his watch as he watched the town go by. Stiles was right about this being a little awkward but he was glad that he had decided to go out with him. He seemed more human tonight, more down to earth. “I did not see you as a foreign film guy.” 

Stiles chuckled. “I have many sides, Jackson Whittemore.” He smirked, licking his lips. 

Jackson laughed. “Touché.” He blushed, looking away from him. That was entirely too cute.  “Why are you being this pleasant? It seems so unlike you.” 

Stiles shrugged. “I’m not sure. I… I haven’t really been on a date. Well there was one when I was 14, but that was with Levi, and we were always too much like siblings, you know.” 

“Yeah, I get it. I’ve only ever gone out with girls my parents have set me up with. I never really liked them, but they were a pleasant enough experience. I wasn’t really sure what to expect tonight. My father told me to stay away from you, and he would be quite upset to know I agreed to a movie with you.”

Stiles sighed and nodded. “Well as many times I end up in his office, I can understand. I’m glad that you agreed to go out with me though. I’m having a good time.” Stiles parked the jeep behind the cinema and smiled. “Let’s go watch a movie.” 

Jackson nodded, hopping out of the jeep. “That sounds like an absolutely amazing idea.” He walked around and offered his hand to the other man. 

Stiles looked at his hand for a moment before lacing their fingers together as they headed for the front of the theater. 

📚

Jackson chuckled as he fumbled with his keys outside his dorm room. “Tonight has been fun. Thank you.” 

Stiles nodded, leaning against the door frame. “It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. We went a whole day without fighting. It’s a record for us.” He smirked, looking up at him. “So…” 

Jackson chewed his lip, unlocking his door. “So, why don’t you come in? I'm sure that we can afford a few more moments together.” 

Stiles laughed softly. “I would like that? Have anything to drink?” He grinned as he walked into the room. 

Jackson nodded, thinking. “I have Dr, Pepper or water.” He walked over to his mini fridge and pulled out a couple bottles, showing them to Stiles. 

“Oh, glass bottled Dr. Pepper. I’ll take one of those. They’re the best.” Stiles chuckled, taking a seat at Jackson’s desk. It seemed the most logical choice being that he had never been in Jackson’s room before. 

“Ice?” Jackson asked. Stiles shook his head and Jackson just handed him the bottle. “That movie was nice. Gerard Depardieu is a treasure.” 

Stiles smirked. “Yeah, I barely understood what they were saying, but I was able to read the subtitles at least. It was a great commentary on mental illness.” 

Jackson blushed. “You got that too?” He sipped a bottle of water, looking around the room. “I would love to be an artist in France. I guess that is a silly dream though. I’m destined to be a politician.” He sighed, sitting on his bed.

Stiles shook his head. “It’s not silly, Jackson. I can’t see why you can’t be both. I mean politicians have hobbies don’t they, but do you really want to go into politics? It doesn’t look like you enjoy the idea.” 

Jackson sighed. “Not really, but it’s what my father wants for me. He has been planning for this all my life.” 

“You’re an adult Jackson… you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.” Stiles opened his soda, taking a drink. “But it’s none of my business.” He smiled, winking at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun with another person, outside of my usual group of friends.” 

Jackson's cheeks warmed to a dark pink as he stared at Stiles. “Oh, wow. Thank you. I don’t know what to say.” He chewed his lip reaching over to pull Stiles’s chair closer to the bed. “I had a great time tonight, Stiles. Thank you. I needed to do this.” 

Stiles gulped, staring into his eyes. He placed his soda on the desk and reached up to trace under Jackson’s black eyes. “You are actually quite beautiful. I’m sorry that I punched you.” 

Jackson gasped. “I already forgave you for that. It was such a ridiculous argument. I should not have brought up your friend, and I’m sorry for pinning you to the ground. Mr. Hale said you have an issue with personal space.”  

Stiles chuckled, shaking his head. “It was the only way to keep me from hitting you again.” Their faces were inches apart and Stiles let out a long breath. “I’m going to kiss you now.” 

Jackson gulped and nodded. “Okay.” 

“Okay.” Stiles sighed, pressing a soft to Jackson’s lips. He heard the other man whimper and slowly began to deepen the kiss. 

Jackson groaned as Stiles licked his bottom lip. He opened his mouth in surprise and stiles nipped at his lip. He pulled back with his face flushing. “Mon Dieu.” He smiled, biting his lip. “That was…” 

“Amazing.” Stiles smiled, running a hand through his hair. “Was that okay?” 

Jackson smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I’ve never really kissed anyone before. I did not think it would feel like this.” 

“You’ve never been kissed before?” Stiles smirked. “I feel like I should be honored.” He blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “So, we should do this again sometimes.” He grinned at the other man, sipping his soda. 

Jackson nodded as he stood up. He knew that he should not have told him that. “Let me see you out. I'd love to do this again.” He smiled, offering his hand to Stiles. 

Stiles took his hand and walked to the door with him. He stopped right outside the door and sighed. “Can I kiss you again?” 

Jackson nodded. “I would like that.” He sighed as he kissed Stiles, cupping his cheek. 

Stiles pulled back after a moment, smiling. “Good night, Jackson.” 

“Goodnight, Stiles.” Jackson grinned. “I’ll see you tomorrow…” He fixed his glasses and bit his lip. “Wait, give me your phone.” 

“…Alright.” Stiles raised a brow and handed him the phone. 

Jackson programmed his number into the phone and handed it back to Stiles. “Call me.” 

Stiles laughed softly and nodded. “I’ll do that. I’ll let you know I got home alright.” He grinned as he walked down the hall. He could not believe that the night had been so amazing, 

“Fuck you.” Stiles glared, ripping himself away from the teacher. “Do not touch me.” He shook his head and began running toward the forensics lab. He looked back at Harris and sighed. That man has hated him since the moment he stepped foot in the Beacon Hills Boy’s academy at the start of his secondary education. He cursed as he ran into someone, feeling a stack of books hitting his feet. “Dammit. Sorry I wasn’t looking.” He looked up to see Jackson Whittemore in front of him.” 

