Stiles stood in front of the Toys for Tots collection center, its doors wide open, its windows smashed, and its insides completely empty. Someone had completely robbed the place of all the toys that had been dropped off less than three weeks before Christmas.
“Who would steal from kids at Christmas?” Stiles yelled to no one, flailing his arms around in annoyance. “I mean, come on! If someone wants to do the most evil thing ever, it’s stealing from kids at Christmas!”
As a deputy, Stiles usually saw the worst of humanity, but Christmas would always hold a special place in his heart because of all the wonderful memories he had of his mom and dad during the holidays. For fifteen years now, it had been just his dad and himself.
Stiles looked at the kids sitting in front of him, eyes wide and ears open. He always thought it was a little weird to tell the kids about how the world ended when no one really knew why the power went out. One day it just did and it never came back on. He was a teenager when it went out 15 years ago. There were plenty of speculations, but no hard facts.
“So, we think it might have been a solar flare since from what we know, it seems like it’s a worldwide outage and not just local. Or somehow it was a massive EMP, which is an electromagnetic pulse. Anything near an EMP gets damaged when it goes off and we’re not able to talk to each other because of it.”
The kids stared at him as if they knew what he was talking about. They ranged from 2-6 years old. He loved teaching the little kids because they were always so eager to learn and he felt like a rockstar when he taught them.
For @dwarvyn. You asked for canon divergence, a case fic, spark Stiles, and some fluffy smut! :D I hope I got all your likes in here and I hope you enjoy <3
Read On AO3
*****
The Real Deal
Stiles takes a steadying breath before stepping inside the club. His heart is pounding against his ribs, louder in his ears than the booming music. He tries his best to look as natural as possible, despite the fact that he’s on the lookout.
Stiles and his pack are hunting a succubus. One that’s been preying on lone men at this club. He hopes that their latest victim will also be their last.
The music thrums through Stiles’ chest as he makes his way through the crowd of bodies. He steps closer to the bar, scanning every face he comes across. Derek mentioned that Stiles would be able to tell, would be able to feel their aura. Stiles hopes he’s right because right now he’s coming up with absolutely nothing, his spark is silent inside his chest.
He thinks about stopping at the bar and having a quick shot, something to calm his nerves. But he decides against it, not wanting anything to distract him. They need to catch this creature tonight before they can find their next prey. With a clear goal in mind, Stiles heads to the dance floor.
The smell of sweaty bodies hits his nose and Stiles smiles, feeling his limbs lose some of their tension. Before coming, he’d performed a spell, one that would leave him the perfect bait to draw out the succubus. He smells like sex and want and need, the perfect meal for the creature they’re hunting. Stiles lets himself move to the beat, moving his hips back and forth, putting on a show. He can feel eyes on him and when he looks over to the corner of the room, his eyes meet Derek’s.
A spark of something, entirely of his own, builds in his belly. Outside of the spell, outside of the hunt, Stiles dances, his eyes never leaving Derek’s. His hands slide up his stomach, pulling his shirt up just a little to show off his belly before going above his head. Stiles feels carefree, drunk off the adrenaline, knowing Derek is watching him.
The moment is broken when a pair of hands touches his hips from behind. They skim just under his shirt, warm hands connecting with his sweaty, bare skin. Stiles finally looks away in order to turn around. “Hands off, buddy.”
The guy gives a shrug before turning away, finding a new dance partner. When Stiles looks back to where Derek just was, a pang of regret hits his chest full force, finding him gone. Stiles takes a deep breath before pushing his way through the crowd towards the back door. He doesn’t stop, even when he hears his name called, just keeps pushing forward until he hits the cool air outside.
Stiles sucks in a shaky breath, letting the fresh air outside calm his racing heart. What the fuck was that? He needs to focus on the job , not thinking about Derek. God.
“Stiles!”
Stiles turns towards the door, his heart jumping in his chest at the sight of Derek. Stiles looks down at the ground, moving over to the wall of the club and leaning against it.
