The Random Scenario Meme 3.0

[emeraldfields]

THE RANDOM SCENARIO MEME 3.0


- Post your character, name, and series in the subject. Include any preferences as well.
- Go to RNG and enter 1-6 for a scene type, and 1-20 for a scene to play out.

TYPE OF SCENE.
① Action → Gun fights, bar brawls, fights to the death are all possible scenarios.
② Angst → Characters suffer emotionally or physically from relationships breaking up, death, injury, etc. Hurt and comfort themes are included.
③ Crack → Genderswaps, super powers, sudden compulsions are all possible outcomes.
④ Fluff → Something that is devoid of angst. It's light-hearted and might have the overtone of romance.
⑤ Gen → General fun, things that didn't fit in the other categories.
⑥ Sex → First times, kinks, even dubcon are all possible themes of sex related scenarios.
⑦ Your choice → Think of your own scenario, choose one of the above or make a combo even!

ACTION.
① Zombies → It's the zombie apocalypse, lock and load!
② Bar brawl → You had one too many drinks, said something wrong, and now you're being asked to take it outside.
③ Chase → You're caught in a high speed chase.
④ Gun fight → You're caught in a big shoot-out.
⑤ Fight with a friend → You're fighting with a friend, all out.
⑥ Interrogation → You're being interrogated for some offense you've done.
⑦ Aliens → Aliens are attacking and you're not going to take your probe laying down!
⑧ Final battle → This is it. The battle that will end all the fighting for you. Will you win? Will you get that peace you want?
⑨ Training → You're not actually fighting, just training for the inevitable.
⑩ No hope → You know this fight has no hope. It's not going to end well for anyone involved, but you can't turn away.
⑪ Sneaking in → You're stealing a diamond or sneaking in to kick some bad guy butt, but whatever it is, you have to practice stealth.
⑫ Blue wire → You're faced with a bomb that needs to be disarmed.
⑬ Fight for honor → You've been disgraced or someone you care about has, so it's time to fight for honour.
⑭ Showdown → Time for a cowboy-style showdown. Whoever draws the fastest wins.
⑮ War → You're caught in the middle of a war here. Remember to keep your chin up and keeping fighting.
⑯ Apocalypse → The apocalypse finally happened and now you're left to scavenge and fight for whatever is left.
⑰ Sabotage → It's time to sabotage someone's plan! How is entirely up to you. Do you set up a bomb in their toilet? Do you double cross them at the last minute?
⑱ Big damn hero → You know you have to handle this one alone, so that means disarming or knocking unconscious the person who wants to join you.
⑲ Fight club → You know the rules... you're in an underground fighting ring and you're fighting with all you've got.
⑳ Threaten → You've just been sent here to rough them up a little, threaten them into behaving.

ANGST.
① Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! To what extent is the mun's choice.
② Last moments → You character has been gravely injured and this is their last chance to say their last words.
③ Depression → Your character is depressed, what actions they take is up to the mun.
④ Betrayed → You character has been betrayed by the other. How do they react?
⑤ Tortured → Your character is being tortured and needs rescuing or at least a sympathetic ear to help him through it.
⑥ Jealousy → Your character is feeling jealous and must deal with it, how will they do it?
⑦ Breakup! → This relationship has gone as far as it can, it's time to breakup.
⑧ Broken → For whatever reason, the character is broken, mentally or or physically.
⑨ Fight → You can't even be in the same room as your friend or lover without arguing anymore.
⑩ Lost → You lost the biggest fight of your life and now all you can do is try to pick up the pieces.
⑪ Worst nightmare → Whatever you fear the most is now real or maybe you're just trapped in a dream together, but whatever it is, it feels too real.
⑫ Addicted → You're addicted to something, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever. It's destroying your life and you can't do anything to stop it.
⑬ Hurt you → You're being forced to hurt someone you love either by betraying them or even being forced to shout things you don't mean. It's for their own good in the end though.
⑭ Separation → You were forced to leave this person for their own safety and while you've been miserable without them, you really didn't mean to run into them again... maybe it was by accident or you were watching them from afar this whole time.
⑮ Becoming a monster → You are slowly changing, becoming a monster: vampire, zombie, demon, something you can't recover from and no-one can help you.
⑯ Frozen → You are entirely helpless, frozen, to stop some kind of disaster.
⑰ Prison → You were very bad and now it's time to pay the price by turning yourself in or maybe the law just finally caught up to you.
⑱ Fear → You're not sure why, but you are suddenly terrified and you can't deal with it. You need help.
⑲ Hated → You are now hated by the person you loved the most.
⑳ Down and out → You're living on the streets, you've hit rock bottom, and you don't know what to do.

