Asexual Derek Hale, Sterek-style
Sterek fandom is so active and expansive that it’s hard to not find what you’re looking for, no matter what specific kinds of tropes/characterizations/headcanons you’re into. One that I’ve always wished for more of, though, is ace!Derek. While my personal headcanon is more in line with demisexuality, I think that asexuality is (a) an interesting and realistic choice for his character and (b) something that’s simply not explored enough in general, particularly in the healthy, happy, monogamous context.
I’ve been meaning to compile and post this list for a while, so here are ten lovely monogamous Sterek fics with ace!Derek. Because how can you resist Stiles loving and committing to a Derek who doesn’t see sex as the ultimate conclusion to a healthy relationship?
(More complete explanation of why I created this list, if you’re interested.)
Title: Ten Years Author: @jentnova (tumblr fic)
Summary: Derek spends the afternoon in the kitchen with Stiles, bickering about everything from seasoning to dessert, and Derek’s going to miss that. Stiles puts a hand on his hip at one point and says it’s only a month and Derek nods, tries for a smile.
They’ve been living together for four years and sharing a bed for two and never once has Stiles asked him for something he can’t give. Derek can let him do this. He knows Stiles will be back.
Title: I'm Not Gonna Wait Until The Winter (I'm Just Gonna Wait Until The Springtime) Author: JenNova Word Count: 7,382 Published: 2012-11-21 Rating: Mature
Summary: Stiles' grin splits his face and lights up his eyes and Derek feels his heart stutter in his chest. Jesus Christ.
“Any time, dude,” Stiles says. “Well. Any time within reason. Especially on school nights.”
Stiles is gone with that, to sneak back into his house, and Derek's left with a realisation settling deep into his bones.
When the hell did he find time to start falling for Stiles?
Title: The Long Way Home Author: @lielabell Word Count: 3,541 Published: 2012-11-21 Rating: Teen
Summary: "Uh, don't take this the wrong way," Stiles says the first time-- the hopefully only time-- Derek kisses him, "but I'm not into you. Like, yeah, your body is hot and all, but your personality kinda is not and I'm the sort of guy that, well," he shrugs, a rueful smile on his face. "It's called demisexual. Look it up." And then he bites his lower lip, grabs his backpack and hightails it out of there, leaving Derek alone, his hands clenched helplessly into fists at his sides.
Title: I Surrender To The Strawberry Ice Cream Author: jmtorres ( @julstorres ) Word Count: 1,894 Published: 2014-06-23 Rating: Teen
Summary: So it's trope fic; the trope is accidentally married. Stiles has moved in with a werewolf and his dad wants to know when he's getting grandkids and Stiles and Derek haven't even had sex. At least partially because Stiles never got around to asking what exactly their relationship is.
Title: What (Not) to Tell Your Friends Author: @wilddragonflying, impalagirl ( @deanonastick ) Word Count: 8,043 Published: 2016-05-05 Rating: Teen
Summary: "Speaking of Derek," Erica says, leaning forward interestedly. "What about him? You've been together, what, five years now?"
"Nearly seven."
"Shit, really? Well, he's obviously the longest relationship you've ever had - was it a shock when your desperate, wanton lust for each other started to die down?"
Stiles laughs. "Erica, Derek and I don't have sex."
"Yeah, pull the other one."
"We don't!"
Stiles has never seen so many jaws drop at once. "What?"
Title: The A Word Author: notafamousperson Relationship: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Word Count: 2,435 Published: 2015-03-22 Rating: Mature
Summary: He'd never even heard of the word before. Didn't even know that something like that existed.
Derek didn't know that there was a word to describe him other than broken.
Title: Impulse Decisions Author: @cannibalswelcome Relationship: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Word Count: 804 Published: 2015-01-11 Rating: Teen
Summary: He was talking under his breath, and probably too low for a human to hear him, but the steady stream of comments might as well have been shouted into Derek’s ears.
Title: Something Missing Author: @billtheradish Relationship: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Word Count: 40,840 Published: 2015-07-13 Rating: Mature Summary: "There's--always been something wrong, I think. Or maybe it just started in middle school. I don't know." That was when he'd started noticing, at least. He already knew he was different, wasn't human. Had to keep track of what everyone else was doing anyway so he could fake it, if he had to. He just didn't know what to do when he realized he was faking something his sisters hadn't had to. "I just know I'm not--haven't ever--wanted. People. Like that."
Title: Kiss? Author: @clotpolesonly Relationship: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Word Count: 3,565 Published: 2016-08-21 Rating: Gen Summary: Derek likes kissing Stiles, honestly he does. Until he doesn't.
Title: Free Condoms With Purchase & Bonus Material Author: dragon_temeraire ( @dragon-temeraire ) Word Count: 5,449 Published: 2016-10-30 & 2017-01-27 Rating: Explicit
Summary: Derek is an ace guy working at a sex shop, and he has a bit of a crush on one of the regulars (who he might have come out to, oops).
