i'm feeling nice today, so i will share this with you ✌️
where werewolf pack dynamics are more similar to real wolf pack dynamics, in that the alpha, the leader, always goes last. he makes sure the rest of the pack is safe and cared for before his own needs.
so derek is always the last one to leave, even if that means cleaning up or driving home alone. the last one to eat, even if that means the best food is gone. the last one to choose a seat, even if that means sitting on the floor.
stiles of course starts noticing this pattern. no one else really notices, and when stiles brings it up they all basically have the opinion of "he can do what he wants and he seems okay doing this so whatever" not uncaring, but it still bothers stiles. hes never liked when derek goes all self-sacraficy
so stiles will start staying behind after events or outings, helping derek finish cleaning up and then riding home with him, providing his A+ conversation of course
he starts saving a seat on the couch at movie nights, so that when derek finally comes out of the kitchen he can sit in comfort instead of crisscross applesauce on the floor (no one ever even offers him a cushion)
stiles starts making dereks plate right along with his at meