Stiles had been diligently working on his science lab report for a good thirty minutes in his high

school's
library after-school. It was due by next week, yeah, but he wanted to get it done now. He had started high
school almost half a year ago. He had a couple friends, ok, well maybe just on. But the one he had, he could
be happy with for the rest of his life. Scott, who was more-or-less his brother, they have known each other
since they were little boys. Scott never studied with Stiles though, he was kind of wary of being in a high
school library where they were the freshman, shrimp, freshies, or new meat. Stiles didn't really mind so
much, no one really knew what a library was anymore anyway.
As Stiles started to reread his lab to able to write his conclusion well, he heard a ridiculous amount of noise
from the hallway. He grumbled, rolling his eyes. He looked around to see if anyone was as bothered as he
was but no one was in the library. He tried to refocus again before he was interrupted again. He didn't want
to let it bother him, he really didn't, but couldn't they have some courtesy? He shouldn't be able to hear
people out in the halls with the library's doors closed, Stiles didn't even know that people stayed this late
after school. And so he calmly left his papers on his table (he couldn't help but claim the one right by the
window) and walked outside the library.
Derek. Stiles recognized him from seeing him around but he didn't talk to him. Well of course he didn't talk
to him, he's a senior. Derek was literally considered a saint in his Beacon Hills high. Everyone knew him, he
was the star on the varsity baseball and basketball team, all the girls and some boys were infatuated with
him. Derek didn't seem to mind the attention though because he himself had come out as bisexual, making
him even more of an idol than he was already. Beacon Hills' students has been pretty open with their
sexuality after that because Derek was their leader for the past three years. Derek was dribbling a
basketball with his group of followers friends, doing a bunch of trick moves with the ball. Stiles may or may
not have watched Derek's body move in awe, how his leg muscles tightened as he danced around the ball,
letting it go in between his legs so smoothly, his muscular arms could probably pick him up so easily and --
"Derek, dude, you got yourself another fan!" One of his comrades pointed out but Stiles would've been okay
with going unnoticed, he even kind of forgot what he was doing. He was rethinking that he could most
definitely finish his lab at home. Nevertheless Derek turned on his heel, standing up straight and cradled the
basketball against his white tanktop.
He smirked, giving a Stiles a total once over, "Freshman."
"Yeah, that's me, I guess you calling me by my grade is okay too. I can call you 'senior', you call me
'freshman', like a nickname. I like it, an inside joke kinda thing," Stiles rambled.
"Slow down, I'm Derek, but you probably already knew that," his friends laughed, "what can I do for you?"
And Stiles felt like Derek was purposely saying that in a way that made Stiles weak at the knees.
"Well, you see Derek, I was working in the library and..." Stiles started to explain himself but he didn't get
far because just as Stiles predicted, Derek's friends attempted to make quips about if the library even
existed and how no one used it.
"Yeah, yeah, the library, with books and it helps you actually become successful in school? Well, I was in
there and I heard all of you making noise and I came out here to tell you to..."
"To leave?" Derek smirked. Stiles suddenly got nervous, rocking from one leg to the other, avoiding eye
contact with Derek or any of the other guys, "You know, I'll make a deal with you."
"I'm all ears." Stiles said reluctantly, looking up.
Derek started walking closer to him, bounding the basketball between his legs with every step without even
looking at the ground, as he said, "if you can get this basketball away from me, we'll leave."
Stiles contemplated but there wasn't really much to contemplate because he knew he had no chance of
winning against him. "Does there happen to be any other options for said Stiles?"
Derek gave him a challenging look and then Stiles knew there was no other option. He huffed and Derek
smiled as he began circling around Stiles, doing all those fancy tricks with the basketball at what seemed to
be the speed of light, and he moved around him like it was a street dance-off or something of that sort.
While all this was happening, Stiles thought about trying to get the ball but he realized he was just being put
in in a showcase for Derek's friends, he was a toy for their entertainment and something about that ticked
Stiles off. Like really ticked Stiles off. So Stiles looked at Derek, giving him a sassy look of defiance and
walked back into the library to get his stuff. Fortunately enough he left Derek and his group in shock enough
to keep them quiet. He didn't really know why they were surprised because he couldn't have had a chance
and they knew it. He heard Derek quieting them as if they were not quiet enough as Stiles started slamming
his books and binders together to slide them into his backpack.
Stiles was getting even more angry somehow. Was relocating away from the library that difficult? Also why
was Derek so... Derek? It annoyed Stiles, how Derek was so confident and cocky because it meant Derek
knew full well what he can get out of people and that's unfair. Stiles violently zipped his backpack in the heat
of it all and swung it over his shoulder with so much force that it knocked him forward a little.
"Stiles, hey, look, we're, well more importantly, I'm sorry, Look, you can stay, okay?" Derek stated, "We'll
leave, I promise."
"No, nope, it's better if I go home now big guy, don't sweat it." Stiles pushed in his chair and he grimaced
out a smile. He hoped it looks relatively sarcastic.
Derek smiled back in a mischievous kind of way, "C'mon, what can I do to make it up to you?"
Stiles's mind reeled at the thought of Derek Hale doing things for Stiles, a whole hell of a lot of things but he
responded, "nothing, Derek, you've got nothing to owe me, I'm good, you're good, we're good, it's all good."
Derek actually rolled his eyes at Stiles, "No seriously, I want to do something for you so I am going to do
something for you. I didn't realize it was such a big deal for you, I wanna make it up for-"
"Derek. It's fine. I'll just go home." Stiles said firmly but inside he was beyond excited that Derek freaking
Hale was making an effort to please him.
"Okay, okay, lemme just. Lemme just drive you home. You can't drive yet, right?" Derek asked as he
grabbed the handle of Stiles's backpack to drag walk him out.
"Wait, what about your friends?" Stiles asked, trying to keep his footing straight because evidently Derek
walked fast. Derek was dragging Stiles out to the parking lot where only a few cars were left since it was
late after school. Stiles recognized Derek's Camaro, along with some of the teachers' cars.
"Friends? They're not so much friends as... Teammates." Derek responded, letting go of Stiles's backpack
smoothly but Stiles clumsily tried to to steady himself.
"Oh, okay, who are your friends then?" Stiles asked curiously and Derek just merely opened the passenger
door of his Camaro and smiled to him and as he smiled at him, he waited for Stiles to get in but Stiles was
busy trying to analyze 'why on earth was Derek opening the car door for him' but Stiles finally slid into the
seat and tucked his feet in as Derek closed the door.
Stiles panicked to himself while Derek made his way to the driver's side. Stiles swore he changed his sitting
position at least ten times in the matter of five seconds and Derek got in and started the engine to pull out of
the parking lot. Derek was kind of scary when you got one-on-one with him, Stiles thought, he felt like
Derek had a plan and Stiles didn't know what it was and made Stiles curious about what indeed was Derek
Hale's plan with him. Derek made it at least halfway to Stiles's house when Stiles started getting anxious
about 1.) how Derek seemed to know where he was dropping Stiles off without asking and 2.) how Derek
hasn't said a word but Stiles could see in the corner of his eye Derek had a smug look on his face.
"So Derek. What more do you know about me except for my address? Do you know my full name? My
family history? My father's occupation? How I sleep at night?" Stiles finally resorted to rambling again.
"Stilinski, I only know your last name Stilinski, everyone knows your dad is the sheriff and everyone knows
where the sheriff lives." Derek stated calmly, "I don't know anything else unless you tell me."
"Right yeah, everyone knows Sheriff Stilinski and how he makes his address a known thing in case of
emergencies, that's right." Stiles took a relieved breath, "You know you're not a bad guy Derek despite your
tendencies to play sports in the middle of hallways after school." Stiles said the last part aloud without really
thinking about it but as soon as he was done with the sentence, he slammed his mouth shut out of
embarrassment.
"Thanks Stilinski, you are too," Derek smiled, "despite your tendencies to ramble into oblivion."
Stiles blushed but corrected Derek, "Stiles, you can call me Stiles."
***
Stiles was on the highest cloud that next day after Derek dropped him off at his house. He had told Scott
about Derek's kindness but Scott's really into talking about seniors that weren't worth getting attached to
because they would be leaving soon anyway. Stiles was sure Scott said that to make Stiles stop talking
about Derek so he let the subject drop.
Though inside Stiles's head, he was thinking about how he would act if he saw Derek on campus at any time
of that day but he didn't see Derek all day. It was quite unfortunate because Stiles wanted to see Derek. But
he shook his silly little fantasy out of his head that Derek was actually his friend when he walked back to the
library after saying good-bye to Scott.
Stiles was setting out his science stuff again because he really didn't get any work done when he got home
after Derek dropped him off because he was too busy thinking about Derek dropping him off at his house
when someone came up to his table, swung a chair around and sat on it.
"Stiles." Derek said.
"Derek, how are you doing? Was your day good?" Stiles said quickly, pulling a chair out to seat himself.
"I'm doing well, my day was good." Derek nodded, "so a freshman yesterday told me that people come to
the library to actually be successful in school, so here I am."
Stiles blushed, "well you came to the right person, uh, I know a lot about the library and the first thing you
need is your backpack," Stiles peeked under the table, "which it doesn't look like you have."
Derek chuckled a little, shaking his head, "Doesn't mean I'm staying here long and I am hoping you aren't
going to stay long either."
Stiles straightened up, "Why wouldn't I stay here longer?"
"Because you can come with me, you know, if you want to that is." Derek splayed his hand out in front of
him, observing all of his fingers closely.
Stiles gulped, he didn't know why Derek was showing off his hands, he didn't know what Derek was doing in
front of him to be completely honest. "Where would we go?"
"Well, we could get some food, I'll let you ramble, I like to hear you talk." Derek offered, slowly getting up
as Stiles had already said yes. Derek stood with his arms crossed, looking at Stiles with a smirk while he
was still seated. Derek and Stiles had a little staredown, Stiles internally debating if he should get in a car
with him while Derek just smiled to himself.
Stiles groaned, packing up his stuff in his backpack which wasn't much while Derek was walking across the
library towards the exit, "I'll be in my car, Stiles."
Stiles widened his eyes, picking up his pace to get his stuff in his bag and hobbled/ran out to Derek's car.
"So Stiles, I -" Derek started when Stiles was settled in his seat but Stiles was too curious to let him
continue.
"Derek, what are we doing? Is this a prank, are you on one of those cruel dares?" Stiles stuttered out.
"What?" Derek looked hurt but he didn't take his eyes of the road as he pulled out of the school. "No, I
would never do something like that, especially not to you."
"What do you mean, especially not to me?" Stiles furrowed his eyebrows, "Am I going to be one of your little
playthings or something?"
Derek groaned, amused, "Stiles, I like you, I was happy you finally talked to me yesterday. You're not going
to be one of my playthings, Stiles, if anything I would want you to be more than that because that's what
you deserve. You deserve a good relationship."
Stiles opened and closed his mouth again, not knowing what to say. "Thank you," Stiles managed as they
pulled into the town's diner. Derek got out of the car and walked around to Stiles's side of the car and
opened the door.
"You're welcome," Derek said as Stiles stared up at him, "And after this date," Derek enunciated 'date',"we'll
see if I can be able to give you that relationship." And Stiles scrambled to stop from falling over in surprise,
trying to stand up and out of the seat without tripping but Stiles managed to bonk his head on the roof of the
car as he made his way out.
"I don't know why you don't think you're a good catch, Derek, because you are. I mean I think you are, I
haven't really had a full-on conversation with you yet, actually now that I think about it but I would love to
have a full-on conversation with you though. But I feel like that's what dates are all about, you know?" Stiles
ran on breathlessly, trying to fill the silence.
"Yes, definitely one of the objectives here is to have a full-on conversation together," Derek says as he
holds open the door of the the diner for Stiles, "Also to let me charm you into believing I'm perfect for you."
Stiles snorted because Derek was labelled perfect from the get go. "Oh I'm sure it won't take long."
It was Derek's turn to snort as they slid into a booth in the corner of the diner, away from anyone.
"So Derek Hale. Tell me about yourself." Stiles smiled.

***

Stiles felt more comfortable with Derek now. In fact, Stiles felt so comfortable with Derek that he hung out
with him nearly everyday after school. Derek had found an old abandoned distillery where they were able to
get 'alone' time which was really code for sucking each other's faces off. His old man, the Sheriff, was a little
wary of it at first with Derek-being-a-senior-and-Stiles-being-a-measly-freshman nonsense but Sheriff got
over it once he realized that Derek had the mentality of an adult (at least in front of adults).
They have been together for at least a few months and Stiles was absolutely infatuated with Derek actually,
if Stiles really thought about it. Stiles liked to think Derek was pretty obsessed with him as well but he
couldnt assume. Stiles was still a little unsure as to if Derek wasnt just fooling around with him but Derek
was really a sweetheart and tried to convince Stiles everyday that he wasn't just a decoration of his arm.
Derek seemed to be proud of Stiles, talking to him in the freshman wing and sitting with him at his puny
freshman cafeteria table. It's not like anyone would try to confront Derek about him (about anything really)
but Stiles felt like that was some kind of security of their relationship. In fact, their relationship was one of
the biggest items at Beacon Hills High.
Derek was a fan of PDA too, even if for some reason Stiles wasn't having it that day, Derek would still come
up behind Stiles and make his stomach turn into a big cocoon of hatching butterflies and his mind just a calm
ocean. Derek seemed to always know how to level the mind of Stiles, Derek just had a way of always
calming Stiles down when he needed it.
But everything turned bizarre when they were walking up to the distillery, Derek was being his normal quiet,
thoughtful self and Stiles fidgeted like normal because he just wanted to get some lip action from his super
amazing boyfriend.
"You sure you're okay?" Stiles asked when Derek squeezed ha hand impossibly tight.
Derek grunted, "yeah, I just heard something."
Stiles listened briefly but could only hear Derek's breathing beside him, "I don't hear anything except for
you, big guy," Stiles said, smacking Derek playfully on his chest.
