Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Are you fucking serious right now?"

"When do I joke, Stiles?" was the answer he got, which okay yes fair, but also this would be the time that Derek would start. Only the guy was taking off his shirt - but wolves did that, they freaking loved to be shirtless, and be all look at my gorgeous abs that are all abbing and stupid and stuff. Totally normal. But the pants were coming off too. "Do you want hypothermia, Stiles? That water was cold, and we are going to be stuck here for a while, until dawn at the earliest."

"You can't get hypothermia," Stiles said, and that got him a huff. But he was shivering a little. And soon it would be a lot. "And okay sure, fine, but if we don't dry off, doesn't matter much anyways."

"Wait here. I mean it," was growled.

Stiles automatically moved three steps to the left just to piss Derek off. He wait for Derek to roll his eyes or growl or the usual. But Derek just came over, picked him up and put him back. "Stay," was ordered, and Derek was gone.

Stiles decided to stay, but the shivering was getting worse. He did need to get out of the clothes. Which great, he was going to be naked around Derek and those abs. Stiles kinda had abs, because everyone did, and he wasn't as scrawny as he looked - he was on the lacrosse team. He just wasn't, you know, going to be asked to model jeans anytime soon. Not that he would, modeling jeans seemed like a stupid career.

He was going to be a cop like his dad, a much much stupider career - so stupid he hadn't shared with anyone that he was thinking about that. It did feel better without his clothes clinging to him and he stripped the socks off, last thing left was underwear, which with everything else off, felt really gross and wrong being that wet.

Stiles had never liked being thrown in the pool and being thrown into a sinking and abandoned mine - much worse.

He hadn't even know there was a mine in the hills. He took the underwear off and stood there. Naked. Nakey. Bare butt. Swinging cock. That was kinda looking not great thanks to the cold and wet. He decided that was where hands would go, because yeah, just yeah. He was a grower as it was, and just he was in hell. He had died and was in hell for being a mouthy asshole, just like his dad had warned would happen.

Hell could be nice enough to be a bit warmer.

"Right, come on," was said behind him.

"But you told me to stay put," Stiles didn't turn around. He whistled and rocked on his heels. Just because his mouth had landed in hell didn't mean he was going to stop. They knew what they were getting.

There was a sigh, and then what the fuck? He found himself picked up, and thrown over a shoulder. His arms couldn't exactly keep protecting what they had been protecting. Which meant his dick was pressed against Derek's shoulder.

Stiles looked, and there was Derek's ass.

Damn.

Goddamn, he did declare. "Put me down, I can walk," he said. He was ignored and you know what since he was in hell, he might as well be devilish. He swatted at that thick ass. He had no idea what to do when his was swatted in return. "Hey," he decided to go with.

"Hey," was what he got back.

Fair.

They went up hill it seemed, and he was even carried up a ladder, which was kind of impressive. A few turns and he wondered if he should point out they shouldn't have left their clothes behind. He also wondered how good the wolf eyes were that they could see in all this fucking dark.

He was taken to a room, and put down. Stiles looked around, and pointedly did not look at Derek. Stiles's hands definitely returned to coverage though. There was a lamp lit. "How'd you do that?"

"Crank light, clearly the foreman's office. There was a radio but it is long dead. Basically, we need to wait until it is light out and find our way out of here. Foreman's offices would be at the top, we are probably only twenty feet under ground here. Just need to find a not collapsed way up. But in the dark too risky since you can't see."

That all made sense. Sort of because Derek had managed to get them this far. But the guy had fought, jumped in the shaft to rescue Stiles and now just carried him. Even a werewolf as strong as Derek had to get tired. He was tossed a rag and he did his best to dry himself off. Wasn't great, but it was better than before. Derek seemed mostly dry, probably from running around trying to find anything to help them.

"Sure." There was a musty smell, but dry in comparison to the shaft that he had been thrown down. Stiles realized that the creature that had thrown him down wouldn't have realized it was a flooded area. He had been thrown down, expected to die, broken in a million pieces. And possibly a long death if the fall hadn't broken his neck.

He started to shake, and not from the cold.

Stiles didn't know what to do when hands touched him. He looked over at Derek. "You jumped in after me."

"Yeah, well," was all that was said. "Here."

Stiles stared and didn't understand. There was an aggrieved sigh, but hands were gentle, as Derek knelt and put Stiles into an ancient miner's jumpsuit. He could see that Derek was trying to be careful not to touch his skin too much, and the jumpsuit smelled stale and somehow like pickles, but it was dry and would provide some warmth. Stiles stayed passive as he was bundled into it. "What about you?"

"There were only a couple and none were broad enough for me to go all the way on."

"Your ass just too damn thick for them to go up over it?" He joked but there was no answer, and huh, that was kinda hilarious. Stiles started laughing, which turned quickly to crying. "I need Scott," he whined a bit. "Or my dad." He needed a hug.

Seemed like the thirteenth time someone tried to kill him was the one that broke him.

Gentle hands zipped up the suit, holding it out so the zipper didn't snag on anything that would hurt. Then he was moved. It took a minute to realize that they had moved to the desk chair, and that he was sitting on Derek's lap. "Chair that old and wood, you might get a splinter in that ass."

"I'll live." A hand pressed and Stiles found his head on Derek's shoulder. "I'll always jump in after you," was said.

Which okay, that was nuts. "Why?"

There was no answer to that. But it was probably just pack mentality. Not that they were really a pack or anything, just instinct or whatever. He cried, but not heaving gulping buckets, just slow tears that dripped down his nose and landed on Derek. There was a hand on his back, but it didn't rub, just rested there. Honestly was more soothing than if it did rub. It was steady. Sure.

Stiles eventually calmed down. "It's warm in here," he said.

"We won't freeze to death."

"You mean I won't freeze to death. If this was a movie we'd have to share body heat." Stiles felt restless and it was weird to be cuddled by Derek - the guy didn't even like him. He shifted off Derek's lap and for a moment hands clung but he was let go of. Stiles moved and sat on the desk. He was careful to not look at Derek's lap to see what the guy was rocking. "The next morning people would find us in each other's embrace, and I would swear that you were a perfect gentleman and nothing happened."

"Unless it was porn," Derek joked.

Stiles blinked. "You watch porn?" He could not picture that. Like at all. It was taking every bit of adderall in his system not to look at Derek's lap, especially since the guy wasn't trying to hide it at all. "What sort of porn?"

"Really?"

"You brought it up, I am just being Miss Manners and following the direction of the conversation. Gang bangs?"

"No," was said incredibly firmly.

"So, not into sharing?"

There was a grumble and no answer, but it also looked like Derek wanted to answer. This was so much better than dealing with the emotions of near death yet again. "Is that because wolves mate for life? Or because you are a vanilla square?"

"Stiles, have you even had sex?" was countered.

Which rude, but fair.

"I have done intense self reflection on the topic."

"That's what you call your right hand when you jerk off?"

Stiles frowned, "how do you know I jerk off with my right hand?"

"Because I can smell it on you." Derek was smirking a bit. "Every once in a while you switch to the left, but your grip there isn't as sure, so it is more if your wrist is tired."

"Okay that is creepy as fuck that you know that. I think? Is it creepy?" Stiles should probably find it creepy. But whatever. "Based on my research and self reflection, I think it is safe to say I am not going to be vanilla, when I finally get laid. Which I don't think it going to happen until college. Because no one in this town wants to fuck me." He had made inquiries. And passes and been shot down. A lot.

"I don't want to fuck you," was said and yeah, Stiles could have figured that obvious statement out. But it was also said in a bit of an odd tone. Not mean, not something. Or it was super something. He watched but Derek was looking not directly at Stiles, just to the left of him. Not making eye contact at all. Interesting.

There were too many things going on and Stiles was really struggling to focus. And the biggest distraction for his brain was the not looking down.

At Derek's dick.

Dicks.

"You saw my dick," Stiles realized. "I'm so looking." Which Derek's hands didn't move. The guy must figured fair was fair. "So dick. Your dick. Right there." He stared. He didn't know why he kept staring. It was a dick. He had seen a lot between locker room, porn. It wasn't a surprise. A dick was a dick.

But this was Derek Hale's dick. Right there, just chilling against the guy's leg. Living its best life, as Derek's dick.

Stiles looked up at Derek. "Cool, now we've seen each other's dicks. And just so we're clear, I'm a grower. And was thrown down a mineshaft into cold and scummy water, so it's not putting it's best foot forward. But just don't want you having the wrong impression of my dick. I hate the word dick now." But he looked back down. "That's your dick. It's uhh, nice?"

"Thanks," was said and it was clear that Derek was laughing at him. And also clear, that the guy was going to say something. Stiles really didn't want anything to be said because he had a feeling it would be mean. He leaned forward and pressed his hand to cover Derek's mouth, but he leaned too much or Derek opened too wide or something and two of his fingers ended up in Derek's mouth.

For a moment, Stiles wondered if they would get bitten off. They stared at each other, frozen at the awkward moment and Stiles decided to make it worse. He pressed down with his fingers a bit and said "Be a good wolf, and don't bite them off, 'k?" He apparently had decided since the fall hadn't killed him, he'd let Derek do it.

Which to be fair in his top ten list of ways he expected to die - Derek was number seven. Used to be number two but they've bonded and it got moved down the list. Dying from lack of sex was currently number two. And might be moving up to number one.

But he forgot about that list when Derek's mouth closed. He waited for the pain of sharp teeth rending flesh, but that didn't happen. What did happen was Derek sucking on his fingers.

Derek Hale was sucking on is fingers like he was sucking dick. Dick was back to being a favourite word. Stiles just sat on the desk, as a freaking naked Derek Hale sucked his fingers.

Maybe he had died and gone to heaven. Didn't expect that. But cool, he guessed.

Stiles slowly pulled his fingers out of Derek's mouth and oh god, the guy leaned forward as if to chase them for a moment. Stiles was curious and brought the fingers to his own mouth, sucked on them. "You taste like spit."

That got a sputtered laugh from Derek. "You taste like pond scum. And skin."

Stiles had to smile. "So back to porn," he decided. Because this was the most interesting conversation he had ever had with the guy.

"Must we?"

"We're stuck in an abandoned mine, you want to talk about sports or all the trauma we've had in our lives? Could play I Spy, I guess? I spy with my little eye something that starts with the letter…d." That got him the Derek you are an idiot stare. "The answer is dirt, don't be so naughty, be a good wolf," he teased. But there was a small flinch. Not even a flinch, just a tightening around the mouth. "You are a good wolf," Stiles said, curious.

That got a reaction. "Thanks for saving my life. Again," he added. "You were amazing." Even more reaction. Well, Derek level reactions, so miniscule, but there when you watched. And he had spent hours watching Derek, trying to figure the guy out. "You take good care of us." That actually got a reaction, an actual factual holy fuck reaction. A shiver, a bit off whine. Derek was looking at him with huge eyes. Mouth open a bit.

Stiles reached out and pulled the chair closer to the desk, it made a horrific noise on the floor. But it got Derek closer, and Stiles put his fingers back in the man's mouth. He let his thumb rub Derek's jaw. Watched Derek relax in a way, he didn't think the guy could. "Actually taking that stick out of your ass?" he joked. That got him an affronted look, but Derek didn't pull away.

He took Derek's hand and put it on his thigh. Stiles noticed that Derek hadn't taken his eyes off of Stiles's face. "Squeeze once for yes, twice for no. Do you understand?"

There was a squeeze.

Okay then, yeah. "I'm a virgin." That got a squeeze. "Har har. But I'm also always horny." Another squeeze. "You can smell it on me?" A third. "Don't use the system to be snarky. Or you'll be in trouble." That got a double squeeze and Stiles had to laugh just a bit, because yeah he wasn't exactly threatening to someone like Derek Hale. But he started to pull his fingers out of Derek's mouth and that got a whine and a single squeeze.

Perhaps he had a bit of power.

"We got a long night ahead of us," Stiles said slowly. "We could sleep, or we could have fun. Do you want to have fun?"

Stiles held his breath as he waited for Derek to answer.

Scott was relieved. Derek had saved Stiles and they had got the guy who had some nefarious plan, that they always did. Stiles had clearly been exhausted and shook up, but gotten lucky that the fall hadn't actually done any damage to him.

Stiles had smelled funny when he had hugged the guy, but also who wouldn't after a night in a mineshaft. He had reluctantly thanked Derek for saving Stiles, and everything was seeming good.

Stiles was using fell down a mineshaft to get out of practicing, and was just sitting on the sidelines yelling at everyone to hustle and hurry hard.

Scott wasn't even sure what hurry hard meant.

He was going to ask Stiles if he wanted to hang out but Allison had been wearing those shorts with the boots, and said her dad was out. Stiles would absolutely understand, not that he had even gotten as far as asking if Stiles wanted to hang. But if he had, Stiles would say go forth and bone.

Not that he and Allison were boning. He wasn't sure he could control himself yet for that. But there was lots that they did when they could be alone.

And they had a great time, until her phone beeped to let her know her dad was on the way home and bringing chicken, and Scott had three minutes to flee the area.

Scott was smart enough to listen to that warning. He kissed Allison goodbye and headed out. Ran back for another kiss because she was just so damn perfect and then truly took off.

Her dad waved to him as he passed the guy turning onto the street. It was not a nice wave, but that was fine. He had the memory of how Allisons breasts felt in his hands to see him through. He was going to jerk off so much tonight.

Scott was whistling as he walked home. He thought he'd stop and get a burger since his mom was on shift.

"Hey, loser," he heard and smiled.

"Hey, I'm grabbing a burger, keep me company."

"I had shopping plans, but I can postpone the hardware store for you."

Scott looked at him. "You. In a hardware store." That was not a sentence he expected from Stiles. Ever.

"I can ware my hards," Stiles said with a bit too lecherous a grin. Scott was going to ignore that. "You buying?"

"Sure," Scott agreed and they ate and it was good to just talk about video games and not death or suffering. But maybe they should. "You okay?"

"Yeah?" Stiles looked down at himself. "Did I spill or something?"

"No, I just, last week -" Scott didn't want to get into it too much where people could overhear. "You okay?"

"Aww you care about your Stiles Wiles," Stiles fluttered his eyes. "I knew you loved me more than your hot girlfriend."

Scott rolled his eyes, "come on, man. Just let me know."

"Yeah," Stiles said after a minute. "It sucked, the hairiest of sweaty balls. But so does a lot of stuff that happens to us. I'm fine, some extra nightmare fuel, but otherwise, all is copacetic."

"But you can tell me, I'm here for you."

Stiles laughed a bit and it wasn't quite a funny laugh. "Sure you are. Come on, when have you ever been good with emotions?"

Scott was going to fight, but honestly he wasn't the best at talking. Not that Stiles was either, but still fine, he'd let it go. "So what do you need at the hardware store?" he asked as they headed out.

"Don't worry about it, I did my research, know exactly what I need."

"You and your dad fixing something at the house?" He knew that the sheriff was okay at basic home repair and was trying to teach Stiles a few things, and that Stiles had joined Lacrosse to get out of those lessons.

"Probably, but no. I need some rope. To tie…stuff down."

Stiles voice had gone weird and his heart beat was up. Scott frowned trying to think why that would be. "Oh dude, is your jeep door not staying closed again?" Stiles loved that Jeep so much, but he also knew that Stiles couldn't afford the repairs it needed.

"No, just gotta tie something. Great talk, see you at school on Monday."

"But aren't we going to the movie on Sunday?"

"Right, right, see you on Sunday!" Stiles was practically pushing him away. So, of course, Scott followed him into the store. There was honestly something deeply unsettling about seeing Stiles in a hardware store. It was like a prowrestler at the ballet or some other weird combo. "Really?"

"I can help, and want to hang out with you."

"Ugh, fine. We need a few feet of rope then. More is probably better right? I'm thinking better to buy extra, and a box cutter to cut it down or cut it off."

"That makes sense. But mom says better to just have a decent knife that you can sharpen over a boxcutter. But we're not eighteen yet, so they won't sell us a decent knife."

"He'll have a decent knife, so fine there. Just the rope then."

"He? Your dad?" They were wandering aisles trying to find rope. Somehow he didn't think it would be with light bulbs. Then he remembered the burned out one in his mom's room, and grabbed a pack. Might as well help out a bit.

"Dude, why you keep bringing up my dad and rope together. You bi and didn't tell me? And with a daddy fetish - for my dad?"

Scott retched just a bit. "Your dad? Gross, Stiles."

"Hey, what the fuck is wrong with my dad? Aside from the drinking too much, and shitty hours, and martyr complex, and bad diet, he's like great and shit. You'd be lucky to be his twunk."