“Hey,” Derek says, his voice soft in a way that makes Stiles swallow. “Are you okay?”
Stiles nods. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just a bit crowded in there, ya know? Just uh, needed to clear my head.”
Stiles closes his eyes a moment. The sweat cooling on his skin makes him shiver. When he opens his eyes again, he feels more in control, ready to face this situation head on. To his surprise, Derek didn’t stay by the door, instead making his way over until they’re almost nose to nose. He sucks in a breath, his eyes darting between Derek’s.
“Derek,” he breathes out. “What are you doing?”
“I was watching you,” Derek says, his voice barely above a whisper. “I saw you dancing for me. It was for me, wasn’t it, Stiles?”
This time when Stiles shivers, it has absolutely nothing to do with the cold. He bites his bottom lip, his eyes widening when Derek gets even closer until their noses are almost touching.
“Please tell me it was for me, Stiles.”
“It was,” Stiles barely gets out, his heart up in his throat. “It was for you, Derek. It’s always for you.”
Stiles has a moment where he thinks about leaning in, thinks about finally kissing Derek the way he’s dreamed of for years. He thinks about wrapping his arms around Derek’s neck, gripping his hair, plunging his tongue into Derek’s mouth. His resolve almost breaks when Derek touches his hip, one of his hands running up his arm. Their lips are so close they’re practically breathing the same air.
The only thing that breaks Stiles free of his trance is movement just over the succubus’ shoulder. As quickly as he can, Stiles forces the succubus, who’s currently wearing Derek’s face, around, holding their arms behind their back. Derek strikes swiftly, using his claws to tear out the succubus’ throat.
It all happens so fast. One second he has succubus Derek looking at him with such achingly soft eyes and the next he has the real Derek stood in front of him, his brows dipping down in a familiar frown. The difference is jarring.
“How’d you know?” Derek asks, his eyes boring into Stiles. It’s too much and he needs to look away.
“I don’t think you really wanna know,” Stiles murmurs, crossing his arms over his chest. The adrenaline is leaving him all at once and his chest feels like it’s slowly shattering. For just a moment, he got to see what it was like to have Derek, to have the alpha look at him the way Stiles has always wanted.
Stiles wonders if it’s possible to literally shake right out of his skin.
Without fake Derek in front of him, Stiles suddenly feels impossibly cold. After another moment he realizes he’s actually shaking, his body wracked with tremors. He sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes darting away from his feet and up at Derek.
“Stiles,” Derek starts but Stiles cuts him off.
“Don’t.” Derek stares at him for a long moment, his eyes unreadable. “Don’t,” Stiles says again, this time his voice going soft. “I’m your emissary. You’re my alpha. If I tell you, I won’t be able to put the lid back on the box, Derek.”
“You’re an idiot,” Derek says, rolling his eyes.
Stiles only has a moment to be offended before Derek is crowding against his space, pushing him back against the wall. Stiles breathes heavily, his heart hammering against his ribs almost painfully. He opens his mouth to ask what the hell is going on when Derek surges forward, crossing that bridge and kissing his lips.
That box? The one Stiles has been trying so desperately to keep shut, to keep his feelings hidden inside? The top goes flying off, every single emotion and repressed feeling coming rushing forward.
Desperation claws at Stiles’ chest and his hands find Derek’s stomach, gripping the front of his shirt until his fingers begin to cramp. The pain levels him, lets him know that this is real . Derek’s stubble rubs against his skin, making Stiles shiver. Derek’s hands cup his cheeks and he’s so gentle, so soft. A noise escapes Stiles’ throat and he opens his lips, letting Derek tongue into his mouth.
Stiles goes warm all over, from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. He’s wanted this for so long and now that it’s happening, it feels so much better than he could have even imagined. And the broken little noise that Derek makes lets Stiles know that he’s feeling just the same as Stiles.
