A Question Of Roomates

Ch. 7

It was one of those rare nights where Stiles and I didn't have dinner together and I found myself slumped over a plate of too cold food in the dining hall "So I heard from a little birdy that you're back with Stilinski?" Erica said plopping down beside me.

"Uh yeah. Almost like two months ago" I said around a spoonful of food.

"Wow where have I been?"

"According to Boyd elbow deep in trying to catch up before break comes"

"Right. So what's the deal?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean with Stiles. I thought he was intolerable"

"No I was just an ass, and I didn't take the time to know him. He's great- funny, and really smart, he's beyond talented I mean give the boy a pen and he'll draw something to take your breath away-"

"Oh my god" she shrieked.

"What?"

"You like him don't you? I mean Stiles Stilinski of all people he talks a lot can't stay still-"

"Like I said. Great" I corrected not liking where she was going. And suddenly I understand why Scott was so upset that day. Stiles is a great guy and was looked down on just cause he had more energy than most "Look I gotta go, but I'll text you later" she nodded and let me go without a fight.

Stiles was home that night when I returned from the dining hall. It surprised me most because it was pushing 10 and he was usually either gone by now or gearing up to leave. What I was met with instead was the kid bundled under a thin blanket and stretched haphazardly across our small sofa. His eyes were droopy to the point where I couldn't tell if they were opened or closed. I dropped my bag by the door and approached the living room with caution.

"Stiles?" I was greeted with a sniffle "Are you okay?" I slid next to him, and I could feel the heat radiating off of his body.

"I dink dat Kira got me sick" he rasped out, his usual chipper voice, rough and deep.

I placed a hand to his forehead and it ignited my skin "I dink dat too" I smiled, making fun of him. He slapped my chest with very little energy before I took charge.

Ten minutes later I returned with more blankets, aspirin and theraflu. He eyed me suspiciously before sitting up. I held my hands out for permission, and he shrugged not really knowing what I was asking. Delicately I wrapped the new blankets tightly around his body "We've got to break your fever" When I was sure he was warm enough I brought the warm liquid to his lips, encouraging him to take a sip. He frowned trying to move his face away "Sti, hey you need to get better. I need you to get better" He lingered for a while, hesitation evident all throughout his puffy face. Then he was parting his lips. Even in his sickly state he managed to be a playful pain, he sipped at half the drink before jokingly gagging.

"I don't want you to get sick" he whispered.

"Don't worry about me. My immune system is solid"

We fell asleep on the sofa, his head was tucked tightly beneath my neck. And as my eyes drifted, a small sneeze escaped my lips. Shit

"I told you" Stiles sighed. It was two days later and he was shaking his head as he brought two warm tea cups to the coffee table. We had both missed classes due to not being able to speak, much less move. Stiles had however gained some of his motor skills back, and was doing the moving for the both of us.

"I haven't been sick since the eighth grade excuse me for being optimistic"

He managed a laugh before looking down at his tea "As fun as this is, my legs cannot be cramped up on this couch any longer. I'm going to go watch some movies in my bed"

He stood to walk away, and what was meant to come out as a joke escaped my lips as a whine "But you're so warm"

He stopped, blanket slung around his shoulder "You can...I mean if you wanted too, my beds big enough for two" I nodded vigorously and padded behind him.

Stiles' room was everything I thought it would be. I hadn't spent too much time in there but the posters on the wall and discarded canvas' in the corner really screamed 'stiles' All along the shelf underneath his tv was a string of pictures. I chose not to bring them up assuming they were of his parents.

He was pulling a dvd from his large collection in his closet when I gasped "No fair! Your closet is like five times bigger than mine"

He laughed "Just a perk of being in here alone for so long. I used to toggle between rooms. Then when I heard you were coming I stayed in here" I shook my head and comfortably made myself at home underneath his sheets. They were shockingly soft, and smelled just like him. I never even knew I had memorized Stiles' scent but there I was breathing it in: sweet and tangy. He eased into the spot beside me, trying to find the right position. Stiles moved a lot less when he was sick.

"What did you put in?"

"Bat man. Val Kilmer"

"Interesting"

"What?" he snapped with a quirked eyebrow.

"I would have had you pegged for the Michael Keaton fan"

"I am a fan of all things Bat man thank very much" I giggled when his statement was punctuated with a sneeze.

Stiles had drifted off ten minutes into the movie. At some point he had rolled over, and cuddled into my chest. I stared down at him for a while, not knowing whether or not to move him. The sun was falling outside, and I could feel my eyes growing heavier. When he didn't move again I wrapped my arms around his tiny middle bringing him close to my body, welcoming the warmth.

When I woke again it was well into the next day. I could feel my fever had died down, and my throat wasn't as dry as it had been the night before. I forgot I had fallen asleep in Stiles' bed until I felt the heavy weight on top of me. Stiles was still fast asleep, I took the time to note that at some point during the night his hand had wondered under my shirt and was splayed firmly across my abs. I smirked into his hair before pressing a discreet kiss there.

He stirred a bit as he slowly woke up "Der?" he asked looking up at me. He quickly took in our sleeping situation and was sitting up "I-I'm sorry"

"It's okay, I didn't mind it"

He nodded embarrassingly "I'm feeling much better"

"Me too"

"Thanks, you know...for staying with me"

I rose for the first time that morning. I stretched my arms over my head purposely letting the skin on my stomach become visible. I slid to the edge of the bed beside him our face inches apart "Of course"

His eyes lingered before he was hurrying out of the room.