Leaving Lydia crying in the car had been a hard decision since he wanted to check on her and find out what was actually happening with herāmost likely supernatural related since when is it notābut there were more pressing matters at hand, because they needed to find this damn bestiary. What he didnāt expect was for Erica to corner him in Gerardās office and drag him to the pool area where Derek was waiting.
He really hadnāt meant to see anything at that garage. Stiles tried his best to help the guy from getting crushed by calling 911 but he had been paralyzed! There was nothing more he couldāve done, which sucks. He couldnāt erase the image of the guy dying from his mind either, knowing that will be haunting his nightmares for a while. Although, Stiles couldnāt figure out why his mechanic was a target, or why the creatureās eyes seemed to recognize him. And why did Derek have to drag him into the school pool area to interrogate him about it? He knew his information as a witness was valuable but did he really trust Derek to know all of it too?
Well. Who was he kidding, of course he trusted Derek. Derek knew more about any of this than either him, Scott or Allison.
Even though Scott was actively trying to figure out more if they managed to find the bestiary, Derekās family probably raised him with knowledge of the supernatural world, and knew more than Scott could even try to find out. Which is why Stiles didnāt hold back the information he had this time.
Frankly, he thought the posturing Derek was doing as a bit unnecessary, and Erica pushing him around wasnāt appreciated.
āStiles.ā Derek walked up with a basketball in his hands.
āDerek,ā Stiles said, rubbing the back of his neck where Erica had pinched him.
āWhat did you see at the mechanicās garage?ā Derek asked bluntly.
Even though he was going to tell him about the creature, he couldnāt let a sarcastic comment escape his mouth for good measure. Derek had to work for it a little more. āUhā¦several large EPA violations Iām seriously considering reporting.ā
Apparently Derek didnāt take his joking around that lightly, and punctured the basketball with his claws, letting all the air out.
āHoly god.ā Stiles muttered.
Derek brought his piercing green eyes back up to Stiles. āLetās try that again.ā
Stiles sighed, āAlright, the thing was pretty slick looking. Skin was dark, kind of patterned. Um, I think I actually saw scales. Is that enough? Okay? āCause I have someone I really need to talk to.ā
He knew he needed to talk to Lydia, something was going on with her that he was almost sure had to do with the supernatural, and she was crying about it in the school parking lot! She was pretty when she cried but Stiles didnāt want to have to see it when he could help calm her down. And maybe she would have the answers to what this creature was or at least a lead to get them closer.
Derek gave him a look that Stiles interpreted as keep talking so he tried to remember and run down all of the features he saw. Hopefully Derek would know exactly what he was talking about and they would all have answers.
āAlright, eyes. Eyes are yellowish and slitted. It has a lot of teeth. Oh! And itās got a tail, too,ā He listed. āAre we good?ā
The expression on Derek and Ericaās face changed. Derekās eyebrows furrowed, his face becoming shaded. They were both looking above him with an air of recognition. Hope surged through Stiles that he could finally get answers!
āWait, have you seen it? You have this look on your faces that you know exactly what Iām talking about!ā Stiles exclaimed.
Neither of them answered so he turned around and leapt when he caught sight of the creature right behind him up on the wall. He moved closer to Derek since at least Derek had claws. Which was at least better than his nothing. All he had was his loud sarcastic mouth.
The creature crashed down in front of them, swinging his tail into Erica, flinging her into a wall and knocking her out. Derek growled at the monster and pushed at Stilesā chest behind him telling him, āRun!ā when the creature took the opportunity to swipe at the back of Derekās neck. Stiles knew immediately the toxin was about to set in and from experience knew this wasnāt going to be fun for Derek. Now he was officially scared for his life if he was going to have to carry himself and Derek out to safety.
āDerek, your neck,ā Stiles pointed out.
Derek was already starting to lose his footing so Stiles jumped into action, bringing Derekās arm over his shoulders and hugging him tightly to his side so they could walk easier. āAlright, cāmon.ā
āWhere is it? Can you see it?ā Trying not to let the panic brew of not being able to see the monster and getting them both out of this situation, Stiles had to ask to be sure it wasnāt close.
Stiles reached for his phone in his front pocket while trying to keep control of Derekās body with his. Except he dropped his phone and when he course corrected to grab it, Derek slipped over top of him straight into the pool.
āStiles, son of a bi-!ā Derek exclaimed, splashing into the water.
Stiles flailed for a second trying to think if he should chance calling Scott right now before getting Derek out of the water but ultimately decided that was the worst idea if Derek couldnāt breathe so he dived in to get him.
They both resurfaced gasping for air.
āWhere did it go?ā Stiles kept his head on a swivel, wanting to see where the creature was hiding. āDid you see it?ā
āNo.ā
āOkay, maybe it took off?ā Feeling a sliver of hope that maybe one problem was solved for the night and he could just focus on getting him and Derek out of the water, until they heard a loud bang with a hiss the creature had let out.
āMaybe not,ā Derek deadpanned. āWill you get me out of here before I drown?ā
Stiles gaped, āYouāre worried about drowning? Did you notice the thing out there with multiple rows of razor sharp teeth?ā
Derek growled, āDid you notice that Iām paralyzed from the neck down in eight feet of water?ā
āOkay.ā Stiles conceded, knowing Derek wasnāt thrilled to have his body not respond to what he wantedāwhich Stiles could relate to! But there were more pressing matters of where the monster actually was. āI donāt see it.ā
He paddled them closer to the edge of the pool, hoping he could at least grab his phone to call Scott for help when Derek shouted.
āWait wait wait. Stop stop.ā Derekās warning made Stiles look around one more time and he saw the creature stalking towards them. It was lingering on the edge, not daring to come any closer but not leaving them out of his sight.
āWhatās it waiting for?ā Stiles couldnāt help but ask.
The creature crawled closer to the pool where it put its entire handāclaw? into the water before scurrying away.
āWait, did you see that? I donāt think it can swim!ā Stiles exclaimed.