Jackson coughed and sighed, pushing his glasses back into place. “It is alright.” He bent down to pick up his books. It was his free period, and he had a lot of studying to do. “Um… where were you rushing off so fast?” He blushed as the other man began helping him to pick up the books. 

Stiles sighed, handing the nerd a chemistry book. “Away from fucking Harris and his fucking rules.” He closed his eyes as he stood up. The hall was still so fucking crowded and he just wanted to get to his only enjoyable class. His hands shook as he ran his hand through his hair. “I have to go. Sorry again.” He blew out a breath and began running to his class again. Ha barely made it through the door as the bell rang. 

Jackson nodded, watching him go. He fixed his stack of books and headed towards the library. He really did not know who the other man was, but they had been sharing classes now for five years. Stiles Stilinski was a complete mystery to all the borders. All anyone knew was that he was one of the few students who did not live on campus. Jackson was the son of the head master and had lived on campus for all twelve years of his formal education. He hardly knew anything about the world outside these walls. He entered the library and waved at the librarian before he claimed his usual table, opening his classical literature book. 

📚

“Mieczyslaw!” 

“It’s Stiles.” Stiles groaned and turned around to look at the teacher. He had been at this school for 5 years and everyone still refused to use his chosen name. “How may I help you, Professor Martin?

The teacher smiled at him. “I’m sorry, Stiles. I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming trigonometry exam? In Calculus, last year, your work was phenomenal. I cannot say the same this year. If you cannot pull off at least a 90% on your final, I will be forced to fail you. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “You have so much potential Stiles. I would hate to fail you.” 

Stiles blew out a long breath and stepped away from her, letting her hand drop. “I’ll try to do better.” He stared around the room, glad that it was empty, except the two of them. “Can I go now? My dad is going to be upset if I am late.” 

She nodded and smiled sadly at him. “Yes, please let me know if I can do anything to help.” 

“Yeah, sure.” Stiles sighed, running from the room. He almost ran into Jackson again as he escaped, but the other student was able to step out of the way. “Sorry.” He grumbled, rushing to his locker. His father was going to be pissed if he was late again. 

Jackson watched him with a frown before turning back to the math professor. “Um, you wanted to talk to me, Professor?” 

Mrs. Martin nodded, gesturing to a desk. “Would you like a cup of tea?” She walked over to a table in the corner, putting on an electric kettle. She watched Jackson sit as she gathered her thoughts. “Jackson, you’ve been number one in your class for the last three years, Am I correct?” 

Jackson nodded. “Yes please. You are correct ma’am. Right behind your son, Levi, I believe.” He took off his hat, placing it on the desk in front of him. “Is that what this is about?” 

She chuckled, shaking her head. “No, Levi is a bit annoyed that he can’t seem to catch up to you, no matter how hard he tries. I imagine that your father puts a lot of pressure on you, but no. That is not what I wanted to talk to you about. I was wondering if you are interested in tutoring a student for me. He is in my basic trigonometry class, and is in danger of failing. I would not like that to happen.” 

Jackson blushed and nodded. “I do offer tutoring services. I usually charge $25 and hours. I can fit him in, if he agrees to this.” He smiled as he was handed a cup of tea. 

Mrs. Martin nodded and sighed. “You see, the thing is, he is a scholarship student, and I am not sure he can afford to pay for tutoring.” She pulled out a chair and sat in front of the other student. “I asked Levi to tutor him already, but he said he doesn’t have the time.” 

Jackson frowned. “Who would I be tutoring?” 

“Mr. Stilinski. You just saw him, running out of here.” She sighed. “He’s really a really bright student, but he’s been sliding the last year and a half. I really would like it if he graduated.” 

Jackson nodded, looking into his teacup. The leaves floated in the shape of a triangle. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “Can I think about it and get back to you tomorrow? It’s not like I really need the money, but my course load is quite heavy this semester.”

“Of course, Jackson. Finish your tea, and let me know how your own classes are going? How is your father?” 

Jackson chuckled, sipping his tea. “My classes are fine. I will be happy to graduate in two months. Dad is fine. He’s a bit overly taxing about me getting into a good college. I’ve been accepted to Oxford, you know.” 

She grinned. “That is great. Levi is heading to the States to study at Brown or Harvard. He has not really decided, but I’m quite proud.” 

Jackson smiled, nodding. “That’s fantastic. I wish him luck.” 

📚

Stiles ran into the police station and knocked on his father’s door. “Come in.” He sighed and opened the door, stepping into the sheriff’s office. “You’re late. Your shift started 5 minutes ago.” 

Stiles nodded, placing his book bag behind his desk. “My trig teacher held me behind.” He went to his desk to start sorting the files. He knew his job was not really going to pay for his college but every little bit helped. Although, at the rate he was going, he was not going to get into college. 

“That’s one of the classes you’re failing, is it not?” The sheriff looked up at him, as he sighed another form. “What did she want?” 

Stiles sighed, slumping in his chair. “Just to remind me that I’m failing. I’m not sure what I am going to do, dad. I have to get at least a 90% on my final.” He chewed his lip, tongue flicking the clear ring he had on the right side. “I hate it. I hate all of it.” 

Noah stared at his son and sighed. “Mischief, you are such a bright kid. You were number three in your class until last year. Talk to me.” 

Stiles shook his head. “I’ve got it. I’ll figure something out.” He knew that he was worrying his dad, but he really could not talk about how the anxiety was destroying everything about him. “Maybe I just need to spend more time studying. The math is not that hard, it’s just… I don’t know.” 

Noah tapped his pen on his desk. “It seems the only class you are excelling in is forensics. That’s all well and good, but you need to do better if you are going to go to college.” 

“Maybe I don’t want to go to college.” Stiles huffed.

The man shook his head. “I know that isn’t true. You’ve always loved school. What’s changed?” 

“I don’t want to talk about it!” Stiles snapped. “Sod off it.” 

The sheriff raised a brow at him. “Do not talk to me like that, Stiles. You know I am on your side. I know you’ll be 18 years old next week, but you are still my friend.” He pushed his paperwork away and walked over to his son, “I know Erica dying hit you hard, but in the last year, I’ve seen you ditch all your friends, change your entire style. Where did you even get that hideous leather jacket?” 