When they finally stop kissing, Derek doesn’t go far. Their noses touch gently, their breathing still lingered. Derek opens his eyes and Stiles openly stares, too shocked to do anything else.
“How did you know?”
Stiles licks his lips. “I knew because I never thought you’d ever look at me like that.”
“Fuck, Stiles,” Derek gets out brokenly.
“Just like everything else in life, you planning on proving me wrong, big guy?”
At that, Derek’s serious expression finally breaks. His eyes crinkle around the edges and Stiles’ belly flutters. These rare moments where Derek’s walls all come crashing down are the moments that Stiles lives for. But now it feels different. More special.
Derek leans in, peppering kisses against Stiles’ jaw until his mouth is right against Stiles’ ear. His hot breath makes anticipation run down Stiles’ spine. “I plan on proving you wrong every single night, starting tonight,” he murmurs into Stiles’ ear, his hands going to Stiles’ hips and gripping him tight. “Starting by getting the stink of that succubus off of your skin and replacing it with my own. Does that sound okay?”
Stiles whimpers and nods his head. Derek pulls back, a grin on his face. “But one thing first,” Stiles says, his hands unclenching around the front of Derek’s shirt, patting it smooth. “I just wanted you to make things crystal clear, since we’ve been shockingly good at that in the past,” he deadpans. Derek tilts his head, listening. “I love you.”
“Oh,” Derek breathes, his eyes widening. And then they soften, so much so that Stiles has a moment of panic that the succubus is back. But no, it’s Derek. His Derek, now looking at him like that, like Stiles is the most precious thing in the world, like just maybe Derek would rather shove him against the wall for a reason outside of their average fight. “I love you too. I have for years. But I didn’t realize.”
“I thought you knew and just didn’t--” Stiles cuts himself off, shaking his head. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. We can get into all the nitty gritty details tomorrow. I believe you had some wonderfully dirty plans for tonight.”
Derek growls playfully before taking out his phone. After sending off a text he looks back at Stiles, holding out his hand. Stiles takes it without hesitation, still waiting for the moment the other shoe drops, or the moment he wakes up in his own bed, all of this having been a dream. Instead, Derek pulls him towards his car, a smile on his face.
“I actually get to have you,” Stiles whispers to himself, but of course, werewolf ears pick it up.
Derek pauses, turning towards Stiles. “You get to have me. And I get to have you.” Derek shakes his head. “I’ll show you everyday what you mean to me.”
“And show me how much you want me every night ?” Stiles says suggestively, giving Derek an eyebrow wiggle. It makes Derek snort and tug him into a kiss. It starts soft. So, so soft. But quickly turns heated with nips and tongue and moans. “Go,” Stiles finally says, shoving at Derek’s chest. “Let’s go. Shower. Bed. Naked. Yes.”
Derek chuckles warmly and the sound fills Stiles with butterflies. He gets into Derek’s car, trying desperately to ignore the aching going on between his thighs. Stiles bites his bottom lip to keep a whimper at bay as Derek places his palm on Stiles’ thigh. It’s such a simple touch, yet Stiles feels on the edge, teetering back and forth, waiting for the simplest breeze to push him over.
“There might be a small issue,” Stiles says, trying and failing to keep his voice even and smooth.
Derek’s hand tightens and Stiles can’t stop himself from moaning outright. Derek’s body locks up, the hand still on the steering wheel tightening so hard his knuckles turn white. “Did he kiss you?”
“What? No! Of course not!”
“How close did he get?” Derek asks, his voice monotone, showing no emotion. “They have venom, Stiles.”
“God,” Stiles bursts out, his hands going to his hair and tugging it every which way. “I fucking know that, Derek. I don’t go into hunts blind. And he could have passed some over on his breath, I guess? But it’s not a huge deal. What I need is the thing we are currently on our way to do .”
“Stiles,” Derek starts but Stiles isn’t having it.