With one problem solved, Stiles resigned himself to keeping both of them afloat. If that thing couldnāt get into the water then he for sure wasnāt going to willingly get out of it.
āSo, do you know what it is? Why it canāt come into the water?ā Stiles asked.
āNo, Stiles. I donāt know why itās avoiding the water,ā Derek groused.
āCome on, big guy. You have to know something. Didnāt you grow up learning about different creatures?ā Stiles coaxed.
āNo, that was Lauraās job.ā Derek gritted out. āLook, maybe it just canāt swim.ā
Since Derek was plastered to the front of his chest, Stiles couldnāt tell what Derekās expression was, but guilt pushed through him that Derek had to bring up Laura. Stiles still felt bad about digging her grave up and giving her body to the police when Derek was trying to give her peaceful rest. He didnāt want to press further about her and Derekās family if he could avoid it. Besides, he had no idea how long they were going to be in this situation and best not to get Derek more growly and irritated than usual.
āYeah, maybe.ā
Time passed with Stiles holding Derek against his chest, trying to lift them up by floating in the water, but Derek was too heavy and the best Stiles could do was tread water. His muscles were starting to strain, and he tried not to think about how long it had been. To take his mind off his aching limbs, he started talking.
āYou know, my mom taught me how to cook. I didnāt know a thing before then. Granted I was like 7, but I still burned everything I tried to make, including grilled cheese sandwiches. My dad always watched her try to teach me, how she corrected my ingredients, and fixed my timings. I thought he was just doing it to be around us, but he memorized the recipes and how she used to make them. The little things she would add in. He payed attention, he retained them even when it wasnāt his job. I know you were younger then, but maybe you remember an offhand comment about what weāre dealing with?ā
Derek sighed. āIāve never seen anything like it. I donāt know how to beat it, and Iām still paralyzed. Iāll be able to fight it off with my pack.ā
āRight, because that worked so well for Erica this time.ā The sarcasm seeped through his voice.
āSheās not prepared. It takes time getting used to being a werewolf after being bitten. Weāll be better next time,ā Derek affirmed.
āMaybe we can all work together next time?ā Stiles requested.
āStiles.ā
āIām just saying. The odds of actually beating this thing seem better with more people going against it. If we all work together instead of keeping secrets from each other then we might have a shot,ā Stiles pointed out.
Even though Stiles had hope that Scott knew what he was doing, he couldnāt deny that if Scott conceded to being in Derekās pack, they could all fight this together instead of only having half the story majority of the time. Whether Scott liked it or not, Derek had the numbers and probably family resources too like Alisonās family. He knew Scott didnāt like Derek turning teenagers for his pack, but they had honestly seemed better off, and Stiles didnāt see as much of a problem with it. Besides, he trusted Derek and his pack more than the Argentās.
āKeeping secrets? Like how you didnāt tell us Lydia might be immune?ā Derek challenged.
āWhoa hey, we donāt know that yet. Nothingās confirmed, itās just a theory. There could be lots of different reasons the bite didnāt work. Reasons I could be exploring right now if you hadnāt asked Erica to grab me.ā Stiles retorted.
āYeah well if your dumbass hadnāt reached for your phone that fell, we wouldnāt be stuck in this pool,ā Derek snapped.
āNo, but we might be dead! Dude, have some respect for the dumbass thatās been holding you up for the past hour. This shit hasnāt been easy,ā Stiles protested.
āItās better than having your body be paralyzed. And donāt call me dude.ā
āNoted. But seriously, Iām getting really tired of holding your body up. You might not realize, but Iām still human and holding two people up in the pool is pretty tiring for me. If I canāt take my mind off it, Iāll probably give out a lot sooner.ā
āWhat takes your mind off it then?ā Derek questioned. He sounded done with the conversation, but Stiles tried not to let it get to him. He knew they were both tired of being in the pool with no way out.
āTalking.ā
āThen talk.ā
So Stiles talked. He talked about school, how coach was as crazy as always. How his grades were going down because of all the werewolf stuff, how his dad started worrying about him since he was barely home anymore. He told Derek how worried he was for his jeep since the mechanic was killed in front of him and he didnāt know where else to get it fixed. There was only one mechanic shop in Beacon Hills, where else could he possibly go? He told him how it was his momās jeep, and he was scared of it dying. Derek told him the camaro was Lauraās and he was scared of the same thing.
Stiles kept talking about anything that popped into his head. At some point he barely knew what he was saying, his mind going a million miles a minute, and his mouth just spewing whatever was coherent. Derek seemed content just to listen. He responded every now and then but mostly just listened to whatever nonsense was floating out of Stilesā mouth. He hoped his rambling was helping Derek take his mind off their situation too.
The creature was still crawling along the perimeter of the pool but it had been hours and Stiles was getting bone tired. He was winded from all the talking, and his muscles were weak from non stop treading for what had felt like years at this point. Derek was not a light weight and he had been treading water to keep them both up as long as he could. But he had limits since he was only a puny human and didnāt have the stamina all the wolves around him had. They needed another plan and they needed one fast.
He scanned the edge when his gaze landed on his phone. He had to risk it if they were both going to get out of here alive.
Derek sensed his movements pause and followed his gaze. āNo, no, no! Donāt even think about it.ā The words were laced with worry, but Stiles was hoping after all theyāve been through Derek would at least know Stiles would do anything to keep him alive.
āCould you just trust me this once?ā Stiles was exhausted, his muscles were strained, his bones shaking. He could feel himself getting weaker with every passing moment but he was trying his best! Why couldnāt Derek know he was trying and thinking of everything he could to get them out of this?
Derek didnāt even hesitate before shouting out, āNo!ā
Stiles couldnāt help the pang of hurt shooting through him that Derek still didnāt trust him. After all theyāve been through, and after all he just revealed to Derek, that rejection hurt more. He trusted Derek at least!
āIām the one keeping you alive, okay? Have you noticed that?ā Trying to convince him that he was at least a little trustworthy by holding him up and not letting him drown seemed like a good argument if any.
