Archive of Our Own ^beta

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

“Derek, if there is one night of the year you can get away with this, it’s tonight.”

“But-”

“But our son is so happy! Look at him!”

Stiles pointed up to Eli walking ahead of them, his fur speckled hand held in Cora’s, who was a half assed witch in her everyday clothes and a tall black pointed hat. Their little boy giggled as he tried to keep his loaded pumpkin bucket out of Isaac’s reach, laughter growing even more wild when his aunt pushed Isaac away, looking mcfly in his red puffer vest, checkered shirt, and jeans.

Eli was having a blast, that much was obvious. They’d set off from his grandpa’s house where he received a mountain of candy before they had even really started. Since then, he insisted on walking all by himself, never once tiring and asking to be held, which was both amazing and heartbreaking.

Boyd, Erica, and their daughter were a little further up, leading the pack. Somehow, Alicia, in her sparkling light green tutu, iridescent wings, and silver shoes that tapped with every step, had gotten Boyd into a full body green ensemble, including tights. Erica wore a pale blue dress with puffed sleeves, curls as full and luscious as ever, the perfect Wendy to complete the adorable family of costumes.

Stiles, Eli, and Noah had all nearly wet themselves when they first saw Boyd, who frowned and grumbled up until each moment his daughter looked his way, dark ringlets falling over her big hazel eyes. 

Derek, on the other hand, hadn’t been able to get much enjoyment from his beta’s suffering. He had been more concerned with his own…costume.

It was Eli’s idea. At four, he was finally able to grasp and appreciate the idea of Halloween. Stiles had always gone all out when dressing him up as a baby. He had barely been able to hold his head up unassisted the very first time, but Stiles got him into the cutest Robin outfit to go alongside his Batman and Derek’s Joker. Like Boyd, Derek groaned and griped about it when Eli wasn’t looking, but he secretly enjoyed every minute of it.

Eli got to choose his costume for himself this year, and he was so excited. After very little deliberation, he only had one choice, and he would not be swayed no matter how hard Derek tried.

Though he hadn’t managed his first shift just yet, he loved getting to see Derek, Uncle Scotty, and the others shifted. Derek in his full wolf shift was his absolute favorite, and he loved racing around the preserve with him during the full moons. He loved being a wolf, and he wanted to show everyone in the only way he could. 

Over the past two weeks, Stiles had put together an impressive costume, buying some things and DIYing the rest himself. Now Eli looked like a mini Derek, pointy ears, bushy hair and sideburns, and eyebrows hidden away by Elmer’s glue and Cora’s foundation. There was also his set of fangs, more vampire than wolf and glow in the dark plastic that quickly became uncomfortable against his baby teeth, and he took them out not long after leaving his grandpa’s.

Stiles had even thrifted a leather jacket that fit just a little too big. It was the jacket that finally made Derek give into Stiles’ pleas to dress up as well, to match Eli.

Beacon Hills had been safe, no hunters, evil supernatural, aliens, or anything else since their goddaughter was born a year before Eli miraculously appeared on the trunk of the Nemeton. Five years of peace had passed, and the entire pack deserved them all and more.

So he walked in public, half shifted, ears pointed, hair bushy, and brows nowhere to be seen. He kept some things tucked away. The claws for safety reasons, and he and Stiles both agreed the glowing alpha eyes crossed the line between dressup and holy fuck are those real, and the fangs, mostly so he could talk without issue. 

“I’m glad he’s happy,” Derek looked over at his husband. “I’m glad you are.”

Stiles, of course, hadn’t passed up the opportunity to complete their very own family costumes again. He donned a red hooded cape with a wicker basket holding car keys and a couple water bottles for the kids over one arm. 

“I’m happy too,” he went on, “But I just can’t…relax.”

In this state, his heckles were perpetually raised. Like at any second, he would have to use his strength and abilities as an alpha to protect his family. It was an antsy feeling, in contrast to the quiet and calm street they walked down and the soft breeze sweeping across the trees and bushes along either side.

Stiles pulled his hood back and his lighthearted expression was suddenly clouded in concern. He closed the small space between their shoulders, pressing them together with one arm around Derek’s waist and some of the tension over his entire body eased sightly.

