I am of the opinion that it's not Stiles who makes Derek soften, but Eli
Stiles doesn't mind Derek's claws and his growling, but with Eli he must be soft, you know? And it sticks, and it transfers in relation to other pack members, and to Stiles as well. That's where more soft jumpers come into play bc Eli's skin is sensitive. That's when claws give way to gentle touch, that's when a smirk becomes a smile
Derek becomes the typical Dad with silly puns, hands that can fix everything, and a shoulder you can lean on. He grins often, gives in to the embrace easier. He starts talking about his family not with searing pain but with nostalgia and sadness in his voice
Eli is the best thing that happened to them as a pair, as a family, and pack














