Alright y'all, this chapter is all about family bonding, Stiles and a bit more about AJ's past. I never intended for it to be quite this long but I guess I just got really into it.
None of this has had a beta so sorry for errors.
So yeah, read on and I hope you enjoy.
AJ's POV
"AJ, come set the table with me." Dad says as he walks past my bedroom. He stops and comes back to stand in my doorway. "Don't think you're wearing that hat at the table either young man." He smiles and continues on his way.
"Yes sir." I say with a smile as I pull my beanie off and throw it on the end of my bed.
Its Sunday, evening meal time. With Allie and myself studying and with dads job, we don't always get to sit down for a proper family meal. So we made Sunday our family day. It doesn't hold any religious significance for us, but I guess it's our day to reconnect and have some quality family bonding. It's a little different to meals in the week as well. We're not allowed to wear jammies or hats or scraggy clothes, as mom calls them. Dad and I wear pants, like tidy jeans and a button shirt and mom and Allie wear a nice dress or blouse or something. Smart causal things, you get the idea.
After our meal, we chill together and watch a movie or play a game or something. No cell phones, no studying, no work. We just relax and have a good time. It sounds super lame but it's our family time so its what we do. Plus we get to have popcorn. I love popcorn.
I close up my laptop and follow dad downstairs. "Whoa, is mom cooking pot roast?" I ask as I get downstairs. It smells so damn good down here. "With sweet potato?"
Dad laughs and nods. "Your mother is indeed cooking pot roast." Then he frowns. "The sweet potatoes aren't cooked yet. You can smell them already?"
I simply shrug it off. Stupid over sensitive senses. It does smell amazing down here though. Dad and I work in sync around the kitchen and dining room. We do this every Sunday, mom and Allie prepare the food, dad and I set the table and then clear away afterwards. It's not some gender role shit that we've set out, it just worked out this way because when I was younger I got burnt in the kitchen because I tried to help out but spilled out water on my hand by accident. I was only young, like five or six, but now mom doesn't let me in there and dad isn't allowed because he sucks at cooking.
"So AJ, how's school? You haven't really spoken much about it. Is everything going okay?" Typical dad, if Allie and I don't talk about something all the time, he immediately thinks something is wrong. Its probably because Allie and I talk a lot.
"Yeah dad, for sure. School is school, you know, nothing too exciting. I have lacrosse practice tomorrow, we've got a game soon so I'm super stoked."
"How are your ribs?" He asks.
"Fine." I tell him without looking at him and gnawing on my bottom lip. It's a total lie.
"AJ, don't lie to me." Dad looks up from the placemat he's just set in front of moms chair.
"It's fine." I try again.
"AJ Argent, Don't make me full name you. Tell me the truth." It's a small threat but it works.
Even though I chose my new name, I still don't like it being used all the time. It's hard to explain. I sigh, slam the cutlery down on the table and run a hand through my hair.
"They freaking hurt dad, alright? They're killing me right now." I force out another sigh which only results in a stab of pain running up my side and I wince.
Dad frowns then puts the plates down on the table. "Come with me." He commands in his, don't screw with me, voice.
I do as I'm told and follow him through the house to his office. I'm not usually allowed in here, this is where dad keeps things for work.
This room is massive, a huge, old desk dominating most of the space in the centre of the room. There are drawers and cabinets everywhere, all in dark wood and it should make the room feel claustrophobic, but surprisingly it doesn't. I'd even go as far to say it's kinda cozy in here.
"Sit down." Dad nods to one of the chairs opposite his huge desk.
Again I do as I'm told without hesitation. Part of living in a family where the father works with law enforcement is discipline. Its super important in our house and we're very much a family that respects our elders. Like if my dad or mom ask me to do something, I do it. Mostly. I'm sixteen for crying out loud, of course I'm going to push some boundaries. But there are definitely times when they speak in a certain tone that know not to fuck with them. This is one of those times.
The chair is hella comfortable, like a small armchair. I watch as dad goes round to his desk and pulls out a key from his back pocket. It's attached to a small chain on his belt loop that I hadn't noticed until now. He unlocks one of the drawers in the desk and pulls it open with a small squeak of wood on wood. I wince at the horrible noise as it rattles my eardrums.
Dad then pulls out another key from the drawer and goes to a large cabinet hanging on the wall directly behind his desk. He unlocks this as well and to my surprise, its full of medical supplies. He rummages around for a couple seconds before he pulls out a small vial and a syringe, placing them on the table. He also pulls out a couple of those horrible alcohol wipes that burn and several small, round bandaids.
