(sadly not beta read :) )
āI donātĀ careĀ Stiles.ā Derek shouted, cutting across the muddy path in the hopes of dissuading Stiles from following him.
The teen absently lengthened his strides, somehow managing to draw breath to voice his grievance.
āI donāt care that you donāt care. I want to complain and no one else is available.ā
āYour empty hands.ā Stiles retorted, gesturing towards his companion before hastily drawing his arms back when he slipped in the mud. The close fall did not deter him: āSpeaking of which, my locker was empty this morning. And at lunch. And in the afternoon. Nothing. From anyone. I donāt feel the love.ā
āProbably because there isnāt any for you to feel.ā
From the furrowing of Stilesā brows, the kid seemed unsure whether to take his comment as a joke or as an insult. Torn between amusement and hurt, he settled for a glare.
āCareful Derek, your bitterness is showing.ā
āLook, itās not as if I was hoping for a sudden declaration of undying love-ā He started in the tone of one who had been very much expecting it, thanks, because Stiles was ridiculously romantic for all that he was also cynical. āItās just- Look, weāve been through stuff. All of us. Together. Weāre friends. Buddies, compadres, marauders. āPackā,Ā whatever.āĀ He added at Derekās pointed look. āMy point is, I didnāt even get a broā valentine, and it sucks, and if I want to complain about it, I have every right.ā
āYes, but not to me!ā Ā Derek hissed. āGo bemoan your fate away. Hopefully in your room. Locked in. Talk at your wall for all I care.ā
āThe wall canāt hear me.ā
āBecause you think Iām listening?! Ā You canāt be dumb enough as to expect commiseration.ā
Stiles rolled his eyes at him.
āOf course not. Iād have gone to Scott otherwise. But Scott would have felt guilty, and that sucks.ā
Derek stopped walking and crossed his arms, leveling a stern look at him.
āSo youāre trying to make me feel guilty instead?ā
The kid stared back with an expression of exasperation so far from fond it was a little insulting.
āThe whole point of talking to you is that you wonāt.ā Stiles explained with an impatient sigh, looking skywards as if to look for strength.
āI⦠wonāt?ā Derek asked, puzzled.
āWell, no?ā Stiles replied, unsure himself all of a sudden. He scratched his forehead. āBecause you, er, ādonāt careā?ā At the way Derekās face darkened, he carried on hastily. āBut thatās the whole point, Iām telling you, I donāt mind actually, because that way youāre not wary of hurting my feelings or anything. Youāll just⦠be a douche. As usual.ā
Derek tightened his crossed arms.
āBecause I ādonāt careā.ā He uttered through gritted teeth.
āYes?ā Stiles replied in the alarmed voice of someone who did not assess the situation correctly and who can feel it getting out of control for no fathomable reason.
āAnd your feelings are hurt.ā Derek stated coolly.
Stiles started waving his arms around, his face mouthing unfinished questions he found himself unable to formulate.
Derek watched him flail for a few awkward seconds before sighing. And walking away.
Too stunned to follow him, Stiles raised his palms and schooled his features into a questioning expression aimed at no one in particular, looking around as if expecting someone, anyone, to jump out of the underbrush and explain.
He startled when he straightened up and found himself face to face with Derek. Who held out a- a plant? ā a plant indeed, freshly torn out of the ground, its roots swaying in the breeze. Stiles stared.
āWhat is that?ā He asked at last, leaning over Derekās closed fist to get a better look at his newfound possession.
Nonplussed by the question, Derek looked down at the plant too.
āI think itās ragweed.ā He said with a look of concentration. Then he shrugged and held out his hand again. āHere.ā
āDude, what am I supposed to do with it?ā
āStiles.ā Derek snapped, losing patience.
Stiles complied hurriedly, carefully turning the plant whichever way to inspect it. Derek nodded, satisfied.
āThere. Now stop complaining.ā
āStop comp- Oh my God.ā
Derek looked horrified, sensing an incoming monologue. He raised a finger menacingly.
Stiles pushed his hand away with a smirk that tried and failed not to become too genuine.
āOh my God you gave me a valentine flower.ā He cackled.
āItās a ragweed.ā Derek sneered.
āItās a bad weed. Annoying. Grows everywhere like couch grass. You canāt get rid of it no matter how much you try and however much you avoid it youāll still find it lying around. Even then it still shows up where you least expect it. I thought it was fitting.ā
Stiles bit his lips in amusement.
āYes. Of our love.ā He blurted out before howling in a laughter that wasnāt far from manic.
āI bring these things on myselfā¦ā Derek groaned, half-heartedly shoving at Stilesā head as he walked past him.
The kid ducked, his shoulders shaking, watched his back growing more distant with each step.
āWhat, no goodbye kiss?ā
Derek rolled his eyes to himself and bit his lips to keep from smiling.
āGo home Stiles.ā He yelled.
āWhatever man, I know you love me.ā Called back before turning away, cradling the ragweed gingerly on his way to the jeep.