There was of course a reason why Stiles was standing in front of his best friend's wardrobe, counting his shorts. They were both leaving for Christmas break in two days and he had to make sure that Scott had enough underwear to take with him. There was also a reason why he was responsible for Scott's packing, namely that Scott was still astoundingly unorganized as far as everyday life was concerned. He might be leader of a not so small and quite capable pack but it was still difficult for him to find a matching pair of socks in the morning. So Stiles had taken over the washing and it wasn't that big of a deal. Scott did other stuff and Stiles didn't mind taking care of him a little. He was just glad his plan had worked out. They'd both been accepted to UC Davis and even found this little apartment just off Campus. It was small and needed renovating. The water in the shower constantly turned cold, the front door only locked when you threw it shut with a vengeance and the light in the hall kept flickering even after they had replaced the light bulb. It was also right under the roof of the old building so they had to climb five stairs to reach it. Scott didn't mind of course. Stiles did, but he kept telling himself that at least he was kind of exercising regularly now.
He walked through their three room apartment, picking up pieces of clothing from random places and throwing it in the laundry basket, humming some stupid One Direction song that got stuck in his head. The telephone rang and he picked up, sure it would be his dad, asking if they'd already decided whether they'd arrive in time for lunch on Sunday. His father didn't exactly say he missed him but Stiles could tell by the frequency of his calls. He was definitely lonely and Stiles was just glad they'd be able to spend some time together soon. They hadn't exactly been home as often as he'd thought they would be. Everything had been quiet in Becaon Hills for a while now and Stiles liked the distance. It was good to start over with Scott, not to be reminded of live threatening situations at every corner. It felt good just to be human.
Well, alright, Scott wasn't exactly human, but here he also didn't have to be the Alpha wolf, could concentrate on the things that mattered to him besides the safety of his hometown. His studies for example. And even though it was the plan that they'd both eventually be back, Liam and Malia were holding up quite well in their absence and there had only been one emergency call when a tribe of Wendigos had settled in Beacon Hills.
„Hi!" Stiles said into the receiver and was quite glad a second later that he hadn't answered the phone with „Hi dad", because it was a girl's voice that answered with „Hi Stiles, it's Amanda. Is Scott home by any chance?"
„Sorry, Amanda, no he isn't." Stiles picked up a pair of Scott's shorts from their couch and threw it in the direction of the laundry basket.
„Oh, well", Amanda said, sounding a tad disappointed. „Any idea when he will be in?"
Stiles glanced at the watch on the microwave in their kitchenette. Today was Friday which meant that Scott's day ended early.
„He should be back really soon."
„Tell him to call me, okay? And don't forget this time."
„Alright", Stiles said. He was tempted to tell Amanda he never forgot to tell Scott about her calls, then again he was okay with Scott using him as an excuse.
The door to their apartment opened the minute he had put down the receiver as if Scott had sensed that the coast was clear. He was carrying a bag of shopping, not as heavy as usual on Fridays because they were leaving early on Sunday morning. Stiles was still glad he wasn't the one who had to drag it up the stairs.
„Brought Ravioli", Scott said, kicking the door shut. „Thought we should keep it simple before we get stuffed like pigs over Christmas break. Oh wow, are you doing the laundry? Thanks bro, I really thought I'd have to spend Christmas in my Pyjama bottoms.
„Not that you'd have minded much", Stiles said. „Amanda wants you to call her back." He started unpacking the shopping and Scott dutifully came over to help.
„Couldn't you have told her I was already home for Christmas?"
„ If you don't want to go out with her, just tell her yourself, alright? I'm not your dating app."
„Well, she's kind of scary you know?"
„Coming from someone who is used to fight off evil werewolves and kanimas that sounds a little surprising, you know? She sounds nice enough." Stiles leaned against the kitchen counter. „Why don't you give it a shot and go out with her? You have to get back into dating at some point, you know?"
„Says the man who hasn't been on a single date since College started." Scott gently pushed Stiles to the side to store away some cans.
Oh come on Scott, it's not as if I just collect telephone numbers while going to the bathroom during a lecture about rabies alright?"
„That was once, Stiles. Once! And she really wasn't my type."
„I'm just saying! One of us hast to hold up the flag! How am I supposed to go on living vicariously through you if you live like an oyster?"
„I have no time for a girlfriend, right now. Veterinary medicine isn't exactly an easy subject and I'm not the one who never really had sit down on his ass and study to get excellent marks. Besides an emergency could happen in Beacon Hills any time and I have to be able to just leave right away and –„
„Scott!" Stiles held up his hands. „Stop making excuses, alright? It's Christmas break and you could easily go on a date on Saturday night. No one's talking about getting engaged or anything, Jesus Christ." Stiles went over to the laundry basket to carry it down to the basement where the washing machines were. „It's up to you how you waste your youth. But let me tell you: even your good looks will fade someday."
Scott stepped in his way. „Let me carry that down. Wouldn't want you tumbling down the stairs in a pile of my dirty laundry again."
„I missed one step, okay? And I didn't tumble down, I just crashed into the wall."
„Wouldn't want that either." Scott took the basket and Stiles climbed down the stairs behind him. There was no way in hell Scott could figure out the washing programs on his own.
„Have it your way, Mr. Responsible."
Scott sighed. „I'll go on a date on Saturday, alright? But not with Amanda. I don't want to lead her on. There's that girl I met in one of my tutorials. Sarah. I'll give her a call."
