Minho still isn’t looking at him as he says, “It was my fault, so stop beating yourself up over it.”
[ Read it on AO3! ]
✎ wow it's been a hot sec since the last time i posted smth, but here's a short, kinda angsty tmr one-shot! hurt/comfort, bc you know me, featuring platonic thominho and implied newtmas. takes place after the death cure. hope you enjoy!
Just for once I’d like to tell the gate agents and flight attendants that my folding wheelchair is going into the onboard closet and not have them tell me there’s “no room”. Bitch that’s a wheelchair closet, not a “your bags” closet. Move your damn bags where they belong.
Ok, so according to my friendly aviation expert, this is a Big Fucking Deal. In fact, if an airline argues with you about putting your wheelchair in the wheelchair closet or even suggests there may not be room, unless there is already another passenger’s wheelchair in that closet, they have violated federal law.
CFR Title 14, Chapter II, Subchapter D, Part 382, Subpart E, Section 382.67, Subsection (e)
“As a carrier, you must never request or suggest that a passenger not stow his or her wheelchair in the cabin to accommodate other passengers (e.g., informing a passenger that stowing his or her wheelchair in the cabin will require other passengers to be removed from the flight), or for any other non-safety related reason (e.g., that it is easier for the carrier if the wheelchair is stowed in the cargo compartment).”
Source
This is hugely important because it means that if this happens to you, you should report their asses to the DOT. Why? Because these statistics are published every year for every airline, and the airline gets a huge ass fine for every violation. If we want to see change, we need to make airlines literally pay every time they treat us this way.
Thanks a lot for posting this, bro! Flying while crippled is already difficult enough without people pulling this kind of shit. Also, make sure that if there is a piece of your wheelchair or something important missing off of it, that you make a big fucking deal out of it! I’ve had pieces fall off of my wheelchair and nearly lost a decoration I had on it that meant a lot to me because people were careless with my chair. Don’t let them mistreat your wheelchair.
“Because you really, really like me. And my company. And my opinions. And–”
“Okay, okay, you’ve made your point!” You laughed a little in spite of yourself. How he was able to calm you down in seconds was still a wonder. “Okay. I won’t murder him.”
[ Also on AO3! ]
“You can’t just murder him, Y/N.”
“You think I can’t?”
“No, I definitely think you can, and that is exactly why I’m telling you this.”
“Remind me why we’re friends again?”
“Because you really, really like me. And my company. And my opinions. And–”
“Okay, okay, you’ve made your point!” You laughed a little in spite of yourself. How he was able to calm you down in seconds was still a wonder. “Okay. I won’t murder him.”
“That’s my girl.” He winked and you rolled your eyes, ignoring the little flutter your heart made. “He’s an idiot; not even worth your time.”
“Right…” You picked up your pen and started spinning it with your fingers. “So you really think he’s doing all of this because he likes me?”
“Well, that, or he’s just another moron who needs attention 24/7. Actually, he’s such an incompetent mess, I wouldn’t put it past him. But I mean, come on, Y/N.” Stiles rolled his eyes and closed his textbook. “Bothering you in class? Always asking stupid questions? No, wait, asking you for freaking directions inside the school? The building isn’t even that big, God, and oh, let’s not forget, exactly how many times did you say he’s asked if you’re single? Hell, I bet he’s going to ask you out by the end of this week, just watch.”
You shook your head and turned away from him to hide the smile that had touched your lips. “Stop it.”
“I’m just saying, he seems very interested in your love life for someone who claims, and I quote, to ‘hate your guts’, don’t you think?” Stiles dramatically fell backward on the bed and propped his head under his hands. “You’re smiling.”
“I’m not.”
“Ah, yes, you are.”
“It’s because you’re being ridiculous.”
“Or maybe I’m just right.”
“What difference does it make, when it’s you?” Shock morphed on his face at your words and you couldn’t help but laugh. “Relax. I’m joking.”
