Sterek One-Shots

Single Dad Club

"Max, this decision isn't up to you, for the last time," Stiles said through his teeth, trying and failing to keep his calm. "If you don't march your butt into that room and put your socks and shoes on, I swear to God, we will have broccoli for dinner every night until you turn green from eating so much of it," he threatened, making Max's eyes go wide. Stiles crossed his arms, satisfied as his son ran into his room, terrified by the idea of endless broccoli.

"I just wanna stay home!" he cried from his room, over dramatically of course. Any normal six year old would do the same, but not every six year old had a single father who tried his best everyday not to strangle his son. He loved him more than anything in the world, but it was difficult not to get annoyed with someone who acted exactly him himself when he was younger. "Daddy, I'm sick!" he complained, still fake whining.

Stiles rolled his eyes as Max stomped into the living room wearing his shoes on the wrong feet. At this point, Stiles let it go. "If you're sick, then the nurse will send you home. Otherwise, you're going. Now get your butt outside before you miss the bus," Stiles answered without sympathy. Maybe he'd be a little nicer about it if they didn't have this same conversation three or four times a week.

"Fine," Max pouted, walking out the door with an angry huff. Stiles followed behind him, shaking his head at his son's poor attitude.

"I love you, Max," Stiles said as they walked towards the bus stop. "I want you to have a good day at school. No getting in trouble. I don't want another phone call about you acting out, okay? If you're having problems with anything, you've got to talk to me. I'm your dad. It's what I'm here for." He reached down to ruffle Max's hair and Max just sighed, leaning against his dad as they waited for the bus to arrive. When it finally did, Max hugged Stiles' side and whispered an "I love you, daddy," before running off to meet his friend Gracie on the bus. Stiles watched the bus pull away before walking back home.

Max wouldn't be home until around 3:30 and Stiles didn't have to work on Mondays, so he decided to treat himself to breakfast. The diner down the street from his house was owned by his best friend's family. The McCall Family Diner was the best around this part of town and Stiles got the family discount, so it was a win-win for him.

"Good morning, handsome!" Melissa greeted him as he walked inside and took a seat at the counter. "Coffee and some pancakes?" she asked, just to make sure.

"That'd be great. Thanks Mrs. McCall," Stiles answered with a small smile. She nodded and headed back into the kitchen to grab his food. He wondered if Scott was working, which he did sometimes when he wasn't at his actual job. Stiles was scrolling through his phone looking for Scott's name to text him when someone sat down next to him. This early in the morning, only parents who had to take their kids to school or people who worked were at this diner. "Good morning," Stiles greeted him, turning to face the man. He had to fight back the urge to let his jaw drop.

The man smiled, a beautiful sight, and then looked away, his face red. "Morning," he answered. "I've never eaten here, but I've had a rough morning, so I needed something. . . is it any good?" he wondered, opening up the menu.

Stiles grinned, leaning closer to help point out the best meals. "It's absolutely amazing," he promised. "The pancakes are my favorite. They're homemade, like everything else, but there's something about them that makes them. . ." he paused, meeting the man's eyes before continuing, "irresistible."