Stiles rolled his eyes, letting his head fall back. “It was in a box of mum’s old stuff. I like the way I dress now. Is it so bad?” He picked up a file and placed it into an envelope for outgoing mail. He knew that he was being a bit of an ass but he did not know how to talk to his father anymore. “Just forget it.” 

Noah sighed and nodded. “Alright. Go home, today. There is not much for you to do, and you’re still grounded.” 

Stiles cursed and grabbed his bag. “Are you going to be home for dinner or am I on my own?” 

Noah shrugged. “I’m not sure. It’s been quiet. If I’m not home by 7pm, get some take out.” He frowned as he went to hug his son and he stepped back. “I’ll see you later.” 

Stiles nodded as he slung his bag over his shoulder and headed out of the station. He climbed into his jeep and headed to the edge of town where he knew his friends gathered. One of his mates from primary school was sitting on a pile of rubbish as he walked up a hill. “Hey.” 

Isaac smiled sadly at him. “Hey.” He tossed him a pack of cigarettes as Stiles sat down next to him. “How are you doing, Stiles?” 

Stiles shrugged, lighting a cigarette. “Fine. Dad is getting on my case. My teachers are getting on my case. You know, the usual.” He leaned back, blowing smoke into the air. “I’m going to flunk my maths.” 

Isaac shook his head, rolling a joint. “I hope you don’t. You’re the only one who is going to make something of himself and get out of this hell hole.” 

Stiles chuckled. “Dad brought up Erica again. You know, she would kick my ass if she saw how bad it’s gotten.” 

Isaac nodded. “She’d kick both our asses.” He lit the joint and passed it to Stiles. “Can’t you get a tutor or something?” 

Stiles laughed, taking a drag. “Yeah, like I can afford a tutor. I’m lucky I’m on scholarship or I would not be able to afford school.” He looked up at the sky. “I’m lucky grandfather was a legacy or I would have gotten kicked out a long time ago.” 

Isaac chuckled. “Not sure your grandfather is the legacy you want to live up to.” 

”Yeah, but it got me into one of the best schools in the five counties.” He grinned and laid back as he relaxed into the drug. “Have you heard from Derek?” 

“Not since he and Levi broke up last week. I know that he’s going to the States, but Derek would have waited for him.” Isaac sighed. “I’m giving him his space. He’s usually gone before I wake up anyway.” 

“Levi has been distant in himself from everyone. He hasn’t even picked up any of my calls.” 

“Yeah, but he’s been avoiding you since Erica died.” Isaac sighed, curling into Stiles’s side. “I have something to share. “Allison and I kissed.” 

Stiles laughed, wrapping an arm around him. “Isn’t she dating Scott?” He knew that Isaac craved touch more than anything and he was more than happy to provide it. He was one of the few people he trusted anymore. 

Isaac chuckled. “Yeah, but they are polyamorous. I really like them.” He took the joint from Stiles and took a drag. “Don’t judge me.” 

“I’d never judge you.” Stiles sighed. He was not sure what else he was supposed to say. “I wish Derek and Levi would talk to me. It’s not like I don’t feel guilty enough.” 

Isaac sat up and hovered. “Hey, it wasn’t your fault, Stiles. You have got to stop blaming yourself.” 

“We would not have even been out there if it weren’t for me, Isaac.” Stiles sighed,closing his eyes. “I drove us out there.” 

Isaac caressed his cheek. “Stiles, we all agreed to go out that night. If it were your fault, It was just as much my fault, or Derek’s. He’s just lost since losing someone he thought of as a little sister. He feels like he was supposed to protect her.” 

Stiles chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes. “We were all supposed to protect her. I still can’t talk about it, but every time I close my eyes I see her falling. I can’t get through a fucking day without panicking about it.” 

Isaac nodded and kissed his forehead. “I know. Look what it is doing to you. I’m the only one who you can stand being around, and I am all kinds of fucked up.” He sighed and laid his head back on his shoulder. “”Maybe you need to go to a counselor.” 

Stiles shook his head. “I can’t... I can’t talk about it. Not yet.” 

Isaac nodded. “Well, I hope you can before you completely come apart.” 

📚

Jackson placed his bag behind his desk and placed his laptop on the surface. He walked over to his bed and fell back, letting out a long sigh. He only had about an hour before he was expected to attend dinner with other boys in his year. He wasn’t sure he wanted to deal with their problems today, but he was head boy. He had a job to do. There was a knock at his door and he groaned as he got up and answered it. “Hello, father.” 

“Jackson, my boy. How are you doing tonight?” The man walked into the room and looked around. “Just wanted to talk before we went down to dinner, tonight,”

”I’m alright.” Jackson smiled, taking his glasses off and polishing them. “I’ve already completed my homework, and I was debating getting started on a couple more admissions forms, for oxford.” He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “What did you want to talk about?” 

“Are you sure that Oxford is really where you want to go? You have so many choices.” The headmaster sat on his bed and looked up from him. “Never mind about that though. The librarian was telling me that you are spending all your time in the library? Don’t you want to spend some time with your mates?”

Jackson sighed, sitting at his desk. “I really don’t have a lot of mates, dad. And the ones I do have, we’re all getting ready for finals. I’m too busy studying and tutoring to worry about that right now.” 

The man nodded, frowning a bit. “I’m glad to hear you are keeping up with your studies, and helping your fellow classmates, but you need to make more connections outside of class. You cannot get into politics if you do not make the right connections, Jackson.” 

“I know, father. It’s not like I don’t already have a seat in the House of Lords.” He wiped his hand over his face. I just… Don’t I have plenty of time?” 

Mr. Whittemore sighed. “You would think but you have two months until graduation. These walls cannot protect you forever and I want you to have the best in life.” 

“Yes, father.” Jackson smiled at him. He knew that his father meant the best, but the pressure would eventually get to him and he would burn out at the rate he was going. “One of my Professors wants me to take on another student, pro bono.”

The older man grinned. “Great. I’d say you should do it. It would look great on your applications. Who is it? Does he go here? I’m sure that anyone going here could afford to pay, so I assume he goes to another school.” 

Jackson groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Stiles Stilinski. I asked her to give me the day to think about it.” 

