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Chapter Text

Stiles knew of the gift that ran through his mother’s family. He just wasn't prepared to inherit it. The gift had skipped her father so he had prepared himself to be skipped as well and for it to be passed on to one of his cousins. 

The gift of a shapeshifter was not something he was a stranger to, nor some of those in Beacon Hills. However, what many in this town would be a stranger to was the fact that instead of his gift providing him with extra hair, and fur...the gift he had inherited allowed him to take the shape of a beast, turning his skin to stone and granting him wings, a tail, and even horns. The gift didn't turn him into a werewolf or even a were coyote...the gift turned him into a gargoyle.

---

Stiles ducked as the witch’s fireball soared over his head. Letting out a growl he did his best to confine his true nature as he ran forward and swung at her with his bat. 

She merely chuckled as he flicked her wrist and sent his only weapon flying from his hands. 

Out of the corner of his eyes, Stiles notices Derek charging her from behind. 

With a snap of her fingers, the witch smiles as vines and roots sprout from the ground and tangle around the pack, preventing from them moving. As everyone struggles Stiles keeps his eyes on her as she approaches him. 

“Your kind were thought to be extinct...killed off by hunters,” she says as she begins circling his bound form. 

The pack turn to him, each with confusion written on their faces. All except Peter narrows his eyes in curiosity. 

“But alas yet one stands before me,” the witch continues. “Hiding yourself...your true self behind this mask and costume of flesh.” she sighs. 

“I don't know what you are talking about,” Stiles growls. 

“Oh…” the witch says as she glances between him and the pack. She finally turns to Derek. “You mean...he hasn’t told you?” she gasps.

“Told me what?” Derek grunts. 

The witch smiles before jerking her chin in Stiles’ direction. “Your precious human ...isn’t a human.”

“What is she talking about Stiles?” Scott asks. 

“He's one of the old kind,” the witch answers as she once again approaches Stiles and reaches out with her finger. “A true beast,” she says as she presses the pad of her index finger to his forehead. 

Stiles can feel the shift tear through him, his skin hardening until all that is left is stone. His wings tear through his shirt and expand to their full length, horns lengthen from atop his head. A monstrous crown pointing out of his hair, the only human thing that remains of his transformations. His tail shoots out and curls around his left leg. Once the transformation is complete, he stares back at the smiling witch, doing his best to ignore the looks of shock from the others in the pack. 

“Amazing,” the witch says. 

“So,” Stiles grunts. “You were right...proud of yourself?” 

“Oh, dear...of course, I'm not happy...you and your pack have been a thorn in my side ever since I came into this territory.”

“Then perhaps you shouldn't have killed those innocent people!” Stiles growls as he pushes forward. The roots around his ankles snap from the sheer power of his shifted body. The ones around his wrists break in the same manner as he pulls with his arms. 

The witch stares at him in shock.

“You have shed innocent blood...you have taken the lives of humans and you have trespassed into an alpha’s territory without alerting them of your presence.”

“Please,” the witch begs. “Have mercy,”

“There is no mercy for the wicked,” Stiles growls as his hand shoots out to bury his claws into her stomach. 

The witch’s eyes widen in shock and pain, her mouth frozen in a silent scream as she stares at him before falling to the ground. As her body hits the forest floor. The roots and vines binding the pack crack and crumble until everyone is released.

“You killed her,” Scott says in surprise.

“She killed innocent humans...at least I made her death quick, unlike theirs.”

“What are you?” Derek questions. 

Stiles lets out a sigh and shakes his head. “My Dad would be the best to talk to about this...he understands it more than I do,”

---

“So he's a gargoyle?” Lydia asks Noah who sits on the couch of the Stilinski residence. 

“I thought gargoyles were extinct,” Derek says.

“They were thought to be,” Noah corrects the alpha. “You see gargoyles used to be the supernatural world’s police force...the would administer punishment to any who had broken the sacred laws of your world.”

“So what happened to them?” Isaac questions. 

“Well...when humans started becoming hunters, they believed that there was only room enough for one police force and it wasn't going to be a supernatural race. So they started hunting the gargoyles to near extinction. Those that survived went into hiding and have been ever since.”

For a moment Derek says nothing, he sits there and contemplates the information that Noah has revealed to them. After a few moments, he arches a brow. “So how did you become a gargoyle?” he asks Stiles.

“I was born one,” Stiles says. 

“Gargoyles...aren’t made...at least not anymore,” Noah says. “It's a gift that runs in the family, Stiles’ mother’s side to be exact...it's skipped both Claudia and her father but Stiles inherited it  when he was born.”

Derek looks to Stiles and frowns for a moment before standing to his feet and walking toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Stiles asks, his voice carrying a tone of hurt.

“I need to process this,” Derek says before leaving.

The pack turns to face Stiles who curls in on himself.

“When were you going to tell us?” Lydia asks. “ If you were going to tell us,” she adds.

“I didn't really really plan on it...my kind is secretive for a reason, that being because we have been burned by so many...I trust you guys I do...I just…”

“You were afraid,” Boyd finishes for him. At Stiles nods the pack grows even somber. 

“I'm still confused about something,” Peter says from his place in the corner. “Gargoyles don't hold a hierarchy...meaning they don't have alphas like werewolves do...so says you have an entire house full of gargoyles...who would be the one in charge?”

Noah leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

“Normally it is the eldest of the house who is in charge.”

“So where is Claudia’s family?” Peter continues.

“In Poland, they weren’t too keen on her moving here to America to be with some human that she had met while she was on vacation but they came to respect me due to my time in the army. They saw it as protectors..like what they had done so they didn't give her too much grief...and when we told them that Stiles had inherited the gift...they were even happier.”

Peter nods and lingers for a moment before leaving.

Soon the rest of the betas leave until all that is left is Lydia and Scott. 

“So when I was bitten?”

“I knew what you were,” Stiles nods. “And it's why I wanted to find Peter...him going rogue on you like that and biting you without your consent is against our laws...that and killing numerous humans despite their involvement with the Hale fire.”

Scott nods before taking his leave.

“What are you going to do about Derek?” Lydia questions.

“I'm not entirely sure he wants to talk to me right now,” Stiles sighs. 

The redhead stares at him as if he had grown a second head.

“Stiles you need to go to him and explain this to him...I mean none of us knew and now you and your dad dump this all on us in one night...you need to sit him down and help him understand.”

Stiles looks to his father who sighs and nods. 

“Fine,”

“I'll drive you,” she says. 

At this Stiles smiles and shakes his head. “I'm faster,” 

Lydia follows him to the backyard of the house where he allows the shift to take hold. His skin once again taking on its onyx coloration. Leaping into the air, his wings beat heavily, carrying him higher into the midnight sky 

---

Derek stands on the balcony of the loft going over all that he has been told when he sees it. A small shadow moving across the sky. Narrowing his eyes he tries to make out what it is but unfortunately, it is too far for him to clarify. Though it does appear to be moving fast.

Moments later he recognizes it and sighs. Taking a step back, he watches as Stiles lands in front of him. His wings fold in as his body changes back to its human appearance. “We need to talk,” he says.

Stiles holds his gaze for a moment before letting out a sigh and nodding.

He leads the gargoyle inside and together they sit across from each other in the middle of the loft. 

“You no doubt have questions for me.”

“Why didn't you just tell me? I'm your alpha...and I thought...I thought we were at least to a point where we could trust each other,” Derek says.

“I do trust you, Derek...I trust you with my life, I have almost the same amount of respect for you that I do my dad because you have been through so much but you keep fighting and don't let it drag you down.”

“Then why didn't you tell me!” the werewolf shouts.

“Because I was afraid Derek!” Stiles counters “I was afraid that it would get out and I'm not saying that you would tell someone, but one of the pack might let it slip..admittedly Scott, because he can't keep his mouth shut to save his life.”

Derek sits back in his seat and rakes a hand over his face.

Neither of them speak for a moment before Stiles sighs and looks down at his hands.

“Are you going to kick me out of the pack?”

Derek says nothing for a moment before shaking his head. “No.” he finally says a few seconds later. “But no more secrets ok?”

Stiles nods. “Thank you,” he says. 

He stands to his feet and moves back to the balcony. “I'll see you at the next pack meeting?”

Derek nods before smirking. “You can start training with us now,”

Stiles nods with a smile as his skin turns back to stone. “Be ready for a good fight,” he says before taking off back into the night sky.

Chapter Text

Derek looked at the gathered betas of the pack. They were currently in the middle of the preserve, each wolf either seated on a fallen log or leaning against a tree. 

Derek grit his teeth as he looked to the sky. They were currently waiting for Stiles who had yet to show up. 

Pulling out his phone, he checks to see if he has any messages from the younger male, when he finds none in his inbox he grunts. 

Opening his mouth, he prepares to begin the meeting without him when suddenly the sound of wings flapping fills his ears. 

He looks up and watches as Stiles touches down before folding his wings in. 

“I'm sorry for being late,” he says. “Dad was wanting to talk with me,”

Derek studies him for a moment before nodding. “Alright then,” he says before turning to the beta wolves. 

“Today we’re fighting while running, hunters love breaking off into small groups and corral you...you have to be ready to adapt and fight while moving.’

The group nods and wait for their alpha to select the groups. 

“Boyd, Erica, Isaac, you are with me,” he says. “Stiles, Jackson, and Scott you are running,” 

The beta’s nod and break off into their respective groups. 

Stiles watches as Derek and his group disappear into the forest. A few moments later he hears Derek shout. “Begin.” 

Breaking off into a run, the three of them begin running. As they run, Stiles trains his senses on the environment around him. It is because of this that he is able to flip over Isaac’s claws before lashing out with his tail to trip the beta wolf. Isaac rolls back and aims a kick to his chest which he catches easily. Grounding himself, he turns and tosses Isaac into a tree before he takes off again. 

To his left, he hears Boyd locked in combat with Jackson. He keeps running however and manages to catch up with Scott who is tackled by Erica a few moments later. 

Stopping he turns to help. However before he can, Derek appears in front of him. “To get to him, you have to get through me,” Derek smirks.

Stiles grins back and squares up the alpha. 

Lunging forward he spreads his wings, catching Stiles by surprise, grabbing the older man by the forearm he spins and slams him into a tree. 

Sensing Erica behind him, he ducks her punch and kicks out, catching her in the stomach. Once again spinning, he lifts the alpha werewolf off the ground and brings him down onto Erica’s back. Both alpha and beta fall to the ground in a heap. 

Derek jumps to his feet. He takes a moment to compose himself before lunging at him. Stiles grunts as the wolf’s claws dig into his hardened flesh. Before he can retaliate. Derek grabs his wrist and brings it up before slamming it down onto his knee. The sound of bones snapping fills the air along with Stiles’ cry of pain. 

As Derek rears back his arm, Stiles lashes out with his tail and wraps it around Derek’s throat. He tosses the wolf away from him as his arm begins healing. 

Cocooning himself in his wings, he shields himself from Isaac’s flurry of slashes, the claws raking down his wings not leaving any extreme damage. As the bone in his arm finally resets itself, he expands his wings and jumps at Boyd to his left, grabbing the beta’s throat he slams him into the ground before spinning and catching Isaacs foot, he kicks out the young beta’s other leg and brings his fist down onto the younger man’s chest. Flapping his wings, he hops backward to avoid Erica as she slashes at him with fury. Ducking to his left, he drives his elbow into her lower rib before pushing her forward causing her to fall flat on her face into the hardened dirt. He grunts however when Derek drives his claws into his back and flings him backward crashing into a tree that splinters like a toothpick. 

He watches as Derek jumps into the air, ready to bring down his claws. He takes his chance and flaps his wings with the limited room that he has sending upward, catching the alpha by the waist. He suplexes the wolf hard into the ground before stepping back panting.

Derek rolls onto his back with a grunt of pain.

Reaching out, Stiles offers his hand to Derek who accepts it after a second of him getting his bearings. 

“Where did you learn to fight like that?”

“Gargoyles are natural protectors and warriors...it's in our nature to fight...plus I studied your fighting habits,” he admits.

Derek nods with an impressed smile before rounding up the wolves and leading them back to where and Allison await.

“So how did it go?” the huntress asks. 

“Stiles kicked our asses,” Isaac says as he rotates his shoulder with a wince.

“I've been a gargoyle longer than you and the other betas have been werewolves..I've had more practice fighting.” 

“You kicked Derek’s ass,” Erica counters. 

“Nah Nah,” Stiles shakes his head. “Derek can fight just as good as me,” he says without looking at the alpha. 

Derek says nothing however, instead he does all he can to keep his gaze away from Stiles. 

---

Derek steps out of the shower and quickly dresses before heading back down to the main space in the loft where everyone waits. The blu-ray menu plays on the television. He groans when he finds the beta’s arguing over who gets to pick the movie. 

“You picked last week!” Isaac shouts at Erica who rolls her eyes. 

“Because I had just gotten over my period and Derek rather deal with a happy post menstrual Erica than an angry one,” 

Derek could only nod in agreement.

“Well I am not watching any movies based on Nicholas Sparks,” Jackson growls. 

“Boyd, back me up here...your the second, growl at them,” Erica says.

“Boyd isn’t my second,” Derek says as he decides to put a stop to the argument.

Everyone looks at him in shock.

“Then who is?” Jackson asks.

“Stiles is my second,”

The others look to the gargoyle who stares wide-eyed at the alpha wolf.

“Is it because he is a gargoyle?” Isaac questions.

“No,” Derek says evenly. “It's because he has helped me ever since I met him and Scott in the woods. He is a good advisor and I know I can trust him when it comes down to the wire. Him being a gargoyle is only an added bonus.” he says before moving to sit next to Stiles.

Everyone remains silent for a moment before Derek growls. Immediately they go back to trying to figure out what movie they are going to watch. Stiles, however, keeps his gaze on Derek, though he doesn’t say anything,

---

Derek watches as the pack rise to their feet after the movie ends. They clean up the mess made from their snacks. Derek soon stands up as well and folds the blankets before carrying them back to the trunk where Erica had insisted on keeping them along with pillows for pack nights such as this one. 

Once he closes the lid of the trunk he turns to find Stiles on the balcony with Scott. Despite his wanting to, he refrains from extending his senses to eavesdrop on their conversation. A decision that he regrets when Stiles glances towards him while Scott speaks and nods.

As Scott walks away. Stiles extends his wings and takes off into the night sky.

Derek grabs Scott’s arm as the beta werewolf passes him. “Hey, what were you and Stiles talking about?” he asks. 

The younger man holds his gaze for a moment before shaking his head. “Personal stuff,” he says.

Derek listens for a lie but when he finds nothing he nods. Releasing his hold on Scott’s arm he watches as the beta leaves with the others. Letting out a sigh he makes his way to his bed, stripping off his shirt and jeans, he lays down on the bed and closes his eyes. 

He thinks of the way Stiles had looked at him before he left...it was a look that Derek was still trying to decipher...but os fare was failing. 

He felt the shift take over until every inch of his human flesh had given way to fur. Curling in on himself he closed his eyes and fell asleep. 

Chapter Text

Derek sat in the loft, books, and tomes laid out in front of him, they contained tellings of gargoyle lore and their history. 

He knew that Noah had explained some things to the pack but he wanted to do his own research from his family’s bestiary and written experiences. 

As he flips through the books, he narrows his eyes when he finds that a lot of the tellings of his family matches with what Noah had told him. However, he does also find a story from his great-great-grandfather who had come across a small group of gargoyles where he was welcomed to stay with them once they realized that he was a werewolf. He stayed with them for a few months before moving on. Though they gave him a pendant to wear as a sign to any and all other gargoyles that might have survived the purge, that he could be trusted.

Closing the book, he sits back and thinks for a moment.

“Researching?” 

He looks up to find Peter standing before him with a smile. 

“I was looking to see if our family had any run-ins with gargoyles in the past,” he explains as he sits forward. 

“And?” Peter prompts him.

“Grandpa Adrian had met a group of them...from what he writes, he was befriended them and was accepted into their group,”

Peter nods. “That's good, so clearly, our family has a history with them.”

Derek nods. “The weird thing is that he says they gave him a pendant when he left them, something that would prove his worth of trust to any other survivors of the gargoyle purge,”

“If it was given to him by gargoyles, it might hold importance to their kind,”

Derek nods as he narrows his eyes. “But where would he put it?”

“Well...our family mainly kept things in our vault, but Grandpa Adrian had his own vault where he kept his more personal and private possessions,” Peter reveals. 

“Where is it,” Derek asks, a sense of urgency filling his chest as he thinks of having something important to Stiles, an item of his people that he could present to the gargoyle and perhaps gain even more favor with Noah. though deep down he knows that's not the only reason, deep down he knows he wants to be able to call Stiles his, and this might just be the ticket to doing so. 

“If my memory serves me correctly,” Peter says. “Grandpa Adrian kept it in the cemetery, he thought having it there would be a good hiding place.”

Derek nods and stands to his feet.

“You are going to give it to Stiles aren’t you?”

“It's a token of his people,” Derek says. “Something from his culture and species...he deserves to have it,”

“It was a gift given to your grandfather,” Peter says calmly.

“And I am going to gift it to Stiles.” Derek insists as he leaves the loft.

---

Coming to the cemetery, Derek steps out of his vehicle and enters through the gates. He meanders through the rows of gravestones and mausoleums before something catches his eye.

On one certain tomb, above the door is a triskele, carved into the marble of the wall.

Looking around, he relaxes slightly when he finds that no one is watching him, entering inside he looks around, he knows that the vaults were usually hidden well to keep humans and intruders from being able to enter, but it appears as if the tomb is empty. 

Approaching the far wall he stands over the stone coffin. Extending his arm, he feels around for any secret button or switch but frowns when he finds none. 