"Never say twunk ever again," Scott begged. "And no, I'd tell you that I was bi, if I was, like how you did."

"With a thematically coloured big gulp slurpee? I shit purple for two days."

"This conversation is why no one dates you."

"I am plenty dateable. Now rope." Stiles started to move with purpose, and they went down every aisle until they finally found rope. "This is rope — like a lot of rope. Did you know there was this much rope in the world?"

Scott had to admit he didn't. "What needs tying? Seems like stronger it is, the wider the rope you want?"

"Yeah but don't want too much coverage. Not that stuff, it looks like it would chafe."

There was some rough looking stuff, which yeah would cut your hands when you tied what you were tying. "The nylon there is on sale?"

"Ooh, and hey they have black." Stiles was bouncing. "Did not know black was an option. White is boring. Yellow looks too much like the caution tape Dad slings up, red. Red could be good."

"I mean does it matter what colour the rope is? It's rope?" Scott couldn't see it making a difference. "Stiles, what are you tying up?"

Stiles was texting furiously. "Huh, red," he said after a moment. "Didn't call that."

"You don't like red," Scott had to point out. "But again, what does the colour of the rope matter?"

"I like red, just not on me. Bet it will work though." Stiles got a distant gaze. "Yeah, actually red could work really great. Red will work so great. Now while we're here. What do you think tape? Tape is too far, rope is more fun and tape easily broken. Yeah, we'll stick with rope."

This conversation was weird even for Stiles. "What prank are you pulling? On the coach?"

"Derek."

"You are planning to prank Derek? Do you have a death wish?"

"Why would I prank Derek? He'd not have fun with that right now." Stiles was looking at him in confusion. "Why are you pranking Derek? I'm going to have to say no to that one."

"I'm not pranking anyone - you are?" Scott grabbed Stiles's shoulders. "I said what prank are you pulling, and you said Derek's name."

"Ohh, okay, yeah. No, he texted me as you were talking that's why I said that. I said I was at the hardware store getting the rope. He texted to get him a phillips head. Why does he want head from a guy named Phillip? Name like that, you know they don't swallow."

Scott wanted to scream. But he was mature and used to Stiles. "It's a screwdriver type. And Derek wouldn't be getting a blow job from a guy."

"A guy named Phillip? You are right about that." Stiles was laughing and clearly texting. "Confirmed no Phillip or Phil in his past. Now let's get that screwdriver. Hehehehe screw."

"You owed Derek a favour and he sent you to the hardware store," Scott blew out a breath finally understanding. "Jeez how stupid can he be sending you to buy stuff?"

"Well not like I could buy the condoms, the store won't sell to me, thinking I want to make bombs or something. They really should care about safe sex more, it is their moral duty."

Scott walked right into an end cap display. "Derek tried to get you to buy him condoms?"

"Why would Derek need condoms?" Stiles was looking at him confused.

Scott was even more confused. "Let's just buy the stuff and get out of here."

Stiles just shrugged and they found the screwdriver and Stiles bought a chocolate bar at the front, and they split it as they walked back to Stiles's car. "Right well see you Sunday for the movie. Don't text me. I'm going to be busy with the rope."

"Sure, have fun tying Derek up," he joked.

"Man, I'm gonna," Stiles didn't laugh back as he said it and was in his car and gone.

"Wait, what?" Scott stared after the disappearing car.

Stiles had sounded way too serious there. But after a moment Scott shook it off, because that was the craziest thought ever, Stiles and Derek and rope. He went home and changed the light bulb for him mom and texted Stiles. By the time he went to sleep, he hadn't gotten a reply.

Chapter Text

Stiles wasn't nervous, he was fine, everything was fine, it was all fine.

Did he mention it was all fine?

"I know it's fine," was said beside him, and Stiles jumped, mimed a kung fu move which was just spectacular since he had taken precisely three karate lessons as a kid, and been politely kicked out for not paying attention.

He appreciated that Derek wasn't laughing out loud at him. Keeping it internal. "Hey, fancy meeting you here," he said, aimed for casual and leaned. Or tried to lean, he was too far away from the wall and started to topple over.

Derek caught him.

"My hero," Stiles batted his eyes, and found himself dropped. But he didn't hit the floor, but rather his bed. And Derek followed him, was on top of him. Nuzzling at his throat. "Hey," he managed to say and it was more a squeak because Derek was sucking a mark. "Dude, obvious much?"

"We agreed, no calling me dude in bed," Derek muttered against his skin. "Your dad is at work right?"

"Nope, just down the hall," Stiles said, and he snickered at the way Derek froze. "You thought I invited you over for sex because I knew my dad was going to be on shift?"

"Yes," was said bluntly and Derek was off him, all the way over to his desk chair. There was glowering.

No wait, there was pouting. Derek was actually pouting. Stiles was feeling really bad about teasing, but also a little smug that Derek was pouting at the thought of them not fucking. He should tell him the truth, that he was just teasing. But also well, Stiles liked teasing Derek.

Was curious how much trouble he could get into.

Also with his super hearing and smell, Derek should be able to realize that Stiles' dad was out, and had been for a good few hours. Stiles took off his shirt and watched Derek's eyes roam before they snapped up. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, why?" Stiles grinned and ran a hand casually up and down his chest. If he happened to flick a nipple on the way, well oops. The way Derek's nostrils flared, it definitely was noticed. "I was hot." He shrugged. "Aren't you hot in your shirt?"

Derek crossed his arms and glared. "I will not disrespect your father like this. So stop it."

Wait. What? Stiles sat up and looked at him, "Huh?"

"He already is going to hate the fact that I belong to his underage son, I am not letting you fuck me when he is sleeping two doors down and making it worse." Derek was scowling. "I'm going. I don't get why you told me to come over at all. Unless it was just to torture me, because I didn't answer your text? I never know how to answer your texts. You send thirty in five minutes and then nothing for hours. Which of the messages do I respond to?"

Oh my god, Stiles shouldn't find this as adorable as he does, but he is dating such an old man and he is only a few years older. But also, he was pretty sure he was accidentally hurting Derek and he didn't want that. "I was joking, my dad is out. Thought for sure you'd be able to smell it or something."

"All I can smell is you," was muttered, and it looked like Derek was reluctant to admit that. "Didn't you read the book I gave you?"

"You didn't give me a book." Stiles looked at him. "When did you give me a book?" He looked around the room, like he could manifest a book. "Where book? Here book book, here boy."

"Save me," Derek growled and stood. He went over to the night table, moved a shirt that had been thrown there at some point. Underneath was a book. "This book?"

"When did that get there?" Stiles looked at it. It was slim, and embossed. It wasn't a traditionally published book; when opened he confirmed it was a journal. "You did not hand it to me."

"Thought it would be obvious on your night stand." Derek was hunched a bit and shrugged. This was important, and Stiles had missed it. But to be fair, it was easy to miss. "I'm going."

"But hands on dicks!"

"Read and then decide if that is what you actually want. When we were in the mine…you said somethings that I can't -" A hand was run through hair. "I don't think you'll -" some cursing, and then Derek was just gone out the window.

Stiles stared after him, frustrated because he had clearly fucked up tonight, and only then did he process that Derek had said he belonged to Stiles. He stared at the book and opened it up. It felt fragile, the paper old. And on the inside was a list of Hale names dating back six names. That was a lot of passing down.

The last said to my Laura so she knows who she will be and knows I will always be proud of her. Talia

Shit; Stiles needed to have like gloves on or something. He quickly glanced at his hands, no cheeto stains, and there were no crumbs on his bed. How could Derek trust him with this? Fuck. Fuck. And he had been a dick to the guy. But they were always dicks to each other, just because they touched dick now why would that change?

He might be back to hating the word dick.

Especially since he had maybe forever ruined his chance to see Derek's ever again. He flipped to the next page and this seemed to be a study of werewolves, an old one. A family one. He flipped through and realized the writing changed occasionally matched the inscriptions at the front.

This was probably one of the few personal heirlooms Derek had after everything that had happened to the guy and he had just left it on the table where Stiles stashed his lotion —he has dry skin that's all — and candy wrappers.

He owed Derek about fifty million apologies. And he'd deliver them after he read.

It took hours even though it wasn't giant, but some of the writing was faded, and it was ancient cursive which fuck how that shit looked. And sometimes it said something and he had to grab his computer and cross reference. But the cross referencing matched up. He had to go down some weird reddit threads and sketchy conspiracy theory websites but it was all laid out there, in agreement with what the journal was saying.

Stiles looked at the end of the journal that had a new writing.

He knew it was Derek's.

Everyone else in this journal didn't adequately warn that the wolf inside you may heel to the stupidest, most annoying man on the planet who will piss you off to no end. Just so future readers know, if I have kids with this absolute fucking moron, just be prepared. Idiots. Your dick or girl parts might belong to the worst person in the world. And you will be okay with it. Sorry about that.

Stiles was offended and also found it absolutely hilarious. Especially because Derek had actually written 'girl parts' all embarrassed dad giving a sex talk to a daughter.

Their daughter.

Wow, wait, fuck no. Huh. Maybe no. They'd figure that shit out in a decade or so. But also he could maybe picture them adopting a couple kids. Vaguely, maybe. That was so not important though right now. The rest of the journal was. And what the webpages said. And what Derek had implied in the mine.

All of that was really important right now.

He grabbed his phone and called Derek.

"What?" was grumbled and it also sounded sleepy. "Trouble? I'll rescue you in a few hours."

Stiles stared at the clock and realized it was three in the morning. Even if Derek had been waiting for this call, the guy had fallen asleep. "I'm not an idiot," was what he said. "I've been tested. I'm a genius."

"Good for you." The line went dead.

"Oh for fucks sake," Stiles grumbled and dialed back. If Derek knew what was good for him, he was going to answer. But apparently Derek didn't know what was good for him, because it went to voice mail. Fine. Just fine. Stiles went to the kitchen and slammed down an energy drink, that would steady him for driving at this time.

He headed to Derek's stupid lair, but the guy wasn't in that miserable space. Fine, yeah, he knew where the idiot was. Because sure he could call Stiles an idiot, but that was some seriously heavy rocks being thrown from that glass house.

Luckily his jeep was up to it and pulled up outside the Hale house no problem. He stormed inside. "Really?" Derek was sitting on the stairs, clearly waiting for him. "Really and just say vagina! I'm not going to have our daughter thinking she should be embarrassed about her girl parts." He waved the journal around a bit. "You are the idiot."

"Fuck off," Derek snarled. "And we might not even have a girl."

"No I want a girl," Stiles found himself saying. "Gotta be a girl wolf out there we can adopt."

"Who is going to let an idiot like you adopt?" Derek was standing now, and oh the bastard was standing on a step to give him height advantage. Well, Stiles could do that too. There was a chair against the wall and he dragged it over stood on it. "What are you doing?"

"Being tall, because apparently that will win this insane argument. Idiot!"

"Moron!" Derek snapped back and just to prove he was an idiot went up another step which put them roughly the same height. "And I think you are missing the point of the journal."

"No I am pretty sure I got it, you called me an idiot for all future Hale generations to know! And I resent that, when it is clearly you who is the idiot." Stiles needed to get taller. He stood on tiptoes but the chair wobbled and he started to fall.

But of course the moron caught him. And there was a face buried in his neck, that breathed him in. "Idiot," was said against the skin. "You are so frustrating." They were on the ground which was not comfortable, but at least it was a section with all the floorboards.

"Trust me, buddy, you should stand where I am standing," Stiles had to reply but he also pet Derek's hair. "Okay so maybe we're both idiots?" There was a bit of a laugh against him. "Sorry about teasing earlier."

"Sorry I didn't actually hand you the book and say you should read this."

"Well, I've read it now, and did some extra research." Stiles eased Derek back who clearly was reluctant to move away. "Don't worry, I'll let you get all touchy and feely in a minute, but we need to have a super quick conversation."

"No," was said and the face tried to bury against him again.

Stiles jammed his fingers in Derek's mouth and immediately the guy went pliant. "Yeah, that's right, I have super powers now, that's what the journal told me. That's what you sorta told me in the mine. So we're going back to what we did then. Where do your hands go?" Stiles asked and he waited for Derek to walk away or pull away, but instead hands slowly went to Stiles's thighs. "What a good boy," Stiles praised. "I'm so proud of you for remembering." He added a extra pet to Derek's head with his free hand and Derek went a bit limp, and fuck but Stiles felt powerful.

He eased his fingers out of Derek's mouth, now that the guy was calmer and Derek's head fell to Stiles's shoulder. "Yeah, you can hide a bit while we talk," Stiles agreed. "How many squeezes for yes?" There was one squeeze. "Good. Now no." Two squeezes. "Amazing, best, smartest wolf ever." There was a snort, an almost laugh and Stiles had to laugh too.

They were such fucking idiots. But it seemed idiots for each other.

"Now the journal, and thanks for trusting me with it. Seriously," Stiles was serious for just a moment. "I know what it would have cost you to leave that with me." There were no squeezes. "But I have a couple questions, okay?"

One squeeze.

"It said that alpha wolves, have a thing. I mean it said you have lots of things, but uhh, basically it said that in sex you get well…submissive. Is that true?" There was a squeeze, then two, then one, than two again.

Stiles frowned, "Yeah but no but yeah but no?" That couldn't be right. But there was a squeeze of agreement. Okay he wasn't phrasing this right. He scanned his mind for everything he had read. "No wait. Fuck, I am a bit of an idiot." One squeeze. Yeah yeah.

"It is tied to emotions. So like a one night stand, you could be all rough and tumble and everything people and monsterfucker porn expect. Which, hey, did you know there is monster fucking porn on the dark web?"

Derek's head raised and gave him the flatest look ever. There was a very definitive squeeze of his leg and also a bit of a growl. "I'm not like watching it a lot!" Stiles said defensively. "I stumbled across it when researching, and like look you see a werewolf in full shit fucking a thirty year old woman pretending to be seventeen in a cheerleader costume you kinda stop to watch." There were two squeezes, and another grumble. "Don't worry, I have you, I have zero plans to watch porn anytime soon." That got a snort. "Look day after tomorrow isn't soon, and promise human only porn okay?" One squeeze.

Stiles had to kiss Derek. He got distracted from what they were doing because it was a really great kiss, and he would have kept going, but the hands left his thighs to cup Stiles's face which focused him. He pulled back, "a good wolf's hands are where?" he asked firmly and oh shit Derek's hands slapped down on his thighs. A little hard but it was fine. There was a whine so he guessed he didn't hide the wince enough. "It's fine, baby, promise." But it was yet another confirmation of what he had been reading.

"Please," Derek whispered.

"Just a couple more questions," Stiles decided. Because going too long wouldn't be good and also he was starting to crash. "There is a bed here we can use because I probably shouldn't drive soon." There was a squeeze. Good. "And just sleep, but maybe I could wake you up fucking you?" Oh maybe that was a bit too far. But the single squeeze that got verged on painful in the best ways. "Back on track. It's about love right?" It took a minute, but there was a single squeeze. "When a big bad wolf -" and yes Stiles said that and he didn't care that it got him a grumble. "Loves, say, a human that he has constantly called an idiot, it changes him." There was that squeeze. "They want to protect, and shield and trust." Another squeeze. "They become super submissive in bed, to make sure they don't hurt their loved one, to show the absolute trust they have for the person."

It took forever, but then there was a single squeeze.

"Now one last question, well no two." Stiles felt so smug. "Wouldn't you say that you falling stupid in love with the person you call an idiot, mean in fact you are the bigger idiot?" Two squeezes. That had Stiles falling back he was laughing so much. And that also got Derek plastered on top of him. Looking down at him, as their bodies were lined up. Stiles wrapped his thighs around Derek's hips and raised a brow. One hand moved and grasped Stiles' thigh.

"Last question - does that mean I can tie you up? Because I really kinda want to tie you up. I saw it in porn and like it rewired my brain. Because you would look so hot kneeling but not like when we've been tortured but you know what nevermind. I am the idiot after all." Stiles cursed a bit because he was definitely ruining the moment. Derek's mouth pressed against his and the kiss was so wet and messy and really fucking great.

It was so great that it took Stiles a minute to realize that Derek was squeezing his thigh. A single sustained squeeze. Right.

"Can you carry me to bed?" he asked, because it seemed there was one more question. There was no squeeze but they were soon standing and he found himself over Derek's shoulder.

There was then a squeeze and it definitely wasn't to his thigh. Maybe Stiles wasn't as sleepy as he thought he was.