“I want you to stay away from that boy.” The headmaster sighed, changing his tone so quickly, it had Jackson jumping slightly. “He is bad news.” 

Jackson frowned, shaking his head. “He’s quiet but he doesn’t seem that bad. He was number three in our class until last year. Other than that, no one really knows much about him.” 

The headmaster shook his head as he stood and began pacing. “He is part of a gang out of north Beacon Hills. One of them got herself killed last year, and Stilinski went around the bend. He has been caught with drugs on campus, and been arrested for fighting on numerous occasions. The only reason I have not expelled him is that I was friends with his grandfather, and his father is the sheriff.” 

Jackson frowned. “I… should you really be telling me this? It seems like he needs someone in his corner.” He pulled out his bag and pulled out a notebook. “It won't hurt to tutor him. If I can get him to pass maths, maybe it’ll help him at least graduate.” 

David sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I won’t forbid you from tutoring him, if he agrees to it, but do be careful. Don’t let him talk you into anything dangerous.” 

“Yes, father.” Jackson sighed, taking a few notes. We should probably go down to dinner. My responsibilities are waiting.” 

“Yes, yes. Let’s go. They are serving my favorite pudding tonight.” He chuckled, squeezing his shoulder. 

Jackson nodded as he left the room. 

📚

Stiles sat at his desk and opened his forensics book. He looked up and frowned as Mr. Hale wrote out some questions on the white board. “I thought we did not have a final in this class?” 

Peter looked at him, sighing. “I had not planned on it, but the headmaster is insisting on it. How are you, Stiles?” The teacher smiled, leaning against his desk. “How is my nephew?” 

Stiles looked down at his notebook and shook his head. “He is not talking to me right now. He’s not really talking to anyone since he and Levi broke up.” He leaned back and placed his feet on the desk. He wiped away a tear. “It’s alright. I think he just needs time.” 

Peter nodded and winked at him. “You all are going to be alright, Stiles. Are you coming over later?” 

Stiles chuckled. “I’m grounded, remember? Dad still is pissed about the pcp.” He rolled his eyes and chewed his lip. “Once Derek comes out of hibernation, I’ll let him know you asked about him.” 

Peter nodded, sitting on his desk. “I should talk to the sheriff. You’ve been grounded for months.” He looked at his watch. They still had a few minutes before the class would start trickling in. “Chris and I don’t see you anymore. And you know how much Allison loves you.” 

Stiles smirked at him. “You see me everyday, Mr. Hale.” He rolled his eyes. “And Isaac keeps me up to date on how Allison and Scott are doing.” He swirled his pen through his fingers. “I miss Chris too, but you don’t need to talk to dad. I think it’ll just piss him off more.” 

Peter nodded. “Well, we’ll be having a dinner party this weekend. Chris would love to see you.  Maybe he would let you go for the night, hmm? I can get you some really good cocaine and watch the new movie you wanted to watch.” 

Stiles groaned. “Fine, I’ll ask him if I can go. I’m sure I can convince him that my favorite teacher invited me to a dinner party.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Will Scott and Allison be there?” 

“Of course.” Peter smiled, bowing his head. “And Cora, Boyd, and Isaac are coming. I just wish I could get a hold of Derek.” He shrugged. “He’s really torn up, isn’t he?” 

Stiles nodded, pursing his lips. “That’s what I hear.” He looked up as the students started entering the class. “I’ll talk to my dad and call you.” He grabbed Peter’s attendance book and started marking off names. 

Peter nodded as he hopped off his desk and began getting ready to teach his class. 

Jackson walked into the class and smiled at Peter. “Mr. Hale, could I borrow Stiles, please?” 

Peter nodded and motioned for Stiles to get up from grading papers. “Take your stuff with you.” 

Stiles sighed and grabbed his backpack, following Jackson out of the room. “What do you want?” 

Jackson sighed, leading him out to the courtyard. “Sorry, this is my only free period and Mrs. Martin asked me to talk to you.” He led him to the fountain and sat on a bench. “Please, have a seat.” 

Stiles licked his lips and rolled his eyes as he sat beside Jackson. “Let me guess, she wants her golden boy to talk to me… find out why I gave up in her class. I know she wants me to stay away from Levi.” 

Jackson raised a brow at him and sighed. “No, actually she asked Levi to help you first, but he doesn’t have the time.” He pulled out a calendar from his bag and smiled at the other man, adjusting his glasses. “She just wants to know if you would be interested in me tutoring you until the final. If I’m correct, you need at least a 90.” 

Stiles chuckled, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He lit one and leaned back on the bench. “No thank you. I know how much you tutors cost and I can’t afford it. I don’t want to hang around anyone that I don’t have to. I can’t be bothered.” 

Jackson frowned, wanting to tell the other student off for the cigarette. “I will not be charging you, if that is your only reasonable objection. It would only be an hour after school. I just want to help.” 

Stiles rolled his eyes, looking the man over. “You want to help? Why would the headmaster’s precious son want to help me?” He took a drag of his cigarette and looked away from him. “Why would Professor Martin put you up to this? I nearly destroyed her little girl.” 

Jackson cursed,  and slammed his date book on the bench. “There is no reason for you to be rude. You know Levi prefers he/ him pronouns, and is a man.” 

Stiles chuckled sadly. “Yes, I was one of the first people he came out to. I helped him pick the name Levi. He was one of my best friends until last year. Do not tell me about Levi. I fucking know all about Levi.” He tossed his cigarette and stood up. “You can take your tutoring and shove it up your arse. I’ll study on my own.” 

Jackson reached out and took his hand. “Please…” 

Stiles ripped his hand away. “Do not fucking touch me.” 

Jackson licked his lips, pulling his hands back, folding them in his lap. “I just want to help, Stiles. I can’t begin to fathom what happened between you and Levi, but I won't ask. I am just here to help you through your maths, and any other subject you might be having trouble with.” 

Stiles stood there, holding his hands behind his back. He felt terrible for snapping at Jackson, but he had stepped a little too far over the line. “I have a job. Let me talk to my dad about staying after school to study.” He turned and began walking away. 

“I always have this hour free. You can find me at the library.” Jackson called out to him.” 