I sit up a little straighter in my seat, not taking my eyes off the syringe. "Yo dad, uh, what's that?" I ask him without actually wanting the answer.
"It's Toradol, a pain reliever." He tells me as he uncaps the syringe.
I swallow the huge lump in my throat. "Uh, does it come in a pill form too?"
Dad looks up and laughs. "AJ, it'll be fine. It'll make it easier to breathe and it'll also help out for your lacrosse practice tomorrow."
I watch silently as he fills the syringe and recaps it. He comes round to my side and I can't help but shrink into the chair. I hate needles. Like really hate them.
"AJ, come on. You're in pain, this will help. You're going to have to get use to needles for when you start hormones, so you might as well start now." He says in his no nonsense voice. "Stand up."
I can't help but smile at him. It's the first time he's mentioned me starting hormones without me starting the conversation. I understand that it's a really tough thing for mom and dad to try and deal with. I get that when Allie and I were born, they were told they had twin girls. And I get that it's devastating and can feel like they're loosing a daughter, but they could also see it as gaining a son. I know they blame themselves to some degree but they shouldn't. It's not their fault my insides don't match my outsides, for want of a better expression.
"What're you smiling about?"
"Nothing." I sigh and stand up. "Lets just do it so I can go and stuff myself with pot roast."
He laughs again and takes one of the alcohol wipes out of its packet. "Lift your shirt up." He tells me.
Even though I've worked super hard to get my body the way I want it, I still kinda hate it. It's too feminine. I lift up the side of my tee shirt to reveal the mass of dark bruising around my side, partly hidden by my binder.
"I'm going to do a few different spots around the area so can you lift your," He hates that I have to wear a binder. "vest a little higher please."
I lift it up a little higher and dad cleans my side with the alcohol wipe. Once he's done he goes about injecting the pain reliever. There are several sharp stabs but they dull pretty damn quickly. This stuff is awesome, but I still hate needles so I continue to gnaw on my bottom lip until dad steps away and recaps the needle again. He wipes my side with a fresh alcohol wipe then puts a bandaid on each small hole left in my skin.
"All done. Feel okay?" He asks me, throwing everything in the trash.
I look down at my side. "I think so." I admit. I can't help but poke my side. "Whoa, this is kinda weird." I can't feel anything at all.
Dad laughs again. "It'll be numb for around six hours so you should be fine until early morning. We can do another shot before you go to school if you want. See how you feel." He puts his hand on my shoulder and directs me towards the door. "Now get out of my office."
. . .
"Mom, this is so good, like best meal ever." I say after I finish another mouthful. I'm not even saying it just to be nice, it genuinely is delicious.
"Thank you An-," She stumbles on my brith name. "Thank you AJ."
I send her a cheesy grin across the table. She really is trying and it makes me so happy to know that she might, one day, be able to see me as her son.
"So Allison, how's everyone treating you at school?" Mom asks Allie.
Usually we don't talk about school or work on a Sunday, but it's our first week so moms bond to be curious.
Allie's been pretty quiet so far so I make a mental note to check in with her later, away from the parentals incase it's something not fit for parent ears.
Allie takes a swig of water, thinking her answer over. Finally she says, "Everyone has been really nice and welcoming."
That's such a cryptic answer. There's definitely something up with her.
Mom just nods, thinking the answer over. "AJ, how about you?"
"Uh, yeah. Everyone is really nice. The guys on the lacrosse team are awesome, Coach is pretty hard on us all but it works for me. Plus I can stick check Allie's boyfriend any chance I get."
Allie's eyes shoot up from her plate. She stares at me and clenches her jaw. Whoops.
"Boyfriend? What boyfriend? Allison?" Dad questions, fork full half way to his mouth.
"He's not my boyfriend." Allie says quietly.
"He wants to be." I chip in.
"He's just a good friend." She says even quieter.
"A good friend that a boy and that wants to be your boyfriend?" Dad questions further.
"Nah she's right dad, Scott's just a good friend. He's a nice guy and he plays lacrosse damn well."
"AJ, watch your language." Dad warns me without looking at me. "Allison, tell me more about this, Scott."
Allie sighs again. "AJ, I hate you." She snaps at me and leaves the table.
"Al, wait, I'm sorry." I call after her but it's no good, she's half way upstairs. "I'll fix it." I tell mom and dad as I leave the table as well to follow my twin upstairs.