Scott was trying for patience, but it was hard. Because Stiles roped him into a lot of stupid stuff, but this was a new one. "Stiles, if we walk in, they will immediately kick us out." He pointed to the 18+ sign. "It is illegal for them to let us in there." Thank god, because he didn't particularly want to go into the only sex and pornography store in town. That was in the same plaza as his great aunt's doctor.

"Nah, we're like kinda close to eighteen. It will be fine."

"Kinda close and of legal age are very different - especially well the pretty well known son of the sheriff decides to walk in."

"No, see I figured it out, that is exactly what will get us in there."

"How?" Scott's voice climbs a couple octaves because even for Stiles that was insane logic. "Why can't you just order online, or find the right reddit thread where people post nudes if you have moral objections to pornhub or whatever you've decided recently?" Stiles tended to go through phases that were difficult to keep up with sometimes.

"Dude, one we're not going in there to buy porn, who buys porn anymore?" Stiles was sneering a bit. "And yeah it will go real well having it shipped to my house. Hey son," Stiles tried to sound like it was his dad and it was the worst impression ever, "I accidentally opened your box and I think we need to talk. Also, please return the handcuffs you liberated from the supply cabinet." Stiles switched back to his regular voice, "Sorry about that Dad, rope was good, but cuffs just made things easier." Stiles snorted, "Oh yeah, Scott, that is every boy's dream conversation with their father. And knowing my dad, he'd somehow have an opinion about the dildo I ordered like son, you know you should go for this brand, one time a perp got that type stuck in their ass and had to go to emerg and that is how we busted their meth den."

Scott felt a little queasy at the idea of the sheriff even just saying the word dildo. "I guess you could send it to my house?"

"You want to explain that to your mom?" Stiles gave him a look. "She'd have information from the ER about sex injuries. Do you want to know those statistics?"

Scott did not. He remembered the sex talks from when he was twelve and the pictures of stds at the microscopic level.

Going into the sex shop was seeming more logical by the second. But again, there was the legality question. "I still say they will kick us out."

"No, see the owner would kick us out. The weekend manager would kick us out. The employee earning the minimumist of wages at 3:30pm on a Tuesday will not kick us out." Stiles clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, they have flavoured lube three dollars cheaper this week than anywhere online or the next town over. I am not missing those savings."

"Why do you need flavoured lube?"

"Why don't you need flavoured lube?" Stiles countered. "Scott, are you not treating Allison right?"

"Oh my god, I hate you so much right now." Scott pushed Stiles a bit. "And yes, I treat her great."

"Uh-huh, you always stole the last cookies at snack time. Are you still doing that?"

"I don't even know what that means, Stiles." Scott opened the door. The sooner they went in, the sooner they could get kicked out and go to Mcdonalds or something. He pushed Stiles in and there was a guy at the counter who was flipping through some porn magazines, which Scott was honestly surprised you could still get those in print.

"ID," the guy called barely looking up. "Eighteen or get the fuck out."

"Have you made a single sale your shift?" Stiles said, "Because if you count womb time we are eighteen, and we have money to spend. And your boss doesn't have to know you let the sheriff's kid into the store."

"Yeah but I kick you out, he really doesn't have to know," the guy said.

"Twenty bucks for you to look the other way." Stiles stepped forward. "Also I've now been in here for three minutes and I don't think you want me calling my dad about the smell I am smelling."

"Ugh, whatever, thirty bucks."

"Deal," Stiles agreed and Scott cursed because it seemed now he was stuck in a sex shop with Stiles. He really wished someone was trying to kill him right now. He really did. Even more so when Stiles had actually grabbed a shopping basket. "Alright, we need to be quick don't want the guy rethinking this. I need -" Jesus, Stiles had a shopping list on his phone. Scott wanted desperately to go back in time to kindergarten and not share the blue crayon.

Scott did his best to tune it out as Stiles rattled off stuff.

"What are you going to buy?" Stiles asked as he walked to a different aisle.

"Nothing?" Scott said.

"Dude, don't you at least need condoms? And lube?"

"Why do I need lube, I'm with a girl, Stiles?" Scott realized though buying condoms here would be better than the drugstore. Especially since the self checkout was broken.

"Because maybe she needs a little extra, or you want to do butt stuff, or just when you are jerking off, lube better than lotion?" Stiles listed. "Wow, prude much."

"Stiles," Scott groaned a bit, "I don't think you should be judging me when you are in here buying a crazy amount of stuff for your flying solo adventures." The basket was really full. "That is going to cost a fortune."

"Saved my Christmas money," Stiles replied. "And Scott, these aren't for me, they are for Derek."

Scott didn't understand for a moment. There were words said but they didn't make sense. But then he remembered the hardware store. "What did you fuck up that you have become Derek Hale's errand bitch?" Seriously though what expensive heirloom did Stiles break. And shit, wait. "Is he scaring you into doing this? I'll fuck him up."

That got a huge laugh, and a pat on his shoulder. "Thanks buddy, but one you couldn't take him, and two, scare me, that puppy?" More laughter and Scott didn't know how to process Stiles calling Derek a puppy. "Right, think I got everything on the list. Now do I think we'll be into all of this, no. But also, adventure and intrigue await as we find out."

He followed Stiles to the register trying to understand what the guy meant, but it was like swimming through gelatin. There were dots that were connecting that shouldn't be connecting. Stiles checked out and that was so much money he spent, for a guy that was mostly broke.

Scott bought the condoms and stuffed them into his coat pocket. When they were outside he breathed a sigh of relief because no one was around and saw them emerge and Stiles jammed the bag of goods into his messenger bag. "We are never doing that again."

"Sure, I'm good for a long time. Probably." Stiles looked so damn pleased with himself. "But there was that slutty cheerleader outfit on the wall. Not going to lie, it made me think some things. Interesting things."

"It would look awful on you," Scott said as the picture slid into his head. "Do not."

"Nah, I know, but hey why would it be for me?" Stiles grinned. "That was a fun bonding experience for us."

"I prefer when we almost die," Scott said. "Can't we just go back to you throwing balls at me?"

"Yeah, we definitely can. We can do that right after we eat. And you are buying — I have negative money now."

They had a good time and Scott mostly managed to block the experience out. But of course their lives sucked and they had to fight side by side with Derek and it was annoying that the guy saved the day. But less annoying as it could have been because he clearly had protected Stiles during the fight, actually gotten a bit scary when one of the witches started to cast a spell Stiles' way.

The fight was done, and only then did he pause. "Why do you smell a bit like strawberry?" he asked Derek.

Derek met his gaze, "I don't know what you are talking about."

His heartbeat was racing, but also they had just finished a fight.

"Stiles smells like it too," Scott looked between them. "Were you eating together?"

"Eating something alright," Stiles did finger guns, "am I right, baby?"

"I'm done here," Derek declared and started to walk away. Scott watched him in confusion, when he stopped. "Here, but not done done," was added.

He was clearly waiting for something.

Scott frowned, "I don't think we need a meeting, this was a pretty straightforward attack wasn't it?" It seemed straightforward and he knew Allison's dad was away. He would much rather be there than here. "I don't think we need to debrief."

"No, I definitely think debriefing is in order," Stiles said, as he moved next to Derek. "Briefing was bad and ill timed so debriefing is definitely needed."

"Idiot, you aren't even wearing briefs," Derek said.

How the fuck would Derek know that? Scott watched them look at each other, and the dots that he had been desperately not trying to connect were being forced to connect.

"Well, who ripped them to threads?" Stiles said and oh god connected, the dots were connected.

"Stop," Scott begged, and they turned to look at him. "You two are?" He couldn't actually finish the thought. He didn't want to finish the thought, but it was there finished in front of him. "No, don't tell me. I'm gonna go."

Scott ran because he did not want to think about this and made it to Allison. "Derek and Stiles are together." He blurted it out. "Make it better."

"Okay?" she looked confused but hugged him and stroked his hair, and it did make it better and then it was a lot better. So much better, and he was glad he had bought those condoms.

At school on Monday he looked at Stiles, who looked normal, no hickies, not walking funny. So maybe they actually hadn't gotten that far yet. He would protect Stiles from Derek, he needed to.

"Yo, Allison, since my boy here is completely emotionally stunted, and needs some help." Stiles said as he tossed something.

Scott recognized one of the flavoured lube bottles that Stiles had bought in the shop.

Allison looked at it and rolled her eyes. "Gee pineapple thanks. Next time, cherry?"

"You got it," Stiles did a finger gun. "Helping you out, bro, because I love you."

"I'm going to kill you," Scott said and he must have sounded serious enough because Stiles took off running, and they had a few minutes before class so Scott chased after.

Chapter Text

Stiles was starting to like Derek's stupid lair more and more, mainly because the bed was huge. The guy liked to suffer pretty much through most of his life, but not in his sleep. Stiles was on board with that. Super on board with that. He sort of star-fished on the bed, while Derek was having a shower. Yeah, he wasn't moving. This was perfect.

Well, near perfect, he wanted his pillow. The pillows were not quite the same quality as the bed. He'd convince Derek to buy new pillows, not like he could. He was saving up his money for a trip to the sex shop to surprise Derek with some stuff. Rope had been good but Derek's strength managed to rip through it. Cuffs were working but really only had like three applications, not a lot of versatility there. Had to be other stuff to play with that would be fun.

Stiles stretched and realized he was hungry. Fucking burned a boatload of calories, like so many. He stood and looked around, his clothes had been flung too far away and he was lazy, so he slipped on Derek's sweatpants. Fit wasn't perfect but a quick tie of the drawstring and he was fairly certain they would stay up. Fairly. And who was going to see him? Derek's little pack had all figured out never come in if they could smell Stiles in there.

And Scott wasn't going to just drop in on Derek unless it was an emergency, so they were all free and clear. No one would see it if the sweats fell off. Though of course they would be lucky if they did, because Stiles had a great ass. A decent ass.

It was okay, and definitely fell short of what he was getting to play with these days.

Stiles lost himself in thought of Derek's ass, because he just needed to be home before his dad, so he still had a bit of time. God bless, half the force getting food poisoning and his dad having to help out. He went to the fridge and there were leftovers that didn't smell gross, that would do. He didn't bother heating them up, just ate.

Actually, it was pretty good.

"Help yourself," was said from across the room.

"Thanks, will do," Stiles called back and ignored the chairs, sat on the table. "Not bad, the place on Avenue?"

There was a sigh and Derek sat in one of the chairs. Stiles speared a piece of chicken and held it out. Derek leaned forward and ate it off the fork. Guess the guy was still feeling all adorable and pliant and Stiles was not going to complain. He took a couple more bites and then held out the fork, which Derek again ate from. "Good boy," Stiles said with a bit of a smirk, thinking of when he had been saying that half an hour ago.

"Shut up," Derek rolled his eyes, and went to the fridge came back with a beer. A single beer.

"Sharing is caring," Stiles suggested.

"Sharing is encouraging delinquency of a minor."

"Yeah, your ass encouraged already enough, and your mouth. Oh, and your hands. You've encouraged enough delinquency, that I don't think a sip of beer will cause problems, do you?" Stiles didn't even super love beer, but seriously, you can't lay there and get fucked by a supposed minor, and then not share your beer with them after. "I'll delinquent you," Stiles muttered.

"You did. Twice," Derek said as he stood. Stiles watched his throat work as half the beer was drained. It was annoyingly attractive. "But I suppose you are right." A lot smaller sip was taken and Derek leaned forward. Lips were against his and then a bit of beer was in his mouth.

"Okay that is a thing that is hotter in chick romance books, than real life. That actually just felt weird."

"Yeah," Derek had to agree. "Not doing that again."

"So you'll let me have a beer?"

"No," Derek said and finished the bottle.

"Asshole." When Stiles went shopping this week, he was buying two less things for them to try out, just to stick it to Derek. He put the empty container of food down, and stared at Derek. Derek was staring back. "You need better pillows."

"Okay? Why?"

"Because they are flat as pancakes and when I sleep I like the fluff. What you want me to go to school with a crick in my neck?"

"You want to stay the night?" Derek was looking at him shocked. Which was weird. Why wouldn't Stiles want to stay the night. "What about your father? I figure he finds out, he'll be the person who actually succeeds at killing me."

Okay, that might be a fair point. But also not. "Nah, see I know his biggest weakness."

"An injury we can exploit to give us time to go on the run? A weak knee, a missing spleen? I can travel light. You are the concern. And South America?" Derek was clearly beginning to plan. An insane plan and it was adorable. But also kinda heartwarming that he was thinking of them going on the run together. "What's your passport situation?"

"Did you know, and you might want to think about this — not every situation needs a worst case scenario plan?" Derek looked confused by that thought, they'd work on it. "No, his weakness is that he loves me. Which means yeah I don't think he'd be the happiest at first, but he is a sucker for all that you make me happy, and feel better than anyone has since Mom died stuff we have going on. The absolute worst case, is he adopts you, but also is like no sex until you are legal Stiles, and we have to get creative for the five months until I am. But also I've heard the stories around down even though I didn't want to, he does not have a leg to stand on here. Least we haven't been caught going down on a cheerleader under the bleachers." Stiles shuddered a bit that he had that knowledge about his dad, but there was a legends list carved into the wall in the girls' locker room, and he had seen his dad's name on there. It was gross and grosser that he was a little proud of the guy.

Stiles focused back on Derek who was looking at him all weird. "What?"

"You said things."

"About my dad, yeah, I'm not repeating those." Stile froze when Derek's head was buried against his stomach, and the hug squeezed a bit too tightly. No claw, that was good, just tight. "Okay there, Der?"

"You like me."

"I thought that was obvious?" Stiles was confused. "Why would I be planning to spend all my savings at the sex shop if I didn't like you."

"Will they even let you in? I can go."

"Hey, one, yeah I have a foolproof plan," he said and that got a snort against his skin, "And two I am spoiling my guy. You don't send your guy to get his own treats." He sort of scritched Derek's head which got him not purrs because he'd never be quite so stupid as to say a wolf was purring but come on they were totally purrs. He tried to nudge Derek's head but it took a minute, guy was really invested in this hug. "Come on, let's see that pretty face," Stiles crooned, "show me those pretty eyes baby boy," he added and that got Derek's head to move and there was a fierce glare. "Baby okay, but not baby boy?" There was a very definitive single squeeze to his side. "Got it," he agreed swiftly.

"You like me, you are an idiot after all."

"Oh, for fuck's sake," Stiles groaned. "Really? I'm not an idiot for liking you, that is good common sense. You are a mess, I want to be clear about that. Loving you doesn't mean I don't see that you are just god you need so much therapy not that you'll ever go, and not like I'll make you go because then you'd point out what a mess I am and that I should be in therapy too, which probably, but not like I'd go either," Stiles rambled and Derek was watching him and he should get on track. "You are kind, protective, fun when you remember you are allowed to actually have fun, and hot, dude I need you to understand your looks aren't the most important thing, but goddamn you press all my buttons."

"Haven't actually yet, but I would, I'd happily do that if you wanted," was said and it took him a minute to get it. Stiles stared at Derek. Who was smirking a bit.

"Oh really?" Stiles swallowed. "I could be interested in that yeah. You'd be my good wolf, do exactly what I tell you to, as you get me ready to be fucked by you?" That got a flare of colour in Derek's eyes. "Yeah, okay finishing the conversation then we are going back to bed. What was the conversation about?"

"Nothing that matters as much as this," Derek suggested.

Stiles wanted to agree, he really wanted to agree as he pictured Derek laid on the bed, as Stiles rode his dick. Derek had a great dick and he definitely wanted to know how that felt. But they need to focus up just a bit more, relationship talk stuff as important as the great sex stuff.

He had read six relationship advice books in the last few weeks. They were kinda bullshit but all of them said they wanted to last they needed to talk. And like fuck Stiles wasn't going to do everything in his power to make this last.

He had also read a lot of sex guides, those were a lot more fun to read which reminded him he had a whole list of new questions to ask Derek. "Do you want to pee on me?" he said accidentally as his mind moved too quickly through everything that was going on.

"Stiles, what did we say about reading?" Derek was giving him a look. The look. The you are an idiot but my idiot look.

"That I wasn't allowed after one a.m. because that is when I tend to find stuff that creates problems in my head? But actually this was like the definitive kink list and honestly pee or watersports is like practically vanilla."

"If you say watersports, I think water polo."

"Who thinks about water polo ever?" Stiles made a face, "that might be the stupidest sport ever in existence."

"You play lacrosse."

"Excuse you!" Stiles booped his nose. "Lacrosse is an old and honoured sport. Now do you want to pee on me or not?"

"I do not." Derek stared at him with a raised brow, and was clearly waiting. "Do you want to pee on me?"