Derek's chest tensed under his hand and Stiles grimaced and thought about turning back.
Derek froze in his tracks when he got to the opening of the distillery and kissed Stiles, apparently unphased
by the sound he had just heard. Stiles tried to mumble something about Derek's eagerness against his lips
but failed miserably.
And then Derek paused again, taking a deep breath as if smelling the air. "Stiles we have to go."
Stiles shook his hands questioningly, "we just got here and you know how much I look forward to distillery
make out time and..."
"Stiles." Derek said sternly, "I smell blood and I hear people. We are leaving."
Derek clasped a hand over Stiles's mouth, Stiles still hopelessly mumbling against it like an idiot, asking how
Derek can smell blood and saying he couldn't hear anyone, but Derek made him speed walk away from the
distillery. Stiles swore he saw a figure, or figures but he decided he didn't want to freak himself out even
more when his usually happy boyfriend was practically shoving him into the passenger seat and running
around to get the car started.
"So is there something I'm missing here?" Stiles asked unsure of his question while Derek looked like an
honest-to-god serial killer.
"Stiles, you don't know everything about me." Derek put bluntly as he started the engine up.
Stiles clapped his hands together, "well, we could always have a confession time, I'll start, uh."
"Stiles." Derek said in the sternest tone Stiles has ever heard come through Derek's lips, "you can't take this
like a joke. Just listen to me, okay?"
Stiles gulped and nodded.
"You know how much I care about you right?" Derek looked at Stiles for a split second before looking back
at the road, "I just want to let you know that my family... Has some friends in town."
"What's the big deal about some friends?" Stiles asked curiously.
"They can hurt you, Stiles," Derek snapped, "just for being with me."
Stiles closed his mouth, hoping Derek would elaborate but instead Derek pulled over before they hit the
main roads leading back to Beacon Hills.
Derek turned in his seat, looking straight at Stiles and Stiles situated himself so he could face Derek. "Stiles.
I'm trying to keep you safe without telling you everything and I know I should be-"
Stiles started frantically shaking his head, grabbing Dereks face and kissing him deeply. If you dont want
to tell me, you dont have to worry about it, seriously Derek.
Derek, to say in a few words, was relieved. Derek has undoubtable love for Stiles, though they havent quite
said it out loud yet. But somehow, Derek felt like he owes something to Stiles, just because he is keeping so
much from him.
I want you to meet my family. Derek blurted out after an oddly comfortable silence.
Stiless eyes widened, really?
Really. Derek said, I pretty much talk about you so often anyway, they know you pretty well.
Stiles playfully hit Dereks arm, Aw, you talk about me to your family? Youre the cutest. When I say cutest,
like no one in the universe could reach your level of cuteness, Derek started smiling and shaking his head,
no, I am being one hundred percent honest here Derek, you are the cutest man Ive ev-
Derek couldnt have Stiles blabber anymore so he shut him up by kissing him.

***

This was the day Stiles was going to meet Dereks family. All of them. He knows he shouldnt be nervous,
Derek has convinced him that he had nothing to worry about but Stiles was still worrying. Stiles had heard of
Dereks family in stories that Derek had told. Cora, Dereks younger sister, is a junior at the Beacon Hills
High with them and Laura, his older sister, goes to a college near by. He has also heard of Dereks uncle,
Peter, who Derek has made Stiles believe is his best friend. Stiles hasnt heard much of Dereks parents but
hed like to think he was like Derek - caring, beautiful, thoughtful, funny, smart, and every beautiful quality
that Derek has (which is all of them), but what Derek wasnt good at was convincing Stiles that it would be
fine to meet Dereks entire family.
But Derek picked Stiles up at 11:00 am to drive to the Hales for a brunch. Stiles had changed his
button-down shirt three times because he swore that he sweat through the others. Stiless dad told Derek to
have Stiles home by 8:00 that night, Derek assured the Sheriff that he would be safe with him. As soon as
Derek and Stiles left the house, Stiles slipped his hand into Dereks - even if his hand was a little clammy.
Derek reassured Stiles that he would be fine for the umpteenth time but Stiles just worried all the more. He
didnt know why really, he knew it would end up fine because Stiles loved Derek. He admitted it to himself
after the second week they were together but he has yet to admit it to Derek. He knew Derek loved him , in
that unspoken kind of way, and thats all Stiles is willing to push from him.
The car ride was silent, except for the soft music coming from the radio and the sound being made between
Dereks comforting hand and Stiless thigh. Dereks effort to calm Stiles down just by patting his thigh made
Stiles take a deep breath and relax.
Its going to be alright, Derek said, theyre going to love you, you know that.
Stiles nodded, ok, yeah. Ill be fine. Yeah, Im just meeting like seven ridiculously perfect people that are
related to my boyfriend and I have to make sure they like me, Ill be fine.
