Archive of Our Own ^beta

His gaze lingered for a second longer than necessary before making eye contact and smiling at his companion.

A man who’s been through ups and downs of Beacon Hills with him.

A man who’s grown up in the know unlike himself.

He let his mind wander for a moment into uncharted territory.

Would his friend’s lips be as soft as a woman's. How would their nicely trimmed facial hair feel against his own clean shaven face. Would it be soft? A little rough?

There would be no lies.

He’d be kissing a man.

“Hey,” his friend’s pale blue eyes sparkled with mirth.

He shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment. “Sorry, I’m kind of…” He see-sawed his hands. “... out of it.”

His friend leaned back into the booth and took a swig of drink. He let his sight travel down the long lean neck of his friend.

He took a swallow of his own.

“So, Stiles talked to you yet,” his friend’s bright teeth shined as he smiled as he let his left arm linger on the top of his seat. His muscular bicep stretching the thin white fabric of his t-shirt.

The man cocked his head and sighed. “You already know.”

The hunter shrugged.. not admitting or denying it.

“I thought Lydia was the love of his life,” he sipped his black coffee and sagged against his own plastic seat at the diner.

It was his son who got these thoughts in his head in the first place. Talking about the reasons he preferred men over women. He’s just happy he didn’t bring out the charts or a PowerPoint. He wouldn’t have been surprised if he did.

“It was more of her intellect, than her looks,” Chris replied.

“I’m a little bummed he told you first,” the older man let his head rest on the back of the red plastic booth.

“Well, you’re his dad. I’m just…” his companion paused, “his friend.” Chris broke eye contact. “Did he tell you who he’s interested in…”

“He blushed and stuttered. All I know is that it's someone older,” John replied. “He said he wasn’t sure if they liked him back or not.”

“Oh,” Chris said and took a deep breath.

He can admit if another man is attractive.

A good-looking person is a good-looking person.

“He said he likes their lips.” He ran his hand over his face. His son ranted on about lips for ten minutes.

Honestly, until his son came out to him last night… he never had really thought more about it. Men kissing men. In particular… were they as soft as a woman’s...

“Well, how did you react,” Chris leaned forward and rested his elbows by his empty plate.

“Oh, that easy,’ he smiled. “I love him and I’m proud of him. As long as the other person makes him happy and treats him right… it’s really all I can ask for…”

His son had been jumpy and standoffish for a few days leading up to their talk.

“You’re a good father,” his friend gave him a soft smile.

Yeah, his mind went back to those lips.

Would they be soft or not…

The waitress came back with the check.

“I’ll get it this time,” Chris snatched it before John could, “you can get next time we go out.”

###

A group of wendigos did a number on the pack.

Stiles was laid up at the Hale house with his ‘werewolf’ medicine as he called them.

“Really, it’s fine,” he slurred. Peter had his arm around his son’s shoulder, his hand resting on his bare skin. Black lines traveled up the wolf’s forearm.

They were sitting in the same bed. Stiles head lolled over and landed on Peter’s shoulder.

The older wolf had a gentle expression on his face. “Sweetheart, close your eyes and nap.”

Chris walked around the bed and brushed a few lingering strains of hair off his son’s forehead. “You sure it’s okay.”

Stiles tried to wave his hand but accidentally hit Chris in the arm. “Yes, go have fun. Tell me later about it…. Bring me back a hotdog,” he sat up and stared at the wolf. “Peter, is Derek bringing me fries or was that a dream.”

Chris leaned back and laughed.

John let his eyes linger on the man’s neck and broad shoulders.

“Yes, it’s true,” Peter chuckled. “Really, John... you and Chris go to the ballgame. We’ll watch over your son for you. Maybe we will see you on TV.”

“Yeah, dad,” Stiles rolled over and grabbed Chris’ hand. “You too. You both go have fun. You deserve it…”

He finally addressed his son, “You do too, Stiles.”

“I know… next time. Go bond with Chris… we do our thang later…” he yawned.

“Peter,” Stiles turned and tossed his good leg over the man’s outstretched legs. He let his arm fall over Peter’s body. “You’re better than a pillow,” and closed his eyes.

He and Peter shared a look. The wolf ran his hand down the boy’s side. “Go have fun. He’s safe with us.”

He wondered if Peter was the older man his son was talking about. He’ll think about it later. He has a baseball game to get too. And the wolf was correct, his son would be safe with them.

“We’ll see you later,” Chris pulled a light white bed sheet over the lower part of Stiles body.

They passed by Derek, who was carrying a few brown bags of food. Hot greasy food.

When they got out of the car he turned to the hunter… “Do you know what this means…”

Chris arched his eyebrows in question.

“I can eat all the food I want. Burgers, Chris. I want the biggest burger with bacon we can find,” he lit up at the idea.

Chris laughed and patted his knee. “Sure, but don’t think Stiles won’t find out.”

“You’d do me wrong…” he asked with wide eyes.

Chris smirked, “No, but he will.”

He looked out the window to see Peter standing shaking his keys at him with a smirk.

“Damn it,” he cranked down his window to accept the keys, “Tell him. I don’t care. I’m doing it.”

The wolf laughed, “Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do…” he winked and walked off.

He felt his face heat up with embarrassment.

The game had been going great. He ate a burger and a hotdog. He sipped his beer and was having a good time with the hunter.

He had no idea Chris was so vocal. Almost as much as his son. Yelling and cheering as if the team could hear him.

Then the teen in front of them threw his hands up in the air…

His drink came crashing down on Chris. The teen swore and looked a little scared when he saw where his beverage landed.

“It’s fine, it’s just a little soda. Won’t kill me,” Chris smiled at the teen and then proceeded to take off his shirt.

Holy crap.

He was so happy that his friend wasn’t a wolf. Because he got himself an unwanted boner.

His friend was ripped. All lean lines and chiselled abs. He had a light dusting of hair covering his chest that traveled down beneath his pants.

He’d seen him shirtless before, but that was always during a fight-for-you- life situation.

He never paid much mind.

“Daaaamnnn, girl look at that,” a young women whistled from a few rows over and gave him a thumbs up.

Chris smirked at him. “Sorry, I’m taken.” and he threw his arm around John’s shoulders. “You okay with this…”

John stood paralyzed and swallowed, “Um, yeah.”

Chris took out his phone and snapped a selfie of them and started laughing. “Stiles is going to be so jealous…” and sent the photo. “He’s missing all the fun and action.”

His mind wandered… what would it feel like… all that skin against his own.

Would the hair tickle against his own smooth chest…

He shook his head and laughed, “You just don’t want the girls to fan over you.”

“Please, look at the guys with them. I don't want to start any fights. We are here for fun.”

He looked over and sure enough, there were two men standing with the girls glaring daggers at them. He smiled and wrapped his arm around Chris’ waist. He was slender but he could feel the muscles and waved at the men.

They turned away.

Stiles was right.

He did deserve to go out and have fun once in a while.

####

They were sitting around their booth waiting on their children.

They sat in the same spot every time they went out to eat, which was at least once a week.

They took turns paying for it. He remembers the first time and arguing who and how they were paying. They had settled on taking turns. Their consensus was it was easier on Debbie their waitress.

“Oh, there they are…” Chris beamed. John looked behind him and saw their children walking in.

“Hey, Dad,” Allison slid in beside him.

Stiles joined them, “I am so hungry. I haven’t eaten in ages.”

“I cooked you eggs and toast this morning…” Chris replied.

John looked over to his son, “What is this…I thought you said you had a sleepover with Scott.”

Stiles blushed, “Um, I technically did. We slept over at Chris’.”

Chris laughed. “Stiles wanted you to have a night to yourself.”

John smiled. He did have a good night by himself.

He took an extra long shower after he enjoyed his free time in his room with his right hand…

“Wait, is that why you couldn’t hang out last night,” he asked his friend.

“Well yeah. I am not leaving my daughter with her boyfriend by themselves,” Chris gave his daughter a side eye, “even if all they did was watch movies and fall asleep on the ‘nest’ they made on the floor.”

John looked around at all three of them.

“Blankets and pillows… all of them.” Stiles grinned and almost knocked his dad on the side of the face.

“Expect my pillow, I stole that back,” Chris smirked at his son’s frown.

They sat around and chit chatted and joked.