"Nah, got shy bladder as it is," Stiles said. "Just thought your wolfy instincts might need to mark your territory."

"Just keep wearing my clothes and we're good," was the reply.

Stiles could definitely do that. "What were we talking about?"

"Does it really matter?" Derek was nuzzling at his throat. "We could keep talking or we could have some more fun before you go home."

"Dad!" Stiles remembered and Derek reared back, and stared at him in horror. There were two squeezes to his thigh. "Oh fuck no," Stiles quickly said, "Not calling you that, never calling you that. No daddy kink here, just our conversation. Dad will be pissed but fine with us. I like like you, hell another couple weeks I'll say I love you. You clearly love me, why you go all belly up for me and trust me I am okay with that. I'm going to spend the night on weekends, and yeah, go team us and healthy communication!"

Stiles found himself picked up and thrown over a shoulder. Guess they were done with that, and that was okay. A bit later he was getting dressed to drive home and Derek was clearly a few seconds from passing out. "I'll buy you new pillows," was said and Stiles smiled.

They were nailing this.

Scott was kissing Allison's neck but she wasn't really responding. He tried the other side but it just wasn't getting her going the way it usually did so he sat back. "Babe?" he asked, "something wrong?" They did have a lot of math homework, and Allison had that social studies project. She was easing away and turning to face him. Her face was serious.

"Derek is rough in bed," she said. She started to bite a nail a bit. "Like really rough, and I'm worried about Stiles."

Scott wanted to wolf out for a moment, go rip out Derek's throat for even looking at Allison. But while he had no problems believing Derek would sniff around Allison, Allison would never want an asshole like Derek.

Scoot let out a breath. "Did he hurt you?" Because maybe this was something Allison had buried, and it was finally coming to the surface.

"What? No?" Allison looked confused. "He's barely ever talked to me. Due to you know, my family."

"Don't need to talk to hurt." He was going to kill Derek.

"No, NO, Scott, he wouldn't," Allison was staring at him in shock. "Why would you think that?"

"Why else would you know that Derek is rough in bed?" Scott was confused. "Did you see him hurting Stiles?" That had Scott starting to jump up. No one hurt Stiles. Allison's hand was on his wrist.

"Will you calm down and listen to me?" she said, and it was hard, but he sat. "When we were cleaning out her stuff, I found my aunt's journals. A lot of hunter stuff in them, that I destroyed, because it was awful, but in there was also personal stuff about boyfriends and hook ups and well, there is a section about Derek."

Scott made a face, "you read your aunt's sex journal." That was weird. Gross and he thought about what Kate had looked like, and if he didn't know what a horrible person she was, it would be hot, which increased the gross factor.

"Trust me, didn't want to, but it was also a train wreck — I just couldn't look away." Allison shrugged. "She mentioned that he was rough in bed, couldn't control his powers very well when he got worked up. It was very detailed," she was blushing, and it would be so pretty if it wasn't about the conversation they were having. "But also he was fifteen, so maybe he has that under control now."

"But probably not," Scott nodded, no way Derek wasn't super rough in bed. Stiles was probably covered in bruises and in agony and keeping it to himself. He doubted that Derek even prepped Stiles much. That was why Stiles had to buy so much lube. Still didn't quite get the flavoured reasoning though. "I'll take care of this," he declared.

"You'll talk to Stiles, make sure he is okay?"

"Yup, talk," he nodded. He was absolutely going to talk to someone. "Thanks, Allison."

"I just want Stiles happy. He's such a shit, but he's a good guy. And I don't want Derek changing that. Because Stiles has been different. But it's also a good different? So maybe I shouldn't have said anything."

Allison worried about the people she cared about so much, Scott loved that about her. "I haven't noticed anything."

"Scott, unless it is lacrosse, my breasts, or hating Derek, you don't notice much."

That was a bit harsh. But she was smiling and taking her top off, so Scott was pretty sure that list wasn't actually a problem.

Scott watched Stiles at school, and yeah the guy was a bit different. Calmer a bit. Still mouthing off to everyone, but also more confident. And smelling a lot like Derek. It took until lunch for him to realize that Stiles was wearing one of Derek's shirts.

The pack was teasing Stiles so much but Stiles was giving as good as he got, and when someone nudged a bit too close Stiles replied with, "watch it or Mama will put you in time out," he warned, and Scott was confused when the teasing immediately stopped with a quick apology. Was Stiles calling Derek mom - that was weird.

But Stiles didn't seem hurt, or scared, and didn't flinch when he was hugged. Nothing that matched what online had said about abuse. But also Stiles could be good at hiding it. Not that Stiles had ever been good about hiding anything, but still.

Scott needed to have that talk. And he knew exactly who to have it with, no matter it would piss Stiles off, this was for his safety.

After school they didn't have practice and Stiles had disappeared mentioning something about shopping. Scott ran because shopping with Stiles now was a bit terrifying. He did not want to be roped into anything. He went to the police station and asked at the counter for Sheriff Stilinski and he was waved back. Everyone was used to Scott and Stiles wandering around at will. He had spent a bunch of time here, with Stiles when his mom was on shift, and he needed watching. He and Stiles used to fingerprint each other, it had been great.

"Hey, sir," he said after he knocked on the door. "Can we talk?"

"Yeah, Scott, come on in," the sheriff said. He had been working on a crossword, which meant today was a quiet day. Good. "This about Stiles' birthday?"

"No that isn't for -" oh shit, that was next month. Shit. "Umm, yes? That's exactly what I am here about."

There was an eye roll, and Scott realized that was where Stiles got his from. He always thought Stiles looked like his mom, but he realized how much of the gestures were from the sheriff. "Why are you here, Scott?"

"I'm worried about Stiles," he said after a moment. This was more awkward than he expected. "You should probably be keeping more of an eye on him."

"And why is that, Scott?" the paper was put down, and the guy was sitting up straight and in an instant was hard, resolute. "And is talking to me and not to Stiles the wisest idea?" The sheriff was looking serious, "Snitches gets stitches, Scott."

"Uhh, shouldn't you be saying it is important to talk to the cops, when you know something is bad or wrong?"

"When it comes to law enforcement yes, but this feels more like when you were ten and told me about Stiles having a crush on your mom. He was mad at you for weeks."

Scott winced at the memory and okay this was sort of like that, but also so much more and he was absolutely doing the right thing. "Stiles is in trouble."

"He's always in trouble, Scott. I will need you to be a bit more specific." The sheriff was frowning. "Is this about his school work, because I haven't gotten a call recently. Lacrosse? He has been sneaking out less since you got a girlfriend."

"You sure about that?" Scott hunched a bit. "And no offense you work so much you have no idea how much he sneaks out at night." This was bad, but also he sort of couldn't stop at this point.

He watched the sheriff pull a notebook out and he began to read out loud. It was dates, and shit the guy knew about ninety percent of the times that Stiles had not been home at night. "Okay, scary."

"I'm occasionally a bad father, but I'm a damned good sheriff, and luckily they balance out every once in a while." The notebook was put down. "Scott, how about you stop now, before you hurt Stiles."

"I'm here to stop him from being hurt," Scott protested. "You don't understand. Stiles is sleeping with someone."

"Stiles has slept with a few someones. They are called sleepovers? Hell, he's slept with you."

Scott opened his mouth and closed it, because he couldn't tell if the man was being sarcastic or not. He frowned. "Sir, I mean that Stiles is having sex. With a guy."

"Jesus, Scott, this isn't about you being homophobic is it?" The sheriff looked disgusted with him. "He came out to you years ago."

"NO!" Scott yelled and a raised eyebrow had him calming down. "The guy is older and hurting him. I just know it. You don't understand." He took a deep breath, and prepared to ruin his friendship to save his friend. "It's Derek Hale. He's sleeping with Derek Hale."

There was a sigh, and the sheriff rubbed a hand down his face. "Scott, do you think I didn't know?"

"What?" Scott stared stunned.

"You walk in on that guy in your shower, you start to think something is up. When that guy 'just happened to stop by for breakfast' you are pretty sure something is up. When you walk in on them 'watching a movie' with hands in places you can't see, horizontal on the couch, you sort of put the pieces together even if you aren't the sheriff."

Scott stared at him, "so why haven't you arrested Derek?"

"For what, exactly, loving my kid?" There was a snort. "Oh yeah, that really will stick."

"Stiles is underage," Scott was desperate. How come the sheriff was completely cool with this. "That's like some sort of rape, isn't it?"

He did not expect the sheriff to start laughing. "Scott, are you jealous because for once not all of Stiles' attention is on you? A bit rich considering how much of your time and energy is devoted to your girlfriend these days."

"I'm not jealous," Scott scowled, "I'm trying to protect Stiles." He couldn't actually tell the sheriff hey I think Derek is fucking Stiles too roughly, and you need to fix that. "Derek is older and more worldly and you don't know what he has Stiles doing."

"Which I really don't want that information," the sheriff was smiling and it was kind, but also clearly laughing at him.

"Derek is evil and going to destroy Stiles," Scott was desperate to get the guy to understand. Why wasn't he more concerned?

"Scott," it was clear that the sheriff was losing patience. "How many times have you accused Derek of doing things that he didn't? You are old enough I shouldn't have to quote the Boy Who Cried Wolf at you."

"This is different." Scott was going to have to say it. "Derek is likely hurting Stiles…in bed."

That got him a flat stare.

"I just learned some stuff, that is real bad."

"From Stiles?"

Scott almost lied, but didn't and just shook his head. "Stiles is underage. Arrest Derek."

"Scott, if I arrested Derek, I'd have to arrest at least a dozen other people in town. We live in a shithole, Scott, people have sex to kill time, to have something to do. To feel comfort because things get weirder and weirder out there. A bit of underage sex when it is underage by a month? Not going to stick. It will be a waste of my time, and ruin my relationship with my son. Derek is not hurting Stiles. I would see it if he was."

"No you wouldn't," Scott snapped. "You are useless."

"Careful, son, and I'll be kind, not tell Stiles you stopped by. And Scott, you are having underage sex too. Just pointing that out. And she is older than you, isn't she, maybe I should arrest your girlfriend?"

Scott made a face and stormed out of the station. Only to run into Stiles outside.

"Whoa, where you off to in a rush? And wait, why were you in there?" Stiles steadied him. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just quick chat with your dad about…things."

Stiles looked confused for a second and then his whole face lit up. "Dude, you actually are caring about my birthday?"

"No? Why would -" Scott watched Stiles' face fall and he realized okay he was being a bit of a shit friend. "We weren't planning anything, I wasn't even in there. You aren't even seeing me right now. What birthday?" He lied horribly just so Stiles would think they were trying to keep something secret.

"Sure, got it, no birthday stuff at all," Stiles gave the worst wink ever. "Come on, let's go shopping."

"Oh god, why?" Scott was terrified.

"Relax, it's just the bookstore."

"Okay," Scott breathed a bit easier. The bookstore would be fine, not weird. Stiles probably just wanted a comic book trades or something. They headed over and Scott found himself in an aisle that he hadn't been down before. Not that he came to the bookstore a lot, nowhere near as much as Stiles.

"Come on, it said they had it in," Stiles muttered. He was running fingers over spines. "Where is that stupid book?"

"What's the name, I can help you look."

"Kama Sutra," Stiles said. Scott paled a bit and stuck out his tongue when Stiles laughed at him. "God, messing with you right now is too easy. Nah, we're looking for a book called 'The Strength of Submission' by K.J. Wyatt."

"What?" Scott didn't think Stiles was joking this time.

"It got really good reviews online, and Derek mentioned it, so figured yeah good idea to buy it for him. Help him understand some stuff."

Scott shoved his hands into his pockets. "That's uhh good?" Today was the worst day ever and he realized that the sheriff ignoring him was likely going to have saved his friendship with Stiles. And if Derek was actually wanting to do research about what he was doing to Stiles, maybe he had changed from Kate's journal posts about him. He didn't trust Derek to not be doing wrong things to Stiles, but maybe it wasn't as bad as he feared. "It's good he is reading about what you are doing."

Stiles gave him a frowned and shrugged, "you know him, this information easily available online, but will choose a book any day of the week. Oh hey look they have sex dice to spice up the bedroom. Roll for boner," Stiles was laughing at them, but they got added to his haul. "To the comic books!"

Scott followed and was relieved to just talk about Superman with Stiles.

When he stopped by the lair to discuss something with the pack, he saw the book and the dice just sitting on the side table and desperately ignored them.

Chapter Text

"I can actually feel you thinking. Stop that."

Stiles was on top of Derek, flopped and noodly from like the fifth best orgasm he had ever had. Derek had been especially needy and sweet, and Stiles might have strained a hip fucking into his guy, but absolutely worth it. "Not thinking, just pondering."

"Well stop pondering, we aren't going for another round tonight, you have a test in first period tomorrow." Arms moved and brought a blanket over them, and then they were spooning. Stiles snugged in because he kinda loved that after everything they did, Derek wanted to be the big spoon, it was fucking adorable.

But also the way the arms held him, he was pretty sure it was also there to stop Stiles' hands from wandering about, getting them worked up again.

"You are still thinking."

"Pondering, contemplating, ruminating if you would."

"Thought the english test was next week," there was a kiss to his neck. "Brain braining?"

Stiles tried to shrug, but it was hard what with being wrapped in blankets and hugs. "Always," he answered. There was a huff. "You really don't have an internal monologue in there?" He could not fathom it at all. "Like sometimes it is just quiet in there?"

"A new way to call me an idiot?" Stiles was about to apologize, but there was a laugh. "Not every brain works like your Stiles."

"Sure but still, just quiet?"

"Just quiet."

"Huh," Stiles laughed a bit. "Must be nice."

"Just my brain," Derek replied, "so what are you pondering, since you aren't thinking." There was a kiss to the top of his head and that was nice. Stiles wiggled a bit and a leg was thrown over him to hold him extra still. "Are you trying to distract me?"

"Me, avoid a conversation, never. I love talking and we talk great these days. Look at everything you were saying in bed to me just a bit ago. Oh by the way, my dad asked about my new obsession with cleanliness, and that I haven't washed my sheets this much since I was fourteen. That was a fun conversation."

"When I go out your window, I could take your laundry with me, so he doesn't realize."

Stiles felt his eyes well. "You'd carry and wash our spunk covered sheets to protect my honour?" He sniffled. "Derek, that is the most romantic thing anyone has ever said. Forget that consume me body and soul crap, that is the height of true love there."

There was a huff and he could feel Derek rolling his eyes and ignored it, basking in the glow of romance. "Nah, baby, we're all good. I'll just make sure to wash at different times."

"We could go back to condoms more, that would help."

"Fuck no," Stiles said. "You like how much we smell like each other. I can wash the sheets and my dad can mind his own business." Stiles nudged until Derek let him turn around. "Want to know what I was thinking?"

"I thought you weren't thinking," was teased, but Derek was watching him carefully. "Tell me," was said after a minute of staring at each other. It also looked like he was bracing for a blow.

Stiles booped Derek's nose. "Stop the sad puppy face. I wanna a role play."

"We did that three days ago. It didn't go great."

Stiles winced a bit, because yeah, turned out definitely not a thing for them. The cheerleader outfit was a bust, but no way to get a refund or even store credit on that one. "Yeah, no, trust me, we're good on that one, not going back there again. And once again I apologize for being an idiot."

"My idiot."

"Yeah well, thanks. No this is a different sort of role play."

"I don't understand."

Stiles had been thinking about this a lot. Mainly in history class, and during practice, and every waking minute really. But not too much in the grand scheme of things. "A date."

"The sixth of December."

Stiles blinked, and looked at Derek who was wearing serious face. "Idiot," he laughed. "No, we should go on a date."

"How is that role playing?"

"We pretend we are a normal couple, without a garbage truck worth of trauma and baggage. We go out to dinner and then come back here and settle on the couch and watch a movie together. Halfway through we make out but hands stay on top of clothes. Because you know my dad will be home soon and he has told me, hands on top until I'm eighteen." Stiles grinned at the befuddled look on Derek's face. "We'll just be normal dorky idiots in the flush of first love. I know you've done all this shit before but -" That got the befuddled look changing to sad.

"I haven't," Derek said after a moment.

Stiles stared at him. Derek looked rough, the face he got when thinking about his past. Just once Stiles wanted to see Derek smiling about his past — there had to be one smile worthy thing in there. Because otherwise jesus fuck, that meant Stiles was the best thing to happen to Derek and if that was the case the guy really needed a better life. "Dude, you've had sex. Even if you haven't had a long term relationship, some of those had to be from dating someone a couple times? Couldn't all just be bar hookups?" Please let it be bar hookups, please, he thought.

