Find Your Freedom

He always looks like that when he loses.

“How’d you do that?” He asks, glancing up at Ennis. His brows are furrowed, he’s angry but not at Ennis; at himself. He hates knowing that he missed something, that he wasn’t diligent enough.

It’s a difficult expression to stomach when an eleven year old is wearing it.

A car door slams outside, too quietly for Stiles to hear but Ennis picks up on it easily. He smiles, saved from answering, and says instead, “pack up, kid, your dad’s here.”

Stiles’ frown deepens, confusion swirling in his eyes, but it clears up a moment later when the doorbell rings. He cocks his head to the side, suspicious.

“How do you always know?” He asks even as he begins to pack up the board.

Ennis grins and taps his nose. “Trade secret,” he says as he gets up to answer the door.

As soon as the door’s open, his mate’s scent wafts into the house, curling around Ennis like a much beloved blanket. It’s the sweetest torture, scenting his mate again, but Ennis can’t even allow himself a moment to enjoy it when he catches sight of John.

Standing on the threshold, John stands with his hands resting on his hips, his shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world rests there. The day’s trials are clearly visible through the haggard expression on his handsome face and the tense line of his mouth. Some days are better than others for John; today is one of the bad days.

Ennis’ wolf whines inside of him, aching to to pull his mate closer, to touch and soothe him until he no longer looks worn down. He ignores his instincts, almost used to the dissatisfaction by now.

“Long day?” He asks instead, hoping to keep his voice steady, casual.

John smiles tiredly. “You have no idea.”

Footsteps come from behind Ennis and he moves out of the way just in time for Stiles to fly past him, launching himself at his father.

“Dad!”

“Hey, kiddo.” John’s smile becomes a little less tired and a little more genuine as he looks down at his son. “Have a good day?”

“Ennis beat me at chess again,” Stiles says darkly. “I think he cheats.”

“Stiles.”

Ennis laughs. “It’s fine.” He tells John and then to Stiles, he adds, “I’ve just had more practice. Try again tomorrow?”

“You’re on.”

“Thanks,” John says, nodding at Ennis. “For everything.”

It’s the same goodbye every evening and just like all the times before, Ennis gives him the same answer.

“I’m glad to do it.” Ennis smiles and hopes it’s not as brittle as he feels. “See you tomorrow.”

Watching his mate walk away with Stiles - their son, his wolf says even if that’s not quite true - is always the worst part of the day. When they’re gone, everything stops. He’s left standing in the foyer of an empty house with only the fading scents of his loved ones to keep him company. It’ll be almost another full day before he can pick out Stiles’ heartbeat coming down the road after school, before he spends a precious few hours with his mate’s son until John comes to pick him up again. He lives for those few hours, lives for the moment when he can see John again.

Nothing about it is ideal but with a lifetime of bad deeds behind him, Ennis knows it’s his punishment; living with his mate just out of reach.

After all, not everyone gets their happy ending.