“That’s it; I can’t deal with this anymore.” Stiles sniffed and wiped an invisible tear from his cheek. He shook his head. “I know when I’m not appreciated, Y/N. That’s it; a guy can only take so much. I want a divorce.”
“We’re not married, Stiles.”
He paused his ‘crying’ and looked at you. “We’re not?”
“If we were, would you be taking it this lightly if a guy was hitting on me?”
“Who said I’m taking it lightly?”
The smile slipped off your face as the words began sinking in. Your mouth opened, but no words came out. Stiles’ expression was closed off, serious, but his right hand was clenched tightly against the book in his hands. Had he meant to say that? Was he still joking?
“What?”
“You heard me. You didn’t seem all that upset actually, when I said he likes you.”
“Well, I wasn’t happy about it either.” You didn’t know where this was going and you weren’t sure you wanted to find out. “You know I already like someone else.”
“Right. Okay. Well, if you want to be with him, it’s fine. I mean, he’s… good-looking, I guess. And he’s very good at lacrosse so that’s a plus too, but he’s not… I mean, come on, Y/N, he doesn’t know you. He hasn’t even tried to get to know you at all. All he probably cares about is--”
You cut him off, saying, “I know, Stiles. I never said I liked him back, or that I wanted to do anything like that with him.”
“Okay. Good. I mean, you know, because you already like someone and it’s… yeah, exactly.”
You smiled and shook your head, turning back to your notebook.
“We should probably get back to this,” you said, gesturing to your homework. “Or we’ll never get it done.”
“Right.”
Silence fell upon you two for a little while, but you pushed away the pounding of your heart and the sweat that had started to form on your hands and broke it.
“At least now you know how I feel when Malia gets all… intimate with you.”
“What?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“She doesn’t get intimate, Y/N--”
“Really? So she’s constantly touching you because she just feels like it, then?”
“She doesn’t like me, Malia is just--”
“Just a friend. I know. You’ve told me.”
“Because that’s what she is.”
“Is she really?”
You two looked at each other for a moment, before he shook his head and said, “You know, Y/N, you’re not the only one who likes someone. So even if Malia does like me, it doesn’t matter. She’s just a friend.”
That was the first time Stiles had explicitly admitted he had a crush on someone, and even without you knowing who that person was, this confirmation was enough to make your heart sink.
“Are you sure you won’t just end up giving up on this person?” You didn't remember exactly when it was that he first mentioned this crush of his, but it must've been at least over half a year ago.
“I used to like Lydia, Y/N. For years,” he said. “I don’t mind waiting.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have to.”
He moved a little closer to you on the bed, pushing away the papers and pens that were lying between the two of you. “And why’s that?”
Suddenly self-conscious and with your cheeks warm, you shrugged your shoulders and looked away from him. He was right next to you now, sitting cross-legged just like you. “I just don’t think this person is worth it if they can’t see how… cool you are.”
“Y/N, I am literally the definition of uncool.”
“You know what I mean! If she can’t see how amazing you are, then she isn’t worth it.”
“You’re quick to assume she doesn’t feel the same. I haven’t even told her I like her yet.” His voice was closer than you had expected, but you still refused to look at him. You kept your eyes glued on the textbook in your hands.
“Well, why haven’t you told her yet?”
“Oh, you know, I’m just being a coward and waiting for her to figure it out herself.”
You forced your voice to remain steady as you asked, “And how’s that going?”
“It’s not so bad actually. Fun, torturous; it all depends on the way you look at it, of course. But this approach, you know, it's just…” He pushed your hair away from your face. “Not quick enough.”
You leaned back and met his lips halfway.
The kiss was brief and simple, but when it ended, Stiles gave you one of his biggest smiles. “Well, won't you look at that! Scott thought it'd take at least another month. He owes me, like, ten dollars.”
“Stiles!” You laughed and pushed him away, but he came closer again. He gave you another kiss.
“Won't this bother this very special person who's stolen your heart?” Stiles asked.
Raising your eyebrows, you leaned in and kissed him; this time it was longer, with your hands on his cheeks. “I don't know. Why don't you ask him?”