Derek sat up. "I need to go."

Oh shit, it was bad enough the guy was running. Awesome. Stiles didn't touch Derek as Derek tried to find his underwear in the room. He knew better than to touch, but also if he let Derek go, it'd be a week of emotional shutdown, and a fight and Stiles liked how little they fought these days.

His wolf was off to lick old wounds and maybe accidentally reopen them. And fuck no. "So I have a question," Stiles probably had a question, he always had questions. He just needed to think of one now. Something that would actually stop Derek who had managed to find his underwear. But that had taken a while.

Oh maybe he was wanting to be stopped. Okay, his wolf was trying to learn how to be in a relationship and fuck that was beautiful. He also got a bit distracted by Derek's ass but then it was covered and he remembered. Question.

"Your dick. Some of the monster porn suggested it should have a knot."

That got Derek to stop and turn slowly and look at him. "What?"

Stiles thought about the question he asked, and remembered his promise, "this is from when I looked before, don't worry been sticking to human porn and honestly not even that much these days? More to track trends than anything else. Found one company that is actually unionized so I want to support them. Be an ally you know?"

"No, I do not know. And what do you mean I should have a knot?" Derek had his hands on his hips. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I don't even know," Stiles had to say. "But uhh, I can show you? I do not have any of it linked and with a cop for a dad, trust me I am ruthless about clearing my browser history. Not that he spies on me like that, more if I ever get arrested, that's how they bust so many people. Do you practice good web security, Derek?" Stiles thought maybe it was better if they shifted the direction a bit.

"Show me," was ordered. The underwear stayed on but Derek was back on his bed. And if monster porn was going to keep Derek from running away, then fine. They'd watch monster porn together. Stiles got his laptop and found himself in between Derek's legs, Derek up against the headboard.

Stiles couldn't remember the name of the actual site because it had been a weird generic thing. But he found the reddit thread which lead to another thread, which lead to a general porn site, to another porn site and thank fuck for all the ad blockers and firewalls he had on his computer or it would so be bricked. And then he had to explain hentai to Derek, which that was not in his top five moments and he very much refused to answer if he had watched any, which he knew was an answer in and of itself.

There it was, the monster fucking site. It took a minute in the search to find the one in question and he pressed play. They sat there. Watching werewolf porn. Together. And Stiles was getting hard — not so much because of the porn but because of how Derek was wrapped around him and breathing against his neck.

"Take me alpha, fill me with your knot, breeeeed me," the woman in the video wailed. But if she really wanted that, probably should let the guy fuck her and not suck him off but you know porn worked how porn worked.

"See?" Stiles said and then pointed at the guy and his dick.

"Huh," was all Derek said.

That's what it got was a huh. Followed by, "that can't be safe for her throat can it? That looks really uncomfortable."

"I fucking love you so much," was all Stiles could say. They watched the porn a bit more. "But see knot?" He pointed as they finally got to tab A and Slot B stuff. "Okay, I'm muting it because her fake sounds drive me crazy. Have I mentioned that I like that you are mostly quiet when we fuck? Because if you started screaming like that I think I would have a panic attack."

"The yelling always seems stupid," Derek said, "Kate sounded like that."

Stiles knew Derek could feel his heartbeat race. Wouldn't even need to be a werewolf to know it picked up speed with how close they were. But he didn't say anything. They just let the porn play on mute. He did squeeze Derek's thigh, but didn't press.

Pressing would be bad. Instead he asked, "so like is it a full moon thing?"

"I have no idea," Derek replied. "I don't have one."

"I mean not even when you half shift?"

"Nope."

"What about full shift?"

"Usually not horny when that happens, so have no clue honestly."

"All of this implies you have been horny in half shift enough to know about the knot situation." Stiles was grinning. "Okay, adding that to the spank bank." There was a groan of exasperation which he ignored. "Maybe a born alpha thing?" He suggested.

"Stiles, you honestly at this point know more about werewolves than I do. Research it if you are that interested. But I am not hiding anything from you. Don't have a knot in any form that would have sex with you."

Stiles blinked because there was a bit of an implication in there, that half shift sex might be on the table in the future. They kept watching the porn. "It does look kinda uncomfortable."

"I'm really worried about her knees, you always make sure I have something under me if I am on a hard surface. That's going to have needed icing."

"You are such a dork," Stiles couldn't believe they were watching porn and Derek was focused on joint issues. But actually the way the guy was fucking her, it was a valid point. "Great now when I watch porn this is going to be a thing I notice. You have ruined porn for a while now."

"Oh no, I am so sad," Derek's voice was flat but there was a thread of amusement. "Guess I'll just have to make sure you are too satisfied to want porn."

Stiles was quite proud of himself for successfully distracting Derek from his past. But also, "I'll listen. If you ever need to talk about it."

"I'll keep that in mind." The laptop was closed and put down. They went back to spooning. "You need sleep."

"I'm fine, I've written plenty a test and passed on three hours sleep. Brain is too busy right now."

"Do you know what my first memory is?"

Stiles was very still, barely breathed. "Tell me," he managed to say. He was a bit terrified that it was going to be horrific.

"That my mom had rough hands. Wolves heal, we shouldn't have rough hands. But she gardened so much, that even our healing powers couldn't stop the small cuts and calluses she got. She smelled like dirt and the carrots she grew, and sometimes like honey. Which is funny because she actually hated to sticky it was."

"My mom smelled of lemon because every few days she would squeeze a lemon onto her hair, swore it helped with the shine," Stiles said.

"My mom would have liked you," Derek said.

"Tell me about her. The good stuff."

Stiles felt everything calm down in himself as Derek talked and he fell asleep. It was a good sleep, nice and down where there were no nightmares.

It was so down in fact, he didn't hear his alarm. But he did hear his dad banging on the door, shouting to get the hell up already. Breakfast in five.

But it was odd because he couldn't get up. Oh fuck, sleep paralysis. He had a host of sleeping issues, but that hadn't been on the list before. Fine, he knew enough to try to stay calm. Sleep paralysis was heavier than he expected. And louder because it grumbled when he moved.

He took longer than he should have to realize it wasn't sleep paralysis, it was Derek sleeping right on top of him. And being grumpy about being woken up.

"Derek," Stiles hissed. "Wake up."

"No," was said and the tone was cute. But also, fuck, Derek had spent the night. "You are better than a stuffed animal."

"That's adorable, how old were you when you stopped sleeping with one? I bet three, you would have wanted to be grown up so desperately."

"Until Kate took me to bed, so fifteen?" It was said with sleep unthinkingly. "She tossed it away saying she had made me a man, so I didn't need that bullshit."

Stiles was fucking buying Derek a bear next time he was at the mall. "I need up. Remember that test I have. Can't stay in bed with you all morning, no matter how much better that sounds."

Derek just squeezed him tighter. "Mine."

"Yeah, I am, but also now that I am awake, kinda getting aware I need to piss. And we have agreements and accords about that particular bodily fluid."

There were more grumbles, but the arms were slowly loosening.

"Oh for god's sake, Stiles, I know you hate math tests, but you are too old to fake sick, now get -" The door swung open as the same time his dad was knocking and yelling. "-up."

Stiles didn't worry about covering up, because there was a blanket and frankly a lot of Derek covering him. "Hey, dad, I'm up. And uhh…" He really was trying to come up with something. But for once his brain was apparently that quiet that Derek had talked about.

Great timing for that to happen.

"Breakfast is ready," his dad said calmly. "Here is what is going to happen. Derek will go out the window, and you will get ready for school quicker than you ever have in your life. Derek will knock on our front door and say that he had been out on a morning run and decided to stop by and say hi, and let me know something about seeing kids in the park without bike helmets or something. Anything. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," the both said quickly though not quite in unison.

"Dad?" Stiles was hesitant.

"Stiles," his dad's voice was similar. "We have a game plan. Right?"

"Right," Stiles said, "fast, super fast."

"Good."

The door closed and they sprung out of bed. Derek was dressed and didn't even kiss him goodbye, just rolled out of the window. Stiles ran to the bathroom, did what needed doing. Back to his room, dressed, and running down the stairs in eight minutes. It was the absolute fastest he could. He sat at the table and a plate of eggs and toast was put in front of him.

He ate and there was a knock at the door.

"Hmm, I wonder who that could be," his dad said in the worst fake acting ever. He was gone, returned with a panicked looking Derek next to him. "Stiles, look who stopped by!"

"Hey, Derek," Stiles managed to say.

"Hey, I saw some kids at the park without helmets on, thought your dad might want to do a cops go to elementary school thing. About safety. I am a…concerned citizen."

"Isn't that wonderful, caring about safety?"

Stiles had to wince as he dad squeezed Derek's shoulder because that grip looked tight. "Go safety!" Stiles agreed.

"Exactly," his dad's smile was terrifying, and Derek was standing still, seemed to understand that in this moment, he was absolutely prey and not predator. "And I am sure Derek understands the importance of safety in all aspects of life."

"Uh-huh," Derek managed to say.

Stiles watched his dad let go, "let's get you a plate of food. Have a seat."

Derek hurried over and was on the other side of Stiles. Stiles realized that Derek was hiding behind him, just a bit. Oh god, Derek was counting on Stiles to protect him.

It was Hero Stiles time. He could handle this. He gave Derek's thigh a single squeeze, hoping Derek understood the message. Derek leaned against him just a bit.

Stiles' dad brought over a plate and put it in front of Derek. He sat with coffee. "Eat both of you, before I have to drive Stiles to school. You can come along, and I can drop you where you need to be Derek."

Stiles thought of Derek being alone with his dad. He quickly gave two squeezes to Derek's thigh. Because he wasn't sure werewolf strength could heal the emotional scars that drive would give him.

"I'm good. I was out running, so think I will just keep running."

"Hmm, well the offer is there." His dad drank some more coffee, and was just watching them.

Stiles thought of everything he had survived since Scott had been bitten. This was worse than all of that. "I love him," Stiles blurted out. "Eggs, I mean, I love these eggs. You do something different?" He ate another mouthful. "Yum."

"I used salt, the thing you generally get up in arms about. But amazing how much flavour just a bit adds. What do you think Derek? You aren't eating."

"Eat," Stiles hissed.

Derek ate the tiniest mouthful. "Yum," he agreed. He drank half the coffee and that had Stiles looking at him. And Stiles' dad was too. "You both are making the same face," Derek pointed out.

"Well that was weird. Right, Dad?"

"A bit, yeah. Faking to impress me? Why would eating a bite of eggs impress me?"

"Honestly yeah, was that a thing in your family? Eggs show love? Because honestly I'll respect it, but eggs are eggs. The love food is casserole."

"Have to disagree there son, casseroles are a death food. Cookies are love. Your mother couldn't bake for shit, and on my birthday when we were dating tried to make me cookies since she knew cake was out of the question. Worst goddamn things I ever ate in my life."

Stiles looked at his dad in awe. "I didn't know that." They never talked about mom, it hurt too much. He smiled a bit though, at new information and honestly how sweet it was. He was pretty sure his dad had had sex since mom had passed, but he had never dated. Once had said he'd had the best, he was good.

Stiles looked at Derek and thought maybe he was the best. He was pretty sure the jerk was the best. Fuck, his heart was stupid deciding that, but he'd roll with it.

Especially when Derek took another bite of eggs, when clearly the guy hated them. Stiles took his fork and moved the eggs off Derek's plate.

"They have a weird texture," Derek said. "Not like they are bad, I assume, I wouldn't like them no matter who cooked them. I really hate eggs."

"Gotcha, no eggs when I cook us food," Stiles said and started to lean in to kiss the guy.

There was a throat clear. "Now now, why would you be cooking Derek breakfast since he was just running by and a concerned citizen," his dad said.

"Right, right, concerned citizen is Derek's middle name," Stiles agreed. He ate the eggs. "Shit, I forgot my bag upstairs. Derek you probably want to run, I mean get back to your run."

"No, I think he's fine sitting with me while you go get your stuff."

There were two rather desperate squeezes to Stiles's thigh, but Derek's face was placid. He was supposed to be Hero Stiles in the moment and what he managed to say was, "Dad, please give him a thirty second head start," before he himself ran. He'd make it up to Derek later.

He tried to move fast but also had to go to the bathroom, which took some time but he didn't hear fighting or weaponry. When he made it downstairs, his dad and Derek were waiting by the door. His dad looked all normal and stuff, Derek wasn't pale or shaking. Huh.

"You have a minute to get your ass in the car," his dad said and went out the door leaving them.

"You okay?" He hurried over.

"Yeah, uhh, he didn't threaten me, we just sat and stared at each other? Then he sort of nodded and said fine, and did the dishes? What does fine mean, with no other word breathed?" Derek looked so confused.

But Stiles smiled. "Wanna come over Friday night for plan movie and make out?"

"Sure?" Derek still looked confused.

Stiles heard the horn and dragged Derek outside. "I'll explain what fine means then." He hopped into the car and grinned at his dad, "Fine, huh?"

"Shut up," was the reply he got. "Just be careful? And if I ever see a naked ass, I will shoot it full of buckshot, even if it is yours."

"No you won't," Stiles laughed.

"No, waste of buckshot, but I'll be picturing it real hard."

"Fair. I think I like love him and shit. He's a good guy under all the brooding and trauma. I think there is more trauma than I realized," Stiles admitted.

"Can't fix that shit," his dad pointed out.

"I know, but I can let him know he can trust me, is safe with me, right?"

That got a grunt and they were quiet until the school drop off zone. "You're better with him," his dad said.

"What?"

"I don't get why you think guys are hot stuff, but you know I support you. And love you, and I'll get to know him. Especially because last few weeks? You've been more centered. Frankly, was concerned you were abusing your Aderall again, but nope seems getting dick is good for ADHD."

"DAD! Never say getting dick again, jesus fuck."

"Don't swear," his dad said. "I'm fine with you riding the love boat, but you don't shame your mother by taking the lord's name in vain."

"Dude you don't even believe," Stiles was in hell. This was his punishment for not being Hero Stiles. "And mostly he rides the love boat." Oh god, he had actually said that to his father. Please let something fall out of the sky and hit him.

"Whatever, as long as I don't see it, I do not care. Or buckshot. Now don't flunk your test, I find your teacher annoying and don't want to talk to them."

"Yeah, they suck," Stiles agreed. "Thanks and stuff?"

"Fine," was grumbled, "god I hope there is a murder I can think about instead of this."

"Me too, only math and not murder." Stiles stumbled out of the car and ran inside. A test was infinitely preferrable to the last hour of his life.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Scott asked him.

"I am?" Stiles shrugged. "My dad is fine." He realized how happy he was. His dad was fine with Derek. Fuck yeah. "Hey I need to go to the mall later, wanna come with?"

"God no, I am never shopping with you again," Scott groaned.

"It's build a bear, you can build something for Allison, she'll swoon."

"Oh, okay? That actually seems good? But why do you need to build a bear?"

"Need something cuddly," Stiles replied and gave a salute when the teacher told them to shut up. Scott was glaring at nothing and almost had a bit of claw. Guess the guy forgot to study again.

Who gave a shit, everything was fine, and Stiles was going to ace this.

Scott was restless but it was also really shitty out, so fine he swung by Derek's lair to work out with the others. He had never come over a lot, but was really trying to avoid it now, so he didn't lose it on Derek for fucking Stiles. Because fine maybe the guy wasn't hurting hurting Stiles, but no way was he being actually good to Stiles.

Derek had to be a bad fuck buddy.

He was punching the bag and could hear everyone laughing and joking around, which for some reason today annoyed him.

Maybe because they were talking about the bear. The bear that Stiles had built, which was sitting on Derek's bed. Mocking that Stiles needed comfort during sex.

In that moment Scott was filled with rage and turned and growled at everyone, could feel himself shifting. They all quieted, were watching him.

"Get out," he warned them. But no one moved until Derek told them they could go.

"Took this long, huh?" Derek said once they were alone. "Stiles said you were having issues with he and I."

"He deserves better than you," Scott was breathing heavily, heart racing.

"Does he? He's kinda an idiot and a pain in the ass. Takes a lot to put up with him." Derek's voice was raised a bit, but Scott couldn't understand why. "You never know when he's going to do something stupid. Also, his knees are kinda ugly. He also gets sweaty in the night and refuses to shed blankets. That's weird. I could go on." Derek crossed his arms and was leaning against a wall. "Trust me, I have a lot of opinions about Stiles."

"You can't even say one good thing about him, because he doesn't matter to you even a bit."

"Nope," Derek's voice was still pitching loud which was weird because they were alone. "Not a bit."

