Work Text:
Teen Wolf || Steter || Teen Wolf || Welcome to the Mean Bean || Teen Wolf || Steter || Teen Wolf
Title: Welcome to the Mean Bean – Friday Ficlets Series
TW Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Jeff Davis and MTV. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: m/m, No Hale Fire, coffee shop AU, Pack Alpha Peter, Spark Stiles, fluff
Main Pairing: Peter/Stiles
Side Pairings: Boyd/Erica, Malia/Kira
Teen Wolf Characters: Mieczysław 'Stiles' Stilinski, Peter Hale, Talia Hale, Malia Hale, Erica Reyes, Vernon Boyd, Isaac Lahey, Kira Yukimura, Sheriff Noah Stilinski
Summary: Peter had left Beacon Hills years ago, after becoming an Alpha. Now, his sister requests his return so him and his pack can settle into Hale territory. Before he can meet her, he needs a strong coffee. He accidentally finds himself absolutely smitten with the shop's owner, just to realize he's the sheriff's son. And he's in for an even bigger surprise when he meets with Talia.
Welcome to the Mean Bean
Friday Ficlets Series
Peter Hale used to be his sister's Left Hand. He used to protect the Hale territory from threats. Until, two years ago, a feral Alpha attacked and terrorized the town. The problem with taking out a feral Alpha was that the Alpha spark needed to go somewhere. Peter had killed the Alpha, so Peter became an Alpha. Which was a problem, because a pack didn't need two Alphas.
For a while, Peter and Talia tried to make it work. They clashed. Fought, often even physically. In the end, they sat down together and talked quietly, with their brother Aaron mediating between them. They agreed that Peter should leave the territory, establish his own pack first and once he had his own pack, they could meet up again and see if they could cohabit. It wasn't rare for a territory to have multiple packs, after all. Especially one with as much forest as Beacon Hills.
It hurt to leave his home, his family – his daughter, who was sixteen at the time, in high school, had her friends and the cousins she was close to like siblings. Peter wouldn't have wanted to take that away from her to start new somewhere else. They texted every day, had phone calls and video chats. Peter made sure Malia got to know each of Peter's betas, felt like a part of the pack too.
Peter had been living in New York with his pack slowly building. Teaching his betas how to be wolves, establishing himself as an Alpha. Once he felt sure in his pack, he had a conversation with Talia. She told him that it was time to return home. Part of Peter was relieved, part of Peter was annoyed and unsure. Annoyed, because he'd built a life in New York. Unsure, because he feared that him and Talia may still clash, may not be able to share the territory.
It would be the first time in two years that he would see his sister in person, despite regular mails, calls and everything. After the long flight (made longer by his betas' bickering) and before he could actually face Talia, he absolutely needed a strong coffee. So he pulled the rental car over at the first coffee shop he saw and herded his complaining betas in there.
"I need a shower," Erica groaned, stretching wide. "A hot one. And Boyd. In the shower."
Her mate Boyd grinned at that and wrapped an arm around her waist. Peter's third beta Isaac gagged for show, until Erica elbowed him and the two dissolved into bickering again. With a heavy sigh did Peter rub the bridge of his nose and got in line at the counter. The shop was nice, not as cutesy as many new coffee shops he saw in New York. The wallpaper had dark thin trees stretching along to the ceiling, giving an illusion of the forest, the chairs and tables had a rustic charm to go with it. It made Peter's inner wolf pace comfortably, like it was sniffing out new territory, settling.
"Welcome to the Mean Bean! What can I get you?"
The chipper girl behind the counter asked the man in front of Peter. One more person between Peter and his much needed coffee. He pursed his lips at the shop's name though.
"I'll take an iced chocolate cappuccino, a chocolate cronut and two sprinkled donuts."
Peter watched the energetic girl get to work and, with a smile, hand over a paper bag and a drink after a few moments. "One black tea and one whole-wheat bagel with salmon, sheriff."
Sheriff? Peter tilted his head, stepping just a little aside to look at the man's profile. It really was Sheriff Stilinski. The man heaved a resigned sigh and accepted the goods he had not ordered.
"Thanks, Kira," the sheriff sighed again. "Have a good day."
The girl, Kira, smiled brightly at him and when the sheriff walked past Peter with his head hung low in defeat, she turned toward him. "Welcome to the Mean Bean! What can I get you?"
Peter furrowed his brows. "Is there a point in me placing an order?"
For the first time, the girl's smile dimmed some in confusion. "I'm sorry?"
"The sheriff just now," Peter jerked his head toward the door. "Got something that might constitute being the actual opposite of what he ordered. And his resignation at it makes me think that's normal. So, is there an actual point in me placing an order with you?"
"Oh," Kira blinked large, dark eyes at him, before her smile returned. "No, that's just the sheriff."
"Just the sheriff?" Erica peeked over Peter's shoulder to look at Kira. "What does that mean?"
