Atelophobia (TW soulmate AU)

Chapter 12: Face to Face part 2

*Peter*

Inside everyone tried to pretend like they weren't listening, probably for the sake of Stiles. But he's a smart boy, I'm sure he's aware. 

"Stiles, I'm glad you are here."-Talia

Stiles startled looking at her. Possibly confused at her comment or that an Alpha is enjoying his company. Stupid Scott. 

"Thank you for having me." He's so polite, but also very nervous. 

"No need to thank me, Stiles. You're Peter's mate. You'll always be welcomed here." 

Stiles tensed for a second. I wonder what's going through that brain of his. Maybe there are too many people here for this. I gently nudge Stiles away. A conversation should happen, preferably in a room with a door and soundproofing. Also, let's not look a gift horse in the mouth, we haven't run into Laura yet and I'd like to keep it that way. Stiles didn't pull away, just gave Talia a small smile before letting me lead him away. We got almost to my room at the end of the hall when Laura appeared. Damn it, so close.

"Wow. Uncle Peter, I knew you were upset that the Goddess never gifted you with a mate but I didn't think you'd stoop so low to hooking up with jail bait. I mean his dad's the Sheriff too, isn't he? How far are you going to go to prove a point? Until you get arrested?" 

I growled lowly at Laura pushing past her harshly with Stiles pulled close behind. He didn't speak until we got in my room. 

"I can see why Derek says she's a total bitch and you all hate her."

"That's an understatement." 

He gave a little nod. 

"So...." 

"You're slightly uncomfortable too." 

"Nervous is more the word. It's strange, I accepted the fact that maybe the Goddess didn't gift me with a mte. Talia believed they were younger than me, which you are. I guess I just never thought I'd ever meet you." 

"I'm sorry. I didn't think my stance on mates would cause the other pain by not letting them know. I just.... I didn't think. I'm sorry." 

"I'm not blaming you Stiles, though I would like to know more about that. Your main stance and what led you to your decisions. The one to your strong opinion and the one that made you contact me." 

"The contacting you was because I was being a giant paranoid and my best friend kicked my ass into gear. Prompted me to give you the hypothetical because she couldn't give me the answer and no one else was going to look at me let alone talk to me." 

"We all need one person closest to us who's willing to tell us the harshness of reality." 

He chuckled nodding in agreement. He doesn't speak much and when he does, he does it in quick bursts to get to the point. I believe I remember Derek complaining to Jordan and me, on one of their hangout sessions I was dragged to, about how Stiles doesn't stop talking. How he could never get him to shut up. How Stiles could talk circles around anyone, talk his way out of anything, and how Derek himself was jealous of that quality. Of course, he'd never tell Stiles that tidbit. I don't think he meant to say it in the first place, but we were drinking the good stuff that affects those with supernatural metabolisms and Derek could never hold his alcohol so he was drunk off his ass. Made for a multitude of honest conversations. Actually loosened my nephew up a bit.

*Stiles*

Derek pulled up to a big cabin-like home. It's beautiful. And standing out front was a man. 

"Peter's waiting Stiles." 

"That's him?" I asked quickly glancing at Derek. The man outside waiting looks familiar. Older, but familiar.