Stackson Week 2022

Day Four: Hear the Train Coming

Theme: Pining

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Stiles admires his longtime crush from afar. He shows up to every game even though it hurts to see his crush kissing his girlfriend after the game, but Stiles can pretend that maybe one day he'll be the one being kissed. He even goes to away games and Isaac goes with him. Isaac knows how hard Stiles pines but doesn't understand why. He supports his best friend no matter what though.

"He's just so beautiful Izzy," Stiles says with a sigh.

Isaac looks towards his friend and then over at the field where the lacrosse players are playing skins and shirts. "I mean objectively speaking he's hot."

Stiles scoffs. "Maybe to you because of you know–" he gestures vaguely to his crush. "–but like his eyes are crisp blue that I would just love to dive into and come up gasping for breath. His smile is like blinding. All around perfect."

Isaac smiles and shrugs his shoulders. "He's your crush man. Just don't hate on me for noticing those abs." Stiles snorts and goes back to watching the practice while Isaac turns his attention back to his textbook.

When practice ends Stiles watches as his crush's girlfriend runs to meet him, the two exchanging kisses. Stiles's shoulders sag. "You know that'll be me one day. Right?"

Isaac looks up already knowing what he'll see. "Yes, Stiles. One day you will love and be loved by a romantic partner but don't get your hopes up that it'll be him."

Stiles glances at Isaac. "Don't harsh my mellow." He looks back at the field. "A guy can dream."

"I know but I just don't want your heart to get broken if it doesn't happen."

"I know. Me neither."

When the coach blows the whistle to signal the end of practice both Isaac and Stiles watch the players head to the locker room before packing up their books, getting into Stiles's jeep and heading home.

Stiles continues admiring his crush and pining from afar and each day his heart aches a little more but he's not going to do anything about it one way or another.

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Then one day during the middle of the season, during a qualifying match his crush is seriously injured when an opponent crashes into him leaving him winded and with a serious head injury.

He's taken to the hospital, disoriented and found to have a serious concussion before they put him into an induced coma to address the bleeding in his brain.

Stiles hears about it, having been at the game with Isaac and shows up in the waiting room. He takes a seat and starts bouncing his knee and biting his lip. He doesn't leave the entire weekend. Isaac being the best friend he is, brings him the homework from their classes that Stiles has missed. Stiles does it all while waiting for news.

Stiles watches the number of visitors slowly dwindling after about a week. After two weeks their classmates stop coming all together and even his crush's girlfriend breaks up with him over text–that bitch–when she finds out what his injury is. Turns out the concussion was more serious than they thought. They discover there was significant damage to the auditory cortex and as a result his crush is left unable to hear.

When Stiles overhears the doctors saying this, he immediately starts teaching himself sign language and picks it up incredibly fast. Not being able to communicate with those around you or be understood by those around you is scary and he wants to be sure his crush never feels that way.

The following Monday, after discovering how long Stiles has been there, his crush's father and mother ask if he wants to see their son.

Stiles's eyes widen and he swallows. "I-I do but I don't think that's the best idea. He d-doesn't even remem–know me so far as I know. I'm sure Lydia will show up."

The mother shakes her head. "Dear you're the only one who has stayed and that will matter to him more than perhaps not knowing you as well. Just try? Please."

So, Stiles does. He sets up his laptop and such before taking a seat in the chair in the hospital room. He only looks up when he hears a whisper. "Stiles?" He gives a small smile. Then he holds up a whiteboard and writes.

I'm glad you're awake. I can't imagine how difficult this is for you, but I-I want to be here for you if you'll let me. I even taught myself to sign if it'll help. I can teach you too.

Jackson's eyes water as he looks at the boy he had crushed on in elementary school. Seeing Stiles who looks like shit but still so beautiful and is the only one who stayed. He picks up the whiteboard Stiles left for him and writes.

I can't believe you're here but at the same time I can. When we were little, you were always there. I have been so blind and now I'll never hear you talk again.

Stiles's smile fades but he shakes his head and writes.

Maybe not. Though some would say not having to listen to me is a good thing since I still don't know when to shut up. I'm sure it'll be a struggle learning to navigate without your hearing, but I'll be there to help. So long as you don't push me away.

Jackson smiles a tear falling and writes.

Don't think I ever hated listening to you. Your mind is an incredible thing. Even if I couldn't always follow your train of thought that doesn't mean I ever got off the train. I won't push you away. Never again. Come lay with me?

Stiles's cheeks twinge pink, but he nods, slipping his shoes off and climbing into bed with his crush of almost a decade. He guides Jackson's hand to his throat and talks just enough so Jackson can feel the vibrations and Jackson smiles before cuddling close with the boy he's loved for so long but was too afraid to chase after.

When his parents check in on them, they let out twin sighs of relief at the peaceful look on their son's face as he holds the boy who was there waiting just for him.