He liked spending time with Chris. In fact, he was glad their children joined them today.

Especially since he let his mind wander and he let himself fantasize about the other man last night.

In the privacy of his own home… no one will ever have to know.

Allison was debating with Stiles about the best part of the movie when she stopped and shoulder checked her..

“Look, I told you, your boyfriend was butt hurt, you didn’t invite him out to brunch with us,” Allison chuckled as the wolf made a conscious effort not to look over to them.

Stiles and John looked to the other side of the diner by the bar seating to see Peter take the last bar stool.

“Really,” Stiles huffed and got up and walked towards the wolf.

Then the words hit him and he twisted around fast to the hunter. “Boyfriend…”

Allison laughed, “yeah.”

“He isn’t my boyfriend…” he insisted but his face said another thing. It melted as he glanced across the diner. His eyes crinkled and a small smile broke out on his face and he sighed.

“What,” John stuttered. He could have sworn with the way Peter and Stiles talked and acted they were a couple.

Though he never confirmed it. The man was older than his son. But since the day of the baseball game and seeing the two of them interact… he wondered if Peter was the man his son had talked about.

He’d understand why Stiles had been hesitant to come out. The man was a wolf, a known killer, though he understood why now, and old enough to be his father.

Eighteen years difference.

The wolf was only eight years younger than John himself.

“We used to date… before…” Chris explained.

Allison chipped in with bits of pieces of the story. Chris and Peter used to be in a secret relationship before his family forced him to marry Allison’s mom.

“I know you never loved each other. I don’t think Mom was capable of love,” the young woman said. “And if you think that Peter doesn’t like you still, you’re a fool. We can all see it.”

“Yeah, but…” Chris blushed and pointed over to the other two… “Why are we even talking about this?”

The hunter made eye contact with John and winked, “so what about Isaac… umm…I overheard you and Scott talking...”

Allison spurted out her water. “What… how… no… when…”

The topic changed to Allison and how Issac may or may not be in a relationship with her and Scott.

“Dad, Peter is joining us,” Stiles slid back beside his dad. “Sit.” He told the wolf.

The wolf sighed and John watched as Peter’s eyes lingered on the hunter.

Chris arched his eyebrow and Allison stood up. “Sit beside my dad, I’ll grab a chair.”

“You heard the woman,” Stiles laughed and slapped Peter playfully on the side. “Sit down.”

Peter joined Chris and their bodies were so close to one another, John wasn’t sure if they were in contact or not. Neither moved nor commented on it.

Stiles called out to Debbie to tell her Peter was joining them.

John sat back and watched the others interact.

He had a lot to think about…

Was Peter and Chris together now? He can’t believe he didn’t know about them from before… Chris never mentioned it.

And what about Stiles. He was so sure, Peter was the man he was interested in. Heck, he thought it was reciprocated. But now, Chris and Peter are sitting side-by-side teasing his son together.

He observed his son. He didn’t seem bothered at all that Peter, his boyfriend?, was in cohorts with Chris.

But, Chris and himself went out all the time.

Were they just friends… he thought maybe Chris was interested in him…

He rubbed his hand over his face.

He’s too old to be fretting over stuff like this.

####

He was cleaning the dining room when his son finally came home.

Though most of Stiles' belongings have drifted to another place.

He saw Stiles’ favorite mug at Derek and Peter’s residence the other day. He had a change of clothes there too.

He also noticed that Stiles' laptop was at Chris’ though. He was over there as often as the Hales. Doing research for the pack, hanging with Allison and so on.

They never really talked about it. Stiles still checked in with his dad often even if he didn’t always spend the night at his childhood home.

He worked part-time at Chris’ shooting range at the edge of town but he is also getting into tracking down rare tombs and such for Peter’s business.

“Do you even still live here,” he placed his rag onto the coffee table..

Stiles resembled a deer in headlights then plopped down into the brown leather recliner. “Ummm….”

“Look, it’s okay if you’ve stealthy moved out. I just want to know. Because… I’m thinking about downgrading. This is too much house for one person.”

God, he feels like all he does is clean. He has no idea how Stiles did it all right after his mom died and he worked twenty-four seven. Luckily, he got pulled out of his funk and got his life back on track for his son.