“Listen to me. I know what you’re gonna suggest and just no. This isn't the venom talking. I want you, Derek. I want us . I have for like forever. So shut up and go faster because I’m really close to pulling your dick out right now and sucking it all the way back home.”
Derek’s mouth snaps shut and Stiles has a moment of pride that his little speech shut Derek up. Right until a squick of surprise leaves his lips as Derek hits the gas and the car speeds forward. Stiles tilts his head against the back of the seat, just taking Derek in, a grin on his lips. He still can’t believe this is actually happening.
Stiles isn’t sure if it’s minutes or hours, but eventually Derek is parking and getting out of the car. Stiles is quick to follow him, his steps quick and jerky, desperate to get inside and get naked.
In their rush to get inside, Derek’s hand finds Stiles’, lacing their fingers together. Derek’s hand squeezes his own and the gesture, though small, puts Stiles at ease, the small amount of tension that was growing in his shoulders soothed away.
Emotion bubbles up inside his chest until he literally can’t contain it anymore. They cross over the threshold of the house and the emotion comes bursting out in the form of a startled laugh. Stiles feels so carefree, so fucking happy . He laughs and blurts out, “oh my god, dude. I just love you so much. And I can finally say it.”
Derek looks startled for a moment before he’s snorting as well, his face breaking out into a wide smile as he laughs. Their foreheads press together as they laugh, overcome to the point of hysterics with their feelings. “I love you, too. But I still don’t want you to call me dude,” Derek says which only serves to set Stiles off again.
Stiles’ arms wrap around Derek’s back, keeping him in place. Not that Derek is going anywhere, crowding against Stiles’ front. “I love you,” Stiles says again, this time barely above a whisper, this time serious and soft. He wants Derek to know, to never doubt, to see the way Stiles’ sees him.
This time when Derek kisses him, Stiles is swept away.
Their clothes litter the floor on the way to Derek’s bedroom, neither of them caring enough to pick them up as they go. Their hands caress every new patch of skin, their kisses growing more and more heated. The little breathy noises Stiles is able to pull from Derek is like a revelation, like he’s seeing God’s face and Stiles treasures them, promises himself to hear them over and over and never take them for granted.
Stiles’ back hits the bed and he opens his legs and his arms, beckoning Derek with him. But instead of following him down, Derek stands at the end of the bed, staring down at Stiles. It makes his skin come alive, prickling sensations running through him. Derek’s eyes on him makes him feel vulnerable and sexy all at once.
“Derek?”
Derek’s eyes snap up to his. “Sorry,” he murmurs, the tops of his cheeks turning pink. “I just… wanted to look at you. You’re gorgeous, Stiles.”
Stiles smiles so wide his cheeks hurt. He raises his hands. “Come here, you sweet talker.”
Derek shakes his head in amusement, that soft smile still on his face as he lets himself fall onto the bed, crawling up Stiles’ body. When their hips connect, Stiles has to close his eyes, pleasure washing through him as their cocks bump against each other for the first time.
Stiles’ hands shake as he touches Derek’s cheek. Derek turns his head, kissing the middle of Stiles’ palm. His hips begin to move, shifting against him, making Stiles moan. Everything feels so heightened, so much more and Stiles can’t help but wonder if it’s from the succubus venom or from this being Derek above him and touching him.
“Fuck,” Stiles gasps out, his breath stuttering in his chest. His legs go around Derek’s hips, grinding up against him, refusing to be a passive partner in this. His hands slide up Derek’s arms before going to his chest, gently running his fingers through the hair he finds there. “God, Derek. Yes.”
Derek shoves his face against Stiles’ throat. Stiles must smell good by the growl Derek lets out. It’s so deep, making Stiles’ own chest rumble as well. It only adds to Stiles’ pleasure, making his toes curl for the way Derek rides down, grinding their dicks together.
“You smell so good,” Derek murmurs, mouthing against his jaw. “Want you to smell like me. Like you’re mine.”