CRACK.
① Sexswap → Uh-oh, you're suddenly the opposite sex!
② Forced confessions → No matter what it is and no matter how hard you resist, you're going to be compelled to spill some deep dark secret!
③ Mind-reading → You've suddenly got the ability to read minds!
④ Animal → You're suddenly part animal or transformed into an animal!
⑤ Awkward pick-up lines → You're compelled to use bad pickup lines on whoever is closest!
⑥ Back in School / Graduated → You're suddenly back in school! Or if you were already in it, you've aged and long since graduated!
⑦ Vampires, werewolves, and zombies, oh my! → You're suddenly a vampire, werewolf, or zombie! Maybe even a demon or a devil, whatever creepy crawly you can think of. What do you do now?
⑧ Ghost → You're suddenly a ghost or at least invisible. What are you going to do with this new ability?
⑨ Awkward conversations → So did you just fart or what? Any conversation goes, as long as it's embarrassing and awkward.
⑩ Crossdressing → For whatever reason, you're suddenly dressed in clothes of the opposite sex.
⑪ Suddenly naked → Oops! Your clothes are suddenly gone.
⑫ Suddenly a kid → You're a kid again! Have fun with that second childhood.
⑬ Fortune cookie → You've suddenly received a note with something that will happen in the future, either precise or vague.
⑭ Super power → And suddenly you're like Superman! Any power goes.
⑮ Bodyswap → Somehow you've changed bodies with the other person.
⑯ Back in time → Somehow, you wound up in the past again. Do you try to correct something or just sit and wait for time to jump? Maybe it jumps to various points in your life or maybe you actually think you're back in the day. Have fun, run wild with the idea!
⑰ To the future → Is it everything you've dreamed? Is it horrible? Whatever happens, you're here to witness what happens to you in the future. Either you take the place of your future self or you're just there to watch. Might cause some confusion if people start seeing double though...
⑱ Angels, mermaids, and fairies! → You're not necessary something dark or evil. You're just something different. How do you deal?
⑲ Locked in a closet → For some reason, you're locked up in a closet with someone else. Do you make nice and try to figure your way out or what?
⑳ Finger trap → You're caught in a Chinese finger trap... with somebody else! You can't figure out how to get loose either... have fun with that.

FLUFF.
① Cuddling → For whatever reason, characters feel like being close and cuddling.
② Pillow talk → After the main event, characters are up for some pillow talk.
③ Celebration → Anniversary or some other big event is taking place and characters want to celebrate!
④ Love confession → Someone has finally decided to confess their love and today is the day!
⑤ Appreciation → You feel the need to show appreciation for that person closest to you, even if it's just a pat on the back.
⑥ Apologies → You made a mistake and now it's time to make it up in some way you know the other can't refuse!
⑦ Get back together → Why did you break up again exactly? Whatever the reason, it was a huge mistake and you both know you can work through it.
⑧ Date night → You've planned for a wonderful night together and you can't wait to get it started.
⑨ Family → You've either found out you're pregnant or you've already got that addition to your family.
⑩ Marriage → You're just about to get hitched or maybe you're enjoying your honeymoon. Maybe you've been together for years now! Whatever the case, it's time for that next big step.
⑪ Meeting again → It's time for that happy reunion finally!
⑫ Love at first sight → For whatever reason, you are now insanely in love with the first person you set eyes on.
⑬ Flirtation → You can't resist to do a little bit of harmless flirtation all of a sudden.
⑭ In the snow → Look outside! It's a winter wonderland, so why not go out and play in it?
⑮ Engagement → You've planned it all out and now it's time to finally pop the question.
⑯ Friendly games → You've set up the game station or board games for a friendly competition!
⑰ Gift → Time to give that special someone a gift just because.
⑱ Recovery → You're taking care of someone who's just recovered from some illness or injury.
⑲ Healing → Time to help mend that someone who's been through hell and back.
⑳ Better than ever → You've finally got everything you've ever wanted here. What is your ideal life and who does it include?