Stiles nodded and waved at him before disappearing back into the school. 

📚

Stiles walked into his dad’s office and sighed as he plopped on top of his desk. “Hey, daddio.” 

Noah sighed, looking up at his son. “What are you doing here? You have today off.” He pushed his paperwork away, folding his hands on the desk. “And no you cannot go out tonight.” 

Stiles groaned, folding his legs up on his desk. “One, the dinner party is Saturday and I was invited by one of my teachers. Just think about it. Two, I needed to ask you about staying after school to study. Mrs. Martin arranged a tutor for me. But you can say no. I know I have a job, and…” 

“Stiles. You’re fired.” Noah smiled. “I want you to study.” The sheriff raised a brow at him. “And let me guess, this teacher is Peter Hale, the uncle of Derek Hale.” 

Stiles frowned at him. “You can’t fire me. I need the money for college. And you like Peter. It’s just one dinner party and don’t you think I’ve been grounded long enough?” 

“We’ll talk about college later.”  The sheriff sighed. “Peter is fine, but you were arrested for carrying angel dust, Stiles. Do you know how dangerous that drug is?” He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Who else is going?” 

”Cora, Boyd, Isaac, Scott, and Allison.” Stiles grinned at him. “We’re trying to get Derek to go, but we can’t get a hold of him.” 

“Fine, you can go, but I want you to come directly home.” The sheriff smiled at him. “If you are lying to me about this party, you’ll be grounded until you graduate. Do you understand me?” 

“I swear. It’s on the level, pops.” He grinned. “Now about the job? Because I really need the money.” 

The sheriff sighed. “You have not applied to one college, Stiles. You need to graduate, and I would rather the money go to a tutor than your cigarettes. Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been smoking.” 

Stiles chewed his lip. “He’s not charging me. It’s not like it’s illegal to smoke.” 

“Then what is the problem? Please, just take his help.” Noah chuckled. “For you it is. You are 17 for another week.” 

Stiles groaned. “It’s no big deal. Can we not argue about that? I do not want to hang out with Jackson Whittemore for an hour a day.” 

The sheriff raised a brow at him. “Jackson? The headmaster’s son? I don’t think you can turn this opportunity down, Stiles. He is a good kid, and he will make sure you pass your classes. Do you want to spend another year in high school? If you repeat a year, you’ll have to go back to Beacon Hills High school. Beacon Hill’s school for Boys has been amazing for you. You don’t want to screw that up.” 

“Pops. I… How do I put this? He is posh in carnet. He is bred for politics.” Stiles sighed. “I could just study harder, and ignore all that.” 

Noah shook his head. “If you want me to lift your punishment, you’ll start studying with Jackson. I’m sorry, Mischief. Those are my terms.” 

Stiles cursed. “Fine, but I am going out with Isaac tonight.” 

His father nodded. “Fine. Be home by 10. I would like to not worry about you tonight. Please don't come home smelling like pot.” 

Stiles grinned, hopping down from the desk. “Thanks daddio. I promise that I won’t do any drugs tonight. Just a few drinks.” He chuckled running out of the office.

“You’re under age.” The sheriff grumbled. “Dammit. Don’t drink and drive.” 

📚

Stiles chuckled, tossing back a shot of tequila. “Isaac, I swear. My dad is all hung up on this tutor thing. I have to spend an entire hour a day with Jackson fucking Whittemore,” 

Isaac sighed, sitting in his lap. The club was not very crowded on a Thursday night and they both were feeling a bit loose at the moment. He leaned his head on his shoulder. “It’s only an hour. You will survive.” He took a sip of his beer. “Jackson can’t be that bad. We don’t know him and you are jumping to conclusions.” 

Stiles chuckled, wrapping his arm around his waist. “Yeah, I really don’t know much about him, but he is the headmaster’s son, and a complete nerd. You should have seen him today when he offered to tutor me.” He rested his chin on Isaac’s head. “We are from two different worlds.” 

“You’re not dating him, Stiles. You are just studying.” Isaac smirked as he squirmed in his arms. “Your dad is right, Stiles. You don’t want to flunk out of school.” He kissed his chin. “You’ve got this, babe.” 

Stiles nodded. He ran a hand through Isaac’s hair and sighed. A man walked by them and grumbled something about the club going to hell with fags. Stiles growled at him and stood up, placing Isaac back in the chair. “You got a problem with us?” 

The man smirked, getting in his face. “This club does not need faggots stinking up the place.” 

Stiles laughed loudly. “Trust me, this place does not help stinking up the place. You are doing a pretty good job yourself.” He pushed the man back. “Just go on your way and let us enjoy our night.” 

“Did you just push me?” The man growled, pushing him back.

Isaac stood up. “Come on guys. Let’s just go our own separate ways.” 

“Sit down, Isaac.” Stiles growled, glaring at the asshole in front of him. “I’ve got this taken care of.” He knew that Isaac hated violence, but he would not allow anyone to push them around. ”You think you can come in here and be a homophobic asshole? Where do get the fucking balls? Cause from where I’m standing you’ve got none.” 

The man cursed and threw a punch at him. Stiles laughed as he ducked and punched the man in the stomach. About five minutes later Stiles had been thrown into the table and the man was being pulled off him. Isaac helped Stiles up as the bouncer began throwing all three of them out of the club. Isaac sighed, glaring at Stiles. “You just could not let it go, for once? they just let us come back to this place and we’re going to get banned again.” 

Stiles sighed, wiping blood from his lip. “You are so used to letting people push you around.” He took the other man’s hand and began walking back to his Jeep. “You’re driving. I have had too much to drink.” 

Isaac rolled his eyes and sighed. “You can’t fight every asshole who insults you.” He took the keys to the jeep and helped Stiles into the passenger side. “I’m sleeping over, and you should get some ice on that eye.” 

“Yeah, I’m sure dad will be cool with that.” Stiles sighed, leaning back in his seat. 

📚

Stiles groaned, sitting across from Jackson, “Fine, I’ll let you tutor me. My dad seems to think it’ll be good for me.” He glared at the man sitting across the table. 

Jackson frowned, looking the kid over. “What happened to your face?” That was probably a bit rude but he was not really sure what else to say. 