Derek snorted, its not that big of a deal, Stiles, you know I love you even if my family doesnt.
Stiless heart stopped and it seemed visible, Derek panicked, slipping his hand off Stiless thigh bringing it
back to his own side. Stiles didnt know how to react but his body resorted to take double takes of Derek
driving beside him. Derek was clamping and unclamping both of his hands to the steering wheel, trying to
think of something to say to fill the silence. Derek had the impulse to pull over on the side of the road, only
under five minutes away from his familys house.
Derek and Stiles blurted out each others names simultaneously and then laughed nervously together.
Derek, before you go on to apologizing, I just wanted to say I love you too.
Stiles searched Dereks eyes for some kind of response but Derek couldnt respond verbally because he was
just so happy. He was just so ecstatic, so thankful that he had Stiles. Stiles was his as his boyfriend, a
boyfriend that loves him, even though Stiles was still in the dark about the biggest secret about Derek. But
with Dereks speechlessness, he grabbed Stiless face with both of his hands and gave him a huge,
passionate kiss, Derek used all his energy and he hoped that somehow he could portray all of his
gratefulness and love for Stiles all through this one kiss.
But this one kiss was interrupted by Dereks phone vibrating in his front pocket.
Derek, get it, it is probably, no, its most definitely your parents. Stiles mumbled against Dereks lips,
pushing him away.
Derek growled at Stiles but Stiles was only smirking as he picked up the phone call.
Derek, when we said take your time, we meant dont hold us up. Peter began.
Derek pulled his car off the side of the road and started speeding down the road, Peter. Im a minute out
from the house, honestly.
Yes, yeah, we all heard your engine shut off when you pulled over. Peter sneered and Derek smiled
apologetically to Stiles, internally hoping that he didnt hear Peter talk about his familys exquisite hearing
(including himself). He hated talking on the phone in front of Stiles, he felt like he was missing out on time
with him. Anyway, we know youre pulling into the driveway. Fix whatever sex hair you two have and get
your asses in here.
Peter, Derek whined.
We wont wait up, you know. Peter said and Derek could almost feel the smile that Peter had on his face as
he hung up. Derek nonchalantly sniffed the air, making Stiles didnt smell too much like arousal as he
normally did after they made out kissed and thankfully it wasnt so strong any of Dereks family would make
a comment to him after this brunch.
Derek hurried around to Stiless side of the car to politely open his dates, his boyfriends door. Derek
grabbed Stiless hand even though it was still extremely clammy and squeezed it, itll be alright, Stiles,
Derek said as he led Stiles up the stairs to the house. They entered the kitchen of Dereks home which had
wrap around countertops and Derek really hoped that it would make Stiles relax a little - he was told it
looked homey.
Stiles nodded but Derek knew he was agreeing for Dereks sake not for himself. Derek creaked the door
open and let Stiles go ahead of him.
Derek, dear, youre finally here! His mom called as she was coming down the stairwell leading up to the
second floor.
Yeah, sorry, mom, we didnt mean to run a little late. Derek apologized, grabbing Stiless hand again and
putting himself in front of him, a kind of protection that Derek had like a second nature to do to Stiles.
Oh? Cora came out from the living room with a big mischievous grin on her face and Derek was going to
kill Peter.
Anyway, Im Talia, Dereks mom, Talia told Stiles who was standing straight like a ruler behind Derek,
thats Cora, Dereks youngest sister.
Stiles held out a shaky hand after wiping the palms of his hands on his pants. Talia smiled only ever so
briefly, making sure not to make Stiles feel uncomfortable. Stiles turned to Cora, who was leaning across
one of the countertops.
Im Stiles. Stiles reiterated by accident, holding out his hand again but Cora shook her head, having a kind
of grimacing face on.
Im fine, thanks though, I appreciate the gesture, really, Cora said, making a quick glance at Stiless
hands while Stiles blushed, but--
Oh dont be rude to the poor boy, Cora, Peter sashayed into the kitchen area while Stiles retreated to
Dereks presence that was still by the door, hes only just met us, no need to scare him off now. Peter
smirked at Dereks firm, stern face. Stiles, Ive heard about you endlessly, its about time Ive met you. Im
Peter, Dereks uncle.
Stiles nodded timidly, nice to meet you.
Peter smirked, how was the drive here?
Stiles looked up at Derek, looking for some kind of help but in all reality, Stiles knew that the way Peter was
acting is just how Peter is all the time.
Peter, Derek said lowly, close to a growl and Stiles crept closer to Derek, putting his back against Dereks
chest.