GEN.
① Nice meeting you → It's your first time meeting this person! You bumped into each other on the street, in a bar, at work... whatever!
② Drinks → You're out for drinks! Or just chilling at home with some beers. Wherever!
③ Lost → You're lost and you kind of need help finding your way to where you're going. A little help with directions?
④ Costume party → You're at a costume party, both of you are wearing masks. Do you keep the anonymity or take it off and see whose company you've been enjoying?
⑤ Wrong number → Oops, actually you didn't mean to call that person...
⑥ Drunk → You're already drunk! Drunk dialing, stumbling into someone, showing up unexpected... what type of drunk are you anyway? Aggressive, loving, happy? How does the other react?
⑦ Old friends → you haven't seen this person in a long time!
⑧ Rivals → you're suddenly rivals! Or maybe you have been all along...
⑨ Problems → you've got a problem with each other, just got in a huge fight, whatever. Try to work it out!
⑩ What are your intentions... → This person? They're dating a close friend, family member, etc. You need to find out if they're going to hurt them! Or you need to discuss your friend/family's dating choice.
⑪ I saw you → you saw the other person doing something bad and you need to confront them about it.
⑫ Sorry but no → the other person has feelings that you just don't share. They don't necessarily have to be romantic... maybe you just don't agree with their sudden desire to quit their job and start a business making tiny, fuzzy teddy bears.
⑬ My hero → you need to tell this person how much they mean to you. They've been your best friend or your role model your whole life and they need to know.
⑭ Enabler → you're enabling the other (or each other) to do something bad, really bad. Addiction, stealing, killing, or just any other self-destructive behavior.
⑮ Cooking → Time for an impromptu cooking lesson!
⑯ Oh, sure, I remember you... → It's that awkward moment when someone comes up and seems to know you, but you have no idea who they even are!
⑰ Rescue! → One of you was in trouble, but you came to the rescue!
⑱ Boss → One of you works under the other. Is your relationship good? Are you scheming things? Or do you hate each other?
⑲ Perfect crime → You and the other person have just pulled off the perfect crime... or you're planning to! What are you doing? The heist of the century, an assassination?
⑳ Movies → movie night! Maybe it's a sleepover. Whichever the case, it's time to eat a lot and have fun.