Stiles chuckled, pulling out his trigonometry book. “It was nothing but a little bar fight. Some homophobic asshole. Trust me, he got the worst of it.” 

Jackson nodded, opening his lap top. “Oh, I did not know you were gay. That’s cool I guess.” He blushed, bringing up his notes. He had no idea what he was saying. This was not a topic that he knew a lot about. He went out with a few girls but he just did not have time for dating and he never could find a connection with anyone. “So… should we get started?” 

“I’m not gay. I’m just an equal opportunity lover.” Stiles smirked, winking at him.  He chuckled as he pulled out his notebook. “I suppose. I think we have a practice test monday. I wasn’t really paying much attention yesterday.” 

Jackson's blush deepened. “Um…okay. Maybe that is your problem, paying attention in class.” He smiled, pulling out five notebooks. “These are my notes from when I took Trig, last year.” 

Stiles frowned, leafing through the notebooks. “This is like 3000 pages of notes. Do you want me to write a textbook?“ 

Jackson chuckled. “It’ll help you learn trigonometry.” He shook his head and sighed. “Maybe I could break it down for you a bit more.” He looked at the notes flipping to the section Stiles class was currently studying. “This is the bit that you need for the test on Monday.” 

Stiles rolled his eyes and began reading over the notes. “I know all of this, I just can’t seem to remember it when I take the tests. Honestly, I’ve never been this bad at tests before.” He looked up at Jackson. “Do you think you can just give me the answers?” 

Jackson gasped, shaking his head. He pushed his glasses back up his nose and sighed. “That is not exactly how this works, Stiles. That would be cheating. You’re never going to learn if I give you the answers.” 

“But you have them, don’t you?” Stiles smirked, twirling his pencil between his fingers. “I can make it worth your wild.” 

Jackson closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could not believe this guy had ever been any sort of competition for him. “Mrs. Martin gives the same test every year, but I am not going to just give you the answers.” He looked up at Stiles. “Why don’t I just let you read over the notes for the weekend and I’ll quiz you before her class, Monday.” 

“No can do, baby doll. I have a party tomorrow night.” He smiled. “There has to be a way for us to come to some sort of agreement?”

“If you are not going to take this seriously, I don’t know why I am going to waste my time.” Jackson growled at him. He rarely lost his temper but this kid was really starting to get on his nerves. “I know that you are capable of passing this class, Stiles.” 

“You know nothing about me, Whittmore.” Stiles scoffed and closed the notebook. “You’re right. We don’t need to waste either of our time.” He gathered his books and stood up, ready to leave. “Fuck you.” 

Jackson sighed, rolling his eyes. “Let me talk to Mrs. Martin and see if we can’t reschedule your test and you can study here Monday instead.” 

Stiles glared at him for a moment before letting his shoulders drop. “Fine. Why don’t we try one more time?” 

Jackson licked his lips and nodded. “You have to really commit here, Stiles. I won’t sell you the answers, but if we buckle down, I can guarantee that I’ll have you pass your final.” 

Stiles slumped in his seat and nodded. “Give me the bloody notes.” 

📚

Jackson sighed and threw his bag under his desk. He laid on his bed and looked at the ceiling. Once he had broken down the test with Stiles, the tutoring had gone a lot smoother. He could not understand Stiles Stilinski. He was smart, but he had zero work ethic. He took off his classes and closed his eyes. He had developed a bit of a headache and he just wanted to go to bed. 

There was a knock on his door and he groaned as he got up. He answered the door and smiled. “Hey, Levi.” 

Levi smiled at him. “Jackson… Can we have a little talk?”

Jackson nodded, gesturing for him to come in. “Of course, Levi. You are always welcome.” He went and pulled out a chair for him before sitting on the bed. “What did you want to talk about?” 

Levi sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “My mum is so excited about me going across the pond for college. I have the opportunity to go to Brown or Harvard. I should be excited right?” 

Jackson nodded. “But you’re not?” 

“… Did your dad ever tell you what happened a year and a half ago? Levi sighed. “It was right before I came out.” 

Jackson shook his head. “He told me the other night that Stiles got your friend killed,”

Levi shook his head. “It wasn’t Stiles’s fault. He blames himself, and he really went off the rails about it. He started pushing us all away. Anyway, he had just gotten his license and we all went out partying. We went out to the preserve… and up to the cliffs.” Levi licked his lips. “We got so drunk, and Erica tripped. She fell so far. Stiles blames himself because he suggested we go out to the preserve and he got ahold of the beer.” 

Jackson chewed his lip. “He could not have predicted that would happen. Why are you telling me all this?” 

Levi sighed. “I don’t want to leave with all of us still so distant. I broke up with Derek because of all of this. We’ve been dating for four years and I dumped him because I could not handle the pressure anymore. I mean I’ll be leaving and I don’t want to make him wait for me. I did not tell my mum that I also got into Oxford. Maybe I should stay here.” 

“That is completely up to you, Levi. It seems like you have a lot to think about.” Jackson smiled and took his hand. “I suggest you talk to your friends though. I think Stiles really needs help, Levi.” 

“I know.” Levi groaned. “We used to be such good friends and I feel like I let him down because I was going through so much. I feel like a terrible friend.” He felt like he was really letting everyone down. 

“You’re not terrible.” Jackson smiled. “You were hurting too. All you can do is reach out and try to make things right now. Now, about the three colleges…” Jackson chuckled. “Your mom will be happy with whichever you choose. She is so proud of you.” 

Levi nodded. “I guess I’ll call Stiles. Allisoon said something about a party tomorrow night. Do you want to come?” 

Jackson shrugged, shaking his head. “No, I wasn’t invited, and I would hate to intrude.” 

Levi laughed. “I’m inviting you and you would not be intruding. It’s at Professor Hale’s house. He’s married to Allison’s father and they throw dinner parties all the time. Mr. Argent always says the more the merrier.” 

Jackson smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. The only parties he had ever attended were business functions for his father. “If you’re sure. Should I bring anything?” 

Levi shook his head. “No, just yourself. I’ll text you the address, and I’ll let Mr. Hale know you are coming. 