Derek! Laura came into join the group, Is Peter bothering you? Laura grabbed a hold of Peters sleeve
with both of her hands while Peter just played along, I could take hi- Oh, oh, oh! Stiles! Laura let go of
Peters sleeve theatrically. Im Laura, Dereks older sister.
So Ive heard, yeah, its nice to meet you, Stiles smiled and nodded and this time he didnt even offer his
hand to shake.
Laura made a quick glance at Derek, possibly sharing some kind of secret between them because Laura
gave Derek a questioning look and Derek gave Laura a slight shake of the head.
Well, Talia broke the silence, the foods ready so...
Derek placed his big hand on the center of Stiless back to lead him into the kitchen and seated him. Ill be
right back, okay? I just got to go to the bathroom, Derek whispered into Stiless ear as he lowered himself
in the chair that Derek pulled out for him and then Derek said louder, dont scare Stiles away.

***

Derek stalked into the back of his house into the bathroom and splashed water on his face. He hadnt told
Stiles that he was a werewolf yet, his family wanted him to and he felt the tension in the room. He couldnt
stand it. They knew that Stiles was it for him, Stiles was his mate. When werewolves found their mates, they
stay with their mates for the rest of their lives (if the circumstances allow it) but Derek didnt want to string
Stiles, just a freshman in high school, into this different world. Derek didnt even know how Stiles would take
it really, hes not going to tell Stiles anytime soon but his family (mostly Peter) has been suggesting it to him
non-stop.
Derek? Peter spoke from the hallway, interrupting his thoughts. Stiles is getting antsy. Hes beginning to
smell more and more sweat.
Yeah, okay, Ill be out in a second. Derek sighed, rubbing his hands up and down his face.
Make sure to wipe the smell off yourself so your sisters dont pester you. Peter said softer, making sure
that none of the other ears in the house could hear, Derek, you know its only right if you tell him. Itll be
for his own good that he knows what hes getting into. And then with that, Derek could hear Peters
footsteps walk back down the hallway to the kitchen and join the rest that are now all seated around the
kitchen table.
Derek hastily made his way into the kitchen to the seat beside Stiles was not taken so he slid into it. Derek
felt down Stiless thigh to find his hand, intertwined their fingers (Derek figured that he should start enjoying
the little things like his touch) and whispered in his ear, how was it without me?
He fared just fine, Derek, hes not a child, Laura quipped and Talia slapped her on the shoulder.
Your family is definitely yours Derek, Stiles said nodding, I know how you became you.
Oh? Derek raised his eyebrows suspiciously.
Stiles nodded and chose not to elaborate, putting his head on his shoulder, snuggling into Dereks neck.
Derek willingly brought Stiles closer by grabbing Stiless shoulder and pulling him in and Derek saw Peter
look on with an unreadable expression on his face and Derek narrowed his eyes at him to back off.
Well, Talia spoke, breaking the silence, walking over to the kitchen table, your father and I decided we
should have brunch outside since its such a beautiful day, what do you think?
Everyone graciously agreed and started to help bringing stuff out to the picnic table on the porch in the back
of the house. All of Dereks family members took a liking to Stiles and Stiles grew more and more
comfortable around his family as they set up the table.
Cora and Stiles have already traded three embarrassing stories about Derek that the other hadnt heard
before the brunch even started.
Now, now, Cora, Stiles, no need to make fun of Derek here, Laura cooed, sticking her fingers into Dereks
hair to ruffle it up but Derek pulled away just in time.
But you dont mind, do you, Der? Cora said sweetly, looking at Derek with her big brown eyes and then
Stiles joined the charade and gave Derek the most innocent eyes hes ever seen and it made Derek melt.
Derek shook his head, but I think mom is ready to eat so you guys will have to refrain.
You guys will have to refrain, Stiles mocked while grabbing Dereks hand for Derek to lead him out to the
porch where the food was served. Derek reached back and pinched Stiless stomach as they sat down and
Stiles just smirked.
So Stiles, Derek tells me youre a freshman, Talia talked as she served Laura and Peter who were at
Talias head of the table.
Stiles nodded with the flesh of a strawberry in his mouth, mhm, its been a good start to high school.
Well Ill bet, Only Dereks family heard Peter say and they all glared at him.
Do you like it at the high school? Talia continued.
Yeah, it was pretty average until I, uh, met, I mean talked to Derek. Stiles stuttered out.
Cora snickered and Derek slapped her hand.
So, does that mean you were admiring from a distance for a while? Laura joked and Stiless cheeks got
rosey while Derek smirked shamelessly.
He probably didnt think that he could wrap a senior around his finger, Laura, Peter threw in casually and
Talia abruptly dropped her fork. Stiles frowned and looked down at his plate and Derek
Peter. That is enough, Talia scolded roughly, that is not okay, Stiles is a guest at our house and you
should treat him as such. If you are unable to do so, then you can eat inside.