Pushing against the top of the coffin, he growls in frustration when it doesn’t move.

Ready to release his anger. He suddenly stops when he notices a small indent on the wall above the coffin. 

Leaning in to closer examine it he furrows his brows when he finds that it reminds him of a petri dish. He knows that normally hale vaults can only be opened by the claws of a Hale, though this one is different. 

Closing his eyes he rakes his mind for any idea of a solution.

After some time he grumbles and takes a chance. 

Extending a claw he pricks his finger and lets the blood drop onto the indention. 

Suddenly the sound of a heavy rock being moved against cement is heard. Looking down he watches as the marble coffin slides across the floor revealing a set of stairs. 

Taking a breath he descends and gapes at the sight before him. 

A large room, larger than that of the vault below the school lays before him. Along the walls are shelves of various different objects and jars. Tables sit in the center covered in books.

Letting out a whistle, he moves forward and starts searching through the shelves, every now and then pulling out the book from the loft to remind himself what the talisman of the gargoyles looks like. 

For hours he searches but finds nothing. Letting out a groan he sits at one of the tables and buries his face in his hands. 

As he sits there he suddenly feels a pulling sensation in his gut. Arching a brow in confusion he gasps when the feeling strengthens. Standing to his feet he follows the sensation and lets it guide him to a box that lay forgotten on the top of the farthest shelf. 

Picking it up he takes a breath and opens it. Inside he finds an obsidian stone, lifting it to the light he frowns when he finds that it is void of any etchings or carvings. Despite this, he knows he must take it to Stiles.

---

Knocking on the door to the Stilinksi household he is forced to wait a moment before the door opens revealing Stiles who arches a brow. 

“Did we have training and I didn't know?”

Derek shakes his head. “No, but there is something I have to tell you and give you,

Stiles holds his gaze for a moment before nodding and allowing him to step inside.

Entering the living room, Derek finds Noah sitting on the couch, the older man glancing at him in confusion while he hands the book of his grandfather’s to him.

“I was reading this and I found an insert from my great-great-grandfather who had found a group of gargoyles and befriended them. He tells of his time with them and how they came to trust him. In this time he was given a token of trust from them, a talisman of sorts. He hid it in his personal vault in the cemetery to keep it out of the wrong hands. Derek explains as he pulls out the pendant and holds it out to Stiles. “I went and I got it because I wanted you to have a token of your species and people.” 

The young gargoyle stares at him in shock before arching a brow. “What are these carvings on the side?”

“What carvings?” Derek says as he looks.

‘“It's a beacon,” 

Both Stiles and Derek turn to Noah who smiles.

“Gargoyles weren’t only good fighters, they were practiced in their own archaic magicks...a magic that died out when the purge happened,” Noah explains. “Your grandfather used to have one of these,” Noah tells his son. “And would use it for all those in the family to hear and feel, when he was calling a meeting.” 

“So it's like a pager?” Stiles asks.

“In a way, yeah,” Noah smiles. “Though you don't get a message, you just know where and when you have to go,”

Stiles nods as he continues to study the pendant.

“If your ancestor was given this, Derek,” the sheriff says. “Then he wasn't just trusted the clan of gargoyles...he was a member of it, and that is his token of proof.”

“So what are you saying?” Derek asks.

“I'm saying that because of your grandfather...your family and now your pack are to be trusted by any and all gargoyles that still remain. And that token is a gift that you should hold on to,” he says. 

Derek accepts the pendant from Stiles and stares at it for a moment before placing it into his pocket.

“So what?” he says. “Gargoyles just trust me?”

Noah gives a silent nod. 

“You should do more reading of course, but that is essentially it,”

Derek nods and walks to the door. 

“Thank you,” he says before leaving.

---

Noah stares down at the picture of Claudia and her family, to her left is her brother and to her right is her father. In the picture, they are all smiling as if there is nothing wrong with the world. It brings a fond grin to his own lips. 

He looks closer at the necklace around Claudia’s father’s neck and smiles. 

“Oh how fate loves to play its games,” he says before placing the picture back into the false drawer of his bedside table.  Right next to the necklace that shares similar carvings to the one that Derek had brought over that day.

Chapter Text

Two Weeks Later

Stiles moves to answer the door. As he opens it, his eyes widen when he finds Peter standing on the other side. The werewolf smiles at him and moves into the house without any invitation.

“I finally figured it out,” he says 

Stiles closes the door and pulls out his phone to send a text to Derek.

“Can you come get your weird uncle? He's at my house?”

He puts the phone back into his pocket and follows the werewolf into the living room.

“Care to share with the class what you figured out?”

“Why the fact that you being a gargoyle made sense to me, I just couldn't place it before.”

Stiles nods. “Me and Derek already figured it out, your guys’ ancestor knew my family and was given a token of their friendship and trust.”

Peter nods but waves his hand dismissively. “That's nice, but not what I'm talking about,” Peter says. “What I'm talking about is the fact that your mother knew my sister and was her advisor.”

Before Stiles can question it, Peter pulls a picture and hands it to Stiles. 

Looking down at the photo, Stiles stares in shock at the sight of his mother standing next to someone who is obviously a younger Peter but also a woman who looks so much like Derek.

“My pack has always been a part of Beacon Hills...and apparently, so has your gargoyle family.”

Stiles looks up at the wolf and frowns. “Why didn't you say anything,”

“I don't remember this picture ever being taken,” Peter says sadly. 

Stiles immediately knows where the wolf is going with this. “You think your sister took your memories.”

Peter nods with a sigh. “But when you told Derek what you were...it sounded so familiar to me about something...and so I went looking and digging for anything. I found this in my family’s vault in South America.”

Stiles hands the photo back to Peter who accepts it and puts it back in his pocket. 

“But why didn't my dad ever say anything?” Stiles blurts out. 

“Perhaps he didn't know,” Peter supplies. 

Stiles nods in semi understand because perhaps that is true but he does know that he will be asking his father later.

Suddenly the door opens and Derek enters. He turns to Peter and arches a brow. “What are you doing here?” 

The older wolf offers a grin to his nephew. “I was just showing Stiles a picture of me and your mother with his,” 

Derek feels his brows raise in shock. “My mother...knew.”

Peter nods. “Yes, she knew Stiles’ mother and I would guess that she knew what Claudia was as well. However, the problem is that I believe Talia took my memories because I don't recall ever meeting Stiles’ mom.” Peter says before explaining it all to Derek.

Once he is finished. Derek turns to Stiles. “We...our moms were friends...but I never...I don't remember seeing you over at my house,”

“Claudia never took him to your house,”

The three supernatural creatures turn to find Noah standing in the entryway to the living room. The human looks between them all and lets out a sigh. 

“You knew,” Stiles asks in shock. “You knew that mom and Talia were friends and you never said anything?”

“Yes, I knew,” Noah says as he moves to stand next to Stiles. “But Talia understood the risks of her knowing and she vowed that no one other than herself would know, the problem is that Peter found out. Your mother didn't seem to matter since Peter was the left hand of the pack, she knew he could be trusted, but when she caught wind of Kate Argent being in town, she took his memories to lessen the risk...she didn't know that Kate would be going after Derek.”

Everyone absorbs this information and Noah continues. “The reason you never stayed with Derek was that you started showing signs of your powers early on. You could manifest your wings when you were only five, which is unheard of for your kind. So I and your mother, and Talia decided that it would be best to keep you home until you could learn to control yourself and your shifting.”

Stiles looks down at his hands. For some reason, he finds the mere thought of having a chance at being friends with Derek, even before they formed the pack, taken away from him heartbreaking.

Taking a breath Stiles looks up at Derek who’s expression is blank.

“Derek,” he tries. 

“I should go,” the wolf says as he stands to his feet and leaves the room, the sound of the front door opening and closing breaks through their silence a moment later.

After a few moments, Peter stands to his feet and sighs. “I'm going to go check on him,” he says before, he too leaves.

Once the wolves are gone, Stiles turns to his father.

“Why was I kept from the Hales, they would understand me learning control more than anyone,”

“Talia and your mother were afraid that it would get out from one of the younger children.”

“Who grew up in a werewolf pack...they know how to keep a secret better than anyone,”

Noah opens his mouth to argue but closes his mouth because he knows that Stiles is right.

Silence passes between them before Stiles stands to his feet and leaves.

As the door closes, Noah looks at the picture of Claudia on a nearby bookshelf. 

“he has a point, Claudia,”  he tells the photo.

---

Stiles touches down a few feet from the ruins of Derek’s childhood home. He had caught the alpha’s scent as well as Peter’s while he had originally been flying towards the loft. 

Stepping inside the house he finds Derek and Peter sitting on the soot-covered steps of the grand staircase. The two wolves look up at him as he steps through the door. 

He pauses and sighs. 

“If I had known,” he begins.

“Stiles, it's not on you,” Peter begins.

“But if I had known, I could have…” Stiles begins.

“No, Stiles,” Derek cuts him off. “Even if you had known, you wouldn't have been able to do anything without giving away that you are a gargoyle.” 

Stiles lets out a sigh and looks down. 

A few moments later he feels a hand on his shoulder. “Stiles,” 

Looking up he finds Derek standing before him.

“I don't blame you at all...even if your kind is the sort of police force for the supernatural world...I wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger.”

Stiles opens his mouth to protest, however, he is silenced by a pointed look from Derek and gives in with a nod.

Peter narrows his eyes at the sight of the two. Taking a subtle breath of the air around him, he is pleasantly surprised by the scent of attraction between the two men. 

Clapping his hands together, Peter stands to his feet. 

“How about we all just go back to the loft and try to rebury the bad memories that have been dug up tonight, yeah?”

Derek and Stiles look at each other and nod. Together the three of them leave the burned building. Stiles spreads his wings as Derek and Peter gear up to run. 

“I'll get a movie picked out,” Stiles says as he takes off into the sky while the two wolves break off into sprints. 

From high above the moon shines down on her children.

Chapter Text

Derek froze mid-sprint. An unknown scent had caught him off guard during his patrol of the territory borders. 

Taking a moment to try and pinpoint its origin he narrows his eyes before pulling out his phone and sending a message to Stiles. 

> Need you in the preserve.

In only a matter of moments, Stiles responds. 

< On my way.

Storing his phone back in his pocket, Derek returns to investigate the scent.

A few moments later, there is the sound of wings as Stiles touches down, his onyx skin glistening in the sunlight that cuts through the roof of the trees. 

“What’s going on?” Stiles asks before it hits him.

Immediately his claws are visible and his eyes begin searching the underbrush.

“We have an intruder,” Derek says leads Stiles to where he first caught the scent.

Raising his nose to the air, Stiles focuses.

“It's putrid...almost like death,” the gargoyle says.

“What you thinking? Vampire? Ghoul? Wendigo?” Derek asks with a raised brow.

Stiles shakes his head. “Hate to say it but it's going to be difficult to tell until a body drops.”

Derek sighs as he nods, as much as he doesn’t want to admit it, Stiles is right.

“I'll keep an eye out and let my dad know,” Stiles says as he spreads his wings. 

Derek nods. “Also let Melissa know, just so she is prepared and can call us if anything comes up at the hospital,”

Stiles gives an affirmative hum before taking off into the sky.

Derek lets out a breath before turning back to finish his run, keeping his senses ready to detect any other scent. When he finds none, he makes his way back to the loft. 

Melissa and his father both agree to keep their eyes out for anything suspicious or that hints to the supernatural at their work and promise to call either him or Derek should they find something. 

Derek takes this news with a rare smile.

“So what do we do now?” Stiles asks

“We have no choice but to wait until it kills someone and then uses that to track them down,” Derek huffs. 

---

In the end, the creature kills four people before they are finally able to track it down. Stiles grits his teeth at this fact, but because the creature knows how to cover its tracks, it only made their jobs that much harder. 

The pack finally manages to hunt it down to an abandoned mine near the edge of their border with Saotomi’s pack. 

“Be careful,” Derek warns them, “spilling blood on Saotomi’s land even if we are hunting this thing because it killed innocents’ can look bad on us and cause a pack war.” 

He knows that Saotomi would understand their circumstance and not move against him, but he wants to teach his pack nonetheless.

“Split into groups of three,” he adds as they enter and come to a fork of tunnels. “Stiles, Peter, you are with me, we’ll continue forward, ” he says. “Boyd, take Erica, and Jackson, you cover the left, Allison, you, Scott, and Isaac go right,"

Everyone nods and splits into their groups. 

Stiles follows Derek and Peter through their tunnel, his skin blending in with the darkness of the mineshaft, essentially turning him into a moving shadow.

The three supernaturals keep their senses trained on their surroundings as they move, not letting anything get past them.

Eventually, they come to a large open space. The ground is littered with bones. 

“It hunted animals before humans,” Peter whispers as he points to a small skull.

“Couldn't get enough fill so it moved on to bigger kills.” Derek infers. 

“I tried,” 

The three turn to find a man standing in the opening from where they had just entered from. 

“For six hundred years I managed to stave off the want to human blood, hunted small animals. But the hunger...the need for blood became too much...animals weren’t cutting it anymore, I needed something more...filling,” 

Derek roars as he extends his claws and readies himself to fight, Peter does the same but doesn’t move from his place. Stiles, however, extends his wings in a show of anger and intimidation.

The vampire looks at him in shock.

“I thought your kind were all destroyed,” he exclaims. 

“The only thing that is going to be destroyed is you,” Derek growls as he lunges forward, 

Stiles watches on in shock as the vampire rolls his eyes as he sidesteps Derek’s attack and in a blur of movement moves behind Derek and tossing him into the far wall as if he weighed nothing. 

“I am filled on blood...it runs through my veins and gives me strength...you are no match for me,” he seethes. 

Peter snarls as he too charges forward only to wind up next to his nephew.

The vampire turns to face Stiles who sneers. “And then there was the gargoyle,”

“You killed innocent people...you trespassed into an alpha’s territory without making your presence known.”

“Spare me the lecture about what I've done wrong,” the vampire scoffs before darting forward.

Stiles smiles as he whips around and lashes out with his hand to grab the vampire by the throat. “And lastly...you hurt my alpha,” he says before slamming the vampire into the hard stone floor. 

However before he can deliver a second finishing blow, the vampire is gone, only to reappear with Derek in his arms, his fangs mere inches from the wolf’s throat. 

“Leave and I kill him quickly...or stay and watch as I drag his death on till he is begging for me to kill him. 

Stiles glances at Peter who looks between the vampire and Stiles. 

“Leave Stiles,” Derek says. “You don't need to see this,” 

“I'm not going anywhere you moron,” Stiles growls.

“Stiles…” the wolf mutters. “Please,”

A tear threatens to run down Stiles’s face, but he manages to push it back, not wanting to satisfy the vampire’s need for cruelty. 

Suddenly everyone is caught off guard by Peter lashing out with his hand and digging his claws into the vampire’s leg causing him to let go of Derek with a screech.

Taking this opportunity, Stiles lunges forward and spreads his wings to fly at the vampire, in this opening, he has just enough room to fully spread his wings, but even so, he can feel the tips of his appendages scrape against the stone walls. 

Tackling the vampire and slamming him against the wall, he loses himself in his fury as he begins digging his claws into the stomach of the vampire, ripping and tearing at the flesh with madness before moving onto the chest and neck. 

Derek and Peter watch as Stiles steps away from the vampire, its body nothing but a gory mess as Stiles pants for breath, coming down from his anger-induced frenzy.

He turns to face Derek, his eyes narrowed in anger. “Don't ever tell me to leave you behind,” he says before moving forward to help him and Peter up.

“I didn't want you to have to watch,” 

The sound of the slap rings out in the room.

Derek cups his cheek as he stares at Stiles in shock.

“We don't leave each other behind...I would have killed him either way...don't tell me to leave you,” he says before walking away, leaving Derek and Peter standing there in shock.

“I just didn't want the last thing for him to see of me to be my death,” Derek says.

“I know nephew,” Peter nods. “But he's right, we don't abandon pack...you should talk to him,” 

Derek nods. Exits the mineshaft. 

He finds Stiles at the entrance to the mine, but before he can say anything, Stiles spreads his wings and takes off into the sky, flying in the direction of the loft.

Sighing, Derek tells the others to go home and clean up before running off into the preserve.

---

Derek makes it back to the loft and slides the door open to find Stiles standing at the far wall of windows.

“I'm sorry,” Derek says. “I just didn't want you to see me die...for that to be the last thing you see of me,”

“And I understand that Derek!” Stiles shouts before taking a calming breath. “I do, I understand that feeling and what that's like...but when you are in that position, you don't get to play the martyr card and tell me to leave you to be killed,” 

“He said he would have done it quickly if you left,” Derek counters.

“And when did we start trusting the baddies for their word?” Stiles growls. 

Derek opens his mouth to argue but closes it because he knows that Stiles is right. 

“I'm sorry.” Derek sighs. 

He hears Stiles approach him.

“I know you are Derek, and I'm sorry for snapping at you and for losing control but...the sight of you in danger like that...he would have killed you Derek and I can't let that happen… you mean too much to me,” Stiles says. 

“I could say the same for you,” Derek whispers. 

Smiling, Stiles slowly raises his hand and wraps it around the back of Derek's neck just as slowly, pulls him forward till their lips meet. 

At first, Derek stills before his mind catches up with him and tells him to relax. Melting into Stiles’ grip he hums against Stiles’ mouth 

Before it can go any farther, Stiles pulls back and breathes rapidly against Derek’s lips. 

“Are you...I just…” he stammers.

“It's ok,” Derek assures him with a whisper.

“I trust you,” he says. Those words sounding strange on his tongue, but in his mind, he knows that when it comes to Stiles...there are very few he trusts just as strongly.

Stiles smiles before pulling him back into a kiss.