When I get to her room, I knock on the door even though it's already open. I wait a couple of seconds before I walk in to see Allie lying face down on her bed.
"Get out AJ." She mumbles with a sniffle.
I don't listen and instead lay down next to her. "Come on." I tell her quietly.
Without either of us saying another word, Allie rolls over so she's flush against my side and I wrap my arm around her. I hold her to me and let her cry on my shoulder. Something is definitely wrong and I'm determined to find out what it is, but for now, if she needs to cry, she can cry on me. That's what brothers are for, right?
Allie and I usually have a pretty decent relationship and cuddling has been a huge part of that. It sounds totally weird but we're twins and we have a bond that no one else can mess with. I'm protective as hell over her. I might wind her up about things sometimes, a lot of the time, but I love her and if anyone or anything hurts her, I'll deal with it. I remember when we were younger and she fell of the swing set in the backyard so I destroyed.
The memory makes me laugh and it makes Allie jump. "What the hell are you laughing about?" She asks, lifting her head off my shoulder and sitting up with her back against the headboard.
I sit up as well but turn so I'm facing her. "Do you remember when we were like, seven or something and you fell off the swing set?" I ask her.
She frowns, trying to find the memory and then smiles. "Yeah, and you were so angry that it had hurt me. You tried to use moms kitchen scissors to cut the ropes on the swing and ended up almost slicing your thumb off."
"Then you threw the scissors in the trash because they hurt me." We both laugh at the memory.
"Those were the same scissors I used to cut your hair." Allie laughs again.
"Oh damn, yeah you're right. Then dad threatened to buzz cut me and I wasn't bothered by it at all so he didn't know how else to punish us." I grin at the memories.
There's a few moments of silence where we both just remember the past and the fun times we had getting into trouble.
"AJ, can I ask you something?"
This won't let me upload the whole chapter again so this is separated into two segments again.
"Sure, ask away."
"Did you always know you were a boy?" Allie whispers to me.
That's totally not what I was expecting her to ask me. "Uh, I dunno. I guess I always knew something was weird. Like I was different but it didn't figure it out straight away. Why?" She's literally never asked me that before.
"I always remember you being so unhappy with things, even frustrated at times. And I wondered if it was because you knew but didn't know how to tell us, or because you couldn't figure out what the problem was." Allie reaches over and takes me hand, giving it a small squeeze. "I hate to think that you were too scared to tell us all so you just lived unhappily."
I think over what she's just said. "Nah it was definitely that I hadn't figured it out."
"Are you happy now?" She asks nervously.
"Sure I am. I mean like, some things totally still suck and I have bad days, but so does everyone. I'm stoked with life right now." It wasn't totally true but she doesn't need to worry about things.
"Good. Now seen as you told mom and dad about Scott, how about I tell them about Stiles?" She grins at me and my mouth drops open.
"You wouldn't, right?"
"You're right, I wouldn't. But seriously AJ, tell me about him."
"There's nothing to tell." I flat out lie to her but I can't hide my grin.
I've got a ridiculous crush on this guy and I can't hide that from my sister. She goes to open her mouth to probe further but is cut off by dad shouting.
"AJ, there's someone here for you!"
"Is that him?" Allie asks excitedly.
"Oh yeah, 'cause I can see through floors now." I roll my eyes at her.
We both jump up off the bed and head out the door. Standing on the landing, I look down to the front door to see Stiles Stilinski fidgeting with a skateboard in his hand looking nervous as hell. Allie goes downstairs to stand next to dad grinning at Stiles. He gives her a nervous wave and looks around until he sees me.
"AJ, hey." He gives me a goofy grin. "Uh, you feel like going for a ride?" He asks, waving his skateboard at me.
I look over to dad and see Allie whispering something to him. Damn interfering twin sister. Dad sighs and checks his watch. "Fine, but be back by ten and not a second later. AJ, you hear me? This is not happening next week, family time starts again properly next weekend." He points his finger at me and sighs again before leaving to go to his office.
I grin and turn back to Stiles. "Two seconds dude, lemme grab my board."
Once I'm in my room I grab my long board off its wall mount and turn around, almost running straight into Allie.
"Jeez Al, creepy much?"
She laughs and punches my shoulder but not enough for it to actually hurt. "Are you seriously going to keep calling him dude?"
"Well, yeah. It's guy talk. It works, its better then me calling him bro." Allie shakes her head at me. "What?" I ask her. "What's wrong with me calling him dude?"