āYeah, and when the paralysis wears off, whoās gonna be able to fight that thing, you or me?ā
āThatās why Iāve been holding you up for the past two hours?ā Or what Stiles guesstimated to be two hours, honestly he wasnāt sure.
āYeah. You donāt trust me. I donāt trust you. But you need me to survive which is why youāre not letting me go.ā
Stiles let go.
He swam like his life depended on it since it kinda did. He saw the creature perk up in his peripheral, making him pump his arms and legs harder to beat it to his phone. He surged forward, grabbing his phone, and pushing off the edge into the safety of deeper water.
He pressed Scottās call button and prayed for an answer. He needed to get Derek!
After a couple moments Scott finally answered. āScott!ā Stiles yelled.
āSorry, canāt talk right now.ā Is all the response Stiles got before Scott hung up on him. Stiles gaped at his phone in disbelief. All of that trouble for what?
Stiles dropped his phone in the water, diving under to grab Derek.
Derekās eyes were closed, his body unnaturally still sitting at the bottom of the pool. Stiles swam up to him, patting his cheek to make sure heās alive but Derek wasnāt opening his eyes.
Stiles had air that he was holding but Derekās mouth was starting to open, bubbles of air slipping out. Stiles made the split second decision to kiss Derek, pulling him in by grabbing his shirt. Breathing into his mouth and hoping that Derekās lungs were filling with enough air to make it to the surface.
He gathered Derek in his arms and pushed off the bottom of the pool, bursting at the top. He took mouthfuls of air, his gaze turning to Derek, who was looking right back at him breathing hard. Stiles could feel Derekās chest rising and falling under his hand, the pounding of his heartbeat becoming more prominent the longer they stared at each other.
It was criminal how sinful Derek looked being this close to death.
āTell me you got him.ā Derekās voice came out raspy and a little hopeful. Stiles just groaned, not wanting to crush his hopes.
They were out of options. Stiles could feel himself sinking and with him came Derek. If they went under, he would give the last of his air to Derek, but he knew that wouldnāt last long for either of them.
āI canāt stay up any longer, I need something to hold onto,ā Stiles grunted.
He searched their surroundings again, wishing for something useful to stick out. Stiles zeroed in on the diving board. That should work!
Using the last of his strength, Stiles swam towards the edge of the pool, pulling Derek with him. Stiles was gasping, trying to get as many lungfuls of air before they both inevitably went under. He reached up with his hand to grasp the handle under the board but slipped and they both fell under the water. He saw Derek drift towards the bottom, Stiles not far after. He kept his grip on Derekās arm, not wanting to be apart. If Derek was the last thing he saw before he died, heās not too disappointed about it. Derek was nice to look at, even when he was dying. Derekās eyes were open this time, unwavering from Stiles. Stiles didnāt want to look away either, trying to convey in his expression how sorry he was that he couldnāt save them in time.
The edges of his vision began to blur, Derek becoming more and more of a shadow before his eyes slipped closed. The grip he had on Derek loosened until he felt himself floating untethered in the vastness of water. His chest was beginning to burn, begging for his mouth to open and welcome sweet death. At least he would get to see his mom again.
He felt hands on his face but he didnāt have the energy to open his eyes. He barely had the energy to do anything but open his mouth to let the water rush in. As soon as he opened his mouth a sliver, he felt lips cover his own, and his lungs fill with air once more. His eyes flew open and he saw Derek pulling away, giving him one last squeeze on Stilesā arm before closing his eyes. Stiles started to panic, he didnāt want Derek to die! He didnāt want to die either! But what could he do? He tried to save them and failed. And Derek just used the last of his breath to save Stiles. But they were both going to die anyway. Hopefully Derek was going to be reunited with his family and Stiles would be reunited with his mom. That was the only solace he could offer himself to not think about how hard his dad would take this.
Out of nowhere, he felt someone grabbing the back of his jacket, pulling him and Derek out of the water to solid ground.
Stiles sputtered, coughing and breathing deep. He looked over to Derek on the floor, unmoving. āDerek.ā Stiles uttered. He crawled toward him, pushing himself up on his chest, and trying to start cpr.
He quickly realized he did not have the energy for that, and tried to push down as hard as he could on Derekās chest, hoping that was enough. Derek woke with a start, coughing up water and taking rasping deep breaths. Stiles exhaled in relief before collapsing on the ground, officially having used all of his strength.
Stiles heard Scottās roar, and him fighting the creature more than saw it. When Stiles heard the fighting pause, he tried to look over to see what was happening, but his limbs were still jelly and not cooperating.
Apparently, Derekās paralysis had finally weakened, and he was able to lift the top of his body up, bringing Stiles with him so they both watched as the monster paused, seemingly confused by the glass in Scottās hand. Stiles didnāt understand what was going on, his brain not fully functioning after his taxing experience in the pool. The creature jumped out of the window, breaking more glass while Scott looked over at the sight Stiles and Derek must have made leaning against each other at the edge of the pool.
Scott came over to help them up. Stiles was wobbling from his muscles giving out so Derek wrapped an arm around him, supporting him in the same way Stiles just spent hours doing.
āIf you guys want to dry off, Iāll wait for you outside. I want to start looking through the bestiary we found from Gerardās keys,ā Scott stated.
āSure Scotty, Iāll meet you out there,ā Stiles affirmed.
Derek led them to the locker room, sat Stiles down on a bench and immediately started stripping.
Stiles flailed, covering his eyes and looking away. āWoah dude, take me to dinner first or something.ā
Derek raised an eyebrow before his gaze landed pointedly towards the mini dryers for swimsuits. Right. That makes a lot more sense.
Stiles took his jacket off, but decided to wait for Derek to be done before stripping the rest of his clothes. Not wanting Derek to see all of his skinny, pale, undefined body.
āYou should take your clothes off. Youāre freezing and still wet. Itāll help,ā Derek said.
āUm, I think Iāll just wait for you to be done.ā
Derek shrugged, āYou can go first if you want. Iāll get us some towels.ā
Derek left the locker room presumably to find some towels so Stiles started to strip, plopping his wet clothes in the mini dryer, and pushing down on the lid, well, more like laying over it since he really didnāt have the energy to do more than that.
