Stiles Stilinski-Gilbert

Chapter 44

"Happy birthday!" Stiles and Jeremy yell down into the phone when the call is picked up.

They hear laughing coming through the phone.

"Thank you, guys. It sucks that you both aren't here with me to celebrate." Elena bemoans.

"We're sorry Elena, but we're almost done with everything up here, two to three more weeks and then were driving our way back to Mystic Falls." Jeremy promises.

"Yeah, we could do our own little at home birthday party for you if you want?" Stiles offers.

"Nah, that's sweet of you to offer but no thank you. I got your presents." Elena informs.

"Have you opened them yet?" Jeremy questions.

"I have...thank you so much guys, I have no idea how you managed to afford them." Elena gushes.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like them; handbags are ridiculously expensive." Stiles states as he thinks about his poor bank account. Luckily, he has a good stream of income coming in from his website.

"I'm sure, how have you both been? How's the house?" Elena inquires.

"We're doing good...the house is fine..." Jeremy says awkwardly.

They had agreed before the call that they would not be telling Elena about the werewolves currently living in the house on account of Elena likely freaking the fuck out and lecturing them.

"Really? It doesn't sound like it." Elena says, picking up on Jeremy's uncertainty.

"He's just worried because we've found a renter and that means we have to really kick our asses into gear to get the house reading for them to move in. How's your search for Stefan going?" Stiles asks, trying to change the subject.

"It's hard, every time I find a lead, I have to fight with Damon into looking into it. it's so frustrating. I think he's hiding something from me." Elena says.

Stiles knows that Damon is hiding something from Elena. Damon is looking into the bodies that Stefan is leaving behind but hasn't mentioned anything to Elena because Elena seems to think they are Klaus' victims.

"That sucks but maybe he's doing that to keep Klaus from finding out your alive." Jeremy suggests.

"I don't need to be coddled." Elena huffs.

Stiles rolls his eyes and decides that there is no way in hell he's telling Elena about Klaus' visit or constant phone calls. Jeremy knows, Jeremy is weirded out by how much attention Klaus is giving Stiles, but he's promised to stay out of it. Elena would come running to Beacon Hills on the off chance that Klaus being able to visit at the drop of a hat, means that Stefan is nearby.

"He's not coddling you; he's protecting you from getting your throat torn out, there is a difference." Stiles reminds.

"I guess" Elena huffs clearly annoyed. "Listen I have to get going, Caroline is throwing me a birthday party and I have to make sure she isn't going overboard."

"What? Caroline? Overboard? Never." Stiles jokes.

"I know." Elena laughs. "But really, I've got to go. Love you guys."

"Love you too, bye." Jeremy and Stiles call out before Elena hangs up the phone.

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Stiles has been reading through and learning from his mother's books, reading each one. He's finally on the last volume in the series and he feels so ready to go back to Mystic Falls and keep those he loves safe. He's certain of his control and abilities.