She continues to shake her head and laughs. "Nothing. Go, don't do anything I wouldn't." Allie stands on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek then leaves my room.
Seriously, what's wrong with calling him dude?
. . .
Cruising the streets on my long board with a hot guy is a pretty decent way to spend an evening. Stiles is a cute skater. He's not quite figured out foot placements or whether he rides regular or goofy and every time he goes to push, I keep thinking I'm going to have to pick his ass up off the ground because he wobbles all over the place. Not that I'd mind, he's got a nice ass.
"Dude, chill with the enthusiasm." I call over and laugh to him.
He looks over to me with wide eyes, almost like he forgot I was here. As he looks over, he loses his balance and drifts across right in front of me. I try my best to avoid him but his board collides with the front of mine. My wheels jam and I fly forward, managing to twist midair so I don't land on my face. I end up landing on my ass and back but I'm unable to stop my head connecting with the concrete. I let out a long groan as I get a sharp pain and close my eyes as stars appear in my vision.
"Dude, I am so sorry. Are you okay?" Stiles comes rushing over and falls to the ground next to me.
"Yeah." I groan again.
I go to sit up and Stiles takes my hand, helping me to stand. I can feel my face start to burn as my cheeks go pink and I'm thankful that its semi dark so he can't see. Running a hand over the back of my head, I can feel a knot already developed but also another sharp pain.
"AJ, dude you're bleeding." Stiles tells me with wide eyes again. This guy is seriously adorable, even when he's freaking out.
"It's nothing." I try to brush it off and go to find my board but moving my head only causes me to feel dizzy and I stumble a little. My balance is usually pretty damn good so I know there's something wrong but I don't want to worry him.
Stiles takes my hand again and leads me down the street a little way to a house, picking up our boards on the way. I can't explain how natural it feels to hold his hand, like it isn't awkward or weird at all. I thought it would feel weird but I dunno why. He knocks on the door and waits for a reply.
"Stiles do you even know whose house this is?" I ask him. Why is he knocking some strangers door?
He just gives me a small grin but doesn't say anything else. An older lady with long, frizzy hair opens the door and sighs at the sight of Stiles.
"Hi Mrs McCall." He gives her a little wave. "This is AJ, he needs your help."
"What? No, I'm fine. Honestly, it's just a bump." I tell her. Who the hell is this lady?
"Mom, is that Stiles?" I look up to see freaking Scott coming downstairs.
"Scotts mom?" I ask Stiles.
"Is a nurse." He replies. He knows I have a hard time with Scott.
"Come on in boys." Mrs McCall moves aside and Stiles pulls me into the house leading me through to the kitchen, the whole time still holding onto my hand. "Sit. What happened?"
"It's my fault." I chip in. I can't let Stiles take the blame for this. "I distracted him while we out on our boards."
"Since when do you skateboard?" Scott asks Stiles.
Hold up, I thought these two were supposed to be best friends. Stiles' cheeks flush pink and he avoids eye contact with all of us. I can't help it, I squeeze his hand and run my thumb over his knuckles. He dips his head to hide the now very red blush on his cheeks but I can still see his smile.
"Okay. Any injuries?" Mrs McCall asks.
"I hit my head. Its fine though." I tell her.
She somehow managed to put on a pair of latex gloves without us noticing and walks around behind me. I feel her fingers probe the back of my head and I close my eyes. This time Stiles is the one to squeeze my hand and it breaks a goofy smile to my lips.
"Any nausea? Dizziness? Loss of consciousness?" Mrs McCall asks routine medical questions.
"A little dizziness but otherwise all good." I tell her honestly. I can almost feel the professionalism radiating off of her in a good way and it puts me at ease.
"Okay. I don't think it's anything serious. You've got a small graze but a pretty substantial knot back here. I can put a small dressing on it but you'd probably be best to leave it, the graze has stopped bleeding and I don't think you'll need sutures." Mrs McCall pulls her gloves off and comes around to stand in front of us. "Can I recommend a safety helmet next time and maybe a more coordinated skate partner?"
Scott laughs and Stiles' mouth drops open in a totally over dramatic way. I stand and Stiles does the same. "Thank you Mrs McCall, I really appreciate your help and I promise we won't bother you again out of work hours." I tell her.
She laughs and throws her gloves in the trash. "Yeah right, I can't seem to get rid of this one." She says, slapping Stiles on the shoulder.
"Hey, you love me really." He whines.
"Sure I do. At least I should be grateful that you knocked this time instead of coming through the window."
