Disclaimer: I still don't own Teen Wolf.
A/N: I'm so sorry for starting this story and then quickly hitting a brick walk with it. I know it's been awhile but I finally got some writing motivation back. For those who are still with me, here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy!
The Human Effect-Chapter 3
John is slowly working through the large pile of paperwork that is sprawled across his dining room table. He can't think of anyone who takes pleasure in completing the necessary paperwork that goes along with being a sheriff. The sheriff wasn't the most efficient with paperwork before Stiles got sick. There was always something more pressing that took precedence over filling out tedious paperwork..
And that was before Stiles got sick. Now the sheriff finds that he has even less time and patience when it comes to filling out paperwork. Running Stiles to his many doctor's appointments has kept him busy. It also doesn't help that it seems like even more supernatural...beings keep making their way to Beacon Hills.
An (okay, several) e-mails from the mayor pressing the importance of bureuacratic channels is basically the main reason why John is finally sitting down to complete the necessary paperwork. He can't help but look upwards towards his son's bedroom. Maybe his kid will get the message and come down to spare him from his work. Tell him about some article he found online or some myth in German mythology. But, nothing. Stiles doesn't come flying downstairs. After coming home from the doctor's Stiles all but ran to his room and slammed the door. And that was a couple of hours ago. It's quiet. Too quiet. He can't help but think that God does indeed have a sense of humor. To think of all those times he closed his eyes and wished for his son to be quiet because he had a raging headache after working a double. All those phone calls he got from his son's teachers telling him about Stiles' excessive talking in class.
He doesn't have to worry about those things now. Even though the meningitis did not affect the speaking parts of his brain, Stiles doesn't talk nearly as much as he used to. Now, his sentences are short and to the point. He rarely talks unless prompted. God, John feels like an ass for every time he told his son to be quiet in the past. The irony of the situation is killing him. His gaze can't help but wander to the liquor cabinet. He has a bottle of Jack in there. John shakes his head. It's only three. It wouldn't be right. He has a shit ton of work to do and his kid is hurting upstairs. John doesn't know what to say to Stiles to make the situation better, but he does know drinking at three in the afternoon is not going to help matters.
John returns his attention to the incident form that's in front of him. He's almost done with it when he hears a knock on the door. Grateful for the distraction he opens the door to see Scott standing in front of him.
"I didn't know you still knock." John says moving to the side to let the teenager in.
"Yeah, Lydia said something about how we're probably scaring Stiles if we go in through his window."
"She's probably right."
"She usually is."
The two of them stand there for a few awkward silent moments.
"Stiles call you?" John asks. If his son isn't talking to him then maybe he's talking to his best friend.
Scott shakes his head. "Nah, my mom told me that the doctor's didn't go so well."
John nods his head. He called Melissa shortly after the silent car ride home. Telling her how the hearing in his son's right ear went unchanged and that the hearing loss worsened in the left. John was a mess but as usual Melissa was a calming force reassuring him that 'we're all going to get Stiles through this.'
"I'm sorry I didn't give him the bite." Scott says brokenly.
"Hey," John says stepping closer to his son's best friend. "Don't do that."
"I just thought that when he was starting to get better that everything was going to be okay." Scott continues.
John shakes his head. He can't let the kid wallow in guilt. If anyone was to blame it would be him. He was the one who knew Stiles was sick and worked a double. He's the one who knew something wasn't right when Stiles woke up and ignored it.
"We didn't know about his hearing until it was too late. The bite wouldn't have had an effect on it then. He would have had to have it before that. And you know how weak he was. There's no guarantee he would have survived that," John explains, squeezing Scott's shoulder.
Scott nods his head. He knows that what John is saying is true. His mind knows that. But, he doesn't know if his heart does.
"Dad?" Stiles calls out.
John and Scott both move into the living room to see Stiles standing at the top of the stairs.
"Scotty?" Stiles asks walking down the stairs.
"Hey man, I brought some food." Scott says holding up a delicious smelling , grease soaked take out bag.
"You heard" Stiles asks biting his lip.
"Heard what?" Scott asks as John can't help but flinch at the choice of words.
"My doctor's appointment."
"No?" Scott asks more than states.
Stiles gives his best friend a glare.
"Fine!" Scott says. "My mom told me. I know it's not much but I figured we can watch a movie and eat some burgers."
Stiles gives Scott a quizzical look, "Kira, didn't put you up to this?"
"Nah, man." Scott says empathically.
"It better not be another underdog story. I'm so sick of those stories. I'm living one. I don't need to read about them. Or watch em'" Stiles says.
John cringes. Note to self. Back off on the stories about overcoming obstacles.
"I brought Green Lantern," Scott says holding the DVD up.
"I hate that movie," Stiles replies.
Scott laughs. "I know you do. I thought we could watch it and you can tell me how much it sucks. How much better Batman is."
Stiles doesn't say anything right away. John is about to thank Scott for trying, but then a smirk slowly spreads across his son's face.
"Director's cut?" Stiles asks.
"Of course."
"That a double bacon cheeseburger with onions?" Stiles asks again.
"Of course."
"With fries?"
Scott shakes his head. "No."
"Maybe another ti-" Stiles starts to say but is cut off by Scott.
"They're chili cheese fries," Scott corrects.
Stiles' smirk turns into a genuine smile. He motions Scott upstairs. "Come on, Cujo."
Before Scott follows his friends upstairs he hands the sheriff a wrapped burger from the paper bag.. "Got you a burger too."
"Thanks," John says.
Scott nods his head. John tips his head towards where Stiles disappeared to. He hopes that the werewolf understands that the 'thanks' isn't solely for the burger.
"Come on, Scotty!" Stiles yells. "Lydia is coming over later with my physics homework. We're missing crucial movie critiquing time."
"You better get up there," John says with a smile.
Scott laughs as he bounds up the stairs. towards Stiles' room.
John remains at the bottom of the stairs for a few more minutes. He can't help but smile while listening to the boys' playful banter. Eventually he does return to his paperwork, but the work doesn't seem as mundane with the sounds of Stiles' rambling and Scott's laughter filling the house.
.