SEX.
① First time → it's your first time together or your first time ever! Enjoy the awkward times!
② Bondage → You and your partner decide to experiment a little with ropes or handcuffs or whatever you'd like to tie your partner up with.
③ Rough / Aggressive → Your characters want it rough.
④ Romantic → Slow and gentle, meaningful, that's how characters want it.
⑤ Dubcon → Character A wants Character B and it doesn't really matter if Character B wants it as bad or not.
⑥ In public → Characters feel like taking a risk and doing it in a public place.
⑦ Roleplay → Naughty nurse fetish? Pirate kink? You and your partner decide to try it out now!
⑧ Healing → You've both fought hard or gone through a rough time and it's time to get some R&R in.
⑨ Last time → This is the last time you're going to this because you're breaking up or maybe your lover is running off to sacrifice their lives in some heroic way. The possibilities are endless, but you better make this one count.
⑩ No strings attached → You're just friends with benefits. Nothing wrong with that, right?
⑪ Anonymous → You met in a restroom or bar, any location of your choosing, but you don't even know each other's names.
⑫ Toys → You're eager to try something new, so why not toys?
⑬ Aphrodisiacs → You've been slipped a strong aphrodisiac somehow and now you absolutely cannot control yourself.
⑭ Show → You're putting on a show by either doing it right in the club or filming it for a bunch of people.
⑮ Ménage à trois → It's time for that threesome you've always dreamed of.
⑯ Non-penetrative → Frottage, handjobs, whatever you want to try out.
⑰ Controlled → You are under mind control and must do whatever your lover asks of you.
⑱ Hate sex → It's not just rough or aggressive, you absolutely cannot stand each other.
⑲ Extreme → Fisting, knife play, whatever you can think of so long as it tests the boundaries.
⑳ Fantasy → This is just a fantasy, a dream, and you know it, but what is your ideal fantasy and how willing is your partner?

Comments

[deceitful]

You should get more green, leafy vegetables. [ Peter advised instead of apologising, studying the contents of Stiles's cart once more. ] And maybe some milk. Is your vitamin D intake adequate?

[ Then again, Stiles has always been pale. It was his natural colouring, only Peter had forgotten. He was still lean, still the same height, still high strung, and still poorly dressed. But, well. To expect more would have been ridiculous. It's only been a few years, not two centuries. They're both older, Peter's hair perhaps a touch longer, but no less meticulous. That's all. And the slowly fading scent of panic aside, Stiles seemed to be doing well.

Preening subtly, Peter lets his mouth curl up in a languid smile at Stiles. ] More of that ill disguised attraction. But I suppose I do have more time to take care of myself than the average student.

[ Although did it really count when he solicited the compliment? Oh well. He'll take it.

Putting one hand on the cart, Peter gently rolled it along the aisle, taking Stiles by the elbow along with him. That ought to give Stiles an outlet for his restless energy, enough to trim off the excess so Peter wouldn't have to deal with the entire brunt of it. Besides, didn't he have shopping to finish? ] Walk with me.

[suspectlist]

I don't eat that badly, you know. ( Stiles insisted, batting a few of Peter's own groceries away from some of the healthier items in his cart to try and prove his point. Living with Lydia kept him from being entirely hopeless when it came to taking care of himself, and truthfully, he thought he did a good job of maintaining a balanced diet for the both of them. There was always room for improvement, though, but he didn't bother to say that. )

I'm fine. I take my vitamins every day and all that. Vitamin D included.

( The way Peter smiled reminded Stiles of every boyish thought he'd had about the werewolf, about the time he'd spent trying to come up with some plan to find and keep the other's attention for years to come. Truthfully, he still remembered most of the details of that plan, one that he'd never explained to Scott or even Lydia whenever romance or attraction came up in conversation. He doubted they'd understand, and even worse, he was sure the long standing attraction he had towards Peter would make them worry. Keeping it to himself was better for everyone in the end. )

Yeah, well, it's not like there's a werewolf population here to compete for my attention. ( And even if there was, the experiences he'd had with the others back in Beacon Hills had colored his relationships with them so much that he doubted he'd be able to form the same kind of bonds with anyone here. ) You could have just said thanks.

( There was no resistance was his elbow was grabbed, and they started moving down the aisle. It took a few seconds for him to convince himself to slip his arm out of the hold if only so he could put it on the cart next to Peter's - close enough that the sides of their hands brushed as he spoke. ) Lydia's out of town for the long weekend. We could have lunch, if you're not busy?

[deceitful]

[ A sound caught between a scoff and huff of disbelief left Peter rather than a proper answer. It wasn't as though he hasn't been there before-- college, that is. And the slippery slope that was midterms and finals season, combined with how general lack of will to do anything other than struggle through them led to terrible culinary decisions and no trips whatsoever to the grocery store. (Although Peter did recall charming home cooked meals out of his more functional classmates on more than one occasion.)