Derek came back in and paused gazing at Stiles, his eyes moving up and down his body. The thrust a towel towards Stiles. āHere. You should use this.ā
āThanks, sourwolf.ā
After patting his body dry, he rustled his hair in the towel and put the towel down still waiting for his clothes to be done. Derek shuffled his feet, looking uneasy but still so attractive. Seriously, it was unfair how he always looked so good. Even after a near death experience, he looked godly with his flushed cheeks, dark eyebrows, green eyes lighting up Stilesā insides, chiseled jaw, toned chest, muscles that made Stiles feel things, and soft hair Stiles wanted to run his fingers through. God, what was Derek doing to him? Last he checked he hated the guy, and was still half in love with Lydia. Maybe having a near death experience himself with Derek changed things.
āIām sorry I kissed you.ā
The expression on Stilesā face must have revealed how baffled he felt because Derek continued, clarifying, āUnder the water, to get you some more air. You did it to me so I assumed it was okay, but I donāt want to assume so Iām sorry, if it wasnāt.ā
āThat was a lot of words, big guy. You sure youāre okay? I donāt mind you did it. If anything, Iām glad you did since I wouldāve definitely passed out. Iām sorry I did that too. I just wanted to make sure you were still alive and had enough air to make it since I left you under there for so long. Iām sorry I dropped you and left you down there for nothing.ā The longer Stiles talked, the more his shoulders sagged, feeling the weight of his guilt push him down for doing that to Derek. He shouldāve come up with a better plan for both of them.
āItās okay Stiles. You did what you had to do for both of us to make it. Iām grateful for that. We wouldnāt have made it if not for you.ā Derek reached out to squeeze his shoulder, the warmth of Derekās hand causing him to shudder. Stiles couldnāt look away from the trap Derekās eyes pulled him into. He jumped when the buzzer from the dryer suddenly rang out.
He stepped away from Derek to retrieve his clothes, already missing the bit of warmth from Derek that the clothes couldnāt replicate. He pulled his clothes on regardless, sighing with relief at finally being dry. His fingertips were still pruny but Stiles thought it would take a while before they were back to normal.
Derek had finished putting his clothes into the mini dryer when Stiles gave him a salute, āIāll see you out there sourwolf. Check on Erica for me please, big guy.ā
Joining Scott outside, they scrolled through the bestiary not getting very far when they noticed everything was written in Latin and made no sense to them.
Frustration bleeding through, Scott grumbled. āHowāre we supposed to figure out what this thing is?ā
āItās called the Kanima.ā Derek strolled up with Erica in tow. Stiles was relieved to see Erica up and walking, seemingly fine, but contempt leaked through to hear Derek knew exactly what the creature was called.
āYou knew the whole time?ā Stiles accused.
āNo. Only when it was confused by its own reflection,ā Derek explained. Alright, that made sense, but Derek couldāve at least mentioned it in the locker room when they were together. He guessed he wasnāt as important to know as Scott. That would explain why Derek was barely looking at him and only addressing Scott about the āKanimaā too.
āIt doesnāt know what it is,ā Scott replied.
āOr who,ā Derek said.
āWhat else do you know?ā Stiles tried not to let his disappointment show that Derek hadnāt revealed any of this to him by covering it with sarcasm but he doesnāt think he did a very good job.
āJust stories. Rumors.ā Derek shifted his eyes away from Stilesā, dropping his head.
So Stiles was right in that he mustāve heard things from his family about different creatures, and apparently this was one of them.
āBut itās like us?ā Scott questioned.
āA shapeshifter yes, but itās not right. Itās like aā¦ā Derek seemed to be searching for the right word.
āAn abomination,ā Stiles declared.
Derek stared at him with eyes open and tender. Stiles wasnāt sure what to make of the expression, but he knew he definitely wanted to see it more, Derek looked so honest and hopeful, and had never looked more beautiful to Stiles. Derek nodded to confirm with Stiles thatās exactly what this Kanima was.
Derek turned his gaze away, about to leave with Erica when Scott shouted.
āDerek! We need to work together on this. Maybe even tell the Argents.ā
Stiles thought Scott had a point since he told Derek the exact same thingāthat they needed to work together tooābut he didnāt think they should tell the Argents. When Scott mentioned them, Stiles knew the chances of all working together were dwindling the more Scott continued to defend the hunter family.
āYou trust them?ā Derek challenged.
āNobody trusts anyone. Thatās the problem! While weāre here arguing about whoās on what side, thereās something scarier, stronger, and faster than any of us, and itās killing people! And we still donāt know anything about it!ā Scott ranted. His voice growing louder the more his frustration rang out.
āI know one thing. When I find it, Iām going to kill it,ā Derek countered walking away from them with Erica trailing behind.
Stiles sighed, not able to shake the feeling that unraveling this Kanima mystery was about to get a lot more complicated if Derek and Scott couldnāt work together. Though watching Derek walk away from him made his chest hurt a little more with each step he took.
**
I took some liberties with the pool scene from season 2, and added a few of my own dialogue and scenes and I hope they blended well with the og scene haha
I also extended how long Stiles and Derek were left underwater before Scott was able to save them so Derek could return the favor of saving Stiles and make it more of a near death situation, I hope it turned out okay!
The one-eighteen get stuck in an elevator while trying to get the elevator doors unstuck. They need to be rescued by another crew. Two male firefighters (who are dating) start talking to Buck and Eddie under the assumption that Buck and Eddie are also dating. Theyāre not :).
There are two cups of coffee on Eddie's kitchen counter.
Oneās a standard, dark navy LAFD mug, one of a good half-dozen or so that have somehow found their way here from the station. The other is bright green, covered in cutesy cartoon animals, proudly proclaiming āI went WILD at the LA zoo!ā Christopher had a sticker of the same design plastered onto the hardtop of his pencil case for most of fourth grade. Eddie always thought the elephant was a little wall-eyed, would joke about him needing medical attention for the stroke.