"I hate you."

That just got a snort, "wow, shocking information." There was a yawn. "Either say what you want, properly, or challenge me, but I warn you that is a bad idea."

"Why? You think I can't win against you, when I am trying to protect Stiles from you?" That was just making Scott angrier. "Allison told me about you."

"What?" at that Derek looked confused. "I've barely had two conversations with her."

Scott heard a noise outside and figured it was the pack spying. Fine, they deserved to know the truth too. "No, she had her aunt's journal. Kate wrote awfully interesting things about you. Things you would never want Stiles to know. Or the pack to know. But I know. Leave Stiles alone or I'll tell them."

Scott flinched as soon as he finished speaking, because Derek's scent changed, went acrid. The guy moved and he braced himself for attack, but Derek was just walking away. Out of the building.

He stood there, confused.

Even more confused when Stiles walked in. He hadn't smelled the guy, but he realized it was because in part, Stiles smelled so much like Derek. That made him angry but he tried to calm down. "Hey," he managed to say, shifted back to human.

"Hey," Stiles said. "So Scott?"

"Yeah?"

"You're a wolf, like if I threw a punch, it would hurt me more. And violence won't solve anything right now anyways."

"Stiles, I'm just trying to save you," Scott stared at him. "He's using you, and I know he's hurting you. Kate's journal -"

"Need you to stop right there, pal," Stiles's voice was different. Flat, colder than even when he spoke to Jackson. "I can't hurt you, in anyway you wouldn't heal from instantly physically. But if go after Derek like this, I'll hurt you emotionally, break you into a million fucking pieces. If you keep this shit up, we're going to be done, and I won't miss you for a fucking second. You'll ruin every good memory or moment we had."

"Fine, if that saves you from him fine." Scott knew he was right, he had to be.

"Scott, Scott, Scott," Stiles laughed and it was such a hollow sound. Scott didn't know what to do when Stiles came over and hugged him. "It's great that you are trying to be a hero. But trust me right now you are the villain and also kinda homophobic. And weirdly pro-rape which is really fucking gross. So I'm kicking you out of the lair, the pack, everything. You want Allison most of all, congratulations — that's the only person you have left."

"What?" Scott didn't understand.

"You want the benefit of Derek's knowledge and space and people, without contributing anything really. And doing a lot of harm. That's now done."

Scott laughed, "and what gives you the authority to even do that."

"Because this time, I'm the hero. Go me, shame we hate role play, or I'd get me a cape. Also, my guy, you are so caught in me being who I was when we were twelve, you haven't noticed a single thing. The most important thing. That this is my house, my lair, my pack. I'm Mom here Scott, and I'm putting you in time out." Stiles whistled and Scott didn't understand how everyone, even Derek heeled to that. "Everyone, Scott isn't allowed near Derek, in the lair, or to talk to any of us for a month."

"What if he is lying near death somewhere?" Derek asked.

Scott watched as Stiles hesitated to answer. "Guess we'll save him," Stiles finally said. "But has to be sure it will mean death. Understood?"

Scott didn't know what to do when everyone immediately agreed. He really didn't know what to do when they all knelt to Stiles, humbled themselves to a human who was Stiles. It was Stiles! "Why are you treating him like an alpha?"

"Because even alphas bow to their queen. Oh wait, that sounded stupid. Shit, messed up the moment. Can we pretend I didn't say that? Like I know the queen is the most powerful piece in chess and that statistically queens rule longer than kings, people care more about the prom queen than the king. But it sounded lame. But I did also call myself mom, so we'll stick with it. Now get the fuck out," Stiles said.

Scott stared at them all for a moment, at the way that Stiles was fucking petting Derek and decided to leave.

He went to Allison who looked upset. "What happened?"

"My dad wants to talk to you," she whispered.

Oh fuck. Chris never wanted to talk to him. Allison clasped his hand and they went to the office. He was sitting behind his desk and gestured for them to sit.

"Sir?" Scott managed to say.

"We need to talk about Kate. And Derek."

Chapter Text

"If I say run, you run. I say duck, you fucking duck, Stiles." Derek was glaring at him. "I do not trust that person over there."

Stiles gave Derek's head a pat. "Yeah, that kid looks ruthless." The tween was doing deep knee bends and had zero trigger discipline, finger already on the trigger. No friends either. This kid did this solo. Man, that was actually depressing. "We should let him kill us. I think he needs the win."

"We don't let anyone kill us, ever. This could actually be a decent training exercise. We should bring the pack."

"It's laser tag. On a course that hasn't changed since they opened the place. We are going up against that guy, and a group of nine year olds on a birthday party hopped up on crappy birthday cake." Stiles looked over. "Oh wait no, that's a good quality cake, so like yeah we're dead. Your instincts and reflexes will not help us against that much sugar coursing through veins."

Derek smirked a bit. "I think we can defeat children."

Half an hour later they were in Derek's car. "Okay, so laser tag, not a good date." Stiles tried to sound serious and not like he was laughing. "That went better than mini golf?" Derek winced a bit and Stiles couldn't not laugh at the poor guy. It was impressive to get a lifetime ban from mini golf. Derek should wear that with pride.

"We have tried five dates and all have been failures. You know why?" Derek turned the car on, and drove them out of the lot. He had to jam on the brakes as a kid ran out.

Stiles thought about it as they waited. He thought about it as they drove back to Stiles' house. He came to a conclusion, an obvious one. "Baby, it isn't your fault. You just missed out on all these experiences. Don't blame yourself."

"I'm not." They pulled into the driveway. "I am absolutely blaming you."

"Me?" Stiles frowned. "What did I do? I am planning great dates."

Derek let the car idle. "You are planning normal dates."

"Exactly! We deserve them. You deserve them." Stiles didn't get it. He was trying to give Derek everything the guy hadn't had before. Because Derek deserved to have fun and joy, and look the escape room had been a bad idea, but they had paid the damages. "You deserve something normal."

"Stiles," Derek looked at him and it was clear he wanted to say something, but couldn't figure it out. "We're not normal."

"We can pretend we are. All the bullshit and trauma and weird doesn't have to define you and me. We can do the normal shit teenagers do."

"Not a teenager."

Stiles waved a hand, "emotionally you kinda are. Don't worry the next date, will be perfect."

"If I wanted perfect, I sure as shit wouldn't have fallen in love with you," Derek muttered. "You aren't listening."

"I'm listening, you are just being a sourwolf." Stiles winced because okay he hadn't actually called Derek that since they had started dating.

"Goodnight, Stiles."

Stiles nodded because yeah, that was fair. He didn't lean over to kiss Derek just went inside the house. His dad was watching tv, in sweats and a crappy tee they really needed to throw out, drinking a beer. "Can I have one of those?"

There was a snort. "No." But it was handed to him, and who cared about dad spit if he was getting a pull. "That never happened, but you look not great. We didn't get a call as far as I know about this date, so had to go better?"

"Only two of dates have actually called the station." Stiles groaned and flopped on the couch. "I don't get why this is going so poorly. These are the dates that all the people at school do. Scott went bowling with Allison. When we did it —" Stiles thought about being kicked out because Derek's got startled by a kid's scream and threw his ball, lodging it into the wall. "Why isn't this working?"

"Because you are doing what other people do?"

"Huh?" Stiles looked at his dad. "I'm just trying to do normal shit."

"Stiles, pal, you are dating a guy I prefer not to think about the age of, who has so much trauma it could fill the reservoir, and you are a genius who regularly takes double his aderall and drinks three red bulls, just to get your brain at vaguely normal speeds. What about any of that screams normal?"

"I want it be normal."

"Why?"

Stiles tilted his head at that. "What do you mean why?"

"I mean why bother with stuff to pretend to be normal, when you aren't? You aren't normal, Stiles. It's you. Normal is boring, and one thing son, is that you are never boring. I get wanting things to have sort of a vibe? But why can't that vibe match you? Scott would do the dates you are doing. Always thought you were smarter than him. Haven't seen him recently by the way?"

"He's being a jackass about me and Derek, so he's on timeout for another week." Stiles kinda wished he could talk to Scott about this, but also knew that the guy would be a complete dick. He did not get it. He sighed. "Okay, but in movies when they do the different sort of date, those also seem lame. The she isn't like other girls dates. What do I do?"

"You have the internet, research more than porn."

"And I'm done here," Stiles said, and ran with his father's laughter in his ear. He went upstairs and sat on his bed. Derek was hating these dates. And that sucked. Because also, Stiles was hating them too. He had to admit they were so boring, and he was just, shit they really were about trying to role play normal people. And they hated role play.

But what did they have in common, aside from sex, love, and trauma and the horrors of their lives? Stiles frowned for a minute because, oh shit, what if that is all that they had. But he thought of the conversations, things they whispered when not ready to sleep.

Stiles began to research. In the morning he asked his dad if the guy would freak out if he went away for a night. That got him a look, which he met square on. "I found the perfect date, but it is like a two hour drive away, and it would be easier if we then spent the night. I can't ask him to prom, for a million reasons. Chief among them I never want to go to prom, but like that night I'd be lying and saying I was at Scott's. Here I am not lying to you, that shows character doesn't it?"

"You know, maybe this is old fashioned of me, and not hip with the times. But do you know one of the reasons I am ninety, well, eighty five percent okay with you and Derek? You are avoiding the pregnancy scares I had to deal with at your age."

"DAD!"

"What? I also support you because you are happy, but it is nice I don't have to freak out about that. That is always the longest five minutes of your life, waiting for that line."

"This is hell and I have done nothing to deserve this." Stiles buried his head in his hands. "Someone save me."

They both froze as there was a knock at the door.

His dad got up and when he returned, he was followed by Derek. "That worked, you were summoned by my suffering? Are we so in love you knew my dad was torturing me and came to rescue me? My hero."

Derek didn't look like he had slept. It was almost impressive that he looked like shit considering healing and all. "He is doing what?" There was an eye flash.

"He was telling me about his misspent youth, and no child should suffer through that," Stiles said. "But he's relieved I can't knock you up. Isn't that fun to know?"

Derek winced and at least the guy understood his pain. The silence in the room grew awkward.

"I do not have time or interest for this. I assume you are here to also plead the cause, so fine, go on your out of town date that will include an overnight portion. I want a call that you arrived safely at said destination and a call when you are leaving the next day so I know when to keep an eye on highway reports for your fiery death. You are taking his car, not the jeep, because I do not trust the jeep to make the drive. If you end up in emergency for something sexual, I will deny you are my child."

"Cool cool, thanks, Dad. Love you too. And you know how much I love you? I won't yell at you for the fast food containers I find the garbage when we are back."

"I am feeling the love, Stiles. You two have a good time. I'm going elsewhere."

His dad gave Derek a should squeeze as he went by and Stiles had to laugh at how the casual affection always befuddled Derek. "Hey," he said as Derek came over and sat at the table. "I found the perfect date, but it is two hours out of town, so we'll have to spend the night. Dad's cool with it. If you want. I want, but if you don't want, we can do something here, haven't spent money yet, so like you know. We haven't tried just going to dinner and a movie? Or we could just go to bed? That always is a good time."

"Will you shut up for a second?"

"Nope, because if I shut up you might tell me, that sure the sex was great but dating has been so stupid, you are done." Stiles couldn't look at him. "You've realized hey a human was fun, great to relax a bit but ready to wolf out with someone."

"Dumbass," Derek snorted, "I'm supposed to be the dramatic one."

That got Stiles to look up, and sure enough Derek was smiling. "Okay?"

"I didn't sleep much last night, figured we were over, you were tired of me being shit at dating, because you've figured out sex and want more than my deal."

"Excuse you?" Stiles frowned at him. "Deal? You mean you being sweet and soft and absolutely fucking banging hot when we fuck? Side note, we agree to never call it making love right?" He was relieved when that got a nod. "Why would I ever want more than you?"

"Because you turn eighteen next week, and there is a lot of guys and girls out there who are going to fall over their feet to be with you?"

"Me?" That had Stiles laughing a bit. "Sure there, baby, they'll be lining up for all this." That Derek believed that was insane, and also very sweet. "You're all I want."

"I know, when I walked in here, I was ready for the worst, but then I saw you and you were so gorgeous and happy to see me. You are the only person since my family who is happy to see me."

"Fuck, dude, that is a depressing ass sentence. And the pack are happy to see you. Sometimes. You can be a little hard on them."

"I know, but you soften all that up. You are a good mom to them." Derek was grinning as he said that. "I'm the mean sports dad who pushes them too hard when they want to be dancers and not bankers or sports heroes. And you are the one who sits on the bed and strokes their hair and explains how I had to give up my dreams and I want them safe."

"You hate those kinds of movies. I hate those kinds of movies." Stiles had to laugh, "But yeah, we are rocking that dynamic. Which is fun with the other dynamics we rock," he wiggled his brows just to make Derek laugh. "I found us a great date, if you are willing to drive us a couple hours north."

"I can be ready after lunch?"

"Perfect," Stiles leaned over the table and kissed Derek. "You need a nap, you don't look great."

"What clothes do I need for the date?"

"Just regular stuff, promise this will make you smile."

"You make me smile."

"God, you are such a dork." Stiles had to kiss him again though.

The drive north was easy and since they had time, they stopped whenever there was a nice place, because Stiles had dug out his mom's old camera. He had been shocked the drugstore still sold and processed film. He was pretty sure he was going to be an awful photographer, but there was something about holding it in his hands. And thanks to his boyfriend being a complete weirdo and a guy stuck outside of time, he actually knew how to change film.

"I remember her holding it, the camera," Stiles said as Derek drove. "We didn't have the most money. We were fine but Dad wasn't the sheriff yet, she was a payroll clerk. Never went without but no big fancy vacations. Lots of camping and cheap cabins on the outskirts of national parks that barely had running water. She would wake us up for sunrises. Dad and I always groaned, Dad saying sunsets were just as pretty."

"It is a different pretty."

Stiles closed his eyes. "That is what she always said." In an instant he understood why he had fallen so hard for Derek. "She is in so few of the photos because she was always taking them."

"I don't have any left, they burned not that there were many to begin with, our eyes flash too much in pictures. They fade, their features."

"Yeah," Stiles agreed. He sighed, "isn't this romantic?"

"You're the only person I feel comfortable talking about them with," Derek said. "Thought I might with pack, but hard to open up to them after Scott told me maybe they deserved to die."

Stiles went very still. "He did what now?"

"Nothing, let it go," Derek said.

"Like fuck I will," Stiles snapped back, "but I will let it go for right now, because this is going to be our super awesome actually awesome zero cop intervention date."

"Which you haven't told me what it is," Derek pointed out.

"All will be revealed when it is appropriate. You are going to want exit 58-A," he added. Derek took the exit and followed the directions he was given. "We should find a motel, book in. Then see about dinner, maybe wander the town a bit. Actual date doesn't start until it is dark out."

"I'm curious."

"Good, I'm trying to be mysterious." They found a motel that didn't look like too many people had o.d'd or been murdered at it and Derek checked them in, since Stiles wasn't eighteen yet. They drove into the town a bit more that had a very in winter we are a ski resort place vibe. They parked and he insisted he get to take a picture of Derek next to a huge taxidermied bear.

An older couple passed by and offered to take a photo of them together, it was so nice to see kids today with a camera. It made Stiles flush a bit, especially when Derek threw his arm over Stiles' shoulder. They were called cute and the couple was off.

Stiles felt awkward. "There is a bookstore over there," he said and hurried to it.

"We got treated normally and you are all embarrassed," Derek was laughing at him.

"Shut up."

Stiles didn't expect much from the store, expected mostly generic dad action thrillers and stuff easily read on vacation. But actually it was a great little shop. And holy shit, the occult section at the back was legit. He started to grab a bunch, because these were going to be really useful.

And a tarot deck just for funsies. Because it was sexy tarot deck.

He found Derek of course in the nonfiction with a history book on prohibition of all things. "I'm good, you want that one?"

"Yeah," Derek said. He looked at the pile Stiles had. "This is a date, not work."

"Sure, but I'd be mad if I didn't have them later. And the tarot deck is just for fun. It tells us our sexual future!" That got a huff, but Derek took everything despite Stiles' protest that he could pay. Sure Derek had more money than him, but still. "I'm paying for dinner, and our tickets tonight."

"What do we need tickets for?"

"You'll see," Stiles was being stubborn about this, because Derek deserved good surprises. "What do you want for dinner?"

They walked around and read menus until they found a place they agreed on. By the time they finished dinner the sun was setting and Stiles took a picture of it. It would likely come out like shit, but still. "We'll definitely rock sunsets on our vacations," he said.