Never mind that being a werewolf gave him an advantage over his classmates anyway. But making judgmental comments about Stiles's dietary habit aside, this particular line of conversation has served another purpose. There's some truth to it, it seemed. The saying that absence made the heart grow fonder.

After all, all this needling and Stiles hasn't once threatened to cause him bodily harm or left? has to mean something. Call it overconfidence or arrogance, but Peter doubted he was reading too much into it. ]

Ah, but there's a human one. [ What with college bringing forth new people and new relationships and whatnot. Unless Stiles was still as unpopular as he was back in Beacon Hills High. Was he? Or was he seeing someone? Peter's smile kicked up another notch, voice smoothing down to a purr. ] Thank you, Stiles.

[ Satisfied?

He's startled once more, his hand inadvertently slipping halfway onto Stiles's before he readjusted it and pulled it back to his bit of the shopping cart handle. ] Lydia. Lydia Martin, I assume. Now there's a name I haven't heard in a while. I wasn't aware the two of you went the same way together.

[ Frankly, he rather liked Lydia, when everything was said and done. Peter also wasn't oblivious to the fact that given half a chance, she'd likely gut him in return for what he's done. Which only made it all the more satisfying to tip his head in acquiescence at Stiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling agreeably. ] You've stolen the very invitation I wanted to extend right out of my mouth.

[suspectlist]

( It was Stiles's turn to scoff at the mention of the human population. Of course there was one here, a large, all encompassing one that reflected ever kind of person who'd ever looked down on him or overlooked him in high school. The attention he got here was strictly academic - the forced partnerships for school, Lydia's acquaintances that constantly wondered why she shared an apartment with someone like him. The anxious kid who still made string charts, chased small leads of the supernatural for some small thrill or reminder of the life he'd left behind in Beacon Hills. )

Turns out, college isn't exactly the drastic change my social life needed. ( He shrugged, glanced over in time to see the change in Peter's smile. It made something in his chest tighten, his stomach flutter.

Reaching up with his free hand, he fussed briefly with his hair in response to the thanks, trying not to let the sound of Peter's voice rile him in the same ways he used to. ) Yeah, you're welcome.

( The hand half on his was warm - just as warm as he remembered it from the night in his jeep, desperate for warmth and comfort in the stress of another life or death situation courtesy of Beacon Hills. He swallowed hard with the memory, glanced at Peter's hand as it settled back on the cart handle. )

U-uh yeah. Scott went off to his veterinarian school and Lydia and I.. ( He shrugged, motioned around them as if that would answer everything.

Peter's response earned a smile, and Stiles ducked his head with his own smile. ) Don't worry, I won't make you endure my college student diet of take out and microwavable food. I can actually make us something.

[deceitful]

Maybe you aren't going to the right parties. Or any. [ But given his association with Lydia, it seemed unlikely that Stiles escaped all semblance of a social life. Well, this was far from bad news, as far as Peter was concerned. There's no doubt in his mind a college student could be any competition against him, but things might've gotten messy. Certainly a little blood would've spilled.

A better man would've wanted Stiles to have the fully college experience-- parties, a healthy relationship with a nice, safe person of his own age range perhaps, and whatever else it was that the youth got up to these days. Peter was a lot of things, but his morals tended to come and go.

And he's always been fascinated by Stiles. Without the constant presence of the old Beacon Hills crowd looming over their collective shoulders, maybe they would finally get somewhere beyond coy text messages and suggestive situations. ]

It happens. [ People drift apart all the time.

Peter glanced at the contents of his basket, of Stiles's cart. They were just about done, weren't they? ] Or you could let me take you out for lunch. Which would you prefer?

