Chapter Three: Vampires (pt. 2)
"Jane my barista goddess! I'll have the usual." Stiles greeted as he walked up the counter of the local coffee joint.
Jane, a pretty coffee (ironically) skinned girl with short, curly hair- just rolled her eyes and smiled, turning to get started of Stiles' usual caramel-mint latte with extra cream (hey don't judge- it tastes like love).
"So, how have you been this fine day Janey?" Stiles asked, leaning forward on his elbows to talk to his favourite barista.
"Well- we got another experience from 'you know who' again." Jane sighed as she started to steam up the milk.
'You know who' was code for that piece of shit customer that keeps coming in and complaining about random crap. The dude acted like he was some food/coffee critic, but Stiles was fairly certain the guy lived out of his car and only complained because he wanted everyone else's lives to be as shitty as his.
Jane hated him- and often used Stiles as the person she complained to. Stiles was cool with it though, he didn't really have many other people to talk to besides Scott.
"Ugh- did he have on that ratty cravat again? Because if he did I swear to God." Stiles muttered under his breath, clenching his fists angrily.
Over the past month or so, Stiles and Jane had become really invested in hating 'you know who', who's actual name was Gregory something.
"Who're we talking about?" came a happy voice from close behind Stiles. It made him jump about three feet in the air- which caused Jane to laugh, and he whipped around to see who the hell it was that snuck up on him.
"Hi." Said Toby, waving his hand in an awkward gesture- but smiling brightly. And oh God, Stiles had thought he'd looked cute in the dark but it was nothing compared to seeing him in daylight.
Short, messy, chestnut hair that looked styled but not styled, like those people in the movies with the windswept locks. His eyes were bright, spotted hazel, blue on the outside- green in the middle, and to the very edge chocolate. Magic rainbow eyes were awesome! He was tall, as Stiles had already noticed…but Toby's frame wasn't like his own, it was lithe, lean and wearing tight clothes…hipster clothes! Hipster clothes that, when Toby leaned to the left slightly, to scan the rest of the shop, showed off a great ass- like, Stiles could write some serious Shakespearian poems about how fine that behind was.
Stiles felt his cheeks heat up immediately, after he stopped his scan of Toby's body- only to see that Toby was doing the same to him, and looking very appreciative.
It was strange- nice, but strange. Nobody in BH ever looked at him like that. Not ever. It seemed as if it was almost embarrassing to think of a kid so dorky as an attractive 'catch'.
"Uh, hey Toby!" Stiles greeted, smiling genuinely,
"Stiles- order up!" Jane spoke from behind him, and handed Stiles the warm cup of deliciousness.
Stiles took a sip- immediately burning his tongue, but he didn't care, 'cause it was awesome. He hummed in appreciation.
Toby took a step closer and sniffed at the cup, "Caramel and mint?" He asked, raising an eyebrow in obvious judgement.
"Don't knock it till you try it my good man." Stiles defended, taking another small sip and closing his eyes in ecstasy, because coffee.
When he opened them, he saw Toby staring at him with a raised eyebrow, obviously amused.
"Okay then," He said- turning to Jane, "I'll have whatever Stiles just ordered please." Smiling politely, Stiles wondered again, how a vampire could be so nice. Then again it was a stereotype that they were charming.
"Okay- caramel-mint latte with extra whipped cream coming right up!" Jane said- and turned to Stiles and gave him a look.
"You know- you could've told me you had a boyfriend, the barista who works after me was actually planning on asking you out." Jane glared, but looked amused.
Stiles blushed, "Oh- uh, Molly right? The red-head? Yeah…I've only spoken to her like, once…and she insulted me many, many times."
Jane laughed, turning to make Toby's order.
"Yeah," She said, raising her voice to go over the machine, "That's the way she flirts- she's kind of a pigtail-puller."
Jane turned back to look at both boys dark curls bouncing around her like she was out of some kind of Disney movie or something, "But don't worry- Toby, was it? I'll tell her he's taken."
Stiles started to protest, but Toby just reached down and held his hand running his thumb back and forth over Stiles' fingers. Touching- touching was good. Stiles now appreciated the fact that he had hands.
"Thanks." Toby said, smiling warmly at Jane, and turning to wink at Stiles.
Stiles was about to start sputtering- or blushing, or rambling- maybe all three- but Jane, thank God, interrupted- handing Toby his order.
"That's four fifty for each." She offered, and Stiles realised he was still yet to pay.