Jackson grinned at him. “Thank you for the invitation, then. I would love to come.” He chewed his lip. “Can you tell me a little more about Stiles… He confuses me.” 

Levi raised an eyebrow at him. “I really don’t know who he is anymore. He used to be my best friend. Now he does nothing but drink, party and fight.” He chuckled softly. “He’s pretty hard to forget, isn’t he. He gets under your skin. “ Levi smirked. 

Jackson sighed. “I just feel like he doesn’t want to rise to his potential.” 

“Oh, he doesn’t, Jackson. He is on a path of self destruction. I wish I could tell you differently. I’m just glad my mum has been keeping an eye on him when I couldn’t.”

Jackson chewed his lips. “If you say so. Your mum has me tutoring him. She said you did not have the time.” 

Levi gaped at him. “She never asked me, actually. I guess I can see why. We haven’t really talked in so long. Isaac is the only one who really talks to him anymore.” 

“Isaac?” Jackson smiled, putting his feet on the bed. 

Levi nodded. “His father was the swim coach, but he is in prison now.” He blushed softly. “Isaac doesn’t really like to talk about it, but Mr. Lahey used to beat him and lock him in an old freezer. Derek found Isaac in the freezer and reported it. Derek’s mom Talia took Isaac in.” Levi sighed, curling up in the chair. “Don’t tell him I told you that.”

Jackson nodded. “I knew Coach Lahey went to prison, but I never knew why. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”

“But Stiles never stopped being there for Isaac, and he was the same for Stiles.” Levi smiled. “I don’t think anything could break the two apart, but Stiles gets him into so much trouble.” 

Jackson sighed, nodding. “Sounds like they’ve had a hard time.” 

“But that is no reason to self-destruct.” Levi groaned “Stiles got himself arrested for angel dust. How stupid is that?” He looked around the room sighing. “He’s so stubborn. He would not even let his father know where he got it. He’d hate it so much if he knew that I know all this, but the Sheriff gives me updates.” Levi sighed, wiping his eyes. 

Jackson shrugged. “You sound like you really care for him.” 

Levi chuckled through his tears. “I love him. He is still my best friend.” 

Jackson smiled. “Must be nice. I’ve never really had that.” 

Levi blushed. “I thought we were friends.”

“Oh, I… I guess we are. I mean, I like that you feel comfortable enough to confide in me.” 

Levi nodded. “You’re a good listener. All the boys in this house think so.” 

Jackson shrugged. “It’s not hard to offer an open ear.” 

Levi chuckled. “You are so weird.” 

“Thanks… I think.” Jackson laughed. “So, there is a party tomorrow. What should I wear?” 

Levi grinned evilly. “Oh, you have to let me pick out your outfit.” 

“Shut up, you’ll be as old as I am in four months—Wait,” Stiles furrows his brow, “where are you?” Because he’s just realized that the wall behind Jackson doesn’t look like his room and Jackson is obviously on his phone, not on his laptop.

“The stairs. Near the library. Don’t worry, there’s nobody around… everybody is having dinner or studying, I guess.”

“Of course—You were at the library… and you interrupted your studying to call me?” Stiles frowns. “You shouldn’t—”

“I said I’d call you, didn’t I?

“Yes, but I could have waited until tonight.”

“Yeah, and you would have opened it without me.”

“Not true,” Stiles says defensively.

“Whatever. Now we won’t need to find out… just open it already.” Jackson smiles.

“Fine. But just so you know, if you’ve spent too much, I’m taking it back to the store.”

“You aren’t returning shit, and that’s final,” Jackson says with conviction.

Stiles rips off the paper with no delicacy at all and he finds a white box with the ‘Diesel’ logo at the top.

“Fuck,” Stiles shakes his head. “Jackson—”

“Stiles, open-the-fucking-box,” Jackson says, leaning closer to the phone, like if that is going to make any difference.

“Yeah, I’m working on it!” Stiles gets up, leaves the box on the bed and leans over to open it.

“Shit,” it’s all Jackson can hear from Stiles, who is still standing with his back facing the laptop as he takes it out of the box with both hands.

“You like it?” Jackson says, unable to wait any longer in uncertainty.

“You’re insane, okay?” Stiles shakes his head, licking his lips.

“That means you like it?” Jackson raises both eyebrows.

“No, that means… you can’t do this. That’s what I mean.”

“Okay, I’ll take that as a ‘yes’...” Jackson tries not to smirk but gives up after a few seconds. “Put it on, then.”

Stiles is not sure he should, because if he does, he’ll love it and then, there’s no way he’ll have the will the take it back to wherever this gorgeous thing came from.

“Look, if it’s the right size,” and Jackson knows Stiles’s size perfectly, “you’re not taking it back or whatever else is going through your mind. So, just try it on.”

Stiles shakes his head but he puts on the brown leather jacket and unsurprisingly, it fits Stiles’s chest, arms and waist perfectly.

The jacket has a round neckline with a snap-button tab on the neck, long sleeves with padded shoulders, zipped cuffs, chest pockets, side zip pockets, an inside pocket, and a zip-up front.

“Okay, are you going to say anything?”

And there it is, that thing in Jackson’s voice that always gets to Stiles and he feels actually badly for not being more enthusiastic from the start. Besides, he knows very well that it’s not been easy to get this to him since he couldn’t buy it personally and had to get his mother involved.

“Fine, it’s beautiful, okay? It’s perfect, and I love it. Of course, I love it, but—”

“You look seriously hot.” Jackson nods. “Just go and check it out in the mirror because you look amazing. I don’t know why I didn’t get you one before.”

“Because you can’t do that. Normal people don’t—”

“Yes, I can—And I have. And you need to learn to accept gifts more gracefully from now on. Especially from me.”

Stiles snorts. “You’re the only one who—”

“Is your boyfriend and is allowed to get you any present he wants?” Jackson raises his eyebrows. Jackson knows perfectly well that Stiles remembers when he told him the same thing and he can’t possibly dispute his own argument. “In that case, yeah, that’s me,” Jackson nods again.

Stiles doesn’t say anything. He just slides his hand along the sleeve checking out the texture of the leather and opens and closes the zip pockets, before he finally zips the front.