[suspectlist]

I've gone to a few actually. With other people. ( Stiles corrected half-heartedly. Being friends with Lydia, living with her meant he found himself pulled into some of the chaos of her social life. Parties, the occasional study group, or small gathering. He'd attended enough of them to know he'd never make the kind of friends he had in Scott or Lydia.

And sure, he'd tried dating. But that wasn't something he figured he needed to volunteer to Peter. All three times had been a disaster, something of a nightmare in one instance, and just awful judge of character on his part for the other two.

He was pulled from those thoughts quickly enough by the mention of lunch, and he glanced down at the cart. Briefly, his hand left the handle, and he patted his pocket down as if searching for a list before remembering he hadn't brought it. )

Let's go out. ( He decided after a moment, reminding himself that Lydia would probably prefer Peter wasn't in their apartment, even if just for a couple of hours. ) I think our groceries will be good for a little while. ( And maybe if they were out in public, it would keep him from humiliating himself too badly in front of the other. )

You have a place in mind?

[deceitful]

No fraternities for you, I suppose. [ Not that Stiles seemed like the sort to mix himself up in one. He was more for close knit friendships, wasn't he? Considering how close he'd been with Scott McCall for all those years. The opposite of Peter, really, who'd never lacked for some event or the other to go to with other students. But only some of those friendships had held true over the years, and what with the fire... in the end, he was always closer to his family. To pack.

(Sometimes he still felt the ache like a missing limb. Other times, nothing at all. He was never sure which was worse.)

Peter steered them towards the registers, watching Stiles fidget with a faint air of amusement. Someone forgot their grocery list. Well, he could always make a return trip if needed. But for now... ]

There's a good Thai place around the corner. [ Most of the town was still new to Peter, but he'd caught the scent of the restaurant the other day and discovered a favourite haunt for it. Tapping his fingers on the shopping cart handle, he cocked his head at Stiles, brow knitted in a frown that cleared up shortly in favour of a smile. ] However, if I recall correctly, you enjoyed anything with an unhealthy amount of grease and salt. Curly fries?

[ There must be a diner around here somewhere. ]

[suspectlist]

In case you forgot, I do a good enough job of humiliating myself without anyone's help. I'll pass on the fratboy life.

( And truthfully? Stiles always found himself thinking he needed to keep most people at a distance. He never knew when the day might come that Scott called on him, needing his help for something, and suddenly, it would be Beacon Hills all over again. And if that ever happened, the less people he had to worry about getting mixed up in things, the better.

For now, he had Lydia. He still talked to Scott, and every once in a while, Derek even took the time to send a text or two to just to make sure he was alive. And there were a handful of others, too. People he occasionally studied with or grabbed lunch with when time permitted. And maybe now, he'd have Peter too. Even if he wasn't entirely sure what Peter's appearance might mean now.

It was food for thought, no doubt. Something he tried not to think too intently about as they made their way to the register, and he scooped his things onto the belt. ) I'm a broke college student. Trust me, I'll devour anything you put in front of me like it's the last meal I'm ever going to eat. ( Stiles reassured, sparing the other a small smile in return. )

Thai sounds great. I've heard good things about the place around the corner. ( He nodded, continuing to grab a few items out of the cart with one hand as he reached into his pocket with the other to find his wallet. )

[deceitful]

How could I forget?

[ But as far as any memories Peter had of Stiles that stood out in particular, his failures weren't always at the forefront of his mind. The way he faced him down on the field beneath the glare of the floodlights, white-faced and terrified for both his and Lydia Martin's life but determined to get his way, maybe. Or the tantalising flex of fingers and pulse jumping in his wrist beneath the pristine cuff of his dress shirt, Peter's fingers coiled around him, ready to bite. How he yanked himself free at the last second, and denied him.

It was appealing in a way he couldn't quite explain. (Or maybe Peter enjoyed people who could give him a challenge.)

