Chapter Text
Stiles frowned at his phone. Maybe it was a joke. He could be being punked. Maybe. That would make sense? Anything but what had actually happened would make sense. Another look down at the picture only made Stiles feel even more insane. Why had Chris Argent, the hunter, the person who had tried to kill his friend, why had this man sent him a picture? It wasn’t even any picture. Stiles could have probably explained that, it would have been weird, but explainable.
Oh no, this picture was not a normal one. Why had Stiles received a picture of Chris Argent winking? Why did the man have headphones on? Just what was Stiles meant to do with this picture? It didn't make any sense. Why was there no text with it?
Not knowing what else to do, Stiles decided to just go along with the craziness that seemed to be his life. It all had to be part of some strange plan.
Stiles: Looking good Mr. Argent ;)
He doesn’t know why he added the wink. Perhaps it was just because the picture had its own wink in it. He was just going with it, there had to be a reason for it.
Chris: Stiles?
Stiles guessed that answered his question on why he got the picture. It didn't seem like Chris had intended to send it to him. Made sense.
Stiles: Yea
It was pitiful. There wasn't a need to reply, Chris had obviously realised his mistake and is probably planning on coming all the way down to the campus to shoot him. The man did have enough guns to make it happen.
Chris: That was for Allison
Stiles: Whelp, I'm not her
Chris: I can see that.
Stiles: Full stop, I'm so scared :P
Chris: Just delete the picture.
Stiles grinned to himself. He scrolled back up to the picture, he had never guessed that the mean hunter would be one for selfies, let alone silly ones. He pressed on it, prepared to delete the picture - but then it just enlarged. Stiles' grin grew as he shook his head. It was a side of the man he hadn't seen. Plus, Chris would never know if he did delete the picture, he saved the picture before deleting the message.
With a devious smile, Stiles went into his contacts. He found Chris and tapped on it, hitting edit almost as soon as the information came up. It was all too tempting to add the ridiculous picture to Chris' contact. Plus, as everyone knew, Stiles had never been one to resist temptation.
Stiles almost forgot about the picture incident. It was easy when college life was as overwhelming as everyone had said. Sure, there wasn’t that many assignments, and the reading didn’t really matter just yet. The student life had left something to be desired but Stiles didn’t want to miss out on his experiences. That was why he had convinced his dad to let him move so far away, away from the pack. He just wanted to be a normal person for once.
So, Stiles ignored the burning phone for a week after he had gotten the picture of Chris Argent’s face. There was no need to make a big deal about it. It was a mistake, who cares if the fearsome man sent cute pictures to his daughter. Stiles never talked to Chris, so it wasn’t like the picture appeared on his phone all that often. Sure, Stiles had found himself looking at it once or twice, but that didn’t mean anything. He was just homesick. It was a sad day when looking at pictures of Chris made him feel better.
The student pub on campus was disgusting. Stiles knew that from his first visit, but he was invited out. He did miss everyone, the people on campus were not a suitable replacement of the pack. It was nice though, peaceful. No one tried to murder each other. No one tried to bite each other, and yes, that had happened one very frustrating day.
“Stiles! Don’t be a spoilsport! Come dance!”
Stiles lifted his drink.
“Boo!” Janice cried, splitting away from the small group and heading over to Stiles. She was an English student, studying in America for the year. Naturally, she had gravitated to Stiles, twinkling eyes and promises of alcohol when they met in the dorms.
Stiles drank the rest of his beer, ignoring the few people around him cheering at the action. Another reason he was done with college life before he had even started fully. They were just so excitable. He could feel the slight fuzziness in his head, so he knew that this would be the cut-off point, he wouldn’t be drinking any more, not with what he knew of the world.
“Outside?” Janice offered. “I could do with a fa – cig,” she corrected quickly. “I keep forgetting that you guys are all different with words.”
“You’re drunk,” Stiles pointed out, smiling at the overexaggerated movements she was making as she tried to lead them both outside.
“I’m not drunk! You’re drunk!” she cried, drawing the attention of those around them.
Stiles shook his head, pushing Janice gently until they were outside. Finally, Stiles felt like he could breathe properly again. It was so stifling inside, too many people. Something Stiles had grown to dislike when seemingly half the world was out to kill him.
“You’re vibrating,” Janice said in sing-song as she used Stiles as a wall to lean against. She fumbled with her bag, muttering about how complex it was.
Ignoring her, Stiles fished out his phone, frowning at the notification.
Chris Argent sent you an image
It was either another mistake, or an emergency ‘research this’ picture. Stiles didn’t know which he would prefer.
That wasn’t true.
Stiles swiped, opening the message and his breath caught in his chest.
“Mmm, he’s hot,” he heard Janice mutter. “Partner?”
“What? No!” Stiles protested immediately, horrified at the thought of someone thinking such a thing so easily.
“Shame,” Janice sighed, pulling the phone from Stiles’ grasp. “He’s gorgeous. Chris. Suits him,” she smirked. She stuck the cigarette in her mouth as she held the phone up more.
“What are you doing?” Stiles yelped.
“Returning the favour,” she mumbled around the cigarette, hitting the camera button. “Look cute!” she demanded.
“Why?” Stiles groaned, rubbing a hand against his face.
“Because you are adorable and he needs to see it,” she pointed out, as if the answer was obvious. “Done,” she grinned. “And,” she sung, stretching the word out, “sent! You can thank me later,” she winked.
Stiles took the phone back, looking at the picture – wait, video that Janice had sent back. He was dead.
It was hardly enough to be classed as a video, barely more than a second long.
“So who is he?” Janice asked.
“What?”
“Who is he?” she repeated. “Why is he sending you cute pictures?”
“He’s my friends’ dad,” Stiles shrugged.
“Sugar Daddy?” she grinned.
“No!” Stiles yelped.
“Shame, I would be all over that given the chance,” Janice sighed. “Go for it.”
“Go for it?” Stiles repeated slowly, his eyebrows almost meeting his hairline.
“He’s hot, you’re cute, what’s to question?” she shrugged.
“I’m not gay,” Stiles pointed out.
“You like men,” Janice responded in the same tone.
“How do you know?” Stiles groaned, having thought he had been able to hide much better. No one had said anything at home. Sure, the wolves had given him curious side glances but that didn’t mean anything really.
“You stared at him for like a full minute numpty,” Janice laughed, shaking her head. “Now, stop worrying, let him see that adorable face next time he sends a picture!”