He’d talked to Chris about it the other day when they were out shooting the newest handgun. The police department was thinking about upgrading and he wanted to try them out. Also, to get Chris’ opinion.

It didn’t hurt that Chris looked hot as hell in his element. He still remembers watching a trickle of sweat come down the side of his face.

A part of him wanted to lick it off.

“Well…umm….” Stiles swallowed and fidgeted in his seat.

John waited patiently.

“I’d be okay if you wanted to sell the house. You know Derek owns the whole building where the loft is located. I bet he’d let you live in one of the smaller apartments,” Stiles supplied.

“Not for free,” John replied and crossed his arms.

“Dad, you’re pack. He won’t take your money. Maybe you can offer to help around with maintenance and such. You are a pretty good handy-man. Just last week you helped fix that leaky faucet at Chris’ house.”

He recalled that day that prior week.

Chris called to get help fixing his kitchen sink. When he arrived he saw his son’s laptop with Star Wars stickers on the kitchen table and a matching mug with coffee in it.

He had walked right into a chair because he was distracted by Chris.

The hunter was on his back, half way under the sink. His shirt had ridden up, showing off his abs and his pants were tugged down, another inch or so and it would have been indecent. He really wanted to know if his hair traveled the whole way down.

The hunter’s legs were bent at the knee and spread open.

He was glad he had on some loose jeans because he would have embarrassed himself.

Stiles broke the moment when he came back in with a pair of sweatpants that John couldn’t remember and a loose t-shirt that looked oddly like Chris’.

He found out that Stiles had gotten soaked and that was how Chris figured out the faucet was broken.

“Are you sure you’d be okay,” John asked again. “This is the last place…”

His wife lived.

When they were a family of three instead of a family of two now.

“Yeah, this place has good and bad memories. Don’t hold on to it if you don’t want to. I am good,” Stiles replied.

John nodded. “Okay.”

“So where are you living now…” he edged.

Stiles’ eyes sparkled with mischief, “A little here and there. I’ve got more homes than I need.”

Stiles laughed at his own joke and John just cocked his head.

“Are you dating now,” John inquired.

His son blushed and his ears were flaming as he looked everywhere around but his dad. “Yeah… we need to talk some more… but I think… yeah we’re dating and um, you know. I have self-esteem issues. They are older than me and...”

“They should be damn lucky to have you in their lives. Age is only a number. You are a loyal, good young man. And you are good-looking. I mean you take after your mum and me and I must say we are two good-looking people.”

Stiles laughed and rubbed the back of his neck, “Yeah. Thanks, dad.”

“Are you going to tell me who it is yet,” he had seen him and Peter walking out of a nice Italian restaurant the other day, but he didn’t want to pry. They both were holding hands and happy.

He could wait it out.

“Umm….” Stiles tapped his fingers on his thigh. “Not yet. I… we… um.. Need to work out a few more details… but I promise they are good to me. Make me happy. And um, you know ‘em. And.. yeah… we’ll tell you but I’m not ready yet.”

John walked over and squeezed his son’s shoulder. “As long as you’re happy and they treat you right. I can wait. But if you need help disposing of a body… I might be the Sheriff but I’m also your dad. No one will ever find the body.”

Stiles took a deep breath and laughed. “Yeah. Thanks dad, I love you.”

“I love you too, son.”

Stiles got up to leave and paused at the door, “And dad… mom would want you to be happy too. It’s okay to move on.”

They held eye contact for a moment and he nodded to his son. “Thanks son.”

Maybe he should take a chance and talk with Chris.

They are both grown adults. If his son can sort things out with his love life, he can too.

It’s just been forever. How does one go about confessing now-n days?

He’s pretty sure Chris is into him.

Maybe.

If nothing else, he’s sure they can hold onto their friendship even if Chris is or is not maybe dating Peter.

Maybe he can confirm that first.

Though, he’s sure Peter and Stiles are a couple.

######

It was early evening and John was driving faster than the limit towards the preserve.

He was finishing up his shift when he got the call from Chris.

A small rival pack had encroached onto their territory.

Chris was leaving with Peter and Stiles to join up with the others.

He was following their coordinates.

When he arrived it was full-on war.