The mugs are the first thing Eddie sees when he walks into his kitchen, the things his sleep-drenched mind chooses to focus on. The navy is filled to the brim, the coffee a deep black thatās surely masking an extra spoonful or two of sugar. He canāt see the contents of the other, already mostly drunk away, but itās doubtlessly lighter, though probably not the creamy tan Eddieās been seeing for years, since the apparently permanent change over to oat milk. Oat milk that now lives in his own refrigerator, too.
Thereās a plate piled high with silver dollar pancakes set out on the island. Chris has already helped himself to more than his fair share, cheeks bulging with the ones heās already shoved into his mouth. Heās now slowly and carefully moving some onto Theoās plate. Theo must have been given some of the watermelon Eddie had cut up yesterday afternoon but itās already gone, pink juice staining his chin and the front of his monster truck pajamas as he gleefully sucks each one of his sticky fingers.
Eddie closes his eyes.
Itās a far cry from their last morning all together like this. Just a few days ago he had woken up in the same way; alone in the bed he had had to share, drawn to the kitchen by sounds of life and gnawing hunger. Chris, sullen and cranky after another night camped out on Buckās couch, had snapped at Theo to just shut up already. And Theo had screamed and screamed until Buck picked him up, balancing him on one hip, letting him bury his snotty, tear-stained face into his neck. Buckās expression would twist and heād quietly grunt every time a tiny socked foot dug into the softness of his belly. That was not a day for pancakes, and Eddie had watched Buck struggle to try and pour out cereal and milk with only one hand free.
Eddie had barely taken a step closer, ready to take some part of it over, but had received his own snapped I got it for his efforts.
He had closed his eyes then, too, listening to Buckās coffee maker as it burbled to life ā Buck had forgotten to set the timer, but at least it gave Eddie something to do. By the time the coffee was done, there was barely enough time to drink it, the countdown to getting out the door already well under way. Eddie ended up burning his tongue, had spent the rest of the day scraping the numb roughness of it against the roof of his mouth.
It had felt the same, that morning, in that kitchen full of distress and upset. The same as it feels now, in this kitchen full of warmth and laughter and, most importantly, pancakes.
āYou can go back to bed, if you want.ā
Eddie finally opens his eyes. Buck is at the stove, scrambling up enough eggs for a small army. Heās wearing his own hoodie but borrowed sweatpants, fabric stretched tight around his thighs. He glances up at Eddie through the corner of his eye, offering an apologetic smile. āWe didnāt mean to wake you.ā
Itās true, he could just go back to bed. Theyāre in the middle of their 48 off, no plans for the day but chores and a grocery run. But Eddie shakes his head to get the last clinging cobwebs of sleep out. āNah, Iām up now,ā he says as he takes a step closer to his waiting mug.
But first, he steps into Buckās space, mindful of the stove. He brushes his fingertips against Buckās cheek, catching slightly on the scratch of his stubble, until Buck turns to look at him with curiosity in the furl of his brow.
Eddie kisses him.
Soft and light, itās done almost as soon as itās started.
āGood morning,ā Eddie murmurs against his lips before he steps away and finally,finally, gets his hands onhis coffee.
He takes a long swallow. As expected, thereās been a little extra sugar stirred in. Itās delightfully warm.
He dips his hand into the sink for the damp washcloth thatās now perpetually on hand, setting his mug down as he swoops around to the other side of the island. āMorning, Chris,ā he says as he presses a kiss to the top of his sonās head, stealing a piece of extra-crisp bacon from his plate, ignoring the protests both actions cause. āAnd good morning, Master Theodore,ā he says with the best Michael Caine impression he can muster this early, this pre-caffeine, as he snags a spit-wet hand and starts to scrub.
āThatās not my name!ā Theo giggles and squirms in his seat, but allows Eddie to clean him up, turning his face into it as the pink on his cheeks stops being a juice stain and becomes a pleased flush.
āWait, is Theo your full name, orā¦?ā Chris has finished tearing pancakes into toddler-sized pieces and is now carefully adding a drizzle of syrup to the mix. Eddie sighs, grabbing his mug again, resigned to staying right where he is with the washcloth at the ready.
He looks up at Buck once heās had another sip. Buck, whoās standing there, staring at him.
Heās looking a little wall-eyed. Might need some medical attention for the stroke.
Eddie nods his chin back towards the stove. āYour eggs.ā
And then he winks.
Heās immediately rewarded with Buckās eyes growing huge, his posture straightening, lips parting like heās about to actually say something. Then his limbs are flailing as he turns back towards the stove, lifting the pan and scraping at the contents with a muffled, āShhhhhoot.ā
Eddie smiles to himself as he raises his mug back to his lips, watching the tense line of Buckās shoulders, down the ramrod of his back. Huh, his sweatpants are tight back there, too, whoād have thought?
Buck turns, pan in hand, and starts to dole out eggs, piling Chrisās plate high with all the crispy edges. He comes around to Eddieās side, arms brushing as he puts a more modest scoop onto Theoās plate, leaning close as he breaks it up into more bite-sized chunks with the wooden spoon.
Thereās a brush of lips against Eddieās cheek, the soft noise of a tentative peck.
Eddie smiles and leans into Buck, pushes their hips together, side by side for a moment before Buck moves on to make their own plates.
āFinally,ā Chris says, mouth full to bursting with a bit of everything from his plate. āBuck? Ketchup?ā
āSure thing, bud,ā says Buck.
āManners,ā sighs Eddie.
āCatch up!ā shrieks Theo. Eddie catches his arm as he throws them into the air and starts to wipe down a syrupy hand before it gets tangled in his hair. Again.
Then Eddie goes and makes two more cups of coffee.
Imagine that while Chris is in Texas, Eddie and Chris talk, and Eddie promises his son he will work on himself, go to therapy, and all that.
So once he's in therapy, he gets told that he needs to stop denying himself happiness. Do what he's always wanted to do--invest in hobbies HE would enjoy, not what is expected of him to enjoy.