“God, yes,” Stiles says, lightning racing down his spine. He wants to be Derek’s, wants the alpha to claim him. “Make me yours, Derek.”
“Mine,” Derek breathes, “my mate.”
Stiles gasps out in surprise as his cock jerks, his orgasm rushing through him without warning. He tosses his head back in pleasure. Derek’s mouth continues to work at leaving marks against his pale skin, marks he’s positive he’ll treasure in the morning.
“Fuck,” Stiles breathes. “You’re turn, Derek. Come on. I want you to come on me.”
He slides his hand through his own cum, using it as lube as he wraps his palm around Derek’s cock. He makes his hand into a tunnel for Derek to thrust through and Stiles is content to watch Derek’s face morph into a look of absolute rapture. God, he’s so fucking hot.
Derek grits his teeth, his breathing coming in harsh pants as he fucks Stiles’ hand. Stiles leans up, nipping the sensitive skin of Derek’s throat. He internally smirks at the absolute destroyed sound Derek makes just before the hot feel of Derek’s come hits his belly.
Derek leans back on his knees, staring down at Stiles’ belly. He bites his bottom lip, his eyes darting up to Stiles’ face and then back down to his belly.
“Whatever’s going through your head, do it. It’s okay.” With permission, Derek slides his hand through their cum, rubbing it into Stiles’ skin. Stiles smiles, loving that Derek’s leaning into his wolfy instincts instead of shying away from them. “Kinky wolf boy.”
Derek snorts before laying down beside Stiles, pulling Stiles over for some proper snuggling action. Stiles sighs into the embrace feeling more content and satisfied than he has in a long time.
“I love you,” Derek says and Stiles wonders if the feeling of awe at hearing Derek say that will ever wear off. “Love the way you smell right now.” Derek runs his fingers over Stiles’ skin.
“I love this goofy grin you have going on right now.”
At that, Derek's face smoothes out, his brows wrinkling. There’s a moment where he stares at Stiles before he’s breaking, both of them laughing. The venom is working its way through Stiles, the worst of it gone now that’s he come.
“Oh fuck,” Stiles murmurs, his eyes going wide. “Shit.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Dude! We’re gonna have to tell the pack about us!”
Derek snorts. “I think they already know. And if they don’t, they’ll know the moment they walk into the house and see our clothes all over the house.”
Stiles groans, covering his face with his hands. “Whatever. Let’s just enjoy the afterglow until they get home.”
Derek kisses along his jaw. “Okay. Whatever you want.”
That last right up to the moment Scott gets home and groans at finding their clothes. Stiles hears something about ‘it’s about time’ from most of the pack before there’s a knock on the door.
“Time to face the world?” Stiles asks, leaning up on his elbow and looking down at Derek.
“With you by my side? I’ll face anything.” At that moment, Stiles realized just how in love he is with Derek because he doesn’t even make a teasing remark as he gets up and gets dressed.
It would be fair to say Derek has been looking forward to the holidays this year. Usually, the thought of Christmas crowds, overplayed jingles, and endless hints about presents has him in a mood that is not so much “merry and bright” as it is “grin and bear it.”
This year is different.
This year, Stiles is coming home. He’s submitting all of his finals online, so he’s coming back after the last day of classes, December 12th. And he’s staying into the New Year, a whole three weeks to spend with his dad, with his pack, and hopefully, with Derek.
His hopes for the holidays get turned sideways when he overhears a conversation between Stiles and Scott.
Scott is cradling the phone against his ear so he can make a sandwich in Derek’s kitchen, and he’s “mm-hm”-ing and “I know”-ing along in time to what sounds like a rant. Derek doesn’t intend to eavesdrop, and it’s really not his fault his hearing is so good, and his brain so attuned to Stiles’s voice. He starts to get phrases, and is just about to dismiss the conversation as yet another complaint about Stiles’s criminal justice professor when his tone changes, and Stiles says, very clearly:
“Max, the love of my life.”
Derek leaves the kitchen in a hurry.