Allison was in a tree shooting down arrows.

Scott was out of the count on the ground under her. He had a deep gash in his shoulder that he was holding his hand over.

John summarized it was from an Alpha, since it wasn’t healing fast.

Boyd was standing nearby fighting a petite brunette who fought like it was her last.

Derek, who with the help of Peter, came into his own as their Alpha was fighting a tall, grizzly man. He looked like he could move a brick house by himself he was so huge. Derek, with the help of Erica, was taking turns at cutting into him.

Peter and Stiles looked like two dancers in sync with one another as they took down two blondes.

Chris shot his last shot and a young woman dropped over. A bullet right between the eyes.

He pulled his own gun, already loaded with wolfsbane bullets and charged in.

A bullet blew out the rival Alpha’s knee and the fight turned to Derek’s favor.

Erica screeched as she saw her husband take a claw to his face. The feisty blond tore off across the clearing and lunged onto the back of Boyd’s opponent.

“John… there’s at least…” Chris began.

John grunted as he hit the ground. A stocky black-haired man straddled him and punched him in the face.
“You son of a bitch, you killed my Bella,” the man screamed.

John blocked the next few blows and was able to dislodge the man from him.

Chris ran over and hit him with the butt of his empty pistol, knocking the man out.

“Thanks,” John said as he took the offered hand. It was strong and firm. He was hit with arousal as the slightly younger man helped him up and their chests hit one another.

He looked around, their pack seemed to be on the winning side.

He was startled when Chris hit him with both pawns pushing John out of the way and taking a knife into his side for him.

“Chris,” he hollered and kicked the man away from the hunter.

John went for his gun and realized it was on the ground.

He heard a battle cry and he stumbled as he went for his weapon.

His son, with hair sticking out everywhere and a wild look in his eyes stormed the man who attacked Chris.

Peter was two steps behind. His eyes blazing blue and claws outstretched like the deadly weapons.

He fell to his butt and watched the scene in front of him.

He tried to get to Chris but the man rolled away from the fight, cradling his side.

Stiles’ words were mumbled and laced with anger as he and Peter slashed the man to pieces.

Finally, Peter had to pull away a kicking and screaming young man. “He’s dead, Stiles. He’s dead.”

Stiles sagged in the wolf’s arms.

John was stunned that Chris saved his life.

It’s the time to finally make a move.

He staggered up and watched as the injured rival Alpha and his surviving members made a run for it. The man who attacked him first was slung over the other Alpha’s shoulder.

Issac, Derek and Erica gave chase.

The other stayed behind.

“Dad,” Allison appeared at her father’s side.

John stood back.

Stiles and Peter both ran over and Allison looked up and gave them a soft smile before she moved out the way.

John was confused.

The other two men fell to their knees on either side of the hunter.

“It’s fine. It’s just a minor cut. A few stitches and I’ll be good as new,” Chris grimaced as he talked to them.

“You son of a bitch,” Stiles cried at the hunter.

Peter laid his hand on the hunter’s wound and black veins appeared on his arm.

“Darling, you can’t do that to us,” the older wolf leaned closer to the hunter.

“We finally got you,” Stiles hiccuped. He cradled Chris' face and kissed him.

John gasped from his spot.

His son is kissing his …

Friend….

Peter leaned over and took over the kiss when Stiles broke for air.

“What…”

Chris collapsed against the ground under the weight of the other two.

Allison’s mouth fell open with surprise of him, not her dad kissing two other men. One of them her own age.

Stiles startled and sat back onto his heels and pivoted to face his dad.

“Finally,” he heard Scott behind him.

“Dad… umm… remember when I said we needed to work things out…” Stiles was flushed with specs of blood on his face and clothes.

His son took the hunter’s hand and squeezed it. “Peter and I had to work on him, but Chris has finally accepted us. As in all three of us… um… as a couple. Then he tries to get himself killed.”

“The silly man thought just because me and Stiles were together, there wasn’t room for him. There was always room for him.” Peter let his hand run over Chris’ five o’clock shadow.

“I’m sorry…” Chris said to Peter but his eyes shifted to John’s… “I’m sorry. I love Peter but I love your son too. He’s… they…. Are…”

“I told dad he needed to move on. You love who you love,” Allison added as she helped her boyfriend up. His wound is just an angry-looking red spot now.