"You climb through the window?" I ask him in shock and he just gives me one of his grins that I've come to know and love. "Dude, not cool." I don't mean it. I wish he'd climb through my window.
"Alright, out. You all have school tomorrow." Mrs McCall ushers us to the door.
"It was nice to meet you Mrs McCall, and thanks again for your help." I say as I try to shake her hand but Stiles doesn't let go.
"It was nice to meet you too AJ." She smiles after quickly looking down at Stiles' and my hands.
As we leave the house I turn around to see Scott giving Stiles two thumbs up and a goofy, knowing smile.
. . .
"You're late." Dad says as Stiles and I climb out of his Jeep.
"I'm sorry Mr Argent, that's my fault, had a minor skateboarding malfunction." Stiles says with a laugh but dad is not laughing.
"AJ, you okay?"
"Yeah dad, just fell off my board."
"You fell? You never fall." It's true, I don't. "Will you be okay for you competition on Saturday?"
"I guess." I mumble, this is so embarrassing and he's pissing me off.
"There's no guessing about it. This is your career AJ, will you be able to compete or not?" Dad nags and pushes me.
"Dammit back off dad. I'll be fine." I snap at him.
He gives me a look that means he's going to be having words with me once Stiles is gone but I don't care. He goes back into the house and slams the door behind him. There's a few uncomfortably quiet seconds before Stiles talks.
"So, you have a competition this weekend? What for?"
"It's just a small skatepark event." I mumble to him.
"That's still pretty awesome." He fiddles with his key. "Well, I should get going."
Without thinking about what I'm doing, I step up to him and wrap my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder. He smells so damn good. He hesitates before wrapping his arms around my waist pulling me closer to him. I feel like we stand there for hours but I know its only just a few minutes. I step back and remove my arms but Stiles keeps his hands on my waist so I rest my hands on his forearms.
"Sorry, I dunno why I did that." My voice cracks as I speak causing my face to flush.
He smiles. "I'm glad you did." Now he flushes too. "I've uh, I've never done this before."
"Neither have I." I start to gnaw on my bottom lip out of nervousness.
Stiles reaches up and pulls my lip down with his thumb. "You'll ruin that lip and then what am I supposed to do?" He whispers.
I want to kiss him. I want to feel his lips on mine. I want to feels his hands on more then just my waist. I shake my head to rid the thoughts of his hands on my skin.
"I should go." He whispers.
"I know."
But we still just stand in each others arms studying each other. After what feels like another life time Stiles sighs.
"Fuck it." He murmurs before he brings his lips to mine.
I close my eyes and move my hands to rest on his upper arms, I'm a little surprised to feel a decent amount of muscle there. I pulls me flush against him and moves one hand to the nape of my neck. It's a sweet, non invasive kiss but damn, it feels so freaking good. I could do this forever, I could stay in his arms forever.
I can't help the teeny, tiny, minuscule moan escape from deep in my throat and it forces me to unlock our lips. We both gasp, only now just realising the we weren't breathing during the kiss.
"Sorry." I mumble but my voice comes out rough and deeper then usual.
"Yeah." Stiles says on a breath. "Uh, I'll uh, see you at school tomorrow?" He says but he still doesn't step away.
I smile and give him a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth. "Go." I whisper to him. "My dad will kill you if he sees us."
That's enough of a gentle threat for Stiles to step back and clamber into his Jeep. He starts the ignition, leans out the window and gives me one of his amazing smiles. "Laters, dude."
Then without knowing what I'm saying I wink to him and say, "Dream of me?"
His smile widens, which I didn't think was possible, and his face flushes again before he drives away. I turn around and go to open the door but it opens before I reach it and Allie comes flying out, throwing her arms around me and squealing.
"Whoa, chill sis." I tell her as I catch her, lifting her off her feet and carrying her inside.
"I'm so happy for you!" She practically shouts. "I can't believe you kissed him!"
"Whoa, hush it down, I don't want-."
"Mom and dad to know?" Mom says from behind us.
Allie releases her grip on me and settles next to me. Busted. We both turn around to see mom standing with her hands on her hips looking scary and serious.
"Bed, both of you, now." Then she looks at me. "We'll talk tomorrow."
With that she leaves and Allie and I rush upstairs. Instead of going into our separate bedrooms, we both pile into Allie's room and sit on the bed.
"Okay, no skipping details." Allie says. "Tell me everything."
. . .
So what do you think? Maybe it's too much. Lemme know.
Ciao