“Honey, I’m sorry if I pressured you.” He paused, looking around to make sure there was a safe distance between them and other families along the road. “If you don’t feel comfortable, shift back. He probably won’t even notice.” 

They were nearing the next house already, but there was still time.

Then Eli let go of Cora and raced the few steps back to them, so fast, he smashed into Derek’s legs and bounced right off, totally unphased. His smile was just as bright as it had been when he first spotted Derek in his costume, leather jacket and all.

“Daddy, can you go with us this time, please?”

He looked up at him with wide eyes.

Derek had been staying back on the road to be somewhat inconspicuous, letting the others take turns accompanying the kids to front doors and patios. But he couldn’t say no to those eyes.

He snatched Eli up playfully and tickled him until more of his giggles filled the peaceful air and Derek’s heart, the rest of the tension and anxiety settling instantly just from holding his son.

“Careful, Der,” Stiles said, amusement in his voice. “He’s gonna drop his candy. I’m owed at least a ten percent share in Tata tax alone.”

Derek held him for a moment longer before carefully setting him back down, and then took his hand and grabbed Alicia’s in the other.

Two brass wall lights shined brightly on each side of the door as Eli pressed the doorbell repeatedly, like a button on the old PlayStation console Stiles had recently introduced him to. Alicia rolled her eyes as Derek reached out to stop him. An apology died on his tongue when the homeowners opened it.

“Oh my Jesus!” The older woman clutched at her chest, completely startled. It was a wonder she didn’t spill her large bowl of mini chocolate bars.

“Trick or treat,” Eli recited, holding up his pumpkin alongside Alicia.

The man, likely a bit older than the Sheriff, stood beside her with a hand over her shoulder, protective as he eyed Derek, and Derek couldn’t blame him. “That is quite the costume you have there.”

“My daddy has the best costume in the whole world.”

“I believe I prefer Tinkerbell,” the woman said, reaching out with a handful of candy to Alicia and then Eli, but her eyes kept darting back to Derek.

“Daddy, can we show them our fangs?”

“Eli, I don’t think-“

“Pretty please?”

Derek knew they were pushing it, but Eli looked and acted so much like Stiles sometimes, it was near impossible to refuse him. 

“Please, Uncle Derek?” Alicia echoed, always the co-conspirator. 

Then Eli pulled his little fangs out his jacket pocket and popped them back into his mouth, looking up at Derek expectantly. 

Totally impossible.

So he turned, raised his hands to his mouth and hoped his actions looked believable as his fangs descended. Then he turned around, and when he opened his mouth, a loud roar came out instinctively.

The woman gasped again and nearly leapt behind her partner. Alicia squealed with laughter, and Derek wasn’t certain if it was at him or the woman’s fear. Probably both.

“I can’t decide if whoever made that costume deserves a raise or a prison sentence,” the man said, chuckling but he also looked like he wanted to pull his wife back inside and slam the door shut.

“Daddy made it all by himself,” Eli mumbled, looking up at Derek with a knowing smirk, and even with the fangs meant to make him look like Derek, it was all Stiles.

He couldn’t help the feeling of great pride that washed over him, knowing that Eli was a magical mix of Stiles’ spark and his wolf, and knowing that soon Eli’s fangs would be real, that he would lead the pack one day and carry on their family legacy. 

Derek was grateful Stiles had talked him into doing this, and he hoped Eli would remember it forever. He certainly would. He reached out and ruffled his son’s curls.

“What do you say, you two?”

A chorus of thank you’s rang out and then they headed back to their pack, who were all laughing, having overheard the entire interaction.

He kept his sharp teeth out until he reached Stiles, snarling and playfully snapping at him before pulling them back into place.

“That has never scared me, and you know it,” Stiles said, gleefully. “If anything, it turns me on. Just like watching you with our kid. You are so goddamn hot.”

Derek laughed. “You are so strange.”

“But you love me.” Stiles laced their fingers together as they trailed after the others, a near skip in his step.

Derek leaned over and kissed his cheek. 

“Damn right, I do.”