It doesn’t last however as the door to the loft slides open again.

“About damn time,” Peter exclaims before making his way to the kitchen and opening the cupboard, the alpha and gargoyle watch as the older man retrieves various snack foods and snacks. “Don't let me stop you, I'm just going to crash at my downtown apartment and let you two kiddos have your fun, there are condoms in the bathroom but we can't catch anything so don't feel like you have to use them,” he says before leaving. 

Stiles and Derek stare at the door for a moment before speaking.

“Did he just call us kiddos?” Stiles acts. 

“Did he just hint at us fucking?” Derek asks.

Stiles turns to the alpha. “I mean we could,” 

“No,” Derek says quickly. Stiles tries not to let it hurt.

“Wait!” Derek exclaims. “I didn't mean it...it's not that I don't...I just…” he stammers.

“It's ok Der,” Stiles says. “You don't have to...don't feel like we have to do anything...you don't even have to be with me,” he says sadly before moving away.

“No! Wait!” Derek whines as he reaches to grab Stiles’s wrist. “I want to be with you, I do ! He insists. “I just…I can't...I don't want…”

Taking pity on the alpha, and also seeing his obvious struggle, Stiles nods. “It's ok Der, take a moment to think and use your words,” 

Derek stares at him with admiration and before nodding and closing his eyes. 

After a moment he takes a breath.

“I want to be with you Stiles, I just want to do this right, I can’t...Kate got to me when I was fifteen, and I don't want to be like that, so…if we could wait till you turn eighteen.”

“That's only a few months away,” Stiles says. 

“I know...and I promise I will make everything up to you on that day, but until then...if we could just.” 

“Go slow?” Stiles finishes, earning a nod from Derek.

“Of course Der,” he says. “I don't want to make you uncomfortable either...we can go however slow you need to I promise,”

“You won’t...you won't get angry..and…”

He falters and looks down, however, Stiles gently lifts his chin with his finger. “What are you afraid of Derek?”

“I'm afraid that you will get tired of waiting...and leave,” Derek finally admits with a whimper.

Frowning, Stiles shakes his head. Leaning forward he captures Derek’s lips with his own. When they pull back to come up for air, he smiles. “Derek, I wouldn't do that to you. I want to be with you and I won't leave you...I promise,” 

Derek searches his eyes for a moment before settling and nodding.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

“It's nothing to thank me for,” Stiles says. “Now how about a good ol cuddle session?”

Derek smirks and nods, allowing the gargoyle to lead him to the couch where he lays down and wraps Stiles in his arms. 

Breathing in the scent of Stiles, Derek finally feels settled.

Chapter Text

Stiles sat in his biology class waiting for the bell to ring, calling the day of school to an end, next to him, Lydia was filing her nails paying just as much attention to the teacher as he was.

Finally, the bell sounded and everyone jumped to their feet, grabbing their bags, Stiles and Lydia walk out of the classroom and join up with the others. 

“So how was your time with Derek last night?” Erica smiles.

Arching a brow, Stiles gives her a questioning look. “How do you know about that?”

“Peter told everyone of course,” Lydia sighs. “He also told us that you saved Derek, killed the vampire, and then had a shouting match without wondrous alpha,” 

Shaking his head, Stiles sighs. “It wasn't a shouting match, I'm the only one who shouted, and it was only because he told me to leave him to die, and I just couldn't.” 

The betas nod in understanding. “It's ok Stiles,” Erica says as she moves to pull him into a hug. “Derek loves you, he would never let you go,” she tells him.

Stiles nods as they continue down the hallway till they walk out of the door leading to the parking lot, 

Stiles stops in his tracks when he finds Derek standing against the Camaro, a smile spread across his face as his eyes meet Stiles’

“Looks like Derek, is really trying to woo you,” Lydia says.

Stiles notices the way Derek’s eyes flicker to the redhead before his smile widens as his gaze returns to Stiles. Returning the smile, Stiles makes his way down the stairs of the school and moves to stand in front of the wolf. Smiling up at the other man, he ignores the odd stares from everyone around them as he reaches out to pull Derek in for a kiss. 

As they pull apart, Stiles feels Derek take a deep breath. 

“I take it that you are excited to see me?” Derek smirks.

“Ecstatic,” Stiles smiles before moving in to kiss Derek again. 

“Get a room,” they hear Erica call out to them as the betas climb into the back of the car. 

Chuckling, Stiles nods towards the vehicle. “I guess we should get to the loft huh?”

Derek nods. “I can drop you off at home if you want that is,” he adds. 

“That would be lovely, thanks,” Stiles says.

---

Entering his house, Stiles gives one final wave to Derek and the betas before closing the door. Turning around he freezes when he finds Chris standing in the kitchen.

“Mr. Argent,” Stiles says with a furrowed brow, “what are you doing here? My dad works until late tonight.”

Chris says nothing as he continues to stare at Stiles before quickly drawing his gun from its holster on his hip.

Before he can get a shot off, Stiles is flying forward and wrapping his hands around Chris’ wrist. The two fight for a moment before Stiles kicks out the hunter’s legs and tosses the gun across the room. 

The sound of metal against leather hits his ears, looking down he finds Argent branding a knife, swiping at his calves. 

Stepping back, Stiles raises his legs with each step. Before bringing his heel down on Chris’s wrist with a thunderous crack . 

Argent howls in pain and brings his hand to his chest. 

Stiles leans down to pick the older man up by his shirt and slams him into the wall, his form shifting to its stone exterior as he glares at the man. 

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Had to know for sure,” Chris grits out.

The answer dawns on Stiles just then and he releases Argent from his claws. His wings twitch in anger as he gapes at the man. 

“You knew?” 

“That you are a gargoyle?” Chris prompts. “Yes, I knew,” he says as he once again brings his wrist up to his chest.

Before Stiles can say anything more, the door bursts open revealing Derek standing there in all his alpha glory, his eyes glowing red as his gaze darts between Stiles and Chris. With a roar, he lunges for the hunter only to be caught by Stiles’ hand on his chest. 

“No Derek, I need to hear what he has to say first, then you can beat him to a pulp,”

Derek growls but sags in Stiles’ grip. His features shift back to human as he turns to face Stiles. “Are you ok?” he asks, his voice filled with concern, “your dad called me and told me that someone had reported gunshots at your horse, and asked I come out,”

“I'm fine,” Stiles says as he glances at Chris who cradles his wrist. “He was waiting for me when I came home, apparently he had an idea of what I was but wanted to be sure,”

Derek once again growls at the stoic hunter.

Sighing, Stiles moves towards Argent and takes his hand, “here, let me set that for you,” he says with venom in his voice. 

He takes Chris’ wrist and with a jerk, sets the bones back into place, earning a wince and soft cry from the hunter. 

As he steps back to stand next to Derek, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway comes from outside. A moment later, Noah is running into the house, stopping as he comes to find Derek and Stiles glaring at Chris.

“What are you doing here?” he growls at the hunter.

“He came to find out for sure whether or not I am what I am,” Stiles says.

Noah’s eyes widen at Stiles before rushing over, drawing his weapon and placing the barrel under Chris’s chin. 

“If a single word gets out about what he is...I swear to the good lord above...I will end you,” Noah growls.

“I won't tell anyone, I swear,” Chris says.

“He not lying Dad,” Stiles says. 

Noah holds Chris’ gaze for a moment before stepping away from him.

“I'm only going to say this once,” Noah tells him. “Get the hell out of my house,” 

Chris is silent as he nods before leaving the home.

Turning back to Derek and Stiles. Noah turns his attention to Derek. “You stay here, and make sure that Argent doesn’t come back,” Derek nods. 

“Good, now I have to go back to the station,” he says.

“Be careful,” Stiles tells him.

“I will son, you stay safe too,” he says before leading.

As his father leaves, Stiles turns to Derek. 

“Do you think that Chris will say anything?”

Derek says nothing for a moment before shaking his head. “No, I don't think he will, he knows that Allison is in the pack and won't approve of him spilling your secret, and he knows that we both could kill him should he spill, and then your father would kill him if it comes to that,” 

Stiles nods with a smile. “Well thank you for coming to my defense,” he says. 

“You had yourself handled pretty well,” Derek offers. 

Letting out a laugh, Stiles nods. “I wouldn't be a gargoyle worth my salt if I couldn’t take care of myself, but still...it means a lot to me that you would come to protect me,”

Leaning in, Derek pulls Stiles forward so their lips can meet.

Stiles hums into the kiss, smiling as Derek pulls away.

“I will always come to protect you,” he whispers.

Chapter Text

Two months later

Stiles stares back at his reflection in the mirror and adjusts his hair. 

“Stiles,” he hears from behind him.

Peeking out of the bathroom, Stiles finds his dad standing in the doorway. 

“Yeah dad?” he prompts. 

“Just received word from some contacts of mine,” his father begins. “That there are hunters just south of town, and they are coming here,”

Stiles feels himself tense, swallowing deeply he nods. “I'll be sure to tell Derek,” 

“I'm sorry to bring this up on the night of your date but I just want you to be prepared..and to tell him,”

Stiles nods in understanding. “It's ok, Dad, I'm sure that Derek will be grateful you are looking out for him as well,”

The older man nods and smiles. “I'm glad you and him are going out together though,” he says. “It's about time the two of you started progressing,”

Stiles smiles but shakes his head. “I didn't want to rush him, Dad, he doesn’t have the best history with relationships.”

“I'm proud of you for that,” his father grins. “Not many people would be that kind.”

“I just like him, and I don't want to scare him off, so if we need to take this slow, then we take this slow,” 

His father nods and moves on down the hall. 

Returning to the bathroom, Stiles makes sure that his hair is just the way he wants before making his way downstairs. 

As he checks the clock on the stove, he hears his phone ding, pulling it out of his pocket, he smiles when he finds a message from Derek telling him that he is outside. 

Moving to the door, he opens it and sees Derek’s camaro sitting in the driveway. 

Smiling, he approaches the car and climbs into the passenger seat. Turning to his left he smiles at the werewolf. “Hi there,” he grins. 

“H..hi,” Derek says as he takes in the sight of Stiles. “You look...nice,” he breathes, his nostrils flaring tells Stiles that he is also a fan of his scent, a fact that makes Stiles internally chuckle. 

“Thank you,” Stiles grins. “You look good too,” 

Derek smiles shyly.

“So where are you taking me?”

“I uh...I had an idea for a picnic,” he says.

Stiles nods. “Sounds romantic,” he says. “I can't wait,” 

Derek grins and nods. 

He silently restarts the car and pulls out of the driveway. 

---

Stiles looks around the preserve as he and Derek walk through the forest until coming to a grotto, in the center the moon’s rays reflect off the surface of a small lake. 

Stiles watches as Derek lays a sheet down on the ground he then sets his picnic basket on the ground and turns to Stiles. 

The gargoyle smiles and sits, Derek moving to kneel next to him, he opens the basket and sets the sandwiches and drinks out before sitting back and breathing out a sigh of relief. “Is this ok?”

Stiles turns to face him with a look of shock. “Why wouldn't it be?”

“I don't know,” Derek shrugs sheepishly. “I just want you to enjoy everything.”

“Derek,” Stiles hums. He reaches out and caresses the wolf’s cheek. “I would enjoy anything and everything that I do with you,” 

Derek smiles as he leans forward and captures Stiles’ lips with his own. 

Stiles melts into the kiss with a hum. Reaching out, he grabs the back of Derek’s neck to hold the wolf in place. 

They pull away from each other to breathe. For a moment neither of them speaks until Derek smiles. “We should eat the food before it goes bad,”

Stiles smiles and nods. He reaches out and grabs a wrapped sandwich. Undoing the thin foil, he bites into it and hums as the flavor bursts into his mouth.

“This is a sandwich,” he says.

He hears Derek chuckle and aims a teasing glare at the wolf.

“I'm glad you can still state the obvious,” 

Stiles huffs as he swallows. “This is a sandwich, so how did you get it to be so flavorful?”

Derek bows his head sheepishly and smiles. “My mom used to make sandwiches all the time, she taught me her recipes. I make my own bread and add secret ingredients to it while it's making,”

Stiles smiles as he watches Derek fall into a memory of his mother. It's not often the wolf talks about his family, but when he does, it's almost always paired with a fond smile.

They eat their meal under the moon’s rays, talking and joking with one another until the food is gone and the drinks are empty. After a beat of silence, Derek stands to his feet and toes off his shoes catching Stiles off guard. 

“What are you doing?” he asks while Derek removes his shirt and begins working on his belt. 

“Going for a swim,” the wolf says simply. 

It takes a moment for Stiles’ brain to catch up with him. He forces himself out of his own thoughts however when Derek pushes down his jeans, leaving him standing there in nothing but his crimson boxer briefs. The material grips his body in all the right places, hugging his ass to show off his muscular glutes while also conforming to the obvious bulge of his crotch.

“You wanna join?” Derek asks.

Stiles wants to nod straight away but also feels that this is a major leap, one that he hopes Derek isn’t throwing himself into. “Are you sure?” he arches a brow.

“I'm sure,” Derek nods. 

“Well, then,” Stiles says as he stands to his feet begins removing his own clothes. Once he is down to navy underwear he reaches out to grab Derek’s hand and together they wade into the water of the small lake. 

Swimming into the center, the two males hold onto each other while they look up at the stars. “It's beautiful,” Stiles says.

“So are you,” Derek suddenly says.

Stiles feels a blush spread across his cheeks. Letting out a hum, he pulls Derek in for a kiss. “I'm so happy that I have you in my life,” he says. 

Derek says nothing for a moment, instead his eyes dart back and forth between Stiles’ amber orbs, causing Stiles to grow worried for a moment. 

“You have no idea what you do to me,” Derek whispers. “You give me a reason to wake up every day and breathe. You give me hope that the next thing around the corner isn’t trying to kill me, you help me feel calm and relaxed and I will never stop loving you,” he exclaims.

Stiles feels the oxygen be pulled from his lungs. He knew Derek and he were serious, albeit it taking it slow but this...this admission that Derek has just given him… it’s earth-shattering.

His shocked silence however must scare Derek, because the next thing he knows is that the wolf is averting his gaze.

“It's ok if you don't want to-” Derek begins but is cut off by Stiles crashing their lips together. At first, he is shocked but eventually settles and lets Stiles control the kiss. 

When they pull back, he finds Stiles smiling at him. “I love you too,” he tells the wolf. “And I'm so proud of you that you were able to sort out your feelings enough to realize how you actually feel,”

Derek preens at the praise causing Stiles to chuckle before giving him a quick peck on the lips. He opens his mouth to say something else, but before he can there is a loud bang and the water next to them shoots up in a small burst.

Turning around they find a group of men watching them, one of their rifles still smoking.

“Well boys,” the middle man says. “Seems we got us some lovers mutts.”

The group laughs at the horrible joke as Derek and Stiles slowly begin to make their way out of the lake. The men watch them, not moving, but their hands remain on their weapons.

“You are intruding on my territory,” Derek growls. “We haven’t broken the code,”

“We don't give a shit about your territory,” the apparent leader spits, “and fuck the code,” he growls. “You’re all monsters, and deserve to be put down like the rabid dogs you are,” he pauses for a moment after he speaks. “Though I hear a Hale Alpha is in charge here,” he smiles. “And as much as I hate to let one of you killers live...a mutt of your caliber could make a good pet...use you to hunt your own kind...like a prized hunting dog,” 

“I'm no one’s pet,” Derek growls as he and Stiles make it to shore and rise to their full heights. 

“You are trespassing and are threatening an innocent werewolf,” Stiles says. “You are breaking the sacred laws,”

“Shut it, boy,” the hunter hisses. “It's bad enough you are mucking it with the animal...one more word and you will be having a bullet in your head same as him,”

Stiles glances at Derek who nods. 

“You don't have bullets that can kill me,” he smiles at the hunter who arches a brow. 

“What you talking about boy?” another hunter speaks up.

Stiles smiles as he begins walking towards the group. “This is your last warning, leave now or face the consequences for breaking the ancient laws.”

The group of hunters begins laughing.

“I like your spirit boy,” the leader says. “But I got no patience for playtime,” he says before raising his gun and firing twice. 

The first bullet lands in his abdomen while the other plunges into his shoulder. The group continues to laugh, however, their joyful howls end when they find Stiles still standing. 

“What in the hell?” the leader questions. 

“Like I said,” Stiles grins. “You don't have bullets that can kill me,” he smiles as his wings extend from his shoulders. The hunters step back in horror. Those in the back turn to leave, however as they do, they find Stiles landing on his feet in front of them. Without a word, he extends his claws and swipes them through the men’s throats. 

Derek is shaken out of his thoughts when he watches Stiles get shot once again. Letting out a roar he joins the fray, jumping forward and shoving his arm through the chest of a hunter before pulling it out and tearing into another. 

The leader is the last one standing, having fled a bit of a ways into the preserve, however, the two supernaturals are able to find him easily. 

Derek breaks his arm at the elbow before forcing him to his knees, holding his arms back, preventing him from struggling. He watches as Stiles approaches. 

“For crimes of intrusion into an alpha werewolf’s territory, an attempted murder...you would be sentenced to twenty years of a pain hex...however,” Stiles says. “Seeing as you have seen me for what I really am…” he trails off as he rubs a hand down the sobbing and pleading man’s cheek. “I can't let you live, no one can know my secret,” he says as he grabs the hunter’s throat and crushes it.

The body falls to the ground with a thump.

“I'll call Chris and my dad to tell them what happened.”

Derek nods silently before sighing. “I'm sorry that our date was ruined.” 

“Our date wasn't ruined, because I had fun with you Derek, and the fun can continue...at my house if you want?” he offers.

Derek looks up at him and nods. 

Together they make their way back to the parking area of the preserve as the sounds of the forest and all its nocturnal inhabitants sing around them. 