After that, it’s like Derek never hears Stiles talk about anything other than his new boyfriend, to anyone and everyone, including Derek.
He texts, can’t wait for you to meet max btw!!
Derek sighs. He wants to be happy for Stiles, he does. Is max staying for the whole trip?
Lol obviously dude
“Not a chance,” Stiles is sighing over Skype with Isaac and Allison. “Besides, I’m not looking for a date. I have Max. And I haven’t even introduced him to the pack yet!”
Derek hates himself for it, but he’s shattered to hear Stiles has someone he wants to introduce to the pack. None of his other significant others have been significant enough to bring home.
Max even manages to ruin a pack meeting phone call with Stiles. They’re not even talking about it, how instead of coming home for three weeks, he’s coming home with Max for three weeks. They’re talking about other things, like Christmas plans, how the solstice ritual will go, whether the Nemeton might appreciate decorations. Derek thinks not, Stiles declares that shiny garland will make even the grumpiest tree happy, and this ritual is all about making the Nemeton happy for the upcoming year, and there’s nothing wrong with celebrating the solstice with a bit of good cheer, and his dad already put up their tree without him, please let him decorate this one…
And suddenly it’s Max again.
Stiles yawns and says he has to get going. “I’ll be up at 5:30 with Max.”
“Why so early?” Kira asks, leaning in toward the laptop they’ve got set up for Skype.
“We’ve been walking with Mrs. Bailey next door. She’s taking care of her son’s lab while he’s overseas, and he can be too strong for her. We try to run off some of his energy in the mornings before classes. I take an extra lap around the park with Dodger and Max chills with Mrs. Bailey and they watch the ducks.”
“That’s so sweet,” Kira says. “Do they get along?”
“Yeah!” Stiles nods excitedly. “I didn’t know how Max would do, but he’s been great with Dodger.”
“Enough about Max,” Derek snaps.
Everyone stares at him.
Derek walks out, even though they were Skyping Stiles from his house. He runs the perimeter twice, making sure the conversation will be long over before he returns.
Stiles returns as planned, but since he’s working on final essays he holes up at his dad’s for a few days. Scott goes over several times, until he’s kicked out for being distracting. Derek doesn’t stop by, and Stiles doesn’t text after the first day.
The first time Derek actually sees Stiles, he’s sitting at Beacon Beans with Scott and Kira. He’s lounging back in his chair, one hand wrapped around a mug. He looks relaxed, so finals must be over.
There’s no sign of Max, thankfully, so Derek decides to get his coffee and go over and say hi. He knows Stiles is taken, but he wants to be near him after so much time apart. Seeing him on the screen is nothing to seeing him up close and real.
While he’s staring, Stiles glances over. His eyes light up and he smiles.
“Stiles, are you bringing Max to Derek’s?”
“I don’t know,” Stiles says, glancing Derek’s way with a sad tilt to his lips. “I don’t want to cause trouble. Max is kind of stupid around strangers.”
“Didn’t he do okay when he met your dad?”
“Yeah, when it was just us,” Stiles says. “but when we went to Jack and Eric’s for Thanksgiving, Max couldn’t handle himself and snuck into the kitchen and ate a whole pie before we even sat down to turkey.”
“Oh no,” Kira giggles.
Stiles nods. “He spent most of the day sleeping it off on the couch. Like I said, stupid around strangers.”
Derek turns away to collect his coffee and misses the next thing said. He hovers by the counter for a moment, considering going over to say hi or just head out.
“Eric was ready to throw me out because of Max, dude. That’s serious! I think Jack put in a good word, plus I’m pretty sure some of their old teammates put away a pie each.”
Scott and Kira laugh, but Derek rolls his eyes. The guy sounds like he has no self control. Derek’s trying not to judge, really, but the more he hears about Max, the less he thinks of him. He’d at least be civilized enough to stay and socialize, especially with Stiles’s dad.
