Another entry on the never-ending list of reasons why he worships at Laura Hale's feet is that sometimes, after they're closed and Stiles is staying after to help get stuff ready for the morning, she lets Scott come over and hang out with them while they bake. Scott's not allowed to touch anything, because he's a disaster in the kitchen, but he does make the time go by faster for the both of them. Especially once he's learned that Laura really doesn't have as much patience as Stiles when it comes to listening to him prattle on about his girlfriend Allison.
Unfortunately, this also means that Laura can use Scott to gang up on him. Sometimes Scott doesn't catch on to what Laura's trying to do and Stiles likes those times best, because it exasperates Laura so much, she can't quite understand how Scott can be so obtuse all the time. Stiles is pretty sure that its Scott's version of a superpower, cause it let him ignore so much shitty stuff over the years, almost enough to make up for the fact that Scott's asthma has not gotten any easier as he grew.
But Scott's a giant puppy and he doesn't let a little thing like breathing or obliviousness slow him down. And sometimes Stiles kind of envies that little world of his, because it seems happier than the real world. Occasionally he and Allison discuss Scott's world, they both agree that it would be a nice place to visit but only Scott could live there full-time. There wouldn't be enough sarcasm for the two of them.
So generally, Stiles is able to get out of Laura's targeting because he can confuse Scott enough to get him on his side. Of course, tonight would be one of those rare nights in which Scott is completely present, fully paying attention to the real world. Which is why, when Laura mentions something about Stiles not paying that much attention to Lydia anymore, Scott is all over that, in every way that could cause Stiles the most embarrassment.
"Stiles is going through a sexual identity crisis," Scott supplies, and grins happily when Laura wordlessly hands over the bowl so that he can scrape out the leftover cookie dough. Laura, on the other hand, grins maliciously, like the cat that caught the canary. "He's been mooning over this guy for a few weeks."
Scott shrugs, as if that's all that really needs to be said. And to Scott, that's probably all that does need to be said. As far as he's concerned Stiles can moon over whoever he wants as long as it's not Allison and Scott will still love him just the same, because Scott's just that awesome of a human being. It's probably why Allison's willing to go out with him.
Laura is not so awesome at the moment. Not in a, ew-I-hate-gays way, more of an, I-need-to-know-every-detail-right-now kind of way. And Stiles has been put through a few of her interrogation sessions before so he's almost resigning himself to being put through the wringer when Derek bursts through the door, eyes wild.
Stiles heart starts beating double-time, and not just from surprise, and he wants to smile at Derek but something just seems off about the situation. "Laura! You need to come home right now!" Derek cries to his sister, sounding more distressed than Stiles had thought he could sound. Laura's grin has disappeared and her face is tight with worry.
"I'm coming," she responds, already removing her apron and putting away the ingredients she'd just pulled out. "Stiles, can you just finish that batch and then lock up? I'll do the rest in the morning. We've only got the cinnamon rolls left anyway."
Stiles nods and opens his mouth, but the siblings are already running out the door, leaving Stiles and Scott staring at each other, wearing identical confused expressions, which doesn't happen all too often. Scott shrugs and gets up to start washing dishes, knowing that their evening baking session is drawing to a close. Stiles wishes he could push it out of his mind that quickly but it stays with him as he finishes his scones and then cleans up the kitchen with Scott before locking the doors behind them with the key that Laura had entrusted to him only the week before.
That look on Derek's face, the pinched worry, stays at the front of his mind that night as he tosses and turns trying to sleep. He can't think of anything that would put it there short of a family member getting hurt or sick, and he really, really hopes it wasn't that. But for some reason Stiles can't help but worry more about Derek than he does about Laura, who he actually knows well and sees on a daily basis.
A/N: This time I want to especially thank those who have reviewed, especially Amy-Kate-chan Storys, and the next few chapters should clear up any questions about the existence of werewolves in this universe. I love you all! Thank you!