"Our kids will thank you," Derek said, and that made Stiles stumble. They had joked about it of course, but Derek had said it calmly, naturally. Matter of factly. "I'm never doing theme parks," Derek added.

"That's fair, I puke on most rides anyways. You cool on planes, kinda want to see more of the world."

"Yeah, that's fine."

"Awesome, but like not anytime soon right? I should probably do college, our lives not be in constant mortal danger? So like we revisit this when I'm twenty five?"

"Sounds good, kids talk tabled until you are twenty five." Derek grinned, an actual grin. Like full out sunshine smile. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Stiles was ready to run and find a kid right now for that smile, but also they were too messy for a kid anytime soon. But maybe one day. "Now where do we go?"

"Come on," Stiles said and they went back to the car. Twenty minutes later they were in a parking lot. "Welcome to the only botanical garden on the west coast, that has a dedicated night blooming garden." He grinned at Derek, sure he had finally nailed this dating thing, but Derek wasn't saying anything. "Derek? I do bad?" He was sure that this time was the right thing, the right date, and they had been having a pretty great time.

Derek's hand tightened on the wheel and he still said nothing.

Fuck, this had been a bad idea. "So back to the hotel for a sorry I thought of gardens blow job?"

There was a head shake. But no words. Stiles was completely lost but he decided to sit and be quiet. He could do that because clearly Derek was processing feelings. Stiles could give him space to do that. Stiles could be awesome like that.

"Okay, but seriously, I need to know what to do right now, because I cannot read the vibes you are giving off."

"Stiles, shut the fuck up," Derek growled.

"Fuck no, because this place looks awesome and your mom gardened and sometimes you just stop and stare at flowers you find growing wild in the preserve and you like nature and I don't hate it and this nature seems cool and there are supposed to be fireflies maybe and I like fireflies — maybe?" Stiles flailed as much as the car would let him. "I just wanted to make you happy."

"I am happy dumbass, but it is hard to figure out how to say it!"

"You just did!" Stiles shouted and they stared at each other. He took a breath, "Happy?" was said in a much calmer voice.

"Happy," was muttered back, shoulders hunched a bit.

"Hey, Derek, let's go look at some flowers."

"Okay," Derek let go of the wheel, and Stiles bought them tickets. Walking around a botanical garden wouldn't generally be a super life highlight for him, but it was pretty. And more importantly, he got to see Derek be enraptured; a completely open and not stressed Derek was a thing to behold. Fuck the most famous art in the world, this was what he wanted to stare at for hours, days, years.

They followed the path and there were other people, but it wasn't too crowded, and when they reached the small pond, they were able to score a nice bench. It was a half moon, the sky clear, the air getting crisper as night had fully settled in. He wished he had a sweatshirt, the flannel wasn't quite enough.

Leather settled over his shoulders. "Don't shiver, you looked like an idiot when you get sniffles."

"You sound like an idiot when you say sniffles like I am five," Stiles replied as he slid his arms into the jacket. He breathed in, but it mostly smelled like leather, not like he could smell joy or wonder on it. To him it was just a jacket. But also wearing boyfriend jacket felt pretty awesome. "How badass do I look in this?"

"Not even a little. But cute? You look cute." Derek ruffled his hair and Stiles lightly smacked him. "Who's a cute little boyfriend?"

Oh god, Derek was so happy he was teasing. Stiles could almost cry. He leaned against Derek and stared at the pond. "This is nice and stuff."

"It is. This is good."

"Yeah, because I'm awesome at planning dates."

"One in six, is not the best track record."

"Nah, see now that I have it figured out soon that math will be in my favour, because everything here on out will be amazing."

"Great, our next date is going to end the world when you say shit like that. We're now cursed."

"Been there, done that, no biggie," Stiles dismissed it. He took Derek's hand. "Don't gloom, just stare at all the pretty."

"Alright," and Derek turned was looking at him, and okay fuck that was a whole lot of something. Especially when Derek kept looking at him. Stiles stood up and tugged Derek along, to get him to focus on the flowers and shit again.

It took them about ninety minutes to tour the garden, and at the end there was a small shop. "I'm buying you a souvenir." Derek absolutely deserved a magnet or key chain. They looked around and he damn well saw Derek staring at the little bunny plushie, but was eventually handed a magnet. Stiles went over and grabbed the bunny as well. "I think he's cute," was all Stiles said when Derek gave him a look, "but your magnet is nice too." He bought them both and they drove back to the motel, which at night with the sad lit up sign, had increased serial killer vibes.

"I'll keep you safe," Derek said solemnly like he was reading Stiles' mind, but also the C in vacant was flickering and really added to the ominous air.

But no one was around and they went to their room. A lamp turned on, but that was it. He put the souvenirs on the night stand, turned to Derek. "So you liked?"

"I could show you how much?" Derek suggested as he moved closer. "You look good in my jacket."

"I look like a dork, can't really pull it off."

"I like it," Derek said, "you wrapped up in me. That's good."

"Is it, now?" Stiles smiled. "Want me naked except for the jacket?" He could see Derek picturing that, because he would do that for the guy, no problem.

"No, too disney cartoon to be naked on bottom and not on top," was the final conclusion and honestly that seemed to be the funnies thing that Stiles had ever heard and he couldn't stop laughing.

Luckily, Derek knew how to stop Stiles when this happened, and it was a great kiss. Clothes were stripped off, and then they were on the bed. Derek was giving him that look, the one that only Stiles had ever seen, the trust, the pliant, waiting for whatever Stiles wanted to do. He scratched a bit at Derek's neck. "Want you to squish me a bit, really want your weight pressing down on me, k?" That got a happy nod. "Lots of neck biting, I want some really obvious hickeys when I am back at school on Monday." He knew how much Derek loved marking his territory. "But I am a little tired," that got Derek pulling away but Stiles winked to show it was all a part of his plan, "so how about you just play with my body however you want, and get yourself ready, then ride my cock nice and slow?"

"Yeah," Derek breathed the word out softly, "I can definitely do that. You're mine to play with?"

Stiles reached up and put his fingers in Derek's mouth, watched Derek just completely melt, and smiled. "Go to town, baby. Trust you completely." That got a shudder and a moan around the fingers in Derek's mouth. The mouth that eased back, off the fingers and then settled on Stiles' neck. Derek's weight was squashing Stiles into the bed in the best possible way and the mouth against his neck was warm, hot.

And definitely bitey. Good bitey, not the bite bitey. Because Derek would never. Sometimes Stiles wondered about it, but also he was happy being a squishy human. He moved, arched up into the bite as much as Derek's weight would let him, which wasn't a lot, but he loved the friction of their body's against each other. He drew up a leg and liked how that pressed parts more against parts.

"Ooooh, wanna just sort of fumble and rut against each other, until we come? You know be too excited to against get to the dick in butt thing?"

"Dick in butt? Classy," Derek said against his throat. "Excited doesn't match slow," was then said.

"I know, but hey changed my mind, because this is kinda feeling great."

"It is," was agreed and more bites were delivered to his neck. "Really great."

It was such a tough call because letting Derek do all the work super fun, but also he was loving how much skin was touching skin and didn't want that to stop. Choices, choices. "What do you want, baby?" Stiles asked.

"Don't want to let go," was said.

"Gotcha," Stiles agreed. "Let's just neck and touch until we both explode with passion."

"Never say it like that again," was growled and the other side of his neck began to be attacked. His poor dad was going to have to ignore so much. Stiles then lost all thoughts but Derek when a hand squeezed his thigh. That was a fun thing they had learned, that Stiles had really sensitive thighs and it made him shiver when nails lightly scraped up and down. They moved against each other, kisses increasingly desperate, hands everywhere they could reach, but not pressing between them because that would mean separating a bit, and they both wanted to have as much skin against skin as possible.

But after a bit, was kinda chafy, good, but chafy. "Lube?" Stiles suggested.

"If you packed the watermelon, we're done."

"Threw that one out," Stiles swore. Who had known it would trigger a memory of a sister's lip gloss scent? Neither of them, that's who. There had been no boners for days after that moment. "Just regular stuff, didn't think we needed the funky ones. Didn't pack any of the gear or toys, just wanted this."

"This is good," Derek agreed. He looked over whined, "bag over there. Not here."

"You are so damn cute," Stiles had to say and gave Derek's ass a light swat. That got an extra growl and nip at his throat. So you know, Stiles had to do it again. He did not regret in the least the reaction that got out of Derek. "But as much as your dick is leaking, and trust me, love that for both of us, lube will make all this thrusting easier. So be my good wolf, and play fetch."

Okay that might have been a bit too far, because no matter how pliant Derek was in bed, he was still Derek which meant grumpy asshole. Which meant that Derek just glared at him, which during sex also was a touch pouty and all adorable. "You want wet fine."

But Derek did not get up, but slid down, and there was still a fair bit of touching but also a mouth in a place that very much enjoyed Derek's mouth. His dick, Stiles' dick, really enjoyed Derek's mouth. He was squirming on the bed as that perfect mouth wrapped around him, hot, wet, and sank almost all the way down meeting where Derek's hand was holding him steady. Stiles always loved how both felt together, hand and mouth working him.

"Mmm," was all he managed to say. Derek's mouth pulled off and he was going to complain and ohh, okay he didn't expect to find that hot, but Derek all soft and yet intense as his open mouth drooled down onto Stiles' dick. Back down for more head, then the drool was repeated. A few more times and he was dizzy from the sensation, from watching that. Derek moved back up his body, pressed them close again. An open mouth kiss was pressed just below his ear.

"Wet," was whispered.

"Yeah, I am." Stiles had to scratch the back of Derek's head. "Good thinking, baby, and it was hot as hell. Now where were we?" They pressed as close as they could, moved in tandem and Stiles loved just how into this Derek was. This was such a better call than the slow ride. Each thrust against each other, each hand that roamed the skin that it could reach had them gasping, needing more, more, everything.

"Come on, baby," Stiles wrapped his legs around Derek, "you can do it, you can come, can't you just from feeling me against you. I know you can. And once you do, you can go back down on me, licking yourself off of me, until I am almost there then a couple pulls of your mouth and I'll be done."

That got noises of agreement and it played out exactly like Stiles had said. Only problem was that Derek seemed content to fall asleep half way down the bed, head on Stiles's hip. Which great for him, but Stiles loathed sleeping on his back. "Up you come," he said and there were two squeezes to his thigh. "You are adorable but I cannot sleep like this."

There were grumbles and mutters but Derek eventually shimmied up the bed. Usually he slid into big spoon mode at that point but he sort of rolled and scooted and Stiles got the hint. "Just need to piss," Stiles said.

"Good for you," was snarked back.

Stiles rolled his eyes but also saw the way that Derek's hand reached for him as he left the bed. He was as quick as he could be, and when he came back, he ripped the tags off the bunny, and turned the lamp off.

One plushie jammed into Derek's arms, one Stiles wrapped around Derek, and blankets pulled up.

"This was really great," Derek said softly in the dark.

"I'm the dating wizard," Stiles said, "The genius of romance. Suaver than James Bond, cooler than -"

"Shut up," Derek said.

"You love it."

"Suppose I do. Thanks for the bunny."

"Going to name it after one of the flowers?" Stiles asked. He ran a hand up and down Derek's arm. "Bet they all had pretty names."

"Several are called variations of Burpee."

That startled a laugh out of Stiles. "Really should have read some of those plaques." He kissed Derek's neck. "Sometimes I wish I could mark you up as much as you can mark me."

"You have," Derek said and then was quiet. Stiles listened as Derek's breath evened out.

Yeah, Stiles was definitely the master of dating.

Scott was flopped on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Scott?"

"Yeah?" He didn't bother looking up at his mom. "What?"

"It's Stiles' birthday, why are you home?" His mom came in and a gentle hand was on his forehead. "You never are home on Stiles' birthday, you two always out doing whatever it is you do."

"He isn't talking to me right now," Scott closed his eyes. "Mom, I messed up. Bad. Like super bad."

"Come on, it's Stiles, you know how much he loves you. He couldn't never be mad at you longer than three days."

"A month," Scott said. "He hasn't spoken to me in over a month." The ban had lifted and he had been allowed back, but he hadn't gone, and he had been so sure, Stiles would come to him, when it was done, and they'd joke and hug and it would be okay.

He had kinda hoped Stiles would do that, that they could slide back, without Scott having to say what he knew he had to say. Stiles would just understand that Scott was sorry, and it'd be fine. But it wouldn't be fine.

"Scott, do you need to talk about?"

There was so much he couldn't tell her. But maybe she could help a bit. He sat up, and she had that concerned look, the one that he thought could fix everything. "Stiles is dating an older guy, that I don't think is the best for him. But Stiles won't listen to me, his dad is fine with it. And just, because I don't trust the guy, I maybe said some things that it turns out crossed a couple lines? But I didn't know!" Scott said. "I had information that said the guy was bad, but it turns out it was different from what I thought? But it doesn't make sense."

"Okay, I have to ask how much older?"

"Twenty two or twenty three?"

"I don't love that, but Stiles has always been mature for his age, so if his father is fine with it, I am too."

Scott stared at his mom, "mature? Stiles?"

She just shrugged, "I didn't say he wasn't a dumbass, but underneath all that, there is a terrifying core in him. Steel wrapped in clown make up so you don't notice the edges. Why do you think he is bad, aside from the age thing."

"He has Stiles out there buying…things…and he is stronger than Stiles," Scott tried to think of the right words. "And there is stuff in the guy's past. lots of stuff. But, like, I thought he hurt this woman that he dated."

"That would be very bad," his mom was staying so calm, probably to help him get it all out. "Did she tell you this?"

"It was Allison's aunt, in her journal. She talked about how rough Derek was in bed. When they had first been together. He was fifteen and hurting a trained fighter."

"Even if she was well trained a fifteen year old girl might not be able to overpower a boy."

"She was twenty one." Scott looked at his mom.

"I see," there was a change to his mother's tone, "honey —"

"I found out from Allison's dad, that she had, they had, it was," Scott kind of grabbed his hair, it was so hard to say it to his mom.

"Rape, Scott. You should be able to say a word. Name something what it is." She squeezed his hand. "This woman was at best coercing a teen, but it sounds like it was worse than that."

"That's what he said. It was his sister and he sounded disgusted with it, with what he found out about her. But he still hurt her, and what if he hurts Stiles, Mom? How is what he is doing with Stiles any different than what had happened to him?" Why couldn't anyone understand this?

"Scott, one I am sorry but I am giving you some pamphlets to read to understand rape aftermath more. And two, I have to ask, have you actually honestly talked to Stiles?"

"Yes!" Scott shouted. There was a raised eyebrow. "Sorry," was muttered and he sighed, "no. I haven't."

"You just decided you knew best and bulldozed over everything and were shocked when there was no forest left."

"That's stupid. But not wrong." He was relieved when his mom hugged him. "Stiles hasn't been Stiles since he started dating the guy."

"And you haven't changed since Allison? You expect him to be the same, because that comforts you. You were always awful with change, Scott." A hand soothed as it rubbed his back. "I heard a nurse say this to a horrible patient once, 'you are the main character of your story, but you aren't the main character of mine.' You aren't the main character in Stiles' story anymore, and that is a blow to you. But you gotta let him turn those pages."

"But I might not even be a character at all anymore, and I don't want that," Scott said. "I don't know what to do."

"This might be shocking, an idea no one has ever thought of, but you could actually say I am sorry for hurting you Stiles, and I would like the chance to make it up to you."

"What if he says no?"

"Then you live with it Scott. It sounds like you really messed up, and there are consequences for that. But honey, it is Stiles. His heart is so huge, it still has you in there I know it."

"Thanks, mom. I think I need to buy apology lube."

"I'm sorry?" She stared at him.

He stared back, "I said apology…" what was plausible? "apology cube. He's had his eye on this used gamecube, retro games."

"Ummhmm," she said. There was a kiss to his head, "this too will pass."

When she was gone, Scott sat in his room for another hour before he sat up. Time to go shopping and fix this.

Hopefully.

Chapter Text

Scott sat in his mom's car that had taken forever to convince her to borrow. He hadn't really thought about how much he relied on Stiles driving them everywhere, it was just what he did. Scott had realized how much he took from Stiles, and tried to think what he gave back.

It wasn't exactly equal.

"Allison," he whispered, and she squeezed his arm.

"You can do this," she promised, "I'm here."

He nodded and left the gift in the car, as he went up to knock. At first there was no answer, but then eventually the door opened, the sheriff nodded. "Hey, Scott." He looked barely awake which Scott winced because likely had been out most of the night and he woke the guy up.