Stiles stopped short. "Sarah? You never told me about her." Something about his voice didn't sound quite right.
Scott shrugged. "There wasn't much to tell up to now."
„Oh", Stiles said. "Yeah. Good. Good idea. Excellent idea!"
Stiles was leaning in the doorway of their bathroom watching the foam drip into the sink from Scott's face as he was shaving. The air was still damp from his shower and he had a towel slung low around his hips.
"Remember to call me if you spend the night at her place", Stiles said. "What's her name again?"
"Sarah." Scott caught his eye in the mirror. "As I told you about five times already. And I also told you I'm not going to spend the night with her. Not after our first date."
Stiles shrugged. "You're shaving."
"I needed to anyway."
"On Saturday night?"
Scott splashed his face and smiled at Stiles' reflection in the mirror and Stiles noticed how grumpy he looked compared to his best mate. "I just wanna look decent on our first date."
Stiles crossed his arms. "What's she like?"
"Friendly, quiet, a little crazy if you get to know her better."
He watched Scott put on his boxer shorts and his Jeans. It was the same one he'd been wearing all day and Stiles was strangely pleased.
"So you already got to know her better?"
"I talked to her a few times. Stiles, honestly, you're worse than my mom. You're the one who bullied me into dating, remember?"
Stiles was painfully aware that Scott was right and he also knew that he was acting like a complete dick right now and he needed to get a grip on himself."
"Can I borrow one of your shirts?" Scott asked. "The ones you washed yesterday aren't quite dry yet."
"Sure", Stiles said, taking into account that Scott was putting on a fresh shirt for Sarah. He felt a little nauseated. "Just pick one from the closet."
He followed Scott into the bedroom and watched him put on a blue checked plaid shirt in front of the mirror. He turned around to face Stiles. "I like this better on you. Do I look alright, though?"
Stiles thought that he looked absolutely gorgeous. Really, someone like Scott should be forced to wear rags at all times just to make things a little less unfair. "Barely decent as always." He stepped closer and ran his hands through Scott's hair, to comb it back a little. "That's better."
"I know, I need a haircut", Scott grinned.
"I like it that way."
"You do?"
"Yeah. No reason to look so surprised."
"You never pay me compliments."
Stiles took a step back. "It's not like you need them. Flutter off to your pretty girl now, butterfly. I've got a hot date with my laptop. I'm sure there's some porn I downloaded and didn't get around to watching."
"Too much information", Scott said. He put on his shoes in the hallway and grabbed his leather jacket. "Sure you don't want me to stay and join in?"
"Funny", Stiles said. "Text me if you don't come home. I can pick you up in the morning."
"Okay, bye", Scott said and threw the door shut behind him. It creaked open again and Stiles leant against it to close it. He stayed there for a moment and listened to Scott descend the stairs. He didn't feel too good, somehow. Maybe he was a little sorry for Amanda. Or maybe he just didn't want to spend his evenings alone anymore. Well, if Scott was about to get a girlfriend he better got used to being lonely again.
The TV was flickering but Stiles didn't even know what was on. It certainly wasn't porn though, because he didn't feel in the mood after all. He was stretched out on the couch, a bowl of crisps sitting on his belly but he didn't want any. An empty can of beer was blocking his view of the TV but he didn't feel like getting up and putting it away. There just didn't seem to be a point in anything. He checked his phone for the sixth time in case he had missed Scott's text telling him that he was spending the night at Sarah's. He was sure Scott wouldn't come home. This was college, not middle school. Of course you spent the night with each other after the first date.
He was well aware that they could both be re-watching "Twin Peaks" right now, eating spaghetti and getting into the Christmas spirit. Stiles thought that he might even have lit the candle which was their only valid Christmas decoration. Liam and Mason had brought it when they came for a visit in early December. Lighting a candle all by yourself was just sad, however. He wanted another beer and was debating getting up, when the telephone rang and took the decision from him.
"Hi son", his dad said. "Just wanted to make sure you're all packed and ready for your Christmas break." He sounded much more cheerful than he had during the last months and Stiles' mood improved a little.
"Sure thing", he said. In fact he had packed Scott's bag and his own earlier in the evening because he had needed a distraction.
"I also wanted to check whether you two want to spend the nights at our place or Melissa's. I could get the guest room ready."
"Uhm, what's wrong with my old room?" Stiles asked, opening the fridge to get a beer.
"I thought the bed might be a little small."
"I haven't grown that much since I last saw you, dad. My bed's perfectly fine. And Scott is gonna stay at his mum's place." He took a swig from the beer.
"Oh." There was a moment of silence. "Well, we thought you might want to be together, you know. Just wanted to let you know it's perfectly okay with me if you want to spend the nights over at Scott's. I might have to work on some nights unfortunately."
"No, dad, I don't. I'm a big boy now, I can manage on my own. And I see quite enough of Scott and his underwear lying around as it is."
"Okay. I guess I'll see you boys tomorrow then. Have a safe trip!"
Stiles hung up and went to check his phone. Nothing. At this point it would have been a relief to get the text, because at least then he'd know that Scott hadn't completely forgotten him. Also knowing Sarah's address and a time to pick Scott up would save him the humiliation of calling him at some point in the morning like a jealous ex-girlfriend.
Why oh why was he this annoying? Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut for once? Not even this close to Christmas? The thought of Scott gushing over some girl made the idea of spending the Holidays with him that much less appealing. He dropped down on the couch and took another deep swig of beer, wishing he had something stronger.