Chapter Text

Four Weeks Later

Stiles wakes up to the feeling of arms wrapped around him. Smiling to himself he slowly turns around and finds Derek staring at him. 

“Good morning,” he says softly.

“Morning,” Derek replies. “How did you sleep?”

Humming, Stiles cranes his neck to plant a kiss on Derek’s lips. Pulling back he continues to smile. “I slept rather wonderfully,” he says. “Maybe it's because I had a handsome werewolf alpha sleeping next to me,” he grins. “Or maybe it's because I was in the arms of the one I love,” he ponders out loud. “Or perhaps even it's because I had some of the best sex in my life with my mate.”

Derek chuckles as he leans in for another kiss. When they come up for air, Stiles grins. “We should get up, you do have a pack to run and a job to get to,” he says. 

Derek lets out a sigh and nods. “Alright, I'm getting up,” he says as he throws off the covers and stands to his feet. Stiles smiles and does the same. Moving into the bathroom, he brushes his teeth, he then leaves and quickly dresses.

“So what are you going to do?” Derek asks him. 

“Well I have school and then I have to get home so I can check up on dad, but if you want to come over for dinner after work, I'm sure that my dad won't mind,”

Derek mulls it over before nodding. “We should also have a pack meeting to tell them about the hunters last night,”

Stiles nods in agreement. He turns around and plants a chaste kiss on the alpha’s lips before pulling back and smiling. “Alright, I have to go,” he says. “But I hope that you have a good day at work,” he says before leaving. 

Derek watches him go before letting out a sigh and finishing getting ready for work. 

Pulling into work, Derek walks into the garage and clocks in. 

“Hale!” his boss calls to him. “Need you in my office for a second,”

Derek pauses for a moment before walking over to the other man and entering his office. He takes a seat when gestured to it by his boss. 

“I wanted to talk to you about something I've noticed in regards to the amount of work you have put into this place,”

Derek falters for a moment, not knowing what to say or how to respond. 

“What are you saying, Sir?” he asks. He is aware of the pit in his stomach that is growing wider and wider with each passing moment. 

“I'm saying that I want you to think of the possibility of me raising your pay or even of a promotion to a management position.”

Derek feels the air be sucked out of his lungs. “You...you want to promote me?”

His boss arches a brow at him for a moment. “What did you think I was calling you in here for,” 

“To be honest with you, Sir,” Derek begins. “I'm not sure,”

The other man nods. “Hale, you are my best mechanic, I would be a damn fool if I cut you loose,” he tells him. 

Derek smiles and looks down. “Thank you, um…” he pauses before nodding and smiling. “I would like that, thank you,” he says. 

“You’re welcome kid, now go and get back to work,” 

Derek nods and stands to his feet before leaving. Making his way back into the garage, he pulls up his scheduled appointments studies the incoming jobs.

---

Stiles walks the halls of Beacon Hills high with a few members of the pack by his side. 

“So pack meeting tonight, my place,” he says with a cheery smile. Part of him is tempted to fill them in on the hunter situation that presented itself last night, but he knows that Derek would want to be there, plus it's not exactly a good idea to get everyone worked up at school.

“We’ll be there,” Erica says as she takes Boyd by the hand. Glancing around the other present members nod and agree to show. 

That night, Derek approaches the Stilinski’s door. Raising his free hand, he delivers a solid knock before waiting. A few moments later, Stiles opens the door and smiles as he cranes his neck to plant a kiss on Derek’s lips. Stiles hums as they part, staring into Derek’s eyes with a brilliant glimmer of his amber eyes. 

“I brought dessert,” Derek chuckles. “It's a chocolate and peanut butter cake,” he says.

Stlies all but cheers as he accepts the platter and carries it towards the fridge. “It looks delicious,” he says. “I made chicken alfredo,” he says. “I know you are a big fan of pasta and I figured why not,” he smiles with a shrug. 

Calling for his father to join them in the kitchen, Stiles sets the table as his dad and Derek sit down. 

“This looks delicious,” Derek says as he smiles at his mate. This earns him a blush from the gargoyle.

“Thank you,” Stiles says with a smile.

After dinner, Stiles sends out a message to the pack telling them that they can now come over. 

Half an hour later, the Hale Pack sits around Stiles’ living room. 

“So there is something that we should tell you all before we continue much farther,” Stiles says as he looks around the room. The rest of the pack turn to him with interest. “Last night while me and Derek were on a date we were attacked,” 

Everyone in the room lets out a gasp, however before they can begin asking questions, Stiles continues. “We dealt with them though,”

“What do you mean dealt with?” Lydia asks. 

“They are dead,” Derek chimes in. A ripple of shock courses through the others. 

“Why?” Scott exclaims. “Why would you kill them?”

Stiles looks at his best friend with shock and awe. “Because I had to reveal my secret of being a gargoyle...you know a near-extinct species...if we had let them go they would come back with a larger group and there is no telling what they would do kill me,” he growls

“We don't kill,” Scott growls. “If we cross that line we are no better than them.”

Stiles scoffs and shakes his head, however before he can say anything Derek growls.

“Are you honestly suggesting letting them live another day to come back and hunt down your best friend?”

“My son ?” Noah cuts in with a hiss. 

The young beta looks between the two older men. “Of course I don't want Stiles to be killed but that doesn’t mean that we should go around killing hunters,”

Stiles shakes his head and sighs. “Well Scott, next time the hunters are attacking, I'll be sure to let them know that you don't kill, I'm sure that will change their minds about killing you,” he snarks. “Oh wait...it won't because they don't care!”

The other teen gapes at his friend before shaking his head. The pack watches as Scott stands to his feet and makes his way to the door. “I'm going to inform Chris,”

Stiles can't help the laugh that tears through him. “He already knows Scott, and he’s glad we defended ourselves because he knows that when it comes down to the line, we are going to do everything we can to get out alive,”

Scott just stares at him and shakes his head before leaving, the door closing behind him.

Stiles slumps against Derek and sighs. 

“He’ll come around son,” his father tells him. “Just give him time,” 

“He won't though, Scott will always be adamant about not killing,” Stiles says before shaking his head. 

---

Stiles lays in bed with Derek beside him, the wolf’s arms wrapped around his waist. Inhaling, he lets out a deep breath against Derek’s bare chest. 

“You ok?” Derek asks softly.

“Yeah,” Stiles says. “I just don't understand how he can sit there and say that we should let the hunters come after us,”

“Because Scott has this strange belief that hunters are righteous in their war on werewolves, that they always have good reasons for what they do, I mean look what he told me when me and he visited Peter in the hospital,”

Stiles arches a brow as he pulls away from the wolf. “What did he tell you?” he asks.

Derek looks down and sighs. “He had asked me what happened for Peter to be in the hospital and I told him about the fire, I told him how the hunters had set the fire and that they were the only ones who knew about us and what we are,” he explains before taking a breath. “And then he said that they had a good reason to do it,”

Stiles feels his blood run cold as he processes the words. “He said that they had a good reason to set fire to your house and kill your family?” he growls. When Derek nods he feels his anger wash over him. “Who the fuck says that?” he says as he jumps to his feet.

“Stiles, what are you doing?”

“I'm going to bash his skull in,” Stiles says as he opens his window, his body shifting as the frame slides up. “No one should tell a victim that there was a good reason for their families’ death let alone my mate,” he growls before leaping from the room and taking off into the night sky, ignoring Derek’s calls for him to come back.

Landing outside, Scott’s window, he reaches out with a claw and snags the lock before entering the room. It's empty of the beta’s presence but he can hear the wolf talking to his mother downstairs. Part of him wants to be theatric and wait for Scott to come up to his room, however, the side of him that is reminding him that the beta hurt his mate urges him to go downstairs. 

Giving in, he rushes from the room and descends the stairs.

“Stiles?” Melissa asks in surprise. “What are you-” she is cut off as Stiles grabs Scott by the throat and throws him into the staircase with a crash. The wolf’s back slamming into the wood of the steps. 

“Who the hell do you think you are?” he roars as he stomps over to the other teen and lifts him up into the air. “Telling him that the hunters had a good reason to kill his family?”

“Stiles!” Melissa shouts. “What are you talking about?” 

Turning his head Stiles huffs at the woman who has become something of a second mom to him. “He told Derek that the hunters who killed his family had a good reason to do it,” he says before turning back to the struggling and gasping Scott. “Didn't you?”

“I...I didn't know,” Scott manages.

Spinning around, Stiles slams the other teen onto his back before leaning down till their noses are touching, his shift tears through him till he can feel his wings brushing against the walls of the room and his tail swishing in anger. 

“Stiles,” 

Looking up, he finds Derek standing in the doorway of the McCall house, a look of concern on his face. “He’s not worth it,” 

“He said that the death of your family was justified and says that we should allow the hunters to come back and hunt us down,”

“Excuse me,” Melissa cuts in. “Does anyone care to fill me in?”

Stiles chuckles darkly. “Derek took Scotty here to see Peter when crazywolf was in the hospital and explained what happened...how hunters had set the fire and how he was sure it was hunters since they were the only ones who knew what the Hales are.” his grip tightens around Scott’s neck as he continues. “And good friend Scott here said that the hunters had a good reason then,”

Melissa lets out a gasp as she looks down at her son. 

“And last night me and Derek were attacked by hunters while we were on our date, they shot me and were about to shoot Derek when we fought back.”

“What happened to them?” Melissa asks. 

“They k-killed them,” Scott grits out. 

“Because we had no choice,” Stiles growls. “If they went back telling other hunters that a gargoyle was living in Beacon Hills, they would come like a flood till they flushed me out...they would kill anyone and everyone in order to get to me,”

“What’s so special about you being a gargoyle?” Melissa asks. 

“Gargoyles were hunted to near extinction by hunters,” Derek asks. “Some managed to escape and went into hiding, but if they ever found out that Stiles was one…” Derek trails off. 

“They would kill him” she finishes for him. 

Derek nods and turns back to Stiles and Scott. 

“And you are ok with that?” Melissa asks her son. “You are ok with them coming in and killing innocent people just so they can get to Stiles? Would they have a good reason then?” she shouts. “Or what about if they did find Stiles? What then? Would they be justified in killing him ?” 

“We don't kill,” Scott growls.

“When are you going to realize Scott?” Stiles shouts as he slams Scott back into the ground “it's us or them, and I am not going to let them hurt those who matter most to me,” he says as he stands up. “And that used to include you...now...I'm not so sure anymore,” he sighs before walking to join Derek by the door. He pauses and turns to Melissa. “Sorry about the mess momma McCall,” he says before leaving. 

Chapter Text

Derek follows after the gargoyle as he leaves the McCall house. “Stiles,” he calls out. Looking over his shoulder he finds Melissa standing in the doorway. “Stiles wait,” he shouts again.

The gargoyle finally halts and allowing Derek to catch up with him.

“Look, I know that you are angry…” Derek begins, only to be cut off by the other man. 

“I'm not angry Derek, I'm furious,” Stiles tells him. “I'm furious because Scott refuses to pull his head out of his ass and realize that they don't care about us…that they will kill us and anyone close to us all because they think themselves above us.”

“I know that,” Derek says. “And he's an idiot, but you need to calm down because right now, I'm growing concerned for you and your control,” 

Stiles looks down and sees that his claws have sprouted from his fingers. Closing his eyes, he focuses on Derek’s scent, the closeness of the wolf making his scent radiate with such strength. 

Slowly he opens his eyes and finds Derek studying him. “You ok?” Derek asks him.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” Stiles replies. “I'm sorry,” he murmurs. 

“It's nothing to be sorry about,” the wolf shakes his head. “You have every right to be angry,”

“Stiles,” 

Both the gargoyle and wolf turn to find Melissa standing off to the side, her gaze bouncing between the house and the two of them. 

“I need someone to tell me what I'm missing,” she says.

Nodding, Stiles curls his arms around himself. “Scott tried excusing the hunters who killed Derek's family…saying that they had a good reason to do it since they knew that the Hales were werewolves. And now that I and Derek have been attacked…and defended ourselves…preventing my secret, the fact of what I am from hunters…he gets upset.”

Melissa says nothing for a moment before nodding. “Stiles,” she says, moving to cup his cheek with her hand. “Don't listen to Scott…you do what you have to in order to stay alive, you understand me?” 

Stiles nods. “Thank you,” he says. She smiles at him before turning to Derek. 

“And as for you, I'm sorry about what my son told you…your family didn't deserve to be destroyed…no matter what they were,”

Stiles notices how Derek swallows deeply before nodding. Taking a deep breath, Stiles can smell the mixture of emotions that are radiating off of the werewolf. 

“Th-thank you,” Derek says.

The woman looks between the two of them and hums. “Now if you will excuse me, I have to go deal with my son,” her tone turns dark for a moment before she returns to the home. 

Reaching out, Stiles takes Derek by the hand, together they walk back towards the loft. Halfway there, Stiles feels Derek’s hand squeeze him gently. Looking up he finds the wolf studying him.

“You…you do know that I support you in what you did right?” Derek asks him.

Stiles is silent for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, I do…I just…I didn't want to kill the hunters but I can't let them win…and I know they would stop at nothing to get to me, they would come for you, for my dad…for the pack.” he trails off as his throat clogs with emotion.

“I know…and I don't think you are a monster,” Derek tells him. The wolf stops them on the side of the road and pulls the gargoyle close. “You have every right to protect yourself.” 

Stiles nods. “Yeah, I just…” he begins but is cut off as Derek brings their lips together. Any thought that had previously crossed his mind vanishes. The only thing that he can focus on is the heat of Derek’s body pressed up against his. Humming into the kiss, he reaches out to rub his hand through Derek’s hair. A moment later, they pull back from each other. 

“You trying to make me think of something else?” Stiles chuckles.

“Is it working?” Derek asks with a grin.

“Well…it did make me think of how good you would feel…without these pesky clothes between us,” 

Derek snorts and nods. “Later, right now we should get back…I need to make a meal for my mate,” 

Stiles nods and allows himself to be lead down the street.

Chapter Text

Stiles and Derek walk back into the loft later that night, Stiles, letting out a sigh, he moves over to the couch and lays himself across the cushions. He watches as Derek smiles at him and shakes his head fondly. 

“So what sounds good for dinner?” Derek asks as he stands at Stiles’ feet and removes the gargoyle’s shoes.

“Anything that you are making sounds good,” Stiles replies as he throws his arm over his eyes and lets out a breath. 

“Well, then how about some stir fry,” 

Stiles nods and watches as Derek smiles before turning and entering the kitchen. 

He wakes up to someone gently nudging his shoulder. Sitting up, he looks around and finds Derek studying him.

Licking his lips, Stiles ducks his head. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep,” 

The wolf shakes his head. “It's nothing to apologize for Stiles, you were tired and clearly needed the sleep,” he tells the gargoyle. “Now, dinner is ready, do you want to eat in here or do you want to eat at the table?”

Stiles thinks about it for a moment before wiggling further into the couch. “Here’s good,” he answers, earning a chuckle from Derek who nods. He moves away and retrieves the bowls of stir fry from the counter before returning. He hands Stiles his bowl before lifting his mate’s legs.

Stiles watches as Derek settles on the couch, taking his feet into his lap as he eats. 

“You are so domestic,” Stiles chuckles, his laugh deepens when a blush spreads across Derek’s cheeks. 

“I just care about you, that's all,” Derek says a few moments later. 

“And I care about you Der,” Stiles hums as he lifts his chopstick to his mouth and bites into his food.

He watches as Derek reaches over to retrieve the television remote from the end table and turns on the device, he then opens Netflix and begins looking for a movie. 

“Ooh, star wars,” Stiles cheers as he uses his chopstick to point at the screen. 

“Stiles, we’ve seen them over fifty times at least,” Derek tells him.

Turning to face the wolf, Stiles puts on his best pouty face and internally cheers when Derek relents and starts the movie.

“You can't say no to me,” Stiles giggles. 

“No,” Derek admits. “I can't,” 

---

Stiles puts the dirty bowls into the sink and retrieves the dish soap from the cupboard. Pouring the liquid onto the bowls, he adds some water before the nearby brush to scrub away the remnants of his and Derek’s dinner.

He pauses for a moment when he feels arms wrap around his waist. Letting out a hum, he tilts his head to the side allowing Derek to bury his nose into the crook of Stiles’ neck. 

“Thank you for dinner and a movie,” Stiles tells him. 

“It was my pleasure…I had to settle my wolf anyhow, and making my mate dinner…it helped a lot,”

“I'm glad,” Stiles says as he returns to the dishes. Once he is done, he dries his hands before turning to wrap them around Derek’s neck. “So…now that the dishes are done? What do you want to do now?”

Derek grins a wolfish grin. “I can think of a few things.”

Stiles chuckles and nods. “Let me text my dad and tell him that I'm staying here for the night. You go get ready,” he winks.

Derek nods vigorously and if he had a tail, Stiles is sure that it would be wagging like crazy.

Stiles watches him go before pulling out his phone, Stiles sends a text to his father.

“ I'm going to be staying at Derek’s tonight,” he types.

A few moments later he receives a response.

“ Alright, but you both coming over for breakfast tomorrow.”

Smiling, Stiles replies with an affirmative and pockets his phone. Turning around, he moves to climb the stairs.

Coming to Derek’s room, he falters when he finds the wolf wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs. He looks up and smiles at Stiles before putting his book aside. He then moves further down on the bed and stretches out.

“If I didn't know any better, I would say that you look like a cat,” Stiles chuckles as he moves forward to stand at the foot of the bed. He reaches out and strokes his hands from Derek’s ankles up to his calves. 

The werewolf scoffs at that and shakes his head. “So what are you going to do?”

