(sadly not beta read :) )
âI donât care Stiles.â 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.
âI donât care that you donât care. I want to complain and no one else is available.â
âYour empty hands.â 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: âSpeaking of which, my locker was empty this morning. And at lunch. And in the afternoon. Nothing. From anyone. I donât feel the love.â
âProbably because there isnât any for you to feel.â
From the furrowing of Stilesâ 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.
âCareful Derek, your bitterness is showing.â
âLook, itâs not as if I was hoping for a sudden declaration of undying love-â 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. âItâs just- Look, weâve been through stuff. All of us. Together. Weâre friends. Buddies, compadres, marauders. âPackâ, whatever.â He added at Derekâs pointed look. âMy point is, I didnât even get a broâ valentine, and it sucks, and if I want to complain about it, I have every right.â
âYes, but not to me!â Â Derek hissed. âGo bemoan your fate away. Hopefully in your room. Locked in. Talk at your wall for all I care.â
âThe wall canât hear me.â
âBecause you think Iâm listening?! Â You canât be dumb enough as to expect commiseration.â
Stiles rolled his eyes at him.
âOf course not. Iâd have gone to Scott otherwise. But Scott would have felt guilty, and that sucks.â
Derek stopped walking and crossed his arms, leveling a stern look at him.
âSo youâre trying to make me feel guilty instead?â
The kid stared back with an expression of exasperation so far from fond it was a little insulting.
âThe whole point of talking to you is that you wonât.â Stiles explained with an impatient sigh, looking skywards as if to look for strength.
âI⌠wonât?â Derek asked, puzzled.
âWell, no?â Stiles replied, unsure himself all of a sudden. He scratched his forehead. âBecause you, er, âdonât careâ?â At the way Derekâs face darkened, he carried on hastily. âBut thatâs the whole point, Iâm telling you, I donât mind actually, because that way youâre not wary of hurting my feelings or anything. Youâll just⌠be a douche. As usual.â
Derek tightened his crossed arms.
âBecause I âdonât careâ.â He uttered through gritted teeth.
âYes?â 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.
âAnd your feelings are hurt.â 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? â a plant indeed, freshly torn out of the ground, its roots swaying in the breeze. Stiles stared.
âWhat is that?â He asked at last, leaning over Derekâs closed fist to get a better look at his newfound possession.
Nonplussed by the question, Derek looked down at the plant too.
âI think itâs ragweed.â He said with a look of concentration. Then he shrugged and held out his hand again. âHere.â
âDude, what am I supposed to do with it?â
âStiles.â Derek snapped, losing patience.
Stiles complied hurriedly, carefully turning the plant whichever way to inspect it. Derek nodded, satisfied.
âThere. Now stop complaining.â
âStop comp- Oh my God.â
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.
âOh my God you gave me a valentine flower.â He cackled.
âItâs a ragweed.â Derek sneered.
âItâs a bad weed. Annoying. Grows everywhere like couch grass. You canât get rid of it no matter how much you try and however much you avoid it youâll still find it lying around. Even then it still shows up where you least expect it. I thought it was fitting.â
Stiles bit his lips in amusement.
âYes. Of our love.â He blurted out before howling in a laughter that wasnât far from manic.
âI bring these things on myselfâŚâ Derek groaned, half-heartedly shoving at Stilesâ head as he walked past him.
The kid ducked, his shoulders shaking, watched his back growing more distant with each step.
âWhat, no goodbye kiss?â
Derek rolled his eyes to himself and bit his lips to keep from smiling.
âGo home Stiles.â He yelled.
âWhatever man, I know you love me.â Called back before turning away, cradling the ragweed gingerly on his way to the jeep.