Sterek Library (a03 Edition)

The Accidental Baby Sitter

By: whenshewrites on tumbrl

Stiles didn't know what to think of his new neighbor.

Partly because he'd only seen him in glimpses and partly because he was pretty sure the man had no control over his kid. Not like Stiles judging or anything— he knew for a fact he'd been a difficult child too— except the kid kept coming to him . 

Every single day when Stiles least expected it.

He was pretty sure the kid had found a secret passageway into his house that Stiles didn't know about or something. Because honestly, Stiles didn't have any other explanation for it. 

There he would be, minding his own business, trying to get some writing done, and then bam! There'd be an eight-year-old in his house. Going through his things, wandering from room to room, or just staring at Stiles and startling the crap out of him when Stiles finally snapped out of his writing stupor.

At one point, he'd been terrified the kid was possessed or something. But Stiles was pretty sure he'd just seen way too many horror movies.

Stiles... should probably do something about it, he figured. He should confront his neighbor or at least let him know that his kid was an escape artist. But instead, Stiles would usually just entertain the boy, let him ramble about his day for a bit, and then walk him right back to his house.

Stiles wasn't good with children, he didn't think. And his new neighbor kind of terrified him.

Stiles had seen him once or twice; all angry-browed and scowly faced. He was pretty sure the guy was either a serial killer or a hitman or something, and both of those options scared the shit out of him. So he'd kept his distance from day one. 

The guy was drop-dead gorgeous, though. Stiles could admit that out loud.

It was another lazy Thursday when Stiles looked up from his laptop to see Ben standing in the doorway of his office. Stiles didn't even react anymore. Instead, he just sighed and raised a brow, offering the kid his best smile.

"Good afternoon, Ben. Escape the house again?"

"I'm napping."

"Oh right," Stiles said, swallowing a laugh and bringing his third mug of coffee that day to his lip. "So the usual then. You know, your father is going to find out one day and think I've kidnapped you or something."

Ben only shrugged and moved into the room, dropping into the chair opposite Stiles's desk. He was still wearing his pj's, Stiles noticed. Even though it was literally like two o'clock in the afternoon.

"My dad likes you."

"Your father has never spoken to me, kiddo."

"He thinks the guy next door is cute."

Stiles choked on his coffee, setting it down to give Ben an incredulous look. Suddenly, he was a little panicked. Because did the guy know his son snuck out during nap time almost every day to pay Stiles a visit? Did he approve?

Stiles was pretty sure there was something not right with that.

"Ben, does your father know about... this?"

"... No."

"But he knows about me."

"Dad says you watch him from the window."

Stiles narrowly refrained from choking on his own spit this time. He did not do that— he didn't! Sometimes, Stiles just got curious. He would like to know the man whose kid Stiles accidentally babysat for about an hour every other day after all.