A/N: Okay, so I might have overestimated my writing capabilities and underestimated my addiction of Marvel Future Fight. I did not meet my timeline. I wasn't able to finish this story by the end of year 2017. Sorry about that.  I did not intend to write this chapter. Like non of this was planned but god, it just keeps popping in my head, like it fucking makes sense that it had to be written. Like I'm not writing the Story anymore, It's just unfolding right in front of me. As always, unbetad and all mistakes are mine. I appreciate every single correction. Hope you enjoy it.

It took a lot of effort. But it seemed the payoff was worthy. The sky was lit with red, blue and white twinkling orbs of light that resembled his shield. It was lazily rotating like a giant luminescent Ferris wheel. Unlike the other fireworks, it didn't fade the next second. Instead, it stayed illuminating the sky for several minutes. It would still be there until Stiles dismiss it or he runs out of magic. The look of surprise on Steve's face, the way his eyes sparkled with wonder, tracing the otherworldly spectacle. It pierced a warm satisfaction deep in Stiles' heart.

"I couldn't move the stars to draw your shield in the sky. They aren't mine to command. So I made my own. I hope you like it." Stiles said. Steve turned to face him, amazed at the spectacle he was witnessing.

"They're stars?" Steve asked, incredulously and he looked back at them. His eyes were glinting with startlight.

"Technically a magical glinting orb of light but yeah... stars." Stiles answered.

The spell was simple enough. But it wasn't made for a show or serve as party lights. It was intended to ward off evil, and burn them if they come close. It would purify the land of bad aura and spirits. People who were under its light were cleansed of evil thoughts and influences. It was a powerful purifying spell and it was quickly burning through Stiles' magic. Stiles didn't mind though. He had more than enough to make it through the night. The view it makes is spectacular and by the way Steve was watching it, it was more than worth it.

The light inside the room started to dim. Stiles saw Jackson, Clint, Bruce and Thor wheeling in his surprise. It took a more than a day to make. He even had to send a magical clone to school so he can have enough time to prepare. He wanted to make it by himself, all effort from him and no one else.

Stiles ceased the spell. The magical sight in the sky begun to fade. Still, Steve kept looking at it, savoring its last moments.

Stiles magically lit the candles on his surprise and right on cue, the singing started. Steve was startled out his reverie. He turned around and found a lot of people singing him a happy birthday. In the middle of it was a two feet wide cake that was molded to look like his shield, with some art materials made of pastry littered artistically around it.

Steve smiled widely, caught surprised. He thanked everyone before blowing the cake.

"Is this the reason why you were avoiding me the past few days?" Steve asked, knowingly. Stiles nodded almost shyly. "This is so much Stiles. I appreciate it but you didn't have to. You know I wouldn't might if you simply greet me."

Stiles rubbed the back of his head as looked up, smiling guilty at Steve. "I'm aware of that but I couldn't help it."

"Stiles like to make it big or go home. He even got Lydia a flat screen TV on his birthday." Jackson interjected.

"Lydia?" Steve asked.

"My ex-girlfriend who was his previous crush." Jackson said. "He likes to give all he got to people who are special to him."

Stiles froze in horror. WTF, Jackson!

Jackson also froze mid eating his sweets, realizing what he just said. A giant 'fuck I'm so sorry' was written all over the place. He slowly turned to Stiles in horror as well. The others, who were near them and heard the conversation, got silent as well as they waited in bathed breath for Steve's reaction.

Steve turned to Stiles, like he couldn't believe what he just heard. Stiles wanted to bolt out of chair and bury himself 6 feet under. He didn't know how he would take Steve's reaction. "I guess I'm lucky to have you as my friend."

Stiles nearly melted on his seat. He couldn't believe Steve wouldn't get that massive clue. Everyone else shook their head disappointingly. Stiles laughed weakly. Stiles couldn't decide if this was a torture or mercy. Damn it, this man is going to give me heart attack.

After sometime, everybody was dancing. And for some reason, Steve and Stiles were the only ones left sitting together. Stiles would love to dance with Steve. But he was a little hesitant especially with how the songs were somehow for couples and outright romantic. His hand couldn't stay still as he gathered his courage to ask Steve for a dance.

But before he could muster half the courage to ask Steve, Steve spoke. "I've never danced with someone before. I don't even know how to." He said, a drink in his hand. Stiles turned his full attention on Steve. They were sitting close on the couch and despite the loud music he could hear the sad tone on Steve's voice. "I promised a girl that I'd take her to the dance but I wasn't able to." Steve shook his head, a sad smile marring his good disposition. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that."

Stiles took a deep breath then he stood up and offered his hand. Steve looked at him in surprise. "May I?" Stiles asked.

"Stiles. I- I wasn't trying to make you dance with me." Steve said.

"I'm aware of that. But I wanted to. I know I'm not someone especial. But if you wanted to, let's make memories together." Stiles offered with an encouraging smile on his lips.

Steve looked from his face down to his hand. Something crossed his eyes, something determined and something a little hopeful. And when he looked back up at Stiles, his eyes were shining brighter than they did before. Steve took his hand and Stiles helped the man to stand up and pulled him excitedly to the dance floor.