"Sure." Toby handed her a ten, telling her to keep the change- and steered Stiles over to a nice, comfy couch in the corner of the shop.
"So, did you get home all right last night?" Toby asked, taking a sip of hid drink and wincing- then quickly trying to cover it up…it made Stiles giggle.
"Yeah, though not before he gave me a long lecture about how bad vampires are." Stiles grinned, winking at Toby- the man laughed.
"Yeah…werewolves and vampires are kind of natural enemies- we've had our own great wars throughout history- my grandma used to tell them to me as bedtime-stories." Toby had a nostalgic look on his face.
"Oh-were you born a vampire?" Stiles asked, hoping it wasn't too much of an invasive question.
"Yeah- most vamps are…the turned ones tend to go a bit…feral." Toby said it in seriousness, almost darkly.
It gave Stiles an idea.
"Uh…Toby?" Stiles asked, wondering how to approach the topic.
"Yes Stiles?" Toby asked in return, smiling at Stiles and sliding a little closer on the couch.
"How adverse are you to the idea of sharing some facts about vampires?...Okay that sounded weird, I promise it's not weird!"
…Toby remained silent.
"Well- it's just I've been reading some bestiaries- and they're total bull shit. Most of them express how much of a monster something is- rather than going into its history and customs and good qualities. So…uh, I was planning on writing one? I mean- I've already started- I've finished the chapter on werewolves…Deaton still won't tell me about Druids- says 'you're not ready to hear' or some shit…but anyway, I'd really like to know what's true about vampires…and what hunters just made up. If, you know, you don't mind…" Stiles trailed off awkwardly, refusing to look Toby in the eye.
"Sure! That sounds great! My family often complains about how the hunters only focus on the bad vamps…this actually sounds like it'd be…accurate? So yeah, I'm cool- as long as you don't share it with anyone dangerous." Toby looked at him seriously.
"Oh no no no! I'd never- I'm too worried about my friend's safety to do that." Stiles knew that Toby was listening to his heart, detecting no lies.
"Cool." He said- and put his hands down Stiles' pants.
Not like that!
Just into his pocket to grab Stiles' phone…though the proximity did do things.
Toby started typing something, took a picture- and then handed it back to Stiles.
On the screen showed a new contact listed under 'Vlad the friendly vampire' and the picture was a nice, smiling picture of Toby.
Toby had just given him his number.
"I thought vampires couldn't show up in pictures." Is what Stiles responded with.
"Only the bad ones cant." Toby said, the same look of…hesitation taking over his face.
"Wow- yeah, you have to tell me about that." Stiles insisted.
Toby smiled, patting Stiles on the back.
"Later. Text me, we'll meet up. But right now- your guard dog has arrived and I'm really not in favour of getting bitten." Toby jerked his head over to the entrance of the shop.
Derek stood there, scowling, hands tight by his sides and balled into fists- he was walking closer, glaring it Toby.
"See ya later Stiles." Toby said kissing him on the cheek, then scurrying off before Stiles could respond- skiting around Derek like he was off-cheese, and bolting out the door- all the while cackling gleefully.
Derek stood, brooding over Stiles and glaring- obviously furious and trying to keep his wolf under wraps.
"Stiles." He gritted out- jaw clenched. "What were you doing with him?"
Stiles blinked, "Having a nice conversation, and drinking coffee." He replied helpfully.
"Stiles- he's dangerous." Derek growled.
"So are you. In fact you've caused me even more bodily harm than Peter has- so shut your hypocritical mouth Hale." Stiles snapped.
Derek looked down, looking guilty- but still majorly furious.
"He kissed you." Derek gritted.
"Yes- yes he did. So?" Stiles raised an eyebrow, unsure why Derek cared.
"You're gonna see him again?" Derek asked, slightly calmer.
"Yes, yes I am."
Derek sighed.
"And there's nothing I can do to stop you?" he sounded resigned.
"Not a damned thing." Stiles replied cheerfully, cracking his knuckles.
"Okay then, next time you meet up- I'm supervising." Derek said- anger seemingly on hold.
"Why?" Stiles whined, it wasn't like they were gonna do anything anyway!
"'Cause he's dangerous- and I obviously can't keep you from doing whatever the Hell you want- so I'd feel better if I knew you were okay." Derek said it softly, slowly, genuinely. Like he was afraid of his own words…
And at that, Stiles cracked.
It couldn't hurt right?