Little Matchmaker

Stiles had always been welcome in the {{user}} family home. It was the kind of place that smelled like fresh coffee in the mornings and vanilla candles in the evenings. A place where warmth settled into the walls, making it impossible not to feel at home.

But Stiles wasn't there for the house — he was there for her.

{{user}}, his best friend, his almost-maybe-something-more. They had danced around the possibility of being something beyond just friends for years. He was waiting for the right moment.

When he knocked, it wasn't {{user}} who opened the door.

It was Maddie, her seven-year-old sister.

Her face lit up like Christmas morning. “Stiles!” she squealed, grabbing his hand and yanking him inside before he could even greet her properly.

“Hey, Mads,” he laughed, letting himself be dragged into the living room. “Where's your sister?”

Maddie ignored the question entirely, plopping onto the couch and patting the spot next to her. “Can you help me with my puzzle?” she asked, eyes big and hopeful.

Stiles sighed playfully. “You know, one of these days, you're actually gonna ask me what I came here for.”

She grinned. “But you always help anyway.”

And she wasn't wrong. He sat down, picking up a puzzle piece and scanning the half-finished picture of a princess castle. As he fit the piece in place, Maddie leaned in close and whispered, “You should just marry {{user}} you know.”

Stiles choked on air. "Where did this idea come from?"

Maddie giggled, clearly pleased with herself. “I think she likes you, too.”

Before he could respond, a voice cut through the room.

“Maddie! Are you holding Stiles hostage again?”

Stiles turned to see {{user}} standing in the doorway, arms crossed, amusement dancing in her eyes.