He waited as Stiles emptied his cart before reaching around to set his own groceries down, and purposely bared his teeth at him in a parody of a smile. Reaching one hand out, Peter stroked his finger along the line of Stiles's back, a drag of pressure just steady enough to be felt. ] Or maybe I'll be the one to gobble you right up.

[ And then his smile relaxed, flirtatious around the edges. ] But don't worry. That'll only be after you get some meat on those bones.

[ Peter's left out the divider between their items, and the cashier rung them up together. He glanced at Stiles, and pulled out his wallet, plastic already between his fingers faster than Stiles could protest. ] My mistake.

[suspectlist]

( There was an unexpected friendliness to their conversation that put Stiles at ease as he managed to finally pull his wallet out of his pocket. In the past, Peter's initial response might have hit a nerve or ruffled him in a way that would have ruined an otherwise pleasant conversation. But instead, Stiles let out a small huff of amusement and shook his head as he sat his wallet down to finish with the last of the items that were his.

Any calmness he might have found was abruptly ruined by the drag of the werewolf's fingers along his spine. It wasn't a forceful or violent touch in any way, but it was firm enough that it caught his attention. It caused him to fumble the last item he had to put onto the belt and an excited shiver rolled down the length of his spine as he reached out to brace his hand on the edge of the cart. ) Holy god.

( It was enough of a distraction that he hardly registered Peter putting stuff onto the belt and by the time he shook himself out of his thoughts that had shot down a strange path and into something filthy he'd thought he'd gotten over long ago, the cashier was already ringing them up. He straightened quickly, fish-mouthed a bit awkwardly as he caught the gleam of the sleek plastic between Peter's fingers. )

Seriously? ( He raised a hand, pulled it down his face in an attempt to cover the flush on his cheeks as he shot the other man a look that said the gesture hadn't been necessary. But he still appreciated it. ) I know I'm just a lowly college student, but I can buy my own groceries. ( He sighed, moved his hand instead to slide it across the back of his neck as the other one perched on his hip. ) Thanks. ( He offered after a few seconds, hand sliding from the back of his neck to motion to the groceries. )

[deceitful]

[ Had Stiles's reception towards Peter been any different, had he been met with trepidation and a cold shoulder, then maybe Peter would've been more guarded, more hostile in return. But instead, Stiles had seemed nothing if not pleased to see him. Surprised and worried about the state of Beacon Hills, sure, but friendly nonetheless. Maybe it was a side effect of meeting outside of that town, with its history drenched in bad blood all around. Or maybe it was because even then, Peter had smelled the interest on Stiles.

But all teenagers tended to be walking hormone factories and in suffused in a constant, low level haze of desire. He hadn't thought much of it then.

Now, there was no mistaking the excitement snaking its way over Stiles, the sudden spike of interest from him caused by Peter's touch. Stiles was so wonderfully responsive. Shame that they were in public right now, but perhaps...

Well, first things first. Crooking a smile at Stiles, the groceries paid for and bagged, Peter picked up his own. ] And make the cashier go through the trouble of separating your things from mine and ringing them up again? Please.

[ His eyes caught on Stiles's hand, watching the path it took. They lingered on the pale arch of his neck before following the swing towards the groceries. Honestly, he could come up with several entertaining ways for Stiles to repay him, but really. It wasn't a big deal. ] It was my pleasure. The restaurant's nearby-- why don't you drop your groceries off at your car, and we can walk over together?

[ Unless Stiles wanted to move his car all of a block and find parking again. ]

[suspectlist]

( There was a brief thought of what it might be like to be able to pay for someone else's groceries without batting an eyelash. His family had always had enough to get by, to go through the motions without struggling to a point that it was overwhelming. There had been moments, though, that they had worried. He remembered the bills his father had tried to hide after his stint in Eichen House, and the struggles that popped up now and again whenever he'd gotten into something he shouldn't, caused more trouble than his father had been prepared to handle. But they were always short-lived things, especially in comparison to the more pressing stressors of having a werewolf for a best friend.