Kira's smile brightened in a reassuring manner. "The sheriff doesn't get unhealthy food, it's a rule."
She pointed at a framed picture behind the counter. It was an actual wanted poster, looking exactly like the ones at the sheriff station (Peter remembered, he'd spent a lot of time there, working as a lawyer even before he moved to New York), the sketch of the sheriff even done by the police sketch artist. Beneath the sketch, it said WANTED: Doughnut sneaker. Repeat offender. Peter blinked.
"The sheriff… doesn't get unhealthy food?" Isaac asked confused. "So, what, this is his own order? To stop him from eating things he shouldn't be eating…?"
"Oh, no, the sheriff may actually be ready to kill for a burger and fries or a doughnut," Kira laughed, shaking her head. "But Stiles – his son – has banned him from eating unhealthy food. And everyone in town knows not to anger Stiles by enabling the sheriff's bad habits."
Stiles? Peter narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. He vaguely remembered the deputies at the station used to talk about him a lot with fond exasperation about the sheriff's son. A menace terrorizing them all. It seemed, above all others, the kid was terrorizing his own father.
"And you just… you listen to this Stiles guy over the sheriff?" Boyd asked surprised. "Isn't it better to please your customers? Especially when the customer is the sheriff?"
"Oh, you have never met Stiles. Yeah, no, you do not want to get on his bad side. Everyone in town knows this. You should see the sheriff try and order a burger at the diner, it's funny. Stiles' pranks in retaliation are vicious and much more feared than anything the sheriff would do," Kira grinned and leaned in with a conspiring look. "And between you and me, we here at the Mean Bean are actually contractually obligated to do so. It's a clause in the employment contracts."
"Kira! A lawyer is the last person with whom you can make that joke!"
A new person stuck his head out of the kitchen to join them and for a moment, Peter was taken aback. The largest, prettiest bright brown doe-eyes stared at him, amusement dancing in them and long lashes painting shadows on pale cheeks. He was beautiful, with messy dark hair, a little flour powdering his hair and clothes and a smile stretching his pink lips wide.
"Lawyer?" Kira raised her eyebrows, looking between the new person and Peter. "You know him?"
Mischief joined amusement and those beautiful eyes turned a hue brighter. "You could say that. Their order today's on the house, a welcome home, if you will."
Peter tilted his head curiously. He had no idea who this enchanting creature was, but the wolf in him was delighted to be fed by a pretty little thing like him. Flirting, wasn't it? Mh, if Peter played his cards right, perhaps he could get a pretty baker to-go? Peter certainly deserved the treat for after he had to deal with his sister. Especially since Talia had announced she had a 'surprise' for Peter.
It made Peter smile bemused despite himself. "So, on account of not being the sheriff, we would get our orders, then? And not a… healthy alternative, yes?"
"Ye—ep," Kira smiled brightly. "So, what can I get you guys?"
Peter and his betas placed their orders. This Stiles sounded absolutely delightful. Peter had always loved a strong sense of vengeance. The four of them went to sit at a table and Peter got his phone out to text his daughter that they'd arrived in town and were currently at a coffee shop. He'd like to see Malia first, before having to deal with the official Alpha business and territory negotiations with his sister. Their drinks came and before their breakfast arrived, Malia entered the coffee shop. Instead of heading straight to her father, Malia headed to the counter and kissed Kira behind it.
"O—oh," Erica's eyes widened and she actually turned away from Boyd. "So that's the mysterious girlfriend Mal has been trying to hide from us. She's cute. Good for Mal!"
Grinning, Erica more or less climbed onto Boyd's lap to make room for Malia. She approached them to hug and scent-mark her father and then sit down next to Boyd and Erica.
"I'm glad you're finally here," Malia looked at her dad.
She'd wanted to join them in New York after graduation – and for the summer, she actually did. But since the goal had always been for Peter to return, there was no reason for her to uproot her life. The summer had been good though, allowing her to grow closer to Peter's betas. It was the final test, to see how ready Peter's pack was to move. After that, it took just a couple more months to wrap things up – his cases, their work, ending the lease on their house, packing everything up, all the little things that needed to be taken care of before a move – and now they were here. Finally.
"He—ere's your orders," the pretty boy from before announced.
He was carrying a tray, Kira right behind him with another tray. Their food was placed in front of them and, surprisingly enough, there was also a plate with Malia's favorite sandwich there. The pretty boy grinned and winked at Malia before giving Kira a mild shove. She yelped as she landed on Malia's lap, with the coyote looking pleased and wrapping her arms around Kira's waist.
"It's not very busy, why don't you take a long lunch and get to know your future father-in-law," the doe-eyed boy teased before winking at Peter. "I'll see you later."