Something about how Peter reacted immediately after Talia spoke threw Stiles off. It was so immediate, it
seemed somehow inhumane about the control Talia had over Peter but Dereks comforting hand rubbing his
back made him forget about it all.
I apologize for Peter, Stiles, sometimes he gets a little bitter for some reason. Talia smiled kindly, talking
about Peter like he wasnt there.
Stiles smiled back, its okay, Mrs. Hale, I understand, its weird for a freshman to be with a senior, I get it. I
just... Stiles looked at Derek fondly who had already been watching Stiles, Dereks just been so much for
me, I dont really know what Id do without him.
Laura fake gagged and Cora pretended to throw up but Talia smiled as Derek smiled so Stiles ruled the
brunch as a win.

***

After Derek dropped off Stiles back at his house =after a makeout session that was like no other--, he went
back home. He walked into the door and he could hear his sisterss heartbeats in a steady sleeping rhythm
but he heard Peters sturdy one in Dereks room.
Derek huffed as he carried himself up the stairs and stood outside in the hallway to try and calm himself
down.
Derek. You know what Im going to talk about so why dont you come in here and face the inevitable.
Peter said simply and Derek huffed again and slammed open the door to see Peter had made himself
comfortable at his computer desk in its chair.
Peter, I dont want to talk about it. Peter raised his eyebrows. I dont want to talk about it at all.
Derek, Peter shook his head with pity, you need to tell this poor boy what he deserves. He deserves to
know that youre a werewolf, youre a part of a family of werewolves and hes your mate. He needs to know
before hes in too deep. You dont want him to be so deeply in love with you that he cant recover when you
break his heart, do you?
Peter smiled menacingly as Derek pursed his lips together in contemplation. This is unfair, Peter, you know
it.
Peter smirked, yes, but you know deep down that its true and you cant bring yourself to say it. Derek
rolled his eyes as Peter continued, thats okay though because I already know.
Peter got up out of the chair, after you tell him... And hes still there of course, you should offer him the
bite. And he left the room.

***

Dereks prom was tonight and to say Stiles was nervous was an understatement. Derek was taking Stiles to
/his/ senior prom - where everyones going to be seniors.
Stiles told him he could take someone else if he wanted, hed understand but Derek had insisted. So Stiles
was frantically finding the tie he swore he put in the wash.
Dad! Stiles called, do you know where my tie is?
Stiless dad came marching into the washroom and looked at Stiles like he was insane.
What? Stiles worried, what? Do you not like the shirt? I knew I shouldve gone with th-
Stiles. Your tie is around your neck. Stiles sighed with relief as his father shook his head while he walked
up to Stiles to tie his tie, Stiles, you need to take a deep breath with me, alright? In. Stiless dad took a
gulp of air as Stiles took some air in, out, and they both exhaled at the same time. There.
Stiles looked up at his dad and smiled, thanks, dad, Stiless eyes flickered to the clock on the wall behind
him, but Dereks going to be here in T-minus fifteen minutes, so I gotta get into gear. Stiles started
stomping up the stairs to his room, Im only saving us both from a sappy sentimental moment, I promise.
Stiless dad let out a breathy laugh that Stiles heard from upstairs.
Stiles put his jacket on in front of the mirror and only adjusted the collar twenty times. Stiles nodded
because he was as satisfied as he could get.
Stiles? His dad called up the stairs, Dereks here but would you mind grabbing my camera on the way
down?
Be right down! Stiles yelled back and he trotted into his dads bedroom and snatched the camera off the
bedstand and ran downstairs only to halt at the front door because, well, Derek looked stunning. He wore a
navy blue suit and it fit him well, Stiles couldnt help but look at the outlines of his abs through the pale blue
button-down.
Oh, woah, Stiles said and he could help how it came out kind of breathlessly.
Derek smirked, you look good, Stiles.
Stiles shamelessly blushed at Derek saying he was good looking, youre not too bad yourself, actually,
youre not bad at all, there seems to be no flaw in the making of you actual-
Yeah, Derek, Im sure you get what hes saying, now let me take a picture of the two of you so you can get
out of here. Stiless dad cut in, practically pushing both boys into the front lawn. Now get together, have
you boys ever taken a picture or what?
Derek and Stiles inched closer until Derek just wrapped his arm around Stiles to haul him in. Stiles sniffed
Dereks jacket, nuzzling it with his nose.
Alright, enough puppy love, you got the whole night for that. Stiless dad held up the camera, Smile, he
hit the button and then frowned, and that means a real smile, Derek. Stiles elbowed Derek in the ribs and
looked up at Derek, laughing. Stiless dad hit the button again, Okay, we need both pairs of eyes looking
here... Another picture was taken, Derek, one more time for the crowd, another, alright, that ought to do
it.
