The Longer I Live

Chapter 14: Well, It Just Feels so Anti-Climatic!

Stiles heard the beeping of the patient monitor going off his ear. Slowly, he opened his eyes allowing his blurred vision to see an image standing next to his hospital bed. Beautiful, baby blues glanced down at him touching his face for comfort as he smiled in response to the angelic, red headed woman with tears in her eyes.

"Mom?" The teen whispered.

"It's okay, sweetie," Victoria answered. "Your family's here."

He scanned the room. His father, Sheriff Argent, stood at the corner of his hospital bed, moping while his older sister Allison crumbled in her chair pale with worry.

"How...how long have I been out?" Stiles asked.

"A few hours," replied his mother. "You gave us quite a scare. Luckily, the paramedics arrived in time and got you into the E.R."

"Vitals are looking good and blood pressure is down."

Stiles recognized the familiar masculine voice. Dr. Derek Hale's green eyes stared at him offering a moment of comfort while he flipped through the teen's medical chart.

Damn, why did he have to look so good?

Lifting his arm which now contained IV tubes and bandages, the Spirit Wolf checked his pulse to ensure that everything was normal.

"The stress of the incident at school triggered his blood pressure to soar, causing undue stress on Stiles," explained the supernatural doctor. "This accounts for the nose bleeds, temporary respiratory anomalies, a minor seizure and fainting spells. It's good thing too because any undue stress would have brought on an aneurism."

"What about the brain cancer?" Victoria inquired. "Would it have progressed any further?"

"There's that possibility," Derek responded. "Especially since the malignant tumor is spreading. My guess is that it hasn't reached any vital organs yet. However, I recommend that we start radiation therapy tomorrow."

"I think we should do it," stated Sheriff Argent. "Our son's health is an issue. We shouldn't take any more chances."

"Honey, it's Stiles's decision," the Argent matriarch advised. "He's the one to go through the treatment. Stiles? I want this to be your choice. You know where your father and I stand on this issue, but I want you to decide what's best for you."

"I'll leave your family alone to discuss it," Derek offered. Glimpsing at Stiles once more, he shot him a concerned look and left the room.

"Well, Stiles?" His father pushed the topic. "What's it going to be?"

"I...I...I don't know," Stiles responded. "I'm not sure what I want."

"That obvious," Sheriff Argent muttered under his breath.

"Chris! Stop it!" Victoria snapped at her husband. "Stiles is still our son! We will love him and support him no matter what!"

Confused, he turned to his sister who nervously bit her lip. "Allison, what are they talking about?"

Small tears drifted from her eyes as she wiped them away with her sleeve. "They know, Stiles. About everything. The photos of you and Danny; the bullying at school. It's all out in the open."

Victoria sat down on the bed and hugged him close. "Stiles, sweetie, why didn't you tell us sooner? We were waiting for the right time for you to confide in us about your sexuality. It doesn't matter who you are. You're still the same baby that we raised and will grow up to be successful individual. Never hide the fact of who you love. Be proud of it. There is no shame in that."