Chapter Five
Peter Hale was…intimidating.
He hadn't known what to expect meeting the uncle of his husband's ex, but it hadn't been the man currently smirking at him from across the table. Cold eyes, lips curled into a wicked smirk, muscles bulging in his v-neck, he was eerily reminded of how Stiles had described him.
Satan in a v-neck, indeed.
Something about him screamed Disney villain and Ares was very, very tempted to say so out loud, but the mischief in those keen blue eyes told him the man might be flattered by the comparison.
Twenty minutes had passed since he'd arrived at the Stilinski house with Bazyli in tow, both excited about Noah's rare day off. The man had greeted them with a smile, then guiltily told them the Peter had come over as well, helping Stiles research whatever monster the werewolves were that week. The wolf had come down moments later, Stiles on his heels with a sweet smile on his lips. After greeting him and Baz with a kiss, the boy disappeared into the kitchen to make dinner with the warning for them to all play nice.
Once he was gone they'd all taken a seat at the dining table to talk, Noah taking Bazyli from his arms eagerly. Now, fifteen minutes later, Peter had yet to say a word to him beyond his name.
The wolf was just watching him with a smirk, as if he knew every thought that crossed his mind.
Fucking creeper.
The smirk widened and he frowned, narrowing his eyes.
Stiles stepped into to room, a wooden spoon in hand and sighed when he spotted them staring at each other.
"How long now?" He asked Noah, who snickered.
"Fifteen minutes and counting. What're you making?"
"Lemon baked chicken, potatoes, and spinach salad, your favorite."
Noah smiled, looking over at his son-in-law and the elder Hale.
"Done with your staring contest yet? Stiles might get jealous."
Stiles pouted and Peter chuckled. "Only Stiles?" He purred and a light flush crossed John's cheeks, but was quickly hidden.
Ares smiled, then stretched out his hand to the wolf.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Hale. I have heard many things about you, more god than bad."
The Beta hummed, but took the offered handshake.
"Indeed? Well, I have heard next to nothing about you. Let's change that shall we?"
His eyes flashed, for a moment.
"My cub deserves only the best."
Ares felt a trill of apprehension rush down his spine.
Something told him that Peter would be harder to sell on their relationship than Noah.
…he wasn't sure how he felt about that.
*/*
He hadn't known what to expect of them man that stole Stiles' heart, but had suspected the man would be somewhat like Derek.
He'd scowls and leather, a grudge against the world. He'd expected anger simmering below the surface of a man broken by circumstance, a man trying to find himself again after suffering a tremendous loss.
He was pleasantly surprised to find that he was wrong.
Standing about 6'7, he towered over Stiles, his bulky frame making him an intimidating figure to behold. Long dark curls fell loose around his face and down his back, a neatly trimmed goatee giving him a roguish charm that he'd only seem a few pull off successfully. His eyes were full of mischief and mirth lacking the darkness Derek's held yet similar in color. Grief edged his scent, and hardened his gaze only slightly, a bitter hint of alcohol edging his core scent adding credence to Stiles' concerns.
It took a lot of drinking to change a core scent.
More than was safe for a human to drink.
When he'd stared the man down wearing what Stiles liked to call his "creeper smirk", he'd thought he would snap like Derek would, but Ares met his gaze head on, only slightly intimidated.
Considering the gaze had taken down former men, he considered it an accomplishment in the boy's favor.
Still he wanted to make sure this was the right person for his surrogate cub. Stiles had gone through too much to settle with anyone but the best.
He waited until after dinner to interrogate him, ignoring the longing that warred in his heart at the sight of the child the Sheriff spent most of the evening coddling. If he saw an image of himself years younger holding his only son superimposed over it, it was no one's business. He shoved it all away, focusing on the man in the sofa across from his.
"How old are you Ares? And how long have you known Stiles?"
The man smiled. "Twenty-four. We met when Stiles was sixteen, so two years. We danced around each other for a year before finally admitting we'd been semi-dating all that time. When I asked Stiles to marry me seven months later I was afraid it would be too soon."
"I see…" He paused. "And you know what we are, correct?"
"Yes. Stiles told me the night we officially got together. It was after Gerard Argent kidnapped him."
Stiles groaned and Noah and Peter whipped around to stare at him.
"Gerard kidnapped you?"
Ares frowned. "You never told them?"
"No. It didn't seem important at the time."
All three men frowned deeper.
"Stiles, anytime you're hurt is important to us. He could've killed you!"
"He didn't."
They didn't seem reassured at the statement and a small angry sound from Bazyli said he agreed.
"No more secrets, Stiles. Not from us. Tell us when you're hurt, we're here for you." Ares murmured and Peter smiled at the two, feeling his approval for the man rise.
Stiles needed someone that could take care of him. Someone he could lean on if (and when) the pack failed him. Ares seemed to be that person. Holding back the rest of his questions, he watched the couple interact, watched a thousand words pass through their shared glances, and felt peace fill him.
Somehow, he didn't think there was anyone more perfect for Stiles than the man before him.
His gaze moved over to Noah, who met his gaze for a moment, then looked back down at his (their) grandcub.
Perhaps it was time for him to start finding a bit of happiness of his own.
*/*
Peter was becoming a regular at family dinner.