They separated as Derek said, Ill meet you in the car okay?
Stiles nodded as Derek walked away. Stiless dad walked up to Stiles.
Thanks for everything, dad. Stiles smiled.
Stiless dad hit him on the back as he pulled him into a hug, no problem kid, as long as you stay safe with
that kid, okay?
I will, dad, promise, I love you. Stiles said as he broke the hug.
Stiless dad just nodded but Stiles took it as an I love you too and went to Dereks car.
Stiles and Derek had a relatively quiet car ride to the prom, but it was comfortably quiet though, Derek
holding the steering wheel in one hand and Stiless hand in the other.
When they got to the prom, Derek held onto Stiless hand, its going to be alright, okay? Everyones going
to love you and accept you and its just going to be us, alright?
Stiles nodded, smiling but really wanting to cry - not because he was sad but because Derek was everything
hes ever wanted. Alright, big guy, we can do this.
Derek smiled and got out of the car. He somehow instantaneously got over to Stiless door before he could
even turn.
Stiles stepped out when Derek held open the door, Derek, you always make me feel like a princess, you
know that?
Derek just said, as it should be, as he led Stiles by the small of his back into the auditorium of their school.
Surprisingly, Stiles didnt get any weird or disgusted looks from the seniors as he entered so Stiles counted
it as a win.
Stiles, stay right here, Ill be right back, Derek whispered into his ear and disappeared into the crowd.
Only a minute later he was back. Where were you? Stiles asked.
Derek hummed into Stiless ear, requesting a song for us.
Stiles giggled like a little girl, what song?
A cute song.
Stiles huffed.
Youll hear it after this song, youre so impatient.
The first beats of some mainstream song came on and Derek started dragging Stiles to the floor.
Its this song? Stiles asked uncertainly.
Derek nodded as he took Stiles into his arms.
Whats it called?
Stay With Me by this new artist called Sam Smith... Derek started leading them into dancing, I hear it on
the radio and I always think of you. I think of you and how I want you to stay with me. I want you to stay
with me as long as you want to, I want you around. I want to have you around me all the time, I want to be
a part of your life for the rest of it. I want to be in it for the long run, Stiles.
Stiles put his forehead on Dereks shoulder, I love you, he blurted.
Derek laughed into his hair, I love you too, Stiles, you know that.
Stiles nodded his head and brought himself closer to Derek so they were touching as much as they could -
so Stiles could feel Dereks heat.
Derek swayed with Stiles for the remainder of the song, keeping each other close. After the song ended,
Derek led them off the dancefloor.
Der, Im just going to go to the bathroom, okay? Ill be right back. Stiles said, letting go of Dereks hand.
Derek leaned against the wall and closed his eyes as he listened to Stiless heartbeat walk down a corridor.
Dereks eyes shot open when Stiless heartbeat skyrocketed. Derek started following his scent down to
where Stiles was and he could smell Peter and Stiless blood.
Derek? Stiles managed out and Derek looked at the sight of Stiles, untouched except for an enormous bite
on his now bloody shoulder and tears streaming down his face. I knew I didnt get a good vibe from Peter.
Derek choked down a sob as he collapsed on the floor to pull Stiles on top of him. Stiles, Im so sorry.
Stiles craned his neck to look at his shoulder where the blood stain had travelled down the entire sleeve,
dammit, I rented this jacket and Im positive dry-cleaning wont get that stain out.
Derek rolled his eyes at Stiles, stop talking.
I knew there was something different about you, Derek like how you caught a smell or you can hear things
no one else can hear. Stiles smiled weakly, but Im okay. With you being different I mean. I am not doing
okay physically.
You still like me? Derek asked timidly.
I love you. I love you. I love you. How many times do you want me to say it?
Derek smiled half-heartedly, pulling Stiles closer because Stiles was crying harder. They stayed like that for
a while, the hallway filled with each others breathing.
Im going to die, arent I? Stiles whimpered and Derek couldnt get himself to say anything so he just
hugged Stiles tighter.
Stiles whined with pain, Der-D-Derek, it hurts so much.
I know, I know it does, Im so sorry, Derek cried, letting only a few tears out.
Stiles took a sharp inhale, Derek please.
Derek looked at Stiless eyes and shook his head, no, no, youre going to make it though.
But Derek, I cant take it anymore. Stiles sobbed and Derek couldnt respond. He couldnt bring himself to
so he let them sit there when Stiles whined more and more painfully.
Please, Stiles stressed, it hurts so much.
Derek looked at Stiless wounded look on his face and Derek couldnt see Stiles in that much pain anymore
so he turned Stiless head away and in one quick moment, Stiless heartbeat stopped.
And Derek was sobbing and he left in with Stiless lifeless body in the same corridor they met.