He leaves without acknowledging them. He has shopping to do, anyway.
He gets a text from Stiles as he gets into the car. Just saw you at bb. You didn’t come over?
He doesn’t reply, but by the time he’s heading home he feels guilty, so he stops by the Stilinski house on the off chance Stiles will be there. He stands on the porch, reluctant to knock, but Stiles is pack, and Derek needs him to know he can tell him anything, and he can bring his boyfriend to Christmas if he wants to.
He knocks.
Stiles opens the door. “Hey, I was just going to go for a walk with Max. Wanna come?”
Absolutely not. “No,” he starts, “I just wanted to talk to you.”
He hears nails scrabbling against the kitchen floor and pauses.
A brown and white, floppy-eared dog pokes its head between Stiles’s legs to stare at Derek. Stiles stumbles and laughs, pushing at its snout. “Max, did you hear the word? Go find your leash.” He grins at Derek when Max - Max - scrambles backward and bounces off, presumably to retrieve his leash. “Come on, we haven’t had a chance to talk yet, and I’ve been back almost three days already. Walk with us.”
Derek smiles. “Okay.”
He waits by the door while Stiles crosses to get his keys, then hurries back to the kitchen for plastic bags, then stops in the living room to slip into a jacket, sidestepping Max all the while, who follows dutifully with his leash in his mouth and trailing between his feet, tripping him. The two look ridiculously well-suited, long-legged but not graceful, a chaotic but not uncoordinated dance.
Finally, Stiles shuts and locks the door. Max leads them eagerly off the porch and down to the sidewalk, tail wagging and nose twitching.
“When were you going to tell me you had a dog?”
“I talk about Max all the time. In fact, I’ve been reliably informed I talk about him too much,” Stiles says with a wry grin.
Derek shrugs. “I was out of line.”
“I never figured you’d be so against dogs, dude. More of a cat person, sure. But I would’ve assumed you’d have sort of an in-built affinity for the lonely, lost pups of the world.”
“I like dogs,” Derek says defensively.
“Then why were you so mad I’d gotten one?”
“I didn’t know Max was a dog!” Derek says without thinking.
“So what, you thought he was a person? Oh, shit, you thought he was a person,” Stiles says softly.
Derek can see his clever mind putting the pieces together all too fast.
“You thought he was my boyfriend.”
“The love of your life, you called him,” Derek says. He might as well throw that out there, let Stiles know exactly how much to mock him. Except no, Stiles wouldn’t do that. He’s a better friend than that.
“Wait,” Stiles says, reaching out to stop Derek walking on. “You thought I’d met the love of my life? And that upset you?”
Derek can’t look. He knows it’s going to be disastrous, but he just can’t watch it dawn on Stiles’s face.
Stiles is quiet for a long moment, and then with just a gentle pressure against Derek’s shoulder, he asks him to turn. Stiles searches his face for something, and starts nodding before he even says anything.
“I think I have, actually,” Stiles says. “Met the love of my life, I mean. I didn’t think I had a chance, but…”
Derek can’t stamp down the hope rising in him. An ugly voice whispers that this isn’t real, but Stiles’s earnest face tells a different story.
“You have a chance,” Derek says. Please take it.
“Me and Max, we’re a package deal,” Stiles warns with a smile.
“I think I can handle it,” Derek chuckles.
Max trots back to them, pushing at Stiles’s legs like he needs a reminder that they’re supposed to be on a walk. They both smile at him, and Derek takes a moment when Stiles is looking at Max to dart in and kiss his cheek. He starts walking again, making encouraging noises at Max until he’s pulling Stiles along.
“Hey, wait,” Stiles protests. “I didn’t get to kiss you back! That’s not how this works, Derek!”
Derek laughs. “Max needs to walk, Stiles, keep up!”
Stiles curses and jogs to catch up, which just encourages Max to pick up his pace.
Derek smiles. Yeah, this Christmas is definitely going to be different, and he is looking forward to it.