Stiles arches a brow with a mischievous smile. “My dear alpha, whatever do you mean?”

Derek lets out a playful growl. “You know what I mean,” he insists. “What are you going to do to me ?”

Stiles smiles as he crawls onto the bed and boxes the wolf’s body with his own against the mattress. “I'm going to worship every inch of your body like a god,” Stiles says as he leans down to plant a kiss at the base of Derek’s neck causing the wolf to suck in a breath. Without another word, Stiles moves down Derek’s body, trailing kisses and playful nips across Derek’s chest and torso before ending at his stomach. He smiles as he feels the distinct touch of Derek’s cloth-covered cock pressing against his own chest in his current position. 

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Stiles teases as he reaches up and gives a teasing squeeze to the wolf’s erection causing Derek to whimper and buck his hips. 

“Please,” Derek asks. 

“Not yet,” Stiles tells him. “I'm not done worshipping you and leaving my mark on you,” he says. 

Holding Derek’s gaze, Stiles reaches up to hook his thumbs into the waistband of Derek’s boxers and pulls them down, he watches in awe as Derek’s cock springs free from its cloth prison and slaps against Derek’s belly. But he doesn’t stop there, he continues on his mission and begins to nuzzle against the wolf’s heavy balls, inhaling the musk that emanates from them before slowly taking one into his mouth causing Derek to shiver and moan from the sensation. 

“Oh fuck ,” Derek gasps. Reaching down, he runs his fingers through Stiles’ hair before arching his back as Stiles pulls off and licks a stripe from his rapidly clenching hole all the way to the tip of his weeping cock. 

“You are so beautiful like this,” Stiles tells him. “Spread out and practically vibrating with pleasure as I slowly take you apart,” 

Derek can only whimper in response, his mind too far gone from lust to formulate words. 

Seeing this, Stiles can only chuckle. Slowly working his way back up to Derek’s torso, he holds the wolf’s pleasure-filled gaze for a moment before ducking his head to latch onto Derek’s left nipple, he merely holds it between his teeth but even that simple action has Derek bucking his hips, grinding his cock against Stiles’ clothed groin.

“You have- fuck ,” Derek moans. “Too many clothes,” he pants. 

Pulling of the nipple with a pop , Stiles looks up at his mate. “Do you want me to get naked too?” 

“Y-yes,” Derek sighs.

“Alright then,” Stiles nods as he moves off the bed. From his position, Derek watches as Stiles, pulls his shirt over his head and tosses it to the ground, he then undoes his belt and unbuttons his jeans. He lets them slide to the floor and steps out of them. Standing in there in only his crimson boxer briefs, he smiles at the wolf as he hooks his thumbs into the waistband and slides them down at a teasingly slow pace. He lets out a sigh of relief when his own cock springs free, standing at attention and leaking ever so slightly. 

“Are you happy now?” he asks Derek, who nods.

“Well then Mr. Wolf,” Stiles smiles as he moves over to lay on top of Derek, the wolf letting out a huff before adjusting himself to acclimate to the added weight. “How about you show me just how happy you are,”

Without another word, Derek begins bucking his hips, rubbing his and Stiles’ cocks together with enough friction that it causes both werewolf and gargoyle to hiss as flaming hot pleasure registers in their minds. 

“Oh fuck,” Stiles moans. “That feels so fucking good,” he tells Derek as he leans down to capture the werewolf’s lips with his own. He internally smiles when he hears Derek hum as his tongue swipes across the older man’s teeth.

Derek lets out a groan as he gives a forceful thrust against his mate before letting out a growl that soon turns into a moan as he all but falls over the edge, he shoots his release and paints both his and Stiles’ stomachs with his spend. 

The sensation and smell of this alone is all it takes for Stiles to give a shout as he too shoots his release that mixes with Derek’s. Stiles braces himself on his elbows for a moment to collect his breath before slipping off the bed and moving to collect a box of tissues from the bathroom. Returning back, he takes in the sight of the wolf who watches him with eyes blown out by lust and satisfaction. Smiling to himself, Stiles moves forward and cleans off the pool of their spend from himself and his mate before laying next to Derek in the bed, he pulls the older man up towards the head of the bed gently before covering them with the blankets. 

“That was-” Derek says in a wonderstruck voice. “That was great,” 

“Yes, it was,” Stiles replies before leaning over to plant a kiss on Derek’s temple. “Now get some sleep, my mate, we have to go to my dad’s for breakfast in the morning,” he says as he watches Derek yawn.

The wolf nods sleepily before curling against his chest, causing Stiles to smile and run his hands through Derek’s hair before he too closes his eyes and lets himself drift.

Chapter Text

Stiles unbuckles his seatbelt and opens the passenger side door of the camaro. Stepping out he glances over his shoulder and smiles at Derek. 

“You ready for this?”

“Me and your Dad, don't have any problems.” Derek arches a brow.

“Yeah, but that was before you and I became mated to each other.” Stiles laughs.

Derek tenses for a moment before nodding. Taking a breath, he follows the gargoyle into the house. 

They find Noah finishing up with the bacon that is sizzling in the pan. He looks up as they enter and smiles. “Hey boys,” he greets. 

“Hi Dad,” Stiles replies with a smile.

“Sir,” Derek nods. This earns him a look of confusion from Noah. However, he ignores it in favor of helping Stiles set the table. Once the silverware is placed, the three of them begin filling plates with the food that ranges from stacks of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and toast. 

“So Derek,” Noah begins after taking a bite of his toast. “You and Stiles are officially mated?”

Derek once again feels his body tense. Taking a sip of his juice, he clears his throat and nods. “Yeah-yes,” he nods. “Yes, Sir, we are.”

He is vaguely aware of the cheeky smile that Stiles is sending him, but he forces himself to keep his gaze on Noah. 

For a moment, the sheriff says nothing, he holds Derek’s gaze with a stone-cold stare of his own before shrugging with a nod. “Alright then,” he says before going back to eating.

Derek falters. “...you’re ok with it?”

Noah chuckles and nods. “There isn’t much I can say or do to get Stiles to abide by my wishes if I wasn't,” he says. “And that aside, you are a good man,” the sheriff says.

Derek clenches his jaw as he tries to keep his emotions under control, he is sure that Stiles can sense the war of longing, appreciation, and sadness.

“Th-thank you, Sir,” Derek nods.

“You don't have to call me that by the way,” Noah tells him. “You can call me Noah,”

At this Stiles snorts. “And maybe later on he can call you dad as well,”

Both the sheriff and Derek turn to the gargoyle who continues eating his breakfast as nothing strange just came out of his mouth. The wolf glances at the human who shrugs his shoulders. “If he's comfortable with it, I have no problems.”

Derek feels his heart clench with more emotions, in this moment he realizes that Noah has become something of another father in his eyes and the eyes of his wolf. Despite this, however, Derek feels that it would be weird to just suddenly start referring to Noah as ‘Dad’, it's something he will have to work towards. 

they eat in silence for the remainder of breakfast. When they are finished, Derek and Stiles volunteer to take care of the dishes, something that Noah is grateful for. He retreats to the living room, enjoying his day off while the younger men clean up.

“He would be ok with it, ya know,”

“With what?” Derek asks.

“With you calling him Dad,” stiles answers. 

Derek nods. “I know, I just…I need time,” he answers.

Stiles nods and continues washing the dishes. Once they are clean, both men join the sheriff in the living room, Stiles curling up against Derek on the couch.

---

That night, Derek lays on Stiles’ bed, his arms crossed behind his head as he watches Stiles step out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.

The gargoyle flicks his gaze to the alpha and smiles.

“You look comfortable,” he says as he takes in the sight of Derek, dressed only in only grey sweatpants.

“I am,” Derek smirks. “But I would be more comfortable if you were laying next to me,” he replies.

Stiles smiles and nods in understanding. “Is that so?” he prompts. Reaching down, he pulls on a pair of boxers and then a pair of sweatpants of his own. Running the towel through his hair once more time, he then moves back to the bathroom and hangs it on the shower curtain rod before returning to the bathroom. Once that is finished, he moves back to the bedroom and climbs onto the mattress. Curling against Derek’s side, he hums and throws his arm over the wolf’s waist. In response, Derek hooks his own arm along Stiles’ side. 

“I love you,” Derek says quietly. 

“hm...I love you too,” Stiles replies. Closing his eyes, he lets out a breath before letting sleep claim him.

---

The next morning, Stiles wakes up to the sensation of being held, he comes to realize that he is on his side and facing the door. Slowly he looks over his shoulder to find Derek sleeping with his mouth slightly open. It's a sight that warms his heart at the softness in his features, the vulnerability that they reflect.

Rolling over, he gently runs the side of his finger along Derek’s jaw before pressing his lips to Derek’s 

“Time to wake up my wolf,” he murmurs softly.

Derek’s eyes flutter for a moment before he slowly opens them and smiles at Stiles. “Hi,” he greets quietly.

“Hi,” Stiles chuckles. “How did you sleep?”

“Perfectly since you were next to me,” Derek tells him, earning a blush from the gargoyle.

“I could say the same,” Stiles chuckles. “But we have to get up, we still have to talk to Chris and run patrol,” he informs the wolf.

Derek nods before slowly sitting up. Stretching his arms above his head he lets out a groan as his joints pop before standing to his feet. “Come on, lets go,”

“We’re not even fully dressed,”

“That's the point,” Derek winks as he reaches out to take Stiles by the hand and lead him to the window.

Lifting a giggling Stiles into his arms, Derek steps through and leaps down onto the back lawn. Together they take off into the woods and begin their perimeter run.

Chapter Text

Arriving at the Argent house, Stiles does his best to ignore the fact that he is barefoot and shirtless, wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants, he also tries not to think about the fact that Derek is in a similar state of dress.

Knocking on the door, they wait, a few moments later, Chris opens it and arches a brow at the two before stepping back to let them in. 

Entering the house, Stiles makes his way to the hunter’s office and sits down in one of the chairs, Derek joins him as Chris sits at his desk in front of him. 

“So what can I help you two with?” he asks. 

“We ran across some hunters a few weeks ago, we were wondering if you had heard anything in the channels that you watch,” Stiles explains. 

Chris arches a brow and shakes his head. “No, I haven’t been notified about anyone coming into town.”

Stiles nods and looks to Derek who looks displeased. “Well, then the ones we dealt with were rogue.”

“Be careful dealing with hunters like that, they tend to belong to larger groups of those who share their ideals,” Chris warns them.

Stiles and Derek nod. “If you could just keep your ear out for us, we would appreciate it,” the wolf tells him, earning a nod from the hunter.

“I will, I'll also look into if anyone had known they would be here without telling me,”

“Thanks,” Derek says before standing up. Stiles joins him and together they leave the house. 

---

Four days later, Stiles is returning to the loft after a perimeter run when he suddenly gets a strange feeling in his gut. Stopping in place, he looks around, extending his senses to try and find the source of his abrupt suspicion. When he can locate nothing, he shrugs and continues on his way. 

A sudden ‘ thwip’ has him turning back around just as a dart lands in the base of his neck.

He lets out a growl, but as soon as he makes a move to step forward, he feels his muscles lock up and he falls to the ground. 

The sound of someone approaching causes him to grit his teeth. 

“Aint he a beaut,” one of his attackers says. “Now we have the full set, both him and his wolf mate.”

Stiles feels his blood turn cold. They had Derek.

Arms grip his biceps and lift him to his feet allowing him to get a good look at the strangers.

The man before him has a scar that crawls from the crown of his head to just above his lip. He seems to notice Stiles staring and smiling. “It was one of your kind that gave me this,” he smirks. “I repaid him by taking his head.”

“I'm a human,” Stiles counters.

The man looks at him for a moment before smiling. “You hear that boys? He says he's human,” the others around them break out into a chorus of laughter. The assumed leader then turns back to Stiles. “That dart we hit you with wouldn't have worked on a human, so if you don't mind I would prefer it if we could move forward without lying to each other,”

Stiles grits his teeth as he is led through the forest and then eventually into a van. A bag is placed over his head preventing him from seeing anything.

---

The bag is pulled off his head to reveal a dank and barely lit room. He has been sat in a chair with his arms chained palm faced up, an event that strikes him as odd. What really has his attention, however, is the fact that across from him, Derek lays strapped to a metal platform, it has been stood up though allowing the two mates to look at each other. Stiles also notices how Derek’s boots have been removed.

“Now isn't this a pretty picture?”

Both wolf and gargoyle look to find their captor entering the room with a smile. 

“Lovebirds, once again reunited.”

“What do you want?” Derek growls out, his eyes flashing their crimson red.

“I want what everyone would want, world peace,” the man smiles. “But in order to achieve that, your kind must die,” he says. “ Both , your kinds.” 

“He's a human,” Derek growls. “You are breaking the code.”

“Fuck the code,” the man suddenly growls, turning to backhand Derek causing Stiles to see red. “Besides, we all know he's not human,” he scoffs as he focuses his attention on Stiles again. “No, you're of an ancient race, one thought long extinct because us humans got tired of your shit, and favoritism,” he growls. “Fucking gargoyles.”

Stiles tenses for a moment as he looks into the man’s eyes. 

“That's right, didn't think we knew about ya did you?”

“How?” Derek gasps. “We killed the others.”

“Those weren’t my men,” their captor smiles. “But my scouts who were looking into the great Derek Hale saw the little fight between you two, and imagine my surprise when they came back and told me that a gargoyle was alive and kicking it around Beacon Hills.”

Stiles glances at Derek who is just as much at a loss for words as he is. 

“So now what?” Stiles asks. “You going to kill me?”

“Why of course,” the man replies with a smile. “But I'm going to have some fun first,” he says as he pulls an ebony-bladed knife from a sheath on his hip. He looks down at the weapon and then back up to Stiles. “Did you know that obsidian holds the ability to absorb negative energies? But when infused with the right magicks and wards…it can be used to instead…destroy negative energies,” he explains. “So when I do this…” he trails off as he swipes the blade across Stiles’ wrists cutting away at his flesh. “It overpowers your little gargoyle powers of extra resistances to most materials.” 

Stiles hisses through the pain as he glares at the man. 

“And now, to continue the fun,” the man says as he produces two vials. “This is pure phosphorus, now if you know your chemistry, you know that it is combustible and flammable when exposed to oxygen in the air,” he explains as he thumbs off the cork before covering the top with his thumb. He then holds the vials over Stiles’ wounds. With a smile, he quickly flips the vials and removes his thumbs. The chemical pours over the cuts and immediately reacts with the oxygen in the air around them. Flames burst forth and begin to burn away at Stiles' flesh. He lets out a scream.

Derek roars as he struggles against his bonds. “Stop it,” he begs. “Do whatever you want with me, but leave him alone.”

“Now isn't that sweet,” the man smiles as he turns to face Derek. “Unfortunately I can't, his kind have been a thorn in our asses for centuries, and now we are one step closer to ridding the world of gargoyles. As for you, I've always wanted to see how long it takes for wolfsbane to reach the heart so…” 

Without warning, he falls to a crouch and slashes Derek’s ankles with the obsidian knife. He then produces a bag of purple powder that Stiles knows to be aconite and pours it into the wounds. He then pulls out a remote and presses a button. A second later, the table upon which Derek is bound moves, it starts to recline until Derek is laying horizontally. 

“Now we wait,” the man says. “Don't worry, if I am correct in my assumption, the wolfsbane should reach his heart around the time that the phosphorus ends your life, meaning you will die around the same time…if I'm right,” he repeats with a smile. “Have fun,” he says before leaving the room, closing the metal door with a clang.

Stiles grits his teeth as the phosphorus continues to burn away at his body.

“Stiles,” Derek says. “Just breathe,” he says. “Breathe through the pain.”

Stiles nods and does as instructed. 

“I love you, Stiles,” Derek says. “It's going to be ok,”

“I…fuck,” Stiles tries to speak but fails as a new wave of pain washes over him. “I-”

“It's ok, I know you do,” Derek assures him. “I'll love you even after I die,” he says.

“Don't…don't say that,” Stiles cries, tears of pain mixing with tears of sadness. “Please…don't say agh,” he winces. “Don't say that.”

Derek holds his gaze for a moment before nodding silently. He can feel the wolfsbane making its way up his body, through his bloodstream. It burns and eats away at him from the inside. He wants so badly to scream out but knows that right now, he needs to be strong for Stiles, so he grits his teeth through the pain. 

---

Time becomes immeasurable, Stiles isn't sure just how long he and Derek have been captives, all he knows is that he can feel his body weakening, knows that phosphorus poisoning is a thing for humans, and although he normally wouldn't have to worry about it due to his healing, the enchanted obsidian that he had been cut with seems to be doing the job that the hunter intended for it and prevents him from expelling the chemical from his body.

---

Stiles looks up as there is a loud bang against the metal door. This mere action causes the room to spin. He glances over at Derek and finds the wolf unmoving, fear runs through his mind. But before he can call out to the wolf, the door suddenly opens and the man who had inflicted harm upon them is flung to the ground. 

Looking up at the doorway, Stiles watches as his father darkens the doorway, his gaze flitting to his son then to Derek. He is dressed in his sheriff uniform, but on his face, is not the face of a sheriff, instead, it is the face of an angry and scared father. He steps through the door, drawing his weapon and leveling it at the hunter who upon further inspection has already formed bruises and cuts around his face. Without removing his gaze from Stiles’ Noah pulls the trigger, sending a bullet between the eyes of the man who hurt his son. 

Noah rushes over to his son and takes in the sight of flames that have burned on his wrists. The intensity has only slightly lessened but the pain remains the same. 

“Need….water,” Stiles says. “Wash…water.” he pants. 

Noah furrows his brow before nodding. He looks around, after a second his eyes land on an old sink, rushing over he grabs a small cup that sits on the edge and fills it. Running back over to Stiles, he pours the liquid over the wounds. The flames die out a few seconds later revealing black splotches on Stiles' wrists. 