Delightful. So he was getting laid? The boy was quite obviously flirting. For now, Peter decided to turn his attention to his daughter and his daughter's girlfriend, who was now very wide-eyed and flustered. Adorable. Malia was practically purring as she nuzzled into Kira.
"That's your dad?" Kira squeaked. "The Peter Hale? Oh, I'm dying."
"I like her," Isaac grinned amused, then took a bite of his sandwich. "Oh, this is good."
"Who is your delightful coworker? So we can give compliments to the cook," Peter asked subtly.
"My…" Kira blinked. "That's Stiles. The owner of the place."
"Stiles, the son of the sheriff?" Peter raised both his eyebrows. "He owns this place."
Well, that did explain the comment about employment contracts earlier. Peter chuckled a little, feeling very pleased. Oh, Peter Hale had never met a bad idea he didn't love. And the sheriff's son seemed like a very, very bad idea. Peter would so love to have him.
/break\
Arriving at the Hale House was as exhausting as Peter had expected it to be. The first ones to attack were all his niblings – Laura, Derek, Cora, Sloan and Jason, all swarming him, hugging him, asking a hundred questions. Once the kids (a stretch, considering most of them were in their late teens slash early twenties) eased off of Peter, he got swept away by his little brother Aaron. His in-laws were next, Aaron's wife Fiona and Talia's husband Damon, both just briefly hugging and scent-marking him before sending him on his way to Talia.
The surprising part was that Talia wasn't alone in her office. Perched on her desk sat Stiles, an impish grin on his lips and his eyes sparkling oh-so prettily. Mh. For now, Peter hugged his sister.
"Peter," Talia smiled warmly and then motioned at Stiles. "Please hear me out before you decline. I know you haven't found an Emissary in New York, but Stiles here has spent two years learning with our pack and with you moving here now, he could graduate into becoming a full Emissary, for your pack. He is diligent, protective, powerful-"
"Vindictive, clever, influential, highly respected in the community and, dare I say, gorgeous."
Talia raised her eyebrows at Peter's interruption. Stiles just looked more amused by it.
"Told you I'd see you later," Stiles tilted his head. "Not the setting you expected, mh?"
"Well, I had hoped I'd see you in my bed, but…" Peter trailed off, looking the boy up and down with interest. "An Emissary in training, mh? I'd love to hear more."
Stiles hopped off Talia's desk and approached Peter, holding his hand out. When Peter shook it, Stiles pulled him closer and daringly rubbed his cheek against Peter's, scent-marking him in a near possessive way that had Peter's wolf purr in excitement. Daring and sure of himself.
Stiles' lips nearly brushed Peter's ear when he whispered. "Well, we could always talk more in your bed, if you'd like, Alpha Hale. But I'll leave you to your sister for now."
With that, the cheeky little thing just walked out of the room, leaving the Hale siblings alone. Peter stared after him with raw longing. That boy was perfection, like he had been crafted for Peter, specifically. And on top of all that, he was supposed to be a powerful magic user?
Peter hummed. "So he is the surprise you had for me? My own Emissary?"
Talia snorted and shook her head. "The main reason I thought Stiles would make a good Emissary for you is because he is as stubborn and vicious as you are. He wouldn't back down or cower before you, he'd hold his own and be able to actually advise you."
"You just make me want him more," Peter grinned at his sister. "You're not going to tell me that I shouldn't pursue your pick of Emissary for me, do you?"
Talia raised one unimpressed eyebrow. "We both know that mom was dad's Emissary before she became Alpha Mate. I'm not telling you not to pursue him, but I'm telling you to be careful. Because if you break his heart, you will… you will suffer."
Peter raised both eyebrows at his sister. "At the sheriff's hands?"
That got him a snort from Talia. "At Stiles' hands. I don't know how you know that he is vindictive, but you have no idea the lengths he goes to when it comes to avenging his own. Everyone in this town knows better than to cross him. Nobody needs to avenge him, he'll do that himself."
Peter's eyes flashed in delight. He loved a good challenge. And Stiles seemed worth it.
/Omake: One Year Later\
Peter and his betas had settled into Beacon Hills quite well and though occasionally edging on, Peter and Talia managed to share the territory without bigger trouble and they defended it together. Stiles had proven to be a perfect fit for the entire pack and beyond that, to be a very impressive magic user. The Mean Bean had become the place where everyone knew to find Peter's pack and Peter in particular, who loved his remote work because it meant he could sit in the coffee shop and watch his Emissary and mate be pretty and petty. He even got the occasional kiss, if he was lucky.
"Hey, babe," Stiles grinned and pecked his cheek. "I'll be home late. Greenberg gave dad bacon."
Peter shuddered at the dangerous glint in Stiles' eyes, nearly feeling bad for Greenberg (but then it was Greenberg and he had brought it upon himself). How much he loved his vindictive little mate. All their lives, Talia had always sucked at picking surprises for Peter, but this one? Was perfect.
~*~ The End ~*~