“But…. I thought…” John stuttered.

Chris didn’t like him that way.

Chris liked his son.

Chris loved his son… and Peter.

He recalls the moments from before.

Chris wasn’t hiding it… he just wasn’t saying anything either.

“He thought I was dating both him and Peter. Like it was a competition. You silly man. You belong to both of us and we belong to you. Now, will you finally cave in and say you’ll move in with us.”

Chris looked over to Allison.

“Don’t give me that look dad. It’s up to you.”

Chris gave them a soft gentle smile and whispered ‘yes.’

####

John sat at the both waiting on Chris.

His son’s boyfriend.

It was Peter who got there first. “I told them brunch was at 11, not 10. I wanted to talk one-on-one with you first.”

John startled when the wolf appeared.

Chris and him had talked a few times. But, it seemed he was avoiding him.

But it was their weekly lunch and he told Chris he expected him to be there.

John sighed.

“Look, your son and Chris. I love them and I’ll spend my last breath and beyond to prove it to them,” Peter said sincerely.

Then he tapped his nose. “They can be so unobservant at times. When they don’t want to see something in front of them. But me… I can still smell it.”

John took in a deep breath and sat up straighter.

“I know what you feel for Chris. He…” Peter rubbed the back of his neck. “He likes you. But… he doesn’t love you. He loves your son. He loves me. He has no idea of your feelings for him. I’ve caught the scent a few times. I’ve seen the way your eyes lingered on him… but I’m the left-hand. I have to see everything.”

“I…” he began. “I won’t say anything. My… I want my son to be happy. And you and Chris… you make him happy.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes.

“You’re both older than him. Hell, Chris has a daughter who’s two months older than Stiles,” John sipped his water.

Chris was only four years younger than himself.

“Maybe, at the beginning if I’d said something, done something…” he began.

“It wouldn’t have mattered. Chris,” Peter glanced around the restaurant. “Chris has always been mine. Even when he was with Victoria. His heart belonged to me and mine to his. We… I think a part of him always knew we’d be together in the end. It’s been rough and your son… he helped mend the bridge between us. He’s our glue. Stiles…”

Peter took a deep swallow. “Your son may be younger but mentally he’s on equal grounds with us. I’m sorry your son, and eventually yourself got pulled into this lifestyle, but I can’t say I regret it. Not when I ended up with not one but two mates---”

“Chris was convinced he’d lose his best friend,” Peter pointed to him, “that’s you by the way. He was stuck between accepting himself and loving us and denying it to keep your friendship. Don’t make him choose.”

John’s head jerked back. “I…”

John took a moment. He didn’t love the man. No, he saw how his son and Peter flaunted over the hunter. He saw it in their eyes and small touches. He’d never have that.. At least least not with Chris.

“I really enjoy my time spent with Chris. I don’t know when, but Chris has become my best friend along the way. It will take me a while to get used to the idea, but like I told my son.. I just want him to be happy. And frankly, I know the two of you will help balance him and protect him.”

“Thank goodness,” a younger voice said.

He turned to the familiar voice and saw his son and Chris standing there, holding hands.

“So, you’re okay that I’m dating your son and his boyfriend,” Chris stood his ground as Sitles made his dad scoot over to sit down.

“Yeah, I mean it. I was lucky to find my Claudia, maybe I’ll be lucky like you three and find another.”

Chris gave him a soft gentle smile and his shoulders sagged in relief. “And by the way, you are my best friend too.”

It wasn’t as awkward as he thought it would be, sitting and having brunch with his best friend, son and their boyfriend.

With his former crush. Well, he still had eyes. Chris was still hot as sin. But now he has a different perspective. One day… it helps to know where he stands. There is no chance.

Not now. Not ever.

They were telling him about moving in together officially. Chris was signing his house over to Allison who was thinking about asking her own two boyfriends to move in with her.

“And dad…” Stiles leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “Their lips are as soft as a woman's but I really like the stubble too.”

John groaned. “I didn’t need to hear that from you.”

He may not have landed his crush, but he was okay with it.

He still had a best friend and his son was content and happy.