Pulling his utility knife, Noah begins cutting away at Stiles’ bonds. Looking over his shoulder he calls out. “They’re in here!” 

A moment later, Chris Argent steps into the room and takes in the sight of the dead hunter laying on the floor before glancing at Derek passed out on the table. “Stiles, what happened to him?”

“Wolfs…bane,” Stiles breathes.

“We got to get them to Deaton,” Argent says as he undoes Derek’s straps and lifts the wolf over his shoulders into a fireman’s carry.

The two men carry the supernatural creatures out of the room and rush them outside, Stiles is sat next to Derek in his dad’s cruiser, he slowly lifts his heavy head and looks over at Derek who’s breathing is slowing by the minute. 

“Hu…hurry,” he croaks before effectively passing out.

---

Stiles wakes up to a bright light hanging over him, all-consuming, filling his entire sight. For a moment he thinks himself dead and expects to hear his mother calling out to him. However, this is quickly refuted when the light is pulled away and his father’s face appears.

“You ok there kiddo?”

Stiles licks his dry lips and nods. “I'm…” suddenly he the memories come rushing back into his mind. He lurches forward and looks around. “Where’s Derek?” 

He watches as his father frowns and sighs. “He's ok, Stiles, he's alive, but…” he looks away. 

“But what, Dad?” Stiles prompts. 

“Deaton had to put him into a coma-like state to treat the wolfsbane, it was an unusual strand…it not only slowly killed him, but it also ate away at his insides, quite literally actually,” Noah says. “He hasn’t woken up yet, Deaton says he will when his body finishes healing but…we don't know how long that will be.”

It feels like the world has crashed down on Stiles’ chest, more accurately, his heart. He pushes himself to his feet, stumbling only slightly before catching himself on the examination table. “Where is he?”

“We took him back to the loft once Deaton treated the wolfsbane and cleared him, he's on an iv drip thanks to Melissa,” Noah explains.

“I…I want to see him.” 

Noah nods and helps his son out of the clinic and into his cruiser. They drive back to the loft in silence, Stiles closing his eyes as he tries to push through his exhaustion. 

Arriving at Derek’s building, they make their way up to the top floor. Slowly making his way to Derek’s and his bedroom. He finds the wolf on his bed, an iv hung next to him, slowly replenishing his fluids. 

Stiles whimpers as he moves to sit in a chair next to the bed and rests his hand on Derek’s 

“Please…come back to me,” he murmurs. “You promised that it would be alright…well I need you to wake up for it to be alright.”

That night, he falls asleep listening to the rhythmic thumping of Derek’s heart as it regains strength.

Chapter Text

Stiles grumbled and rubbed at his eyes as he stirred. Something had woke him up, he just didn't know what it was. Looking around he finds the room empty of any other inhabitants, however, once he trains his hearing, he can hear a few faint heartbeats downstairs. Looking to his left he finds Derek’s eyes fluttering behind his eyelids. 

Deciding to take a chance, Stiles reaches out and places his hand on Derek’s cheek. “Derek?”

The wolf shifts in position before letting out a low moan. His head slowly turns to the side before his eyes begin to open.

“Derek,” Stiles repeats as he stands to his feet. 

“Sti…Stiles?” Derek’s voice is rough and quiet from lack of use. It breaks Stiles’ heart to hear his mate in such a way.

“You’re ok, baby.,” Stiles says before leaning down to plant a kiss on Derek’s forehead. “You wait right here, and I'm going to go and see if Deaton is still here,” he tells his mate before quickly leaving the room. He looks over the railing and finds his father asleep on the couch while Peter lightly snores in the armchair. He does however not find Deaton.

“Peter,” he hisses. 

Immediately the wolf is standing up and looking around, he takes a moment to wake up before turning to stare up at the gargoyle.

“He's awake,” Stiles says. “Get Deaton.”

Without a word, the former alpha is pulling out his phone as he leaves the apartment.

---

Derek is currently sitting up against the headboard as Deaton checks his vitals. Around him, Stiles, Peter, and even Noah wait with bated breath. 

After a few moments, Deaton steps back. “The wolfsbane is slowly leaving his system. I would suggest that he doesn’t do physical activities while he is still healing.”

“I'm-” Derek begins before breaking out into a coughing fit. “I'm the alpha, I have to be there for the pack.” he weakly counters before once again coughing into his arm. 

“Derek, you can barely speak without coughing up a lung,” Stiles shakes his head. “If Deaton says no physical stress or activities for you…then your wolfy ass is not leaving that bed until he gives you the all-clear,” the gargoyle tells him, a hint of protective anger rising in his voice. “Am I understood?”

The wolf holds his gaze for a moment before looking away and nodding. 

A sudden chuckle emits from Peter who smiles. “Talia would be proud of you for that right there, putting him in his place,” he says before turning to his nephew. “He's right Derek, and you know it. We can keep the territory safe while you recover.” 

Derek sighs but nods. “Stiles is in charge,” he tells his uncle. 

“Of course, you really think the others could be trusted with that responsibility? And me personally…well, you've always been better with children than I.” 

“One thing that may help the healing process is closeness to Stiles, the fact of being near another member of his pack but also his mate,” Deaton explains. 

“You’re crazy if you think I'm going to leave him like this,” Stiles tells the druid before turning back to the alpha wolf. “You better be ready for me to be stuck to you like glue because that is exactly what is going to happen.” he smiles before leaning in for another kiss.

“We have to find the hunters.” Derek counters.

“The hunters have been dealt with,” Noah replies. “They won't be bothering anyone any time soon,” he assures the wolf. 

Derek opens his mouth to question what he means but decides against it. Instead, he just nods. A few seconds later, Stiles climbs into the bed with him and wraps his arms around the wolf. The contact settles Derek’s wolf, as this happens a wave of ease washes over his body, immediately his eyes begin to droop. Before he even knows what is happening, darkness consumes him.

---

Stiles watches as Derek slumps in his arms. Turning to the others, he nods. “Ok, Peter, I want you and Jackson to go and run patrol, circle the perimeter, I want to be sure that the hunters don't have any friends that decide to come knocking,” he says. “When you’re done, have Erica and Boyd take over.” 

Peter nods and leaves to do as instructed. 

Turning to his father, Stiles smiles. “You have to get to work, and go change, you still smell.”

His dad holds his gaze and chuckles. “Love you too, son,” he shakes his head before leaning forward and planting a kiss on his child’s forehead before he too leaves the room.

Finally, he focuses on Deaton. “The wards around the territory,” he begins. “Can you strengthen them or alter them so we’ll know the exact moment that someone crosses?”

The druid thinks for a moment before nodding. “I'll get right on that, is there anything else you need?” 

“No, thank you doc, is it ok though if I call you in the future should anything come up?”

“Of course, Mr. Stilinski,” he nods before turning and leaving. 

Stiles watches him go before turning to Derek. He cards his fingers through his mate’s sweat-damp hair and sighs. “I'll help you get through this, I promise.

Chapter Text

Stiles turns away from the window when he hears Derek’s heart quicken ever so slightly. He finds Derek stirring and shifting in his bed. Moving over to him, he reaches out and places his hand on Derek’s arm. 

“Derek?” he prompts softly. “Are you ok?”

Slowly the wolf’s eyes open to reveal the kaleidoscope colors that have entranced Stiles since he first saw them. He looks around confusedly before they finally settle and train on the gargoyle.

“Stiles?” he murmurs, his voice raspy and gravely. 

“Yeah, it's me, babe,” he nods. “Do you know where you are?” 

Derek is silent for a moment before nodding. “Bed-bedroom.” he says. 

“That's right,” Stiles nods. “You’re in our room,” he assures the wolf. He moves to sit on the edge of the bed and reaches out to caress his hand against Derek’s cheek. “You've been out for a bit, but Deaton says your body is healing.”

“How-how long?” Derek asks. 

“You've been out for two days,” Stiles answers. “But don't worry about that,” he says. “You’re getting better and that is all that matters.” 

The gargoyle watches as the wolf tries to sit up, wincing however when pain jolts through his entire body. 

Frowning, Stiles helps him get comfortable, moving a pillow behind his head and lower back. He hears Derek let out a breath of relief when he is able to become somewhat comfortable. 

“You’re probably hungry,” Stiles says. “I'll go get you something to eat,” he says, however before he leaves, he grabs a water bottle from the nearby end table and uncaps it. He gently brings it to Derek’s lips and gently raises the bottle, allowing the wolf to take small sips of the drink.

Pulling it back, he caps it and places it back on the table. Giving one final kiss, to Derek’s cheek, he leaves the room and makes his way down to the kitchen where he retrieves a bowl before opening the fridge where he retrieves a pot of chicken noodle soup. Spooning a portion into the bowl, he quickly reheats it. He then makes his way back up to his and Derek’s bedroom where the wolf awaits him. He enters the room and moves to sit on the bed. Gently raising the spoon he glances up at the wolf who arches a brow.

“I can feed myself,” Derek rumbles. However, when he tries to lift his arm, he lets out a hiss as the pain in his arm surges through his body. 

“Right,” Stiles says before bringing the spoon of soup to Derek’s lips. Slowly the wolf opens his mouth and accepts the spoon. 

“You can barely lift your arm, Derek.” Stiles counters. 

The wolf says nothing, just continues to sit there as his mate feeds him. 

Finally, when the bowl is empty, Stiles sets it on the end table and watches as Derek’s eyes begin to droop. 

“You ok baby?” Stiles asks. 

“Yeah,” the other man says. “I'm just tired.” 

“Your body is still healing,” Stiles tells him. He then moves to lay next to the wolf. “But I promise you that you will get through this, and I will be right beside you.”

The wolf looks down at him and gives a soft smile. “Thank you,” he replies before closing his eyes. He hums softly when he feels the gargoyle bring their hands together.

---

Stiles awakens to the sound of the loft door opening. Sitting up, he finds Derek still asleep, the exhaustion of his body healing taking its toll on him. Slowly, Stiles slinks out from the bed and makes his way down the spiral stairs to find Peter in the kitchen. The wolf turns to him and raises a brow. 

“Sorry if I woke you,” he offers. 

“It's fine,” Stiles dismisses. “Did you and Jackson pick anything up?”

“No, we found nothing to suggest that the hunters had any associates within our borders,” the wolf tells him.

“Good, now maybe we can have some peace,” Stiles murmurs. 

He notes how Peter looks up the stairs before turning his attention back to Stiles. “How is he doing?”

“He's still healing, it pains him to move, so I had to feed him his bowl of soup.” 

Peter snickers softly. “I bet my nephew loved that, being fed like a pup,” he smiles as he pours himself a glass of milk.

“He…was hesitant at first, but eventually gave in and we did things my way,” Stiles tells him. 

Peter nods and takes a sip of his drink. Once he places the glass back on the counter, he smiles at the younger man. “Thank you,” he says. “For taking care of him. He may be my nephew, but our history, it's tainted any relationship that we held and hinders the creation of a new one…no matter how much I may want to change that.” he sighs. 

“He knows you care for him, everyone can see it,” Stiles counters. “It's just gonna take some time.”

Peter nods silently. “So what's the plan now?” he questions. 

“To help Derek heal and recover, then try and go back to normal, the normal before the hunters reared their ugly heads,” Stiles replies. “That's all we can do.” he finishes.

Peter smiles at him and nods. “My sister would have liked you very much, you’re tactical yet ruthless…caring yet deadly.” he praises. “She would have built you up to be a brilliant right hand…or even let me train you to be the left.”

Stiles studies Peter for a moment before shrugging. “My kind, from what I have learned was all about the balance of things. To keep the law, but punish those who broke it,” he says. “It tends to skew judgment a bit on some things, but in the end, all we ever wanted was the safety of our world…and those that reside in it.”

Again, Peter nods. “A noble cause,” he admits before they fall into silence. 

“Stiles.”

Both men look up to the top floor of the loft at Derek’s calls. The gargoyle turns to Peter who nods and gestures to the stairs. 

Spreading his wings, Stiles quickly flies up to the second floor and enters the room. 

He finds Derek hunched over on the side of the bed. Before he can do anything, the alpha slowly stands to his feet and turns to face him.

“Derek, what are you doing?” Stiles hisses as he moves to place his hand on the wolf’s arm to steady him. 

“I'm feeling…better,” Derek replies. “Less weak,” he adds. 

“You’re still healing.” Stiles counters. “You can't just stand up and begin to walk around.”

“I won't be trapped in my own bedroom,” the wolf snaps. “I am the alpha, I need to be up and active, I can't show weakness,” he says as he turns his gaze to Stiles. He flinches when he finds the stony black orbs of the gargoyle staring back at him in anger. 

“It is not weakness to recover and take a break so that you can do so,” Stiles hisses. “And while you may be the alpha, I am your mate, you have to trust me in running the pack while you are out of action.”

“I do trust you,” Derek assures the other man. “But being cooped up in our room, in our bed… it's driving me wild, I've apparently been out for a few days…I need to do this,” he sighs. “Please.”

Stiles holds his gaze for a moment before finally nodding with a sigh. “Fine, but the moment you start feeling weak or shaky, you tell me, and I'll be sure to have the betas be on watch as well,” he tells the alpha.

“Fine,” Derek agrees before they slowly make their way out of the room. 

“Ah, Derek,” Peter greets once the two are on the main floor. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” Derek replies with a nod to his uncle. “Thank you,” he says, earning a small smile from the older man. 

“Well, I guess I should let the others know that our great alpha is back on his feet,” Peter says as he takes out his phone and sends a message. 

Derek stares at his uncle for a moment before turning to Stiles. “So what’s happened while I was out?”

“The hunters have been dealt with and Peter assures me that he and Jackson found no lingering scents of them anywhere, meaning that they more than likely don't have any associates in town. So we should be in the clear.”  Stiles explains, earning a nod from Derek. “I also had Deaton reinforce the wards to the territory so we’ll know if anyone crosses them.”

Derek smiles before slowly leaning forward to bring his lips to Stiles. “Thank you,” he says. “You took care of me and my territory while I was unable to.”

“It's what I'm here for,” Stiles smiles. “Now even though you are being active, sit on the couch, I'll get you something to eat, your metabolism is probably shot due to the healing process,” Stiles says as he moves to the kitchen. 

Derek sits down and watches as his mate moves about, collecting different ingredients, and smiles. “I love you,” he murmurs.

Chapter Text

A week later, Derek wakes up fully healed and takes a moment ot appreciate the fact that he can now move his entire body without letting out a moan from the pain. Rising to his feet, he looks around and finds that Stiles is absent from the room, though he does catch the scent of breakfast being made in the kitchen. Getting up from the bed, he pulls on a pair of jeans and grabs the gargoyle talisman necklace, and puts it around his neck before making his way downstairs.

He finds the gargoyle hunched over the stove.

“Hey,” he greets as he moves to stand behind his mate and wraps his arms around Stiles’ waist.

The other man hums and leans his head to the side allowing Derek to nuzzle against the side of his throat. 

After breakfast, Stiles grabs his bag and leaves for school planting a kiss on Derek’s lips before he goes. 

---

A few hours later, Derek is cleaning up the loft when he hears someone knock on the door. Setting down the washrag, he answers it and arches a brow when he finds Peter standing on the other side.

“Peter? What's going on?” he arches a brow.

“I was looking through the archives in the vault, and I found some interesting things,” he explains. “Ever since I found out that your mother took my memories, I've been spending a lot of time in the vault looking for anything else that she might have hidden from me.”

“And did you find anything?” Derek asks.

“I did,” Peter nods. “There was a notebook in there written in Talia’s hand, stating that Claudia came to her the night after Stiles was born,” he explains. “And told your mother that you and Stiles would be tied to each other, in more ways than just as mates.” 

Derek feels his heart clench. “She knew me and Stiles were mates…and kept him from me?” it's heartbreaking to know that his own mother would do such a thing to him. To keep his mate from him, even if they were just children. 

Peter nods sadly. Despite all the wrong he has done, seeing his nephew, one of the last remaining things he has of his sister upset…it causes his wolf to whimper and yearn to comfort him.

“I'm sorry,” he says. “But that's not all I found,” he says. “I also found that Claudia knew of some other gargoyles who survived the purge and were in hiding, she had planned on taking Talia with her to meet them in case she needed back up.”

“Did she say where?” Derek asks. 

Peter nods, “they are in New York…apparently they too were allied with a pack in the city.”

Derek furrows his brow as he thinks.

“Derek, if that's true, we should take Stiles to meet them,” Peter says.

Derek nods. “I know, but returning to New York… it…”

“I know it's going to be hard,” Peter says gently. “But we owe this to Stiles, for all that he has done for this pack.” 

Derek sighs and nods. “We should talk to Noah though, and see what he says.”

Peter nods at the logic.

The older wolf watches as his nephew moves to grab his coat before the two of them make their way out of the loft and into the service elevator.

---

Arriving at the Stilinski house, Derek takes a moment to look up at it and try and picture the sight of small Stiles running around the yard with his mother chasing him. He smiles at the imagery and continues to follow Peter to the door. Knocking, they wait for a few moments before it opens to reveal Noah, who has been spending his day off in a pair of sweatpants and a wife-beater. 

Suddenly, Derek scents the air and finds the aroma of arousal radiating off his uncle like an incense burner. He mentally cringes before smiling at the sheriff.

“Can I help you two?” the man says.

When Peter just stares silently at the man, Derek sighs and speaks up. “We came to ask for your permission to take Stiles to New York,” he explains. At Noah’s confused expression he elaborates. “Peter found some information in the Hale vault that Claudia knew of some other gargoyle survivors who went into hiding in New York and allied themselves with a pack there…seeing as I spent some time there, I would basically be the guide,” he says before sighing. “We just want to help him meet some others of his kind.”