He shoulda just gone to the window.

"Sorry the window was locked, were you wanting to leave a prank for when he got home Sunday night? Come on, you can do it."

"Prank, no, wait why Sunday night?"

Stiles' dad was looking at him in equal confusion. "Scott, I'm sorry I understand why you would side with Stiles, but he is still in high school. Don't care that he is eighteen, he only can sleepover at Derek's on Friday and Saturday night. Bad enough that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Derek is my kitchen eating so much toast. Do you know how much peanut butter I have to buy these days?"

"You are okay with that?" Scott frowned a bit.

"Clearly not if I am complaining to you about the peanut butter, now you doing to his room whatever you are doing?"

"No, I mean -"

"I know what you mean, and I'm ignoring it," Stiles' dad gave him a flat stare. "Scott."

"Yeah," Scott let out a breath. "I have a birthday gift for him. Can I put it in his room, for when he comes back?"

"That's how we're handling it? Your generation was supposed to be better at talking and stuff. But sure. I'm going back to sleep. Make your stupid choices."

Scott nodded and hurried back to the car and grabbed the gift. He ran it up to Stiles' room and breathed in. He could smell Derek. All just blended in, and natural like his scent belonged in the house. Scott put the gift on the bed, and left.

In the car he looked at Allison and she smiled. "You did good."

"No, I didn't," Scott pressed his head against the steering wheel. "I'm a coward."

There was just a sympathetic rub to his back, and they went back to his house to watch movies.

On Monday at school, Scott was nervous. He was actually terrified, and he saw Stiles in class but they were too busy and couldn't talk. At lunch he sat by himself, Allison busy with Lydia and he just stared at his food.

He caught Stiles scent as the guy slid across from him, but he didn't dare look up.

"Okay, but like what was that bullshit in history today? I get that we have to be rah America, but way to push the propaganda."

Scott looked up and Stiles was there, eating fries. Rambling about class, complaining. He smelled like Derek. Probably because he was wearing the guy's shirt. He kept staring at it. When there was a lull in the rambling he took a breath. "Shirt looks good on you," he managed to say.

"Aww, Boo, you noticed how pretty pretty I am, thanks. He has a thing about when I leave on Sunday that I need to take something of his. Gets all wolfy about it. Idiot. But whatever, makes him feel better, so I'll endure all the boring grey. Especially because that means he is likely currently wearing a Star Wars tee."

"I cannot picture that."

"Let me help then," Stiles pulled out his phone and Scott was shown a photo of a glaring Derek, in a too tight Batman t-shirt. Scott smiled because it was kinda hilarious. "I need to buy something really stupid to force him into. Like a pretty princess glittery tee. How about we go shopping later, find me the pinkest, sparkliest top?"

Scott nodded. "Yeah."

"Not too busy with Allison, to go shopping with me?" Stiles grinned at him. "Though seems like you did plenty of shopping, already. How much did you die buying all that stuff?"

Scott groaned, "so much, you have no idea."

"Well thanks, it was pretty great, and definitely will get used." Stiles wiggled his eyebrows, looking like a complete idiot. "Derek loves it when I tie him down, and that looks like good quality rope."

Scott made a face, "Dude! We're at school."

"Sure, sure, I'll share at the mall, where there are children present."

"Shut up," Scott groaned and they ate lunch and complained about classes.

After practice they went shopping and it was so normal, everything is Scott eased. Stiles had understood the apology in the gift. They were going to get back on track, just like always. It was fun, and they got pretzels and everything was just better.

His life was so dull without Stiles.

Stiles drove them back to Scott's house, and Scott turned, "wanna come in and play video games?"

"Nah, have that stupid report to write, and my sleeping over at Derek's also includes the caveat of me not fucking off on work. Plus the better the grade, the more Derek lets me do to him. Trust me, that is one hell of an incentive." Stiles laughed, Scott tried to too, but it was really hard to laugh at this. But he tried.

"This was good," Scott said. "Back to normal."

"Yeah, missed you buddy."

"I missed you so much too," Scott looked at Stiles. "Come on, just a little bit of games?"

"Sure, what's an hour?" Stiles dove out of the car, and they ran inside. It was so fun, and he convinced Stiles to stay longer and they had pizza and it was all just…normal. Allison texted and he told her he'd call her later that he and Stiles were hanging out.

She sent back an excited key smash, and yeah that was how he felt.

"Okay, now I really gotta go, or I'm fucked. This was good Scott, I really needed this," Stiles was hugging him. "A proper goodbye."

Scott froze. "What do you mean?"

Stiles leaned back and honestly Scott was a little terrified of the look on his face. Then there was a smile and it was horrific, a calculating look aimed at their bullies when they were younger, and it was aimed at him. "Do you think after the shit you did, a box of sex toys would be enough? That you wouldn't actually have to say sorry to me? And most importantly to Derek?"

"I -" Scott felt helpless, something he hadn't felt for a long time. "I'm sorry," he said after a moment. "I really am."

"You going to say that to Derek?"

Scott stayed quiet a little too long, and Stiles nodded. Scott hated that look, and tried to explain. "It's hard, and no way would he accept it anyways."

"Man, I'm not excusing that Derek has done some stupid stuff, but you gotta own that you are a fucking idiot at some point, my guy." Stiles picked up the controller and looked at it. "I forgive you, you know."

"You do?"

"I do, because I always do," Stiles began to play the video game a bit. "Because I love you, you are my best friend and I have so few memories where you aren't there. I remember the kid who crawled into my bed every night after my mom died and hugged me. So for that moment, and a million other good ones, I forgive you. Because it will hurt me too much if I don't." Stiles died in the game. "Haven't played much recently without you. Missed it."

"I'll apologize to Derek," Scott said quickly. "I will."

"Yeah, you will," Stiles agreed. He still looked harder than he knew Stiles could look. "God, Scott, I get that you need a villain, but we face so many actual villains, this is just stupid."

"I know," Scott agreed. "I know."

"I don't think you do, but that's okay, that's you. You carried a grudge for five years when you found out about the tooth fairy. So yeah, I forgive you, because I need to for me. And we're still going to be friends. But you are always going to know, you don't even come fifth for me anymore, and you were the one to make that happen. That I will never again choose you first, and you did that. That we're not going to be do all this again. We'll hang at school and we'll keep each other alive, and yeah we'll joke around maybe even hang out sometimes. But this was the last time we were ever going to be us. And it was a great us. We were fucking awesome, dude, do you know how awesome we were?"

"We were," Scott agreed,, and felt cold down to his bones. He had no idea what to do when Stiles hugged him. But slowly he hugged the guy back. Clung tightly.

And then he let go.

"See you at school. And maybe I'll come by the lair this weekend. Work out. Apologize?"

"Perfect!" Stiles stood and stretched. Did finger guns, "See ya!"

Stiles was gone and Scott sat on the floor.

The next day at school, they waved at each other and Stiles was busy with the pack, but they all gave him a wave too. On the weekend, he went to the lair and apologized to Derek, and the whole place smelled like Stiles. Derek smelled like Stiles.

There was eventually a nod, and they worked out and it was annoying because Derek was actually giving good advice, and maybe he always had. Scott had been determined to ignore it. He listened as the pack all called Stiles mom, and Stiles teased but was clearly making dinner for everyone.

Scott noticed he didn't get an invitation to join that. Working out was fine, family time was not. He barely got a wave from Stiles when he left the guy busy dancing as he spread butter on what would become garlic bread.

He wanted to be upset, to yell, but he just stood outside and took a few deep breaths. He had more than he had feared, and maybe if he worked hard to atone he could get a bit more back, but if he didn't he still for now got to be a minor character in Stiles' life, which was more than he deserved.

He got a text from Allison inviting him to dinner and he headed over.

Stiles looked at Derek. "There is a party in there, isn't there?" They were at the old Hale house, and it was kinda hard to hide in the wreck that there were fairy lights strung up inside. Also music was hastely turned off.

Derek had his usual stoic face, "I didn't throw you a party."

"Yeah, no shit. I love you and I know you, so I know a party is absolutely not your idea. But if the kids wanted to celebrate you wouldn't say no. And perhaps you even idly mentioned it was my birthday, and I was likely to be bummed because Scott is on time out, so maybe they could make it special."

That got a nonchalant shrug that definitely meant yes.

Stiles grinned, "so how much do I pretend to be surprised?"

"They expect you to do an excellent acting job. But we also know you hate surprises, so why we let you figure it out."

"You take such good care of lil old me," Stiles said. "Let's party it up!" They went in the open door and flashlights were turned out and a bunch of people not just the pack shouted surprise. And Stiles felt like he did a tremendous job selling it. No one bought it, but you know, he still thought it was a tremendous job.

It was actually kinda cool that they had invited some school friends for him.

Especially when Danny had greeted Derek as Miguel.

He should be nice and help Derek out. But also Danny was a good guy for coming to the party, and being a friend. So Stiles stumbled, drenched Derek with his drink. "Oh shit, baby, sorry and that was soda, you don't want to get sticky. That's the worst."

Derek stared at him, and Stiles grinned, because come on, it was funny. There was a sigh, a huff, and Derek took his shirt off. "You are just lucky I have some gear in the car." Stiles just had to kiss his cheek, because his grumpy was just too cute.

God bless that they hadn't invited his dad, and that someone in the pack had added booze to his drink, that he was feeling all loose and chill enough to kiss Derek openly.

Plus come midnight, it was his birthday and he'd be legally be able to do so.

"Dude, are you dating your cousin?"

"Oh, wait, yeah, sorry, was so busy wanting to give you a good view, forgot the whole thing. He's not my cousin, and his name is Derek. He's my boyfriend." Stiles bounced a bit, "wasn't my boyfriend when I said he was Miguel. Is my boyfriend now, when his name is Derek, which it always was. And I think he is hotter now? What do you think? I need your help deciding that."

"Uh, yeah, I'd agree," Danny said after a moment. "He's dating you?"

"I know, I'm so far out of his league, but sometimes the heart what it wants and you lower your standards for it." Stiles snickered and Danny swatted him. "No but seriously, he's a mess, but so am I! And two messes make things clean. I think. That sounds right. But also you are my friend, who came to my party and I want to treat you nice. Want me to spill on his pants? It's a really great ass."

"I'm good thanks. Scott's not here?"

Stiles shrugged, "Nope," he said.

Danny gave him a hug and that was nice. Stiles hugged back, gave Danny a big kiss. Because Danny deserved kisses. "Okay there, your boyfriend looks like he could snap me in half, so maybe don't make him jealous."

"Nah, just a friend kiss!" Stiles said, "Because Danny, sir, Danny, you are a great friend. He knows he's my guy, forever and ever, and all that stuff." He hugged Danny, "now I got a guy here, cute and bi. Wanna meet him?"

"Why not?" Danny looked over and made a noise. Stiles turned and oh man Derek had put on a black tank top. "Really. You get that."

"Trust me, I do not take it for granted." Stiles dragged Danny over to some wolves and was pretty sure there were sparks. He found his way to where there was dance and flailed around a bit almost in rhythm, and if he wasn't, who cares it was his birthday, and he could do what he wanted.

He waved to Derek who pointedly ignored him, okay fine expecting Derek to dance at a party was a bit much. He had another drink that ooh yeah, he could feel the booze now. God, he hoped they didn't get raided, last thing he wanted was his dad here.

A bonfire was lit and everyone was just hanging out, and then someone shouted midnight and holy shit they had even bought him a cake. There was happy birthday and Derek's arms around him.

It was pretty perfect. Eventually people said goodbyes designated drivers seeing people safely home, and he looked at Derek. "Hey," he grinned, "Take me to your castle so I can ravish you."

"Don't think you are exactly up for that, with the amount of alcohol in you. And I have sleeping bags. Thought we could camp out here."

"That sounds awesome," Stiles decided after a moment. "Just us?" There was a nod. "Out here?" Another. "Can we at least be naked in the sleeping bags even if we don't fuck?" That nod had a smile and Stiles bounced a bit. "Okay gonna go pee against a tree while you get the bags."

"Don't go too far."

"Just far enough," Stiles promised and went into the tree line to take care of business.

When he got back, Derek was zipping two sleeping bags together, and the man even had a pillow for Stiles. He was the goddamn best. He'd be better naked. So would Stiles. Nakey was important. Because now it was legal nakey. "Hey, you still want me now that it is legal? Now that I am no longer forbidden fruit?"

That just got him an eye roll as Derek also stripped down. The fire was mostly just embers at his point, but it was warm enough, and most importantly the bag was warm and Derek was warmer. He dove in and Derek's arms wrapped around him. "It's a relief to know if your dad is mad at me, I'm not going to be arrested." There was a kiss to his head. "I got you a couple birthday gifts."

"Oh yeah?" Stiles was intrigued, because Derek didn't exactly love shopping. "What are they?"

"You'll find out in the morning."

"Dude, you can't just taunt me like that. Tell me." There were two squeezes to his thigh, and Stiles laughed but rolled over in the embrace so he could fake glare at Derek. "Tell me!" He released his most cruel tactic and tickled Derek. The guy wasn't ticklish, ticklish but sometimes he would have a spot along his side that got him. And the guy was just mellow enough it worked. And frankly, Stiles was fine with his gift being the giggle that Derek let out before he could stop it. But also that got him pinned, his arms above his head, Derek's weight pressed down on him, and that was a pretty good gift too.

"I got you the lego millenium falcon."

Stiles' eyes got huge. "Holy fuck dude, are you serious?" He squeaked, he didn't care that he squeaked.

"Bought you a work table that's in my home, where you can leave a mess out and work on it whenever you want. Especially since I talked to your dad, and he is okay with you spending Friday and Saturday night at my place."

Stiles stared at him, "you talked to my dad, about me staying over? Dude!"

"Too much?" Derek looked a bit worried.

"No, just shocked you were able to string that many words together to convince him. That would have been a lot of words for you."

"Shut up," was said and Derek was biting at his neck. "Have you sobered up?"

"Yeah," Stiles agreed. "Should be able to get it up. Don't have wolf healing, but I have teenage super horny. It's a pretty good super power." That got a laugh and on hand it was romantic under the stars, but on the other, they didn't want to make a mess in the sleeping bag because that would get gross quick.

"Out," Stiles said and there was a grumble because yeah the air was getting cold. "I know, I know but sleeping bag and spunk not a good combo. You suck me off, then I'll cuddle you and jerk you off, use one of our shirts to clean us up, and then snuggle in the cozy." That got a single squeeze to his thigh and they did just that. "Can I go hard?"

That got a very enthusiastic yes squeeze and he held Derek's hair and pushed in and out of his mouth. He wanted to come all over Derek because Derek looked so pretty when wrecked but the whole point was no mess so he stayed in that warm and perfect mouth, until he was done.

Derek didn't take much work to finish off, Derek's tank top cleaned up Derek and Stiles' hand and then they slid back into the sleeping bag.

"You okay?"

"Yup, was awesome," Stiles agreed and kissed Derek's hand, put it over his heart.

"No, you okay?"

"I miss him. That's bad right? But also, I literally can't remember a birthday without him." Stiles sighed. "You gonna be mad when I forgive him. He was kinda super shitty to you and that might be breaking boyfriend code."

"He thought I was a murderer and framed me with the police, thinking I'm a crap partner who is a bit rapey is actually a step up for him."

Stiles had to laugh a bit at that. It wasn't a funny laugh, it was something. "He's kinda awful sometimes."

"We all are. You are actually the best of us."

"Fuck, that's our standard of good? We are a mess," Stiles couldn't fathom that. "I'm going to make him apologize to you."

"It doesn't matter to me. I got you. I win."

"Dude," Stiles elbowed him, "don't make it sound like you ended up with me, just to show up Scott." Stiles froze for a minute. "You aren't right?"

"You made the first move, remember?" There was a pinch to his side in retaliation for the elbow. "I'm with you because I love you, even though you are an idiot. You're my guy."

"That's sweet. You're my guy too." Stiles smiled. "When I go off to college we're going to have so much phone sex." There was a laugh. "What?"

"When you go off to college the pack is following you. You think we can survive months without you?"

"Oh, that's…you'd move everyone?"

"Everyone has their preferred school when you start applications."

"Do you? Have a preference?"

"Just you, rest can be worked out."

"Yeah this is too much to think about. Friends, loyalty, the future? All too much. Let's just think about…ducks."

"Ducks."

"Yeah, let's talk about ducks." Stiles smiled as it was Derek's turn to tickle him. He remembered a conversation with Scott from a couple years ago, when they had talked about what it would be like to turn eighteen and be adults.

It had been nothing like this.

This was better.