“So, you think I look hot?” Stiles bites his lower lip, obviously not convinced.

“Very hot,” Jackson stresses both words, smiling.

“Shit, why did you get me this?” Jackson looks back at the screen, unzipping the jacket and sitting down at the desk again.

“Why? Jackson rolls his eyes dramatically. “You know why. You’re the one who forbade me to go and told me to stay here studying. You knew I’d get you something even if I wasn’t there.”

“I wished you were here… but you don’t need to be. I’m just talking to you. And... you know what I mean—This thing must cost a fortune. How did you even involve your mother in this?” Stiles frowns.

“Okay, firstly, you’re not, and I repeat: not allowed to google that jacket, so don’t even think about it. Secondly, yes, it’s not cheap, but nothing of quality is, and if it makes you feel better, it’s not too expensive either… this is something that you can use for years and I can afford it, as you know... And thirdly, when I asked her, she didn’t hesitate—she wanted to do me the favor, not to mention how much she loves to go shopping, so maybe this proves that she’s finally accepted you… which I’ll take as progress and growth of your relationship. Plus, you only turn twenty once… I think that gives me a certain reason to indulge... or whatever...”

If there’s a quality that Jackson has is that he always knows how to prove his points and defend all his actions, no matter how selfish or irrational they might seem to other people. Jackson can be insecure and might be sometimes afraid of not achieving his goals, but when it comes to defending his ideas, he’s the most fearless and confident person Stiles knows. He’s definitely going to be a good lawyer. Stiles has no doubt about it.

“I hate that you always know how to make a compelling argument,” Stiles admits. “And I hate even more that you always convince me of your bullshit.”

Jackson snorts a laugh, shaking his head.

“Yeah, I’m good, but I’m not that good, Stilinski—You just know I’m right… as usual.”

Stiles bites his lip and runs a hand through his long hair to move it out of his face and behind his ear.

“Umm… no, I wouldn’t say that… but yeah, I love it… and I love you, and you know that.”

“I do.” Jackson smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. There’s that look in his eyes that Stiles can recognize too easily know. Days like today it’s even harder not being able to reach out to touch, and feel, and hold each other. It’s bittersweet.

“Are you okay?” Jackson asks a couple of minutes, looking at Stiles above as he’s resting his head on Stiles’s chest.

“Yeah, just thinking about what you said but I have to go,” Stiles says, gently moving Jackson aside, sitting up.

“You can stay if you want... The house is mine, nobody is going to bother us.”

“Is that why you brought me here this time instead of the hotel? Were you planning to ask me to stay?”

“No, I just… I don’t like the hotel. I’m more comfortable here… and I wanted you to see where I live.”

“Were you trying to impress me?” Stiles raises his eyebrows, smiling.

“Not really.” Jackson shrugs. “You know I’m an actor and that the house belongs to my parents. They’re loaded and I take advantage of it.”

Stiles snorts, getting up. “It’s not about the house. It’s not even about you. I just don’t make much money spending time with you and I have work to do. Night shift, you know…” The gas station never sleeps… Too many people want to visit Dreamland in this town.”

Jackson, lying on his side, props his head in his hand, resting the weight on his elbow as he watches Stiles getting dressed. “Can I ask you something? Why haven’t you asked me to pay you yet?”

“You don’t pay me. You pay Derek,” Stiles says matter-of-factly.

“Okay, well, why hasn’t Derek asked me to pay him?” Jackson furrows his brow.

“Because I haven’t asked him to,” Stiles says buttoning his shirt.

“Well, why is that? You like being with me, don’t you?”

“I do. That’s why I didn’t tell him anything.”

“I’m not sure I’m following.” Jackson frowns.

“God, do you need me to spell it out for you?” Stiles shakes his head. “Do you think I like to do what I do?—I’m a writer. I’m a scriptwriter. I wanna work in the movies, just like you do. So, doing this is not what I had in mind when I came here. I had plans and that hasn’t changed… but you have no idea how hard it is to survive in this town without contacts. I could write an essay about the multiple reasons why coming here feels like the worst decision I ever made… and why, when I feel like shit, I think I should go back to Beacon Hills to be a police officer like just my father—He wasn’t thrilled with my decision to come here… At least he would be happier.” Stiles shrugs.

“You know,” Jackson gestures with his arms. “You might think that I’m just some stupid actor, but I had already figured out that this wasn’t your dream job.”

“I don’t think you’re stupid,” Stiles crosses his arms.

“Then, you have an interesting way to show it.”

“Stilinski, this is not the time. You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, but you cannot blame Derek. He asked for my permission and I gave it to him. If you wanna blame someone, blame me. I told him it was okay… and despite what happened, I still think it is time. He has—”

“He’s ten!” Jackson interrupts him. “He’s just a kid. He doesn’t need to learn—”

“Daniel was nine when he started and you thought it was a good idea—Remember?” Stiles raises his eyebrows.

“Yeah, I did.” Jackson nods. “Because he’s a wolf. You can’t compare—”

“There you go…” Stiles snorts, shaking his head. “You’re so predictable, it’s fucking boring.”

“I might be predictable but I also happen to be right, and you know it.”

“No, I don’t know it.” Stiles frowns, shaking his head. “If I knew, we wouldn’t be having this argument.”

“And here I thought we were just talking,” Jackson waves his arms.

“We were talking but you’re pissing me off, and I’m pretty sure that your wolf can fucking feel it right now.”

Of course, Jackson can feel it but right now he’s much more worried about how he feels.

“I haven’t even accused you of anything yet,” Jackson says defensively.

“No, but I fucking know you. And I know full well that you’re going to—I mean, apart from Derek, of course. I’m sure when you see him you’ll blame him too and you’ll start a fight with him—”

“Stiles, he fucked up, okay? He should have—”

“Ilya wanted to! He asked him, okay? He’s pack, so what did you expect? Yes, he’s not a wolf but he wants to be like his brother, can’t you understand that? Plus, he's surrounded by wolves all the time... He doesn’t want to feel different. It’s as simple as that. He-wants-to-feel-strong,” Stiles says, stressing every word.

“He is strong,” Jackson shrugs.