Noah says nothing for a moment before huffing. “I guess it's not a bad idea,” he shrugs before leveling a glare at the two wolves. “Just be sure you protect my son, or I will come for the both of you.”

“Promise?” Peter says before paling in shock and sputtering. “I mean…we will.”

Derek is suddenly filled with the desire to inject himself with wolfbane.

Noah stares at Peter for a moment before shaking his head and turning to Derek. “Keep my kid out of trouble.”

“I will, Sheriff,” he nods. “I promise to bring him back home to you.”

Noah nods. “Well, then I guess have a safe trip, I'll arrange something for his school.”

Derek nods and then frowns when he realizes that Stiles will no doubt be missing more school. 

With that, Noah looks between the two of them again before closing the door. The two wolves turn and make their way back to the car. Climbing into the vehicle, Peter sighs with a smile.

“I think that went well.”

Derek glances at his uncle and shakes his head as he starts the engine. “You disgust me.” 

---

Telling Stiles of their plan was easier than Derek thought it would be, especially when he notified him that his father signed off on it. 

Almost with a shout of excitement, Stiles lept to his feet and hugged both wolves before running to pack.

The next day, the three of them boarded a plane set for New York. The entire flight, Derek could tell that Stiles was giddy and excited, but still doing his best to not annoy the other passengers.

When they landed, it was in the evening, they claimed their bags from the luggage belt and rented a car that they drove to the house on the edge of the city that the Hales still owned. They left their bags at the home before making their way back to the city. 

“Now, the Gallo Pack have a small restaurant that they own on east twenty-fourth,” Derek explains. 

The three of them make their way to their destination and upon arrival find a man and a woman waiting for them outside the doors.

“Derek Hale,” the woman smiles. “You've grown up.” 

“Hey Sephrina,” Derek nods, “we've come to speak with your alpha.” 

The woman, Sephrina, nods before gesturing for them to follow. As they trail behind her, the man falls in line behind Peter. They walk through the restaurant before passing into a back room, where a woman sits at a table eating a steak. 

She looks up at them and tilts her head. 

“Derek Hale as I live and breathe,” she smiles before sitting back. 

“Alpha Gallo,” Derek nods. “This is my uncle, Peter, and my mate…Stiles,” he introduces. 

The alpha studies them before turning her attention back to Derek. “The last time you were in this very room, you turned down my proposition for you to mate with my daughter…and now you come here with some…human?”

Derek was admittedly caught off guard by her hostility. 

“It is not my intention to insult you,” he says.

“Then why are you here?” she questions. “Why would you, an alpha, come into another’s territory without any forewarning.”

“I apologize for showing up without notice, but we’ve recently discovered some information that we need your help clearing up,” he says. 

This catches Gallo’s attention. “And that would be?”

Derek looks to Stlies and nods. The room watches as he steps forward and shrugs his shoulders. Immediately his wings extend from his back and his skin begins to turn its onyx black coloration. The Gallo pack members step back in shock and even their alpha looks surprised. 

“You have found a gargoyle,” she murmurs.

Derek nods. “And thanks to some information that was shared with my mother, I know that you and your pack are allied with some survivors of the purge as well,” he says.

Stiles watches as the female alpha stands to her feet and moves to stand before him. She studies him for a moment before holding out her hand. “Cara Gallo,” she greets. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Stiles,”

The gargoyle nods and accepts her hand with a single shake.

Alpha Gallo then greets Peter properly before turning to Derek. “You have a car for yourselves, yes?” she questions. At Derek's nod, she continues. “Then follow us in mine.” 

The group walks out the back entrance and make their way to their rental. Pulling out of the parking lot, they trail after the others.

“What was that whole thing about her propositioning you to mate her daughter?” Stiles asks.

Derek sighs. “When Laura and I came to New York after the fire, Cara didn't like having another alpha in her territory, so she wanted assurance that we wouldn't cause problems, and by that she wanted me to mate her daughter. I refused time and time again, and then…Laura left and went back to Beacon Hills. I guess Cara is still upset that I refused.” he explains.

“Well she can suck it up, you’re mine,” Stiles growls.

Derek laughs and nods. “Yes, yes I am,” he says as he glances at his mate in the rearview mirror.

---

They arrive at a large manor and get out of the car to join the pack. 

Alpha Cara glances at Stiles who is holding Derek’s hand and frowns before sighing. “Come with me,” she instructs before turning around and leading them inside.

They enter the manor and are led to a spacious living room. The three take a seat on a sofa and turn to Cara who opens her mouth to speak, however before she can get a word out, there is the sound of feet crashing down stairs and suddenly a man is standing beside her, but his eyes are on Stiles. 

“Who are you?” he asks, his voice is even and his tone is low yet there is no cruelty to it if anything he seems curious and surprised.

Stiles glances at Derek who shrugs. Turning back to the man, Stiles takes a breath. “I'm Stiles Stilinski,” he introduces.

“Mischief,” the man replies catching everyone off guard. But before they can question him, the man’s eyes dart to Derek’s neck and land on his amulet. His eyes immediately go wide as a smile spreads across his lips. “It is you,” he says.

“I'm sorry, but I don't quite know you.” Stiles cuts in.

“No, I suppose you wouldn't,” the man says. “You were just a baby the last time I saw you,” he says.

Stiles feels his entire body turn cold at the man’s words. Shaking his head, he sputters.

“I don't…I don't understand.”

“You were born on April eighth, nineteen-ninety-five,” he says. “Your real name is Mieczysław Stilinski, and your mother was Claudia Stilinski, my sister,” he says with a smile.

 “I'm your uncle, Mikolaj,” he says.

Chapter Text

Stiles looked up at the man in shock, for him to claim to be Stiles’ uncle…the young gargoyle didn't think it possible. 

“You- how?” Stiles stammers. 

Mikolaj smiles. “Your mother wasn't the only one to come over from the home country,” he says. “A few months after she left, I did too…but instead of following her, I came here to New York and was found by the Gallo pack who took me in and gave me refuge.”

Stiles nods and turns to Alpha Gallo. “Thank you, for taking care of my family,” he says. 

In response, she gives a quick nod before going back to discussing with her betas. 

Frowning, Stiles glances at Derek who only shakes his head before turning back to his uncle. 

“So…where is your mother?” his uncle asks.

Immediately, Stiles feels his heart drop. Looking down, he does his best to not cry. 

“Mom uh..” he falters. “Mom passed away a few years ago,” he says. 

His uncle falls silent and suddenly, Stiles finds himself being wrapped in the man’s arms. 

“I am so sorry, Mischief,” he says. “She was a good woman, and an even better sister.”

Stiles nods into his uncle’s chest before pulling away. 

“So,” the older man says. “What are you doing here?”

Smiling, Stiles moves to stand next to Derek, well, Derek here, my mate, and his uncle, Peter had found some information in their vault that mom had known some other gargoyles who lived here in New York, but she never mentioned that they were family.” 

Mikolaj arches a brow. “I wonder how she knew that we were here?” he says before taking a moment to think, after a second, he shakes his head. “No matter, I'm just glad you are here,” he smirks before turning to Derek. “And to find out that you are mated,” he chuckles before holding out his hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Derek…”

“Hale,” the wolf says with his own friendly smile. “And it's a pleasure to meet someone from Stiles’ family,” 

Mikolaj smiles and nods before turning to Peter and greeting him in the same friendly manner.

“Well, although I am glad you were able to reunite with your family,” Alpha Gallosays to Stiles’ uncle, she then turns to face Derek. “We have business to attend to…Alpha Hale.”

As if he is able to read her mind, Derek shakes his head. “I won't abandon Stiles to be with your daughter, Cara,” he tells her. “He is my mate and I am sworn to him.”

Stiles notices how his uncle seems confused as he looks between the two alphas. 

“You and your sister lived in my territory for years thanks to my generosity…I could have killed you both,” she growls. “I could have run you out or even turned you into the Argents for clemency.”

At this Stiles lets out a growl. “You dare threaten my mate?” he asks.

Alpha Gallo turns to glare at Stiles. “You shouldn't even be with him,” she snarls. “He should be with my daughter…a thank you for my kindness and hospitality.”

“Enough,” Mikolaj shouts, drawing everyone’s attention.

“The mating between your daughter and Alpha Hale was not consummated or promised, meaning that Alpha Hale has not broken any of the sacred laws or deserves such hostility,” he says before finally turning to face Alpha Gallo. “And you would be wise to treat my nephew with the respect he deserves,” he grumbles.

Alpha Gallo holds Mikolaj’s gaze. “I will not have any of them in my territory, it is an insult to me and my power…I gave him a chance all those years ago but he threw them away…and now he comes back with your nephew who claims to be his mate? I think not,” she shakes her head.

“Then issue a challenge,” Stiles suddenly says, causing everyone to turn to him. They watch as he moves to stand next to his uncle. “Issue a challenge. If you think I am not worthy to be with Derek…I will accept a challenge to fight for his hand.”

“Stiles,” Derek hisses. 

“Fine then,” a voice says. 

Everyone turns to find a young woman stepping through the gathered crowd. She sends a flirtatious smile at Derek before turning to glare at Stiles. “If it's a challenge you want, then I will give you one…I challenge you for the right to be Derek’s mate.”

“Stiles,” Derek growls once again.

“I accept,” the young gargoyle says.

The girl smiles and together she and the Gallo Pack go out to the backyard.

“What do you think you are doing? Tia is a strong fighter and won't hold back,” Derek growls. 

“I don't care, I'm showing this bitch, that you are mine, and shutting her alpha up,” Stiles replies. 

Before Derek can reply, Stiles moves to follow after the other pack, after a moment he senses his uncle, Peter, and Derek behind him. He takes his place across from Tia.

“Don't worry,” she says. “I'm sure Derek will learn to love me, I mean if he can love you…he can love anyone right?” she smirks before looking at Derek. “And honestly, undressing him with my eyes…I can't fault you for wanting to steal him…he's gorgeous…who wouldn't want to ride that.”

“I'm going to rip you apart,” Stiles snarls as he shifts, his flesh turning onyx black and his wings extending from his shoulders. Out of the corner of his eyes, he notices his uncle smirk while the Gallo Pack look amongst themselves.

Without warning, Tia lunges forward, shifting into her beta form as she moves. Her nails give way to claws as she swipes at Stiles, but the gargoyle was expecting it. He ducks out of the way and grabs her wrist, twisting it back, he relishes the ‘ snap ’ before tossing her away. She lands with a grunt and cradles her broken wrist. With another roar, she charges this time though, she feints and manages to get onto Stiles’ back

The gargoyle struggles to get her off him but she avoids his own claws. Finally, Stiles lets out a huff and spreads his wings. Tia lets out a yelp as they take to the sky, her hold moving from his neck to his shoulders and tightening to prevent herself from falling. 

They soar higher and higher into the sky, he smiles as she lets out a scream before he tucks his wings and together they plummet. As they pick up speed, he feels her grip loosen ever so slightly and her form shift to the side. As the ground comes into view, he spreads his wings and reaches back to grab her by the throat before throwing her down. 

He lands with ease and looks down at the beta who groans with pain. Kneeling down he presses a claw to her throat before looking up at her mother. Cara watches with shock as he holds her gaze while his claw presses against Tia’s flesh.

After a moment, he steps away. “Her death won't solve anything,” he says. “It's obvious I have one, meaning that Derek is mine…he always has been…and anyone who dares challenge my claim only has to look at Tia…that is the punishment.” he continues. “You would do well to remember that,” he adds before turning and walking away.

---

Derek finds him by the rental car.

“What were you thinking?” the alpha asks him.

“Derek, we’ve been over this, I don't want to fight with you.”

“Well you should have thought of that before you went and opened a challenge for the right to mate me, you don't get to make that decision Stiles…it's mine to make on who I want to mate.”

“Then it's a good thing I won because we are still mates,” Stiles fires back. 

“That's not the point!” Derek shouts. “The point is that you did it, you opened me up to having to live with the fact that you died and I was forced to mate Tia, how do you think that would go?” he questions. “I would be forced to give up my alpha spark to Cara, and our packs would have to merge, all while I'm having to be with someone I don't love…it was cruel of you to do that.”

Stiles averts his gaze and sighs. “I'm sorry,” he says. “I just…I didn't like how Cara was acting as if you owed her for letting you and Laura stay here,” adds.

“I get that, I do, and I'm thankful that you were willing to fight for my sister’s honor, but you can't just jump into a fight like that,” Derek tells Stiles who nods. 

The alpha wolf lets out a sigh and shakes his head. “I have to go get Peter and tell your uncle where we are staying, we can finish this later.”

“What is there to finish?” Stiles asks. “You made your point and I apologized.”

Derek only looks at him and shakes his head before turning and walking back into the house.

The drive back to the hotel was…silent…and uncomfortable. Stiles sat in the back while Peter rode in the passenger seat with his nephew. Mikolaj had told them that he would meet them at their home and had supposedly flown off.

Stepping into the Hale’s estate, Stiles made his way up to the room he and Derek planned on sharing and found his uncle on the bed.

“How did you get in?” he asks as he grabs his bag. 

“The window,” Mikolaj replies, causing Stiles to smirk. 

Stepping out of the room, Stiles finds Derek just coming up the stairs and avoids the look of confusion that the wolf sends him as he makes his way into one of the spare bedrooms with his uncle before closing and locking the door.

“So you and your wolf are having problems?”

“That obvious huh?” Stiles scoffs as he sits down on the bed. “I just…I was trying to help, and I didn't like that they were treating Derek like he owed them, he and Laura came here when they were in trouble and on the run from the people who killed their family…how could you hold that above someone?”

“Admittedly, I wasn't found by the Gallo pack right away, I lived on the streets for a few years, doing my best to stay hidden, sticking to the shadows and living off whatever I could get ahold of,” he says. “So I'm not familiar with the relations that Derek and his sister held with Cara,” Mikolaj says. “But I agree with you, holding hospitality over someone’s head after what they had gone through…is wrong…but so is leaving a werewolf’s mate hood to chance,” he says.

Stiles looks up at his uncle who sighs. 

“I understand why you did it, you wanted to shut them up and prove that you were worthy to be Derek’s mate…but a formal challenge hadn't been made by the Gallo pack, and by making one yourself…you were looking for a fight and you got one, sure you won, but you still acted aggressively.”

Bowing his head Stiles huffs. “I need to apologize to Derek,” he says. 

“Yes, you do,” Mikolaj says. “But in the morning, you both need to cool off, until then, get some sleep Mischief,” he smiles before ruffling his nephew’s hair and standing on his feet. 

The older gargoyle leaves the room and finds Derek sitting on the steps of the stairs outside. 

Sitting down next to him, Mikolaj folds his hands. 

“He’s angry isn't he?” Derek asks.

“He's more hurt than anything,” the gargoyle answers. “He thought he was doing right and helping by showing that he would defend your mate's bond against any potential challenges.”

“But…if he had lost…” Derek begins to reply, only to be silenced by the older man. 

“I know, and I explained it to him and now he understands.”

Derek nods and looks down at his hands. “So is he…should I be expecting him in bed?”

“Not tonight,” Mikolaj shakes his head. “Both you and my nephew need to have a night to yourselves and cool off, in the morning you can settle things,” he states, earning a nod from the werewolf.

“Thank you,” Derek says before standing up.

“Derek,” Mikolaj calls him. “Make no mistake, while I agree that Stiles was out of line…if you ever raise your voice to my nephew like that again…I will rip your vocal cords out and feed them to you…am I understood?”

“Yes,” Derek says with a slight edge of shock. 

“Good, goodnight,” Mikolaj says as the wolf enters his bedroom and closes the door.

“Nephews…gotta love them.”

Looking up, the gargoyle finds Peter at the end of the stairs.

Shaking his head, Mikolaj stands to his feet and makes his way down to the entry doorway. “Just make sure they don't tear each other apart…I'll be back in the morning,” he says before taking off into the night sky.

“Oh sure, leave me with the children,” Peter shakes his head before heading upstairs.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Derek wakes up and takes a moment to go over the previous night's events. The fight that Stiles had with Tia, the argument that ensued between the two of them when they returned to the house. 

Sitting up, he rakes a hand over his face and sighs before standing to his feet and dressing. Leaving his bedroom he glances down the hall and listens. When he doesn’t hear the sound of Sitles’ heartbeat in the spare bedroom, he makes his way downstairs and finds the gargoyle in the kitchen with Peter. 

The older werewolf sipping from a mug that smells of coffee while Stiles finishes preparing breakfast, he hands a plate to Peter before turning to face Derek, a look of calculation on his face. 

“Well, I think I am going to take this to go,” Peter says as he stands from the table and carries his plate from the room. A few moments later, the front door opens and closes. 

A silence settles between the alpha werewolf and the gargoyle. After a short while, Derek can no longer take it. “So are you just not going to talk to me?” he asks.

Stiles scoffs and shakes his head. “I don't know,” he says. “I want to…I love you Derek, but even if my actions were a little aggressive last night with the Gallo Pack…I didn't deserve to be chewed up and spit out.” he continues.

Ducking his head, Derek averts his gaze. “I'm sorry,” he says. “I shouldn't have yelled.”

“I shouldn't have put you in the position that I did,” Stiles concedes. “I just don't like the whole fact of them trying to strong-arm you into staying with them simply because they gave you refuge when your family was murdered.” he sighs.

Derek smiles and reaches out to pull the gargoyle into his arms, leaning down he buries his nose into the juncture of his mate’s shoulder and neck, taking a deep breath, inhaling his calming scent.

“Well, I'm glad that you two were able to settle things.” 