Stiles smiled as he took in the sight of the Beta holding Bazyli, a tenderness in his eyes that went unseen by most. Bazyli seemed just as enamored with the man, his wide topaz eyes looking up at him curiously and soft babbles leaving his lips. Peter responded with soft growls and yips, teaching the baby his wolf even if they all knew Baz would never shift.
Stiles couldn't be blamed for snapping a picture.
It was too cute not to do so, especially with his dad gazing at the wolf with the same soft look he used to wear looking at his mom.
He knew Peter had started spending more time in their house, and he knew he and his dad were growing closer, and while most kids would be disgusted or angry, he wasn't. He was happy that his dad was finally moving on, happy that the two most influential men in his life were finally getting the happiness they so rightfully deserved.
"I want a copy of that." Came two voices and he snickered, sending a copy to them both before sighing.
"Dinner is done. Are you guys sure you'll be okay with keeping Baz tonight? I can always aske Mrs. Lovell next door to us, I'm sure she wouldn't mind. I mean half the time she's trying to get me to bring him anyways, but-"
"Stiles," his father interrupted with fond exasperation, and he blushed.
He and Ares were having their first date night in a long time, having been too busy with everything going on to have on barring their weekly nights at The Pit. However, with it being the last day of summer and their anniversary, Ares had set up reservations for them at one of the high-end Spanish restaurants in town. He couldn't help but be slightly nervous.
"Sorry, it's just we kinda sprung this on you last minute and you might've had plans and-"
"Stiles," Peter cut him of this time, chuckling. "Its fine. Go enjoy your date with your husband."
The teen fidgeted slightly, looking down at the blood red dress shirt and black slacks he wore uncertainly.
"Do you think I should change? I should probably change. Yeah, I'm gonna-"
"Go."
Smiling sheepishly, he hugged both men good night, kissing Baz's forehead chastely.
"Good night, sweetie. Be good for your grandpas, kay?"
"Ni' mama." The child cooed, returning his kiss with a messy one to the cheek and Stiles found himself hesitating only to be urged out the door with two matching glares.
It was only after he was gone that the two realized that he said grandpas.
Their matching startled looks made Bazyli giggle.
*/*
"You're nervous?" Ares noted as his husband slid into the front seat of their car.
It was a dark blue 2012 dodge avenger, his mother had gotten them as a wedding gift, and they were both very fond of it. Stiles had nicknamed it, Sapphire and the name stuck.
Knowing his beloved as well as he did, he knew that Stiles was nervous about their dinner date, especially with it being their first since before the nogitsune mess.
Stiles only confirmed it with a little blush. "A bit."
He pulled a thin velvet box from his jacket and passed over the console.
"Maybe this will help."
His husband took it and opened it, amber eyes lighting up as they beheld its contents.
A rose gold cuff with a wolf engraved on it, a music note engraved on the ends of each side. The wolf's eyes were rubies like he'd told Ares an Alpha wolf's eyes were.
"Oh my God, this is amazing."
"I'm glad you like it. I wanted to incorporate both parts of your life. Your wolves and your music. The wolf is an alpha to symbolize our Bazyli."
Tears welled in the younger male's eyes and he leaned over to kiss his husband, sliding the cuff around his wrist.
"Thank you." He whispered, grabbing his own gift from his pocket.
Ares took it, vowing to open it once they got to the restaurant.
He made good on his promise moments later, hazel green eyes softening at the gift. It was a guitar pendant handing on a thin silver chain, a crown hanging around the neck of the guitar precariously.
"It's beautiful, love. Thank you."
Stiles blushed, lips quirking up as they exited the car, the necklace resting proudly around the elder man's throat.
The couple shared a sweet kiss then entered the restaurant, unaware of the two stunned gazes following them.
*/*
This is wrong.
Everything in him told him that this was a bad idea but he ignored it in favor of placing his unconscious captive in the backseat of his car.
His mind went back to the night before, to him and Scott watching Stiles kiss the man they'd caught, smiling at him like he'd hung the moon.
He and Scott had originally followed Peter to Stiles' house, suspicious about why his uncle had been spending so much time with their emissary. However, upon arriving they'd found an unfamiliar car in the driveway, the man inside even more familiar and out of place in the surroundings. His scent was familiar, the exact same one as the scent that had started to cling to Stiles before the nogitsune and they couldn't help but wonder why Stiles had this from them.
Then Stiles had exited the house, dressed to impress in his crimson dress shirt and dark slacks, lengthening hair messy but stylish. He was beautiful, and Derek found himself growling when he climbed in the unknown man's car. They had to know each other, especially if he had enough gall to park in the Sheriff's driveway.
Worse, Peter knew about this and hadn't told him.
The betrayal he felt made his eyes flash and Scott whimpered beside him, obviously feeling the same hurt at not being told.
They'd followed the couple into town, watching as they exchanged gifts and entered one of Beacon Hills' fancier restaurants. This relationship wasn't new. It had been going on at least a year.
And Stiles hadn't told anyone.
This meant he either didn't think they would approve or that his companion had something to hide. Either way they needed to get to the bottom of things…
Which led to Derek's current predicament.
Kidnapping his ex…lovers(?) new boyfriend.
Making sure the man was secure, he got back in the car, somehow missing the glint of gold around the man's ring finger.
TBC…