Home (Sciles AU)

Chapter 29

Stiles POV

Time seems to pass by quickly after that, now all of the horror and fear from the school shooting is over and Scott is on the mend. It does take quite a while to recover, which is obviously understandable. After a few weeks though, he's finally allowed out of the hospital, which everyone is very ecstatic about. Especially Jason. It was adorable and sweet to see him run up to his father after he had been released. Scott and Jason had to be careful when they hugged, as there are stitches still in Scott and we wouldn't want them to break, causing the wounds to open up again. The stitches will dissolve when the injuries are fully healed, which shouldn't be too much longer now. Melissa still suggests that Scott should take it easy for a while though.

Despite my lack of willingness to write the articles on the shooting, my boss was very happy with them and were both front page stories. It was a big event in Beacon Hills, after all. People came up to me and congratulated me on the detail, saying that they really felt like they were apart of the shooting that day, even if they weren't anywhere near it. I guess writing emotional details to invest readers so much is to feel that panic and fear yourself, which I most definitely did. Scott did too, and the interview with him went great. I got to find out more horrific details of the event through Scott, which all made me feel more horrified, but it was informative to know, both as a journalist and as Scott's boyfriend.

While Scott was in hospital, I make it a point to spend more one on one time with Jason, to make him feel less lonely and to take his mind off his dad. We definitely become closer and there are a lot of bonding moments between us. I still take Jason out for ice cream a lot, which he always loves. I take Claudia on the ice cream trips as well. Again, she loves doing that as well. Even after Scott was released, Jason and I hung out by ourselves and did cool things together, which was really nice. Scott and Claudia have some one on one time with each other as well. It really does feel like we are actually a real family. That thought alone makes me smile brightly and my heart melt a little. Life just seems so perfect right now. Everyone is happy and alive.

I am terrified for Scott when he is finally ready to go back to work though, his injuries all healed and the stitches dissolved, all that remains are a few scars that will be there forever, a constant reminder of what happened. Still, scars are a thousand times better than Scott being dead. Besides, now we will both have scars, as a result of violence. Different violence and circumstances, sure, but violence all the same. It sounds kind of sad now that I think about it, but I guess it helps us understand each other better, understanding and seeing the hurt we have been through. I'm surprised he was so calm about it. I would be terrified if something like that happened to me at my work. I don't know if I would want to go back. I try and plead with him just to stay at home for a little while longer to let him recover more, but Scott sees right through me and can tell that I know he has healed well enough and that I'm just scared for him to go back, afraid that he might get hurt again.

"Baby, I'll be fine, I promise." Scott assures me on the morning as he is about to leave for work. I slept over at his house the night before and I'm supposed to be taking both Jason and Claudia to school today.

"How do you know that, Scott? I just don't want to see you getting hurt again. Maybe this time, you will actually be killed. I-I couldn't handle that. Jason and Claudia couldn't handle that." I reply, shakily, fear creeping into my voice and tears forming in my eyes. I look down at the ground, not wanting Scott to see me cry about this. I sniffle slightly as the tears drip down my face. I suddenly feel hands cup my chin and lift it up so I'm looking at Scott again.

"Please don't go." I whimper sadly. Scott just gives me a soft, but slightly sad smile in response.

"I have to go to work honey, just like you have to. I need the money to help sustain myself and my son. I don't want to put all of that money pressure on you to help me out with that. I can deal with it myself, it's okay. You've got enough bills to pay for as it is. I don't want you and Claudia to suffer because of me. I also don't want our family and friends basically paying it all for me either." Scott tries to reason with me.