Turning around they find Mikolaj standing in the entryway to the kitchen. The older gargoyle wears a smile as he takes in the sight of his nephew and his mate. He moves to clap Stiles on the shoulder before moving to sit at the table. 

Stiles glances from his uncle to Derek before shaking his head and continuing to cook breakfast. The werewolf takes one last inhale of his scent before moving to sit down at the table across from Mikolaj.

“So what now?” Stiles asks his uncle. 

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, what are you going to do now? I'm sure you would be welcome in Beacon Hills.” Stiles says as he glances at Derek. 

The werewolf smiles and nods. 

For a moment the older gargoyle says nothing and then finally he shrugs. “Well, I guess my presence here won't be as…appreciated due to last night's events…so why not?” he sighs.

Stiles smiles and moves to bring his uncle in for a hug. “Thank you,” he whispers. 

“You’re welcome kiddo,” the older man replies.

---

Returning to Beacon Hills with his uncle in tow is something that has Stiles warm and fuzzy in his stomach. He never expected to meet someone from his mother’s family, having thought they stayed in Poland but now that he was sitting in the same car as his uncle…his mother’s brother..he could not be happier. 

They arrive at Stiles’ home first, carrying their stuff into the house. His father meets them at the door. He welcomes his son and Derek with smiles and hugs before turning to give a simple nod to Peter, and finally, he turns to Mikolaj.

“Miko,” he smirks.

“Noah,” the gargoyle all but cheers. 

“When Stiles said that Claud had family alive in New York, I had no idea that it would be you, though I shouldn't be surprised…you always were something of a wanderer.”

“Wait…you two know each other?” Stiles asks as he looks between his father and his uncle.”

“We met when your father was in Poland…when he met your mother.”Mikolaj smiles.

“Of course at the time, your uncle had it in his head that I was trying to steal your mother away from her family.”

“I was sixteen and you were an outsider coming into my home and talking with my big sis and suddenly she was willing to leave…sue me,” the other man says with a faux pout.

Stiles smirks as his father laughs. 

“So…how was the trip?” Noah then asks.

The four supernaturals fall into silence.

“Stiles challenged the daughter of the local Alpha for Derek’s hand,” Peter finally says before walking into the house.

Stiles sighs as he finds his father staring at him in both surprise and shock.

“In my defense, they were being rude…holding the fact that Laura and Derek had stayed with them after the fire,” he argues. “And that's just cruel.”

Noah buries his face in his palm and sighs. “I'm glad you stood up for Derek and Laura…but Stiles…you can not just go around challenging people like that, especially werewolves in their own territory.” 

“I know,” Stiles says as he bows his head. “I'm sorry, I just…Derek’s mine,” he pouts, earning a chuckle from the wolf. 

“Yes, yes I am…but it's because I am yours and you’re mine that I don't want you putting yourself in danger,” Derek says as he pulls Stiles to his chest. The gargoyle laid his head against Derek’s sternum, allowing the calming heartbeat of his mate to soothe him.

Distantly he hears his father let out a sigh. “Alright, come on, inside,” he says. “We can discuss things later, but now I bet you’re hungry, so I made burgers.” 

“Dad, you are supposed to be eating healthy!” Stiles shouts as he, Derek, and his uncle follow after the sheriff. 

“And you are not supposed to be challenging packs to fights,” the other man counters causing Stiles to huff.

---

Later that night as Stiles lays in his bed while Derek showers, he hears a knock on his door. Opening it he finds his uncle standing on the other side.

“Hey Mischief,” the older man smiles.

“Uncle Miko.” he greets as he steps aside to let the older gargoyle into his room.

“I know it's late, but I just wanted to say…I’m happy that you found your mother’s journal,” he says. “I had thought that I had lost the last part of her when I felt the familial bond snap…and it broke me…but to know that I have you now…I couldn't be happier.” he smiles before pulling his nephew in for a hug.

As they part, Derek enters the room, wearing only a towel around his waist. He immediately blushes as he sees Mikolaj who smirks and shakes his head. 

“I'll be going,” he says before turning and walking to the door. He pauses and turns to face both the werewolf and the younger gargoyle. “Just…don't hurt each other he says before closing the door.

Stiles dares not look at Derek in fear of what he will see.

“Come on,” the alpha says as he pulls him onto the bed. “Let's just…sleep.”

“Agreed.” Stiles nods against Derek’s chest before closing his eyes and doing his best to fall asleep.

That night he dreams of his mother.

Chapter Text

Four nights later finds Stiles parking in a gas station. He fills up the jeep and makes his way inside to grab some snacks for himself and Derek. However as he is standing in the aisle that offers bags of chips, he notes how a man moves to stand at the end of the aisle, occasionally glancing at him before turning his attention back to the shelf.

Turning, Stiles walks to the back of the building where the two liters of coke are and looks up in the corner mirror. He watches as the man is now joined by another with a whole different group of men standing near the doorway.

They begin moving towards him and stand on either side. 

Glancing to his left, Stiles sees a cable along the wall, it thrums with electricity and energy. Following it with his eyes he determines that it must be the power cable and smiles.

“Ok boys, show of hands,” he turns to face them. “Who can see in the dark?” he smiles before unsheathing his claws and swiping at the cable. The gas station is plunged into darkness even as he chuckles. “I can.”

Grabbing the first man who had been in the chips aisle with him, he throws the man into the wall before kicking at the next nearest stranger who has drawn a knife. Stiles can smell the wolfsbane on it and smirks at how uninformed they are. 

Turning around, he swipes at another hunter who lunges forward blindly swinging his knife. The tip of his tail cuts along the man’s cheek causing him to grunt. Stiles delivers an elbow to his cheek before turning to the final hunter who is cursing and looking around. Grabbing him by the collar of his jacket, Stiles drags the guy out of the back door. Spreading his wings he takes off into the sky, relishing the scream that erupts from the hunter as they climb higher. Finally, Stiles is satisfied with the altitude and turns his gaze to the man.

“Who sent you?”

“I-I don't know,” the man shakes his head. 

“Wrong answer,” Stiles growls as he momentarily releases the man catching him at the last second before he begins to truly fall. 

“I don't know, they sent us a message with a description of your jeep, we thought you were a werewolf.”

“You've been misinformed,” Stiles tuts.

“I'm sorry, please…don't kill me,” the man sobs.

“I'm not going to kill you,” Stiles shakes his head. “But you and your friends are going to turn yourselves into the police, understand? And if I find you haven't…I have your scent…I will find you.”

“We will...I swear,” the hunter squeaks. 

Nodding, Stiles takes them back to the ground and throws the man to his knees. 

He watches as the hunter and his friends retreat to their vehicle and peel out of the driveway, their tires squealing as they go.

Letting out a sigh, Stiles goes back inside and pays for the gas, ignoring the confused glance that the cashier gives him before returning to his jeep and driving home.

Stepping inside his home, he finds his uncle and father watching television. In an instant, however, Mikolaj is in front of his nephew.

“Why do I smell wolfsbane?

“I'm fine, uncle Mikolaj,” Stiles shrugs. “There was a group of hunters that ambushed me at the gas station, they didn't know I was a gargoyle though, they were given bad information.”

“What do you mean, bad information?” Noah asks.

“They were sent a description of my jeep, but thought I was a werewolf, they weren’t prepared for a gargoyle.”

“So what did you do?” Noah asks.

“I dealt with them, and then told the leader to turn themselves in, after scaring him by flying up into the sky.” 

The young gargoyle notes how his uncle smiles while his father sighs. 

“So I should be expecting four men in the holding cells tomorrow?” the sheriff asks.

Stiles nods. “Yep.”

His dad sighs again and nods before returning to his show. 

“Are you sure you are ok?” Mikolaj asks.

“I'm fine, just annoyed because I want to know who sent them the letter, the guy swore he didn't know, just received the letter and the description of my jeep.”

“Sounds more like mercenaries,” the older man says.

“Yeah,” Stiles says before stepping around his uncle. “But I'm going to take a shower and get the smell of fear and wolfsbane off my body.”

His uncle nods and waves him off before he too returns to the living room and joins Noah in watching the television.

Climbing the stairs, Stiles enters his room and begins undressing, leaving his clothes in a pile by the bed. Letting out a sigh he steps into the shower and turns on the water, letting it cascade down his body.

The sudden sensation of hands wrapping around his waist has him smiling. 

“Well now I would say I'm surprised that you are here, but I'm really not,” he laughs.

“Couldn't resist the sight of you,” Derek whispers back.

A few seconds later, Stiles feels the werewolf’s lips on his neck and grins again. Turning around he takes in the sight of his mate. Derek’s hair is starting to fall down in front of his face from the water but even still he still looks incredibly sexy to Stiles. The way the water trickles down his toned body and makes the tanned flesh glisten. 

“Like what you see?” Derek asks with a knowing grin.

“Oh do I,” Stiles replies before pulling the other man in for a kiss. 

Later that night, Stiles lies with Derek in his bed. 

“Your dad texted me what you told him and your uncle,” the werewolf says. “Are you sure you’re ok?”

“I'm fine,” Stiles assures his mate. “Just caught me off guard,” he admits.

“Understandable,” Derek nods as he pulls Stiles closer against his chest. He nuzzles along the gargoyle’s neck before letting out a sigh of contentment.

Stiles hums and lovingly pats the hand on his waist before closing his eyes.

---

At the next pack meeting, Stiles introduces everyone to his uncle. He watches as Mikolaj smiles and greets the other members of the pack only giving a curious glance to Scott who watches the gargoyle with an affronted look.

Moving forward Stiles grabs the beta by the arm and leads him away from the others. 

“What is your problem?”

“Nothing, I'm just surprised that your uncle is alive, and didn't try to find you.”

Narrowing his eyes, Stiles sighs. “He knew where I was…he knew where my mom was…he just lived in New York with another pack,” Stiles explains.

Scott says nothing. 

“Look, if you are going to be like this, then you can go home, but I wanted you all to meet him because he is the one last members of the family I have on my mother’s side,” he shakes his head before turning and moving to join the others.

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Peter glance at Scott and then back to him before shaking his head.

In the end, the pack falls in love with Mikolaj, asking him what Poland is like, and how he enjoyed New York. Everyone except Scott.

---

Later that night, Peter walks into the Stilinski house and finds Noah and Mikolaj sitting next to each other on the couch. Instantly, the sheriff pulls away from the gargoyle only to earn a smile and shake of the head from the werewolf.

“Don't worry, Noah, you don't have to hide it.” 

“I don't know what you are talking about,” Noah stammers.

“Please, I can smell your attraction from the curb, I'm quite surprised Stiles hasn’t” he admits. 

“It's none of your business,” Noah snaps, only to pause when the werewolf holds up his hands as if to calm the man.

“You’re right, it's not…but I was hoping to change that…if you both are willing,” he looks between the human and the gargoyle.

Both Noah and Mikolaj return his gaze with shocked expressions. 

“You…you want to be in a relationship with us?” Noah asks.

“I do,” Peter nods. “Noah, I've always liked you and had feelings for you,” he says before glancing down at his lap. “You’re my mate,” he admits. “I'm done denying it.” He then turns to Mikolaj and smirks. “And you are just as good of a man as Noah, and if you make him happy, there is no doubt you will make me happy, I only hope that I can make you happy too…if you will allow me to join in on the fun.”

Mikolaj looks to Noah who is still gaping at the beta werewolf and smirks. 

“I personally have no problem with it,” he says. “You’re definitely easy on the eyes,” he says before turning to look back at Noah who is coming around.

“I-I mean…I don't mind,” the sheriff says.

Peter erupts into a grin and nods. “Thank you,” he says. 

“You’re welcome,” Mikolaj smirks before reaching out and taking Peter by the wrist and pulling him onto the other side of Noah.

“So…how are we going to explain this to Stiles.?” Noah asks.

“Don't know, don't care,” Mikolaj chuckles. “All I'm thinking about is you both beneath me…and now you are too.”

Noah internally curses supernaturally enhanced senses.

Chapter Text

One Month Later

Stiles lay beside Derek, staring up at the ceiling. He replays the events that have taken place in the span of the time since Derek and the pack first found out about his true nature…his true identity as a gargoyle. He thinks of all that they have overcome, Scott, numerous groups of hunters, mistrust, and miscommunication. 

His thoughts drift back to Scott. Since that night that the pack had met his uncle and he had sent his former best friend away, the beta hasn't shown his face to the pack, Derek and Peter suspect that he is both afraid and unsure of being unwelcome. Neither Stiles nor Derek argues against that thought. He thinks it's for the best, neither he nor anyone in the pack needs or wants the toxicity that he brings. 

Chris Argent had helped the pack track down those who sent the men to attack Stiles at the gas station, a sect of Hunters much like Kate and Gerard, hunters who followed no code. What had surprised everyone though was the numerous pictures that they found of Stlies and the pack, some including pictures of Stiles in his gargoyle form, implying that they had been watching him for quite some time. 

In the end, they burned their hideout to the ground and made sure to get rid of any remaining evidence, allowing Stlies, and his uncle to live in peace, knowing that their secret is safe. 

His thoughts then drift to his father, to Mikolaj, and to Peter, the three of them now in a relationship together, something that at first, Stiles and Derek both didn't know how to feel but in the end…all they wanted was happiness for the three men. And if that made them happy, neither Derek nor Stiles would stand in the way. 

“You’re thinking too loud.”

Stiles chuckles as he is pulled out of his mind and turns to find Derek watching him, a lazy smile on his face. 

“Good morning, Sourwolf,” Stiles says before leaning forward and bringing their lips together.

“What were you thinking about?”

“Just all that we have been through,” Stiles answers, smiling when Derek pulls him against his chest. 

“We’ve been through a lot,” Derek mutters, his breath caressing Stiles’ neck. 

“We definitely have,” Stiles nods. “But we got through it together.”

“Yes, we did,” Derek hums as he kisses his way down Stiles’ neck to his throat, to his collarbone.

“Careful Sourwolf, don't start things you can't finish.”

“Oh, I think I can finish.” Derek rumbles as he readjusts their position until he is framing Stiles’ body with his arms. 

They hold each other’s gaze with smiles and shining eyes of love and happiness. 

Just as Derek is leaning down to capture Stiles’ lips with his own, there is a knock on his door.

“Alright, you two…breakfast is ready, no more hanky panky,” Mikolaj calls through the door. 

Stiles and Derek say nothing for a moment as they stare at each other before breaking into laughter. The werewolf leans down and capture’s Stiles' lips with his own before rolling off the bed.

Stiles lets out a sigh as he takes in the sight of Derek wearing nothing but a pair of tight black boxer briefs.

“Hate to see you go, love to see you leave,” Stiles says as he waggles his brows at a chuckling Derek.

“Come on, we don't need your uncle coming in here again.”

Stiles sighs before nodding and standing to his feet and getting dressed. Together he and Derek make their way downstairs where they find Peter, Noah, and Mikolaj sitting around the table already eating their breakfast. 

“Oh look…they came down sooner than you thought,” Peter smirks as he holds out his hand. A second later, Noah and Mikilaj both pass him a slip of money.

“Did you honestly make bets on when we would be down?” Stiles scoffs as he plates both his and Derek’s breakfast.

“We needed some entertainment,” Noah smirks.

Shaking his head, Stiles moves to sit with Derek and hands him his food. The werewolf accepts with a smile and a nod.

“So what are your plans?” Noah asks the two.

“Not sure,” Stiles shrugs before taking a bite of his food. “What about you guys?”

“I have work,” Noah admits. “But after that, we are heading to Peter’s so…don't wait up.”

Stiles smirks at his father before nodding. “Fine, fine,” he says. 

The five men finish eating their breakfast and go about their days. Derek and Stlies head out into town, while Noah heads for the station. Meanwhile, Peter and Mikolaj make their way to the preserve.

Stiles looks around as they pass numerous buildings. “So where are we going?” Stiles asks.

“It's a surprise,” Derek replies with a glance at his mate.

Stiles narrows his eyes before shrugging and turning to look back out the window. 

Eventually, they come to the bank, a fact that only increases Stiles’ confusion. They enter the bank and make their way to the front desk. 

The woman greets them with a smile. 

Glancing at her badge, Stiles finds that she is the manager, he wonders what is so important the manager is needed for their business.

“Mr. Hale,” she smiles. “We've been waiting for you.”

“Thank you,” Derek nods back. 

“Right this way, gentleman,” she says before turning and leading them down a hallway. Eventually, they come to a room with two chairs and a box sitting on the table in the center of the room.

“If you need anything, I will be right outside,” she says before closing the door.

“So uh…are we going to find various different currencies and passports and a gun?” Stiles asks with a smirk.

“I'm not Jason Bourne,” Derek scoffs. “Though there are various different currencies and passports in here,” he says as he opens the box to reveal the items he mentioned, he pushes those aside though and lifts a small rectangular box. 

“What is that?” Stiles asks.

He watches as Derek smiles at him before opening the box to reveal a ring.

“It was my father's…it's one of the only things I have left of him,” Derek explains. “And now…I want you to have it…as my promise to you that I will always love you.”

Stiles feels tears pool in his eyes. He holds still as Derek gently takes his hand and slips the ring on his finger. 

“I-I,” Stiles stammers. “I love you so much.”

Derek smirks and brings their lips together. “I love you too, and I want you to know that I will wait for you until you graduate.”

“I don't deserve you,” Stiles shakes his head. 

“I constantly think the same thing,” Derek chuckles.

---

Derek greets Stiles as the gargoyle comes out of the arena where his graduation was held. Without hesitation, he wraps his arms around Stiles’ waist and lifts him into the air. Instinctively Stiles hooks his legs around Derek’s hips and his arms around the werewolf’s neck as they kiss. 

When they finally pull apart, Stiles smiles.

“I'm done waiting,”

“So am I.” Derek grins.