Queue Buck being dragged to a pottery workshop because Eddie had always wanted to go in and paint here growing up, but his parents would never let him.
Says painting is too 'girly'.
But he doesn't want to go alone. So he drags Buck, of course. He's a good sport, sits and paints a mug while Eddie paints a bowl. He paints the bowl to look like a watermelon. He's really precise and has always watched videos of others doing it. So he's really concentrating, and Buck can't help but snap a photo of Eddie with his tongue sticking out a little as he's hunched over and painting a watermelon bowl.
"I'm surprised you haven't gone to the Sip and Stroke nights," Buck says as he paints a frog on the bottom of his mug. He adds a little mole underneath one of the frog's eyes.
"Th-the what?"
Buck chuckles. "Weird, I know. Like Paint and Sip? Where you paint and drink wine-"
"We're definitely going!" Eddie says, determined.
Buck blinks when Eddie finds more and more workshops and couples-like classes to do together. Buck finds that Eddie is very...artsy.
He doesn't complain, though. He's never seen Eddie so happy.
On a separate weekend, Eddie and Buck are in his yard doing yard work, of all things. Pulling weeds out, digging a god-forsaken rock that had been bugging Eddie the entire time he's had this house cause no grass grew there.
Eddie plants the prettiest vanilla strawberry hydrangea tree he found at Home Depot. He has an assortment of flowers and plants, as well as an array of frog lawn ornaments.
"Okay," Eddie says one night during their shift. "So there's this cooking class happening in a couple of days.
Buck raises an eyebrow. "Cooking?" he grins.
"Yes, she's doing this whole series of cooking classes on asian cuisine, and that's something you or Bobby have yet to cook on your own, and I really want to try incorporating more fish sauce in cooking cause that's amazing, you should try it--"
"-uh-huh-" Buck says.
"So I signed us up for it," Eddie damn near chirps.
"Shouldn't you have asked Buck first before signing both of you up?" Ravi asks. "What happens if he's got plans?"
Eddie scrunches his face. He looks at Buck, betrayed.
"I have no plans," Buck raises his hands up. "I'm excited."
"See?" Eddie huffs.
"What's next, you taking Buck to go pet otters?" Chim teases.
But Eddie is quiet, and Buck knows exactly what his best friend is thinking. Not embarrassment, or fear of being rejected.
Buck turns and sees Eddie's excited look. "You can pet otters?!"
"Uh-"
"Probably not around here. You'd have to look that up. That's gonna have to be a few-hour drive," Hen says.
Eddie waves that off. "That would be a fun family weekend trip with Christopher," he says gleefully as he pulls his phone out. "We can totally take turns driving too," Eddie mumbles as he forms plans. He walks away humming.
Buck smiles as he watches Eddie's happy, relaxed expression. His body isn't stiff or tense like before.
i just need a moment pre-dating sterek where Derek holds or reaches out for Stilesā hand for comfort
where theyāre at the movies and thereās a particular scene thatās a little too close to home. where Derekās maybe struggling to watch but cannot pull his eyes away from it either. his hand searching out for Stilesā, finding it on Stilesā knee and just interlocking their fingers without warning. it catches Stiles off guard but he sees the discomfort in Derekās face even as the lights from the movie dance around. Stiles doesnāt say anything, just squeezes Derekās hand in his.
where theyāre sitting in the camaro, keeping a lookout for whatever it is thatās terrorizing the town for the week. Stiles, of course, is stuffing his face with curly fries and an XL slushie, rambling in between breaths about his studies, pack drama, his dadās health, whatever comes to mind. Derekās happy to just sit and listen as he stares out the windshield. heās not exactly uncomfortable, nothing is wrong, and yet, he canāt help but grab Stilesā hand as they continue to wait. it probably takes him more than a few minutes to realize heād been rubbing his thumb over Stilesā knuckles ( which may have inadvertently caused Stiles to slow down when talking.. and eating )
maybe even at pack meeting/night. thereās too many voices overlapping, too many different opinions, everyone thinking theyāre right and somehow no one is wrong. Derek tries closing his eyes, rubbing at his temples, trying his damndest to tune everyone out until he can find a way to get a word in. he finds himself grabbing Stilesā free hand, already running his thumb over Stilesā knuckles, counting quietly to himself in his head just for a moment. that seems to shut the pack up, all of their eyes locking in on Derekās hand in Stilesā. when Derek lets go, staring back at the curious expressions, Stiles just grabs Derekās hand again, breaking the silence by saying, ānow that everyoneās quiet, can we finally let Derek speak?ā Derek looks to Stiles slightly stunned, to which Stiles only nods with a smile, giving Derekās hand a light, reassuring squeeze.
Derek ( and Stiles ) would become so used to it. Derek would be so spoiled by it. Stiles offering up his hand whenever he was in the presence of Derek. didnāt matter if Derek was in distress or not, Stiles would splay out his hand waiting for Derek to take it. and Derek would find so much comfort in how warm, firm but soft Stilesā hands were. how Stilesā grip was never too tight or loose. that occasionally Stiles would rub circles into Derekās knuckles, or fidget with Derekās fingers, or clasp both hands over Derekās one, creating a cocoon of warmth.
one day, Stiles would walk into the loft finding Derek at his worst, emotionally. immediately, Stiles grabbed Derek by the hand, pulling him towards the couch and making him sit awfully close. heād press his forehead against Derekās temple, his hand still intertwined with Derekās as he whispered reassurance and comforting words that soothed Derek. theyād share a few deep breaths, that heavy feeling on Derekās shoulders lifting.
Derek freezes when he feels lips pressed against the back of his hand. words catch in his throat, unable to form a single thought as he stares back into Stilesā eyes, completely lost in them ( which tends to happen more times than Derek thinks ). the only coherent thought Derek has is to kiss him back, so he does, finally getting to feel and taste Stilesā lips against his own. Derek basks in how sweet and soft Stiles feels; how it brings him just as much comfort as their hands clasped together, as if this is how theyāve meant to be this entire time.
when their lips finally part, Derek reciprocates leaving kisses against Stilesā knuckles. eventually he finds words to muster up, expressing to Stiles how surprised he is by how much comfort Stiles brings him, the security he feels just from being around him.