Stile directed Steve on where to put his hands and Steve did as he was told. And when Stiles pulled them closer together, it almost took his breath away. The gentle pressure on his hips, the strong board shoulder on his hands. He could feel Steve's warmth. It was almost too much. And when Steve looked at him with his clear azure eyes, he knew he was a goner. He never knew that it was possible to be pulled in this sort of gravity. It was like the very stars themselves were pulling at him and he fell effortlessly.

"Now, what?" Steve asked, almost with a strangled breathy whisper.

Stiles breathes deeply and said breathlessly, "We sway."

Stiles tried to lead both of them as best as he could but despite his best efforts, they stumbled and stepped on each other. It even made Steve cuss which was the first time Stiles ever heard him. And through it all, they laughed at each other's mistake.

It took a few minutes before Steve could master the simple waltz steps which was amazing. Stiles was pretty impressed.

"I still haven't giving you my present." Stiles said.

Steve's brow furrowed, "I thought it was the fireworks."

"Well I've got another." Stiles pulled Steve away from the dance floor. Stiles pointed on a spot the suddenly a meter tall and wide gift box appeared. "Go on. Open it."

Steve politely unwrapped the box. Inside it were art materials, as many as it was varied. Everything that an artist could ever want and imagine and some more. Steve took a pencil. It was one of the highest quality. He might have spent all the money his Uncle gave for that one mission with the Demon infection incident.

"It's also enchanted to never fade or so long as the magic last. It should also be fire proof and water proof." Stiles said.

"Thank you." Steve said with a grateful smile. Stiles couldn't help but grin in satisfaction.

***

Few hours later when they were headed back to their room, Jackson elbowed Stiles. "So you and Steve are finally moving.

"What?" Stiles asked.

"You two were dancing. Together."

"Of course we were dancing. Everyone was all partner up. I got no choice...." Jackson raised a perfectly curved eye brow at Stiles. And Stiles finally got it. "Oh. That was intentional."

"So... what's the status?" Jackson said.

"The same? I mean it was just a friendly dance? Nothing romantic ever happened. Well except it was his first dance?" Stiles admitted honestly because that was what really happened. "By the way, who's idea was it?"

"Clint's." Jackson said. He was slight flushed when he said the name.

Stiles huffed in surprised. Something was in deed developing between the two. And if he recalled it right, Clint had asked Jackson to dance and werewolf grumbled something about castrating the archer if he so much as step on his toes but he accepted willingly. "Killing two birds with the same stone."

"What did you say?" Jackson asked grumpily.

"Nothing." Stiles said. He was not ready to confront this situation. He suffered months with Scott's lovesick obsession with Allison. He wanted to enjoy this downtime from the love department as long as possible and if those two were playing mutual deniability, the Stiles was more than happy to play along.

When Stiles was ready for bed he started a Skype session with his dad. He'd been postponing this session for weeks and now was the perfect time to finally start one.

"Hey kiddo. Is there a problem?"

Stiles shook his head. "Everything's good dad. I just wanted to great you a "Happy Independence Day."

His dad smiled and greeted him back. "Your hair's longer now."

long, Stiles only realized he hadn't been buzzing it, having forgotten his electric razor at home the first week and then he had been very busy with school and training. He hardly had time to explore New York or have fun at all.

Stiles felt guilty that he had completely forgotten it. He'd started shaving his hair ever since that day when her mother's hair had begun to fall, a side effect from her cancer therapy.

"Your mom would love to ruffle it." The Sheriff said. Stiles reached for his hair and lightly brush it back feeling the short nut soft strands of hair. His mom always did love to ruffle it wildly instead of combing it back to perfection like other mothers.

"She did, didn't she?" Stiles said, nostalgia heavy on his voice.

His dad said something about after office celebration with the other officers. Stiles roasted his ass on how much bad food he had been eating. Stiles limited him to a serving of bad cholesterol and a can of beer but nothing else. His dad looked pissed.

"How did you even know? It's Tara, isn't it?" His dad asked exasperatedly.

"I'm not revealing my sources dad." Stiles said.

"Like how there's always vegetables on the table?" His dad said. Stiles had asked Erica and Boyd to help watch over his dad's diet. He just didn't expect Erica to be anal on it. Nor just how much Boyd could care for someone. It was surprising that they volunteer to make healthy food for his dad but nonetheless it was a welcome surprise.

"May be there are healthcare fairies that deliver healthy foods to those that need them?" Stiles said, shrugging nonchalantly.

His dad looked at him unimpressed. "My break is over kiddo. I gotta go. I love you. Keep behaving. Phil keeps me updated every week."

Stiles laughed nervously. His uncle had been omitting a lot of facts from his dad. And he bet it would bite his ass hard in the future. "Oh you know me pop, like an angel." His dad snorted. "I love you too. Make healthy diet choices or I'll sic my health care fairies on you."

His dad gave him a deadpan look before he ended the chat. Just he wait until Erica made her rounds, he'll be in for a treat. That girl had blackmail pretty much most of the diner in town last week. He'll be having the lowest blow that Stiles couldn't even deal on him if he so much as touched the food he is not supposed to eat.