Maybe, he mused, it was something worth asking Peter about if things continued on this path. Normal and mostly harmless. )

Yeah, just give me a minute to throw this in the jeep. ( He managed a smile, grabbing his own bags quickly to head towards his jeep. He used the short walk as a chance to try and clear his thoughts, remind himself that he was dealing with Peter Hale and letting himself get too comfortable had the potential to do more harm than good. Maybe, he mused, he was being too harsh, too suspicious. Or maybe he wasn't being enough?

Stiles dismissed the thought after tucking his groceries into his jeep. So far, he felt like the only thing he had to worry about was Peter making him uncomfortable. And if that was the case, Peter was succeeding. )

Age before brains. ( He joked as he approached the older man, motioning forward with one hand as he used the other to tuck his keys into his pocket. ) I don't actually know where this place is.

[deceitful]

[ Eventually, Peter had taken the time to sort out the mess that came with being a missing coma patient. It wasn't all that difficult-- a faked trail of documents resulting in a mix up in a transfer to a different care facility where he eventually woke up and rejoined normal society again helped set him up with the mundane things, like a driver's license. Access to his old accounts. Everything a man needed.

Plus, he's done well enough in doing a little supernatural consulting on the side. The groceries hardly made a dent in his wallet. Of course, it wasn't something he would've ever done back in Beacon Hills, but they weren't there now, were they?

Groceries stowed away in his own car, he met up with Stiles partway, hands tucked in his jacket pockets. His eyebrow kicked up several notches, and he looked Stiles up and down. ] Oh, well in that case, I should go alone.

[ What with being both age and brains, thanks very much.

Whether or not Stiles actually didn't know where the restaurant was or he simply preferred not having Peter at his back, he didn't say anything of it. In fact, if he was in Stiles' shoes, he certainly would've done the same. Despite everything they had gone through together before and whatever loose ends there were between them, they hadn't actually seen each other in years. Hadn't even spoken, although he still had Stiles' number programmed in his phone. He could've called.

He could've, but Stiles could have as well.

Anyway, the point was, they'd regressed back a few steps. Peter didn't know where exactly and what exactly Stiles had been doing up until this point, and vice versa. Maybe this would prove an excellent opportunity to make up on lost time. ]

Let me guess. With your propensity for sticking your noise where it doesn't belong, your fascination with suspect lists, and your father's occupation... planning to follow in his footsteps? Or have you had enough of that for a lifetime?

[suspectlist]

( Truthfully, Stiles had an idea of where this place was. A part of him, though, was still worried about what Peter's sudden appearance might mean. He wanted to enjoy it for what it was, try his hand at building something with the people from the past without the danger of Beacon Hills hovering over them like a vengeful storm cloud hoping to ruin a beautiful day.

Having Peter beside him instead of behind him? It definitely made him feel like a more normal person; he didn't feel the need to look over his shoulder, the itch of someone's eyes on his back as if someone was watching him. Instead, he felt like a college student walking with an old friend. Was it really that simple? )

You're still a funny guy. ( He huffed out a laugh, smoothing one hand briefly across his hair before tucking his hands into his own pockets as they walked. )

A sheriff? Really? Have you met me? ( Stiles turned to walk backwards as they went along, motioning between them. ) If we ran down the list of things I've done at my age, I'd lose my job before I even had it.

( Shaking his head, Stiles turned to walk forward again, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. He'd definitely thought about being a sheriff more than once, but at the end of the day, his heart wasn't in it. Living in rooms full of messy string charts and waking up with papers stuck to his face after long nights of reading gave him an unusual thrill that few other things had in Beacon Hills. At least, thrills that didn't come from wondering how close you were to death. )

But being a detective or some other kind of investigator is still on the table. ( Without thinking, Stiles slid one hand out of his pocket to gently brush Peter's elbow. )

So how long have you been here, anyway? Is it a recent thing or have we been passing each other in the grocery store for months without realizing it?