āi donāt feel this calm with anyone else,ā Derek admits.
Stiles smiled softly, kissing the corner of Derekās mouth. his fingers wrapped around Derekās hands again, eyelashes fluttering as he looked up at Derek, āi donāt mind being your security human if you need me to.ā
Follow up to my rewatch of episode 9 I totally forgot that this was also the episode where Stiles meets Peter for the first time and literally the first thing Peter says is 'you must be stiles. Which leaves the notion that Derek when he comes to visit just talks about Stiles all the time because we all know that Derek has been visiting Peter like a lot.
Also Derek comes in for the rescue and for the first time throughout the whole season he speaks kind of softly towards stiles showing that, that small moment that they shared in the car where Stiles basically chose Derek over playing lacrosse really affected Derek this is probably the moment where he becomes very protective over stiles cuz we know moving forward in the series Derek becomes very protective over stiles.
okay listen I think thereās a crucial part of whatās going on for Eddie that we arenāt talking about:
his best friend, the guy heās been codependently raising a child with for years, HIS GUY, came out as bisexual. BUT NOT FOR EDDIE. For a totally different guy! The implication being that Buck could have always found Eddie attractive. But ā¦ he didnāt. Buck did not and does not want to fuck Eddie. Which is actually devastating for him to think about.
Eddie has therefore been walking around for two seasons getting more and more depressed that Buck clearly doesnāt want to have sex with him, even though he likes having sex with men. He even picks up random guys at bars! But he wonāt pick up Eddie! So, obviously, the problem is that Eddie isnāt sexy enough.
As we have moved through seasons 8 and 9 we have seen Eddie dressing more and more slutty, removing more and more of his clothes around Buck, doing his goddamn best to look Very Sexy, and yet somehow! somehow! he is Still Not Hot Enough for Buck.
MEANWHILE BUCK is in fucking TORMENTS because his straight friend is looking SO HOT, but because heās straight heās off limits for sex. I cannot wait until Buck realizes that Eddie IS queer, thus meaning that he could always have been having sex with Buck, and concludes that this means Eddie doesnāt want to fuck him.
Theyāre both going to be moping around in season 10 so so so sadly because they arenāt sexy for their hot sexy bestboyfriend, even though he is queer and single and available in every way, and I. CANNOT. WAIT.
So I have this theory that when Stiles was a baby, Hales used to babysit him. Because the Hales were clearly some of the very influential families in Beacon Hills, and the sheriff being an officer, they must clearly know each other (at least in my head they are)
Of course, Stiles doesn't remember it because he was like one year old. But Derek remembers, so does Peter. But neither of them ever mentions anything because of the whole drama that is happening in the town.
But finally, things have calmed down. Everyone has graduated, and Hale House has been renovated. Peter is sane and forgiven, and everyone is having a pack night, and somehow the conversation is about how much of troublemakers they were as kids, and suddenly everyone wants to know what kind of a baby Derek was. Of course, Derek refuses and threatens everyone with his eyebrows and then leaves the room, so they turn to Peter. And Peter is like, 'Oh, he was such a big crybaby and mama's boy.' and everyone is like 'NO WAYYYY.' Then Peter proceeds to tell stories of baby Derek, who would cry while watching Bambi and wouldn't let anyone change the channel. Everyone laughs at that, and then Peter looks at Stiles and says, 'That was why he used to call you his Bambi and carry you around all the time, never letting anyone else hold you.' The room fell silent after that, everyone confused and surprised, wondering what the hell Peter was talking about. "Oh, you probably don't remember, but we used to babysit you," and everyone is like 'No, you're just trying to pull our leg' and boos him. But Peter is like, 'No, we really did, Talia was close with your mother, so she dropped you here sometimes.' when stiles still denied it Peter went and came back with an album saying he has proof.
And among the very few photos they managed to save was a photo of eight-year-old Derek sitting on a couch holding baby stiles. Derek had this full-tooth smile, and Stiles was in this adorable brown onesie, nibbling on a wolf plushie's ear as they both looked at the camera.
Everyone is so surprised to see the photo, especially Stiles, who has no recollection of it. But he remembers that plushie, which he still has. Peter went on to say that Stiles liked Derek the most and would only calm down when in Derek's arms. How Derek will fight with Laura whenever Laura says it's her turn to watch over Stiles, and how that plushie was Derek's favorite and he only shared it with Stiles, and how he didn't even let Cora, his own baby sister, touch it.
Then Derek walks into the room, and everyone bombards him with questions and the photo. Derek chases Peter around the house for telling them all this. But Stiles is a bit silent, trying to digest what he heard. When he goes back home, he digs out that plushie. Then he asks his dad about whether they knew Hales, and Dad tells him how close they were and how much they supported Stillinski's when Claudia fell sick, and how devastated he was when they died.
This kind of changes how Stiles used to look at Derek. He brings the plushie to Derek and asks whether he wants it back. But Derek is like no, he gave it to Stiles because he wanted him to have it. And upon Stiles' prodding, share some of the childhood memories.
In my head, this will bring them closer, and it is one of the reasons Derek always had such a high tolerance for Stiles' antics and protected him all the time.
A young woman, Natasha, he thinks, she's fairly new to the scene and tends not to get called on because she isn't pushy like the others, raises her hand. When Eddie jerks his chin at her, she sits forward, "Mister Diaz. Eddie. That was unlike any fight, I think, any of us has ever seen. Do you have any comments about the way it turned out?"
"I think the decision was made by the referees, at the end," Eddie shrugs with faux carelessness. "Who am I to argue with that?"
Natasha purses her lips. "That's not what I meant," she calls out, loudly.
With a bland glance in her direction, Eddie says, almost mockingly, "then what did you mean?"
Her glaze flicks around the room, there's a tension between the ten or twelve of them, and Natasha flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder. "I mean, Mister Diaz," Natasha's voice hardens as she leans even further forward, putting her cleavage on display, "did you throw the match?"
Being called out like this, immediately after the fight has Eddie's face falling, he clenches his jaw.
***
Buck and Eddie are MMA fighters who broke up and still meet for the Championship bout.
Just sitting here thinking about Buck trying to get Theo into sports or something so that he can find an outlet for his endless energy. So Buck shows him a bunch of different pamphlets for sports at the rec department: soccer, tee ball, basketball, etc. To no oneās surprise, Theo seems fascinated by basketball.
Of course, itās basketball. Buck hates basketball, but if Theo wants to try it then heāll do whatever that kid wants. When he goes to sign Theo up for the sport, they say theyāll have to add him to a waiting list. The reason? They donāt currently have enough parent volunteers to coach another 4-5 basketball team.
Buck knows nothing about basketball. Literally nothing - not that this seriously matters because itās 4-5 year olds - but he canāt just let them not have a team that Theo and can play on. So what does he do? He tells the rec heās got a perfect volunteer to coach and signs Eddie up.
After doing so, Buck is a little worried that Eddie is going to be mad that he signed him up for this without asking so he makes a big dinner, gets his truck washed, buys his favorite beer at the store, and goes across down for Eddieās favorite desert. But it turns out he didnāt need to do all that because Eddieās not even remotely mad. Heās thrilled, telling Buck, āTheo wants to play basketball? Are you kidding? This is perfect! Finally thereās a Buckley that wants to play basketball with me!ā
He shows up to their next shift with a pair of basketball court shoes and a tiny LA Lakers jersey for Theo. As well as a dry-erase clipboard with the basketball court outlined on it and markers because heās planning on making practice plans during their down time. The rest of the 118 are so confused as to why Eddie is the one coaching this team and not Buck, and keep sharing so many funny looks. But Buck canāt stop smiling because Eddie is just so excited.
When the first practice rolls around Eddie picks up Theo to take him to the gym while Buck goes to pick up Chris from some after school thing and bring the post-practice snacks for the kids because Eddie might be the coach, but Buck is the official snack dad. When Chris and Buck show up at the gym they stake seat on the bleachers with the other parents waiting for practice to end and watch. Itās a little chaotic because theyāre 4 year old boys, but Eddie is so good with kids that theyāre latching on to every word he says. Are the kids any good? Not in the slightest, but theyāre trying their best and Eddie is beaming the whole time.
One of the momās comes and sits next to them, introduces herself and asks, āWhich one is yours?ā When he points out Theo, she says, āOh, Theo? That means you must be Coach Eddieās husband. God, you really know how to pick him. That manās a miracle worker. Youāre so lucky.ā Buck nearly chokes, but before he can correct her, Chris pipes up beside him with a smirk replying loud enough for her to hear, āYeah, Buck. Weāre so lucky youāve got a husband like dad.ā Buck glares at him because now all the team parents are going to think he and Eddie are actually married, but Chris just gives him a shit-earring grin before going back to scrolling on his phone.
When they take turns practicing shooting at the end the only one to make a basket is Theo and everyone is so excited. The other kids cheer for him, but the first thing he does is go rushing over to Eddie who scoops him up in a big hug as Theo giggles with excitement over his basket, talking a mile a minute by giving him a replay of the shot as if Eddie hadnāt just witnessed it. Eddie just listens intently, nodding along grinning widely as he reacts to Theoās retelling. Buck physically canāt stop the way his chest cracks in half at seeing the two of them together. Beside him Chris sighs and says, āThose heart eyes youāre wearing right now? Thatās why people think youāre married.ā
Buck scoffs, āI do not look at your dad with heart eyes.ā
āBuck, youāve looked at my dad with heart eyes every single day since I was seven. I know what it looks like. Itās seared into my brain.ā
Buck doesnāt have time to think about Chrisās comment because Eddie calls for practice to end. After a quick chat and a team chant, Eddie directs the kids over to Buck and Chris to get snacks. In the chaos of Buck and Chris handing out snacks he doesnāt realize at first that Theo hasnāt joined them. Not until heās got two extra snack baggie and juice boxes (one labeled with Spider-Man and the other Coach Eddie). When he looks up he sees Theo still running around on the court giggling wildly, carrying the basketball as Eddie chases him around. Eventually Eddie scoops up the 4-year-old and lifts him up to basket and lets Theo dunk. With a cheer, Theo kicks his legs for Eddie to let him down to he can get the ball and they can do it again.
That feeling comes back as he watches them this time, only for Chris to elbow him and tease, āYouāre doing it again.ā
Buck thinks in that momentā¦ okay, yeah. Maybe I amā¦ and maybeā¦ maybe Maddie was right. It wouldnāt be so crazyā¦
when buddie have their first kiss and then mid makeout buck has a freaking out moment and his eyes fly open like holy shit I'm kissing eddie and eddie is kissing me back but eddie just keeps on kissing him and, eyes still closed, murmurs "you're freaking out stop freaking out" against his lips while his hand is in buck's curls and he's pulling him closer and it's eddie it's always been eddie so, really, what is there to freak out about
Stiles and Derek get in a (non serious and completely petty) fight and Derek walks away, and Stiles is like āhang on a minute!ā And for a second Derek thinks he might get a concession or an apology or something, but Stiles is just like ācan you walk away slower? Iām trying to enjoy the viewā and gestures vaguely at his ass
Au where everything is the same but, pre-canon, during one of his trips, Buck finds a saint Christopher necklace in a flea market and, learning what it means, buys it.
It brings a weird comfort, that necklace.
Patron saint of travelers
Of children leaving home.
Someone looking out for him. That knowledge makes him feel less alone.
And then, years later, he meets Eddie Diaz. Who bears the same necklace.
He meets Christopher.
-
Fan fact: Saint Christopher is also the patron of surfers (which buck was), and protects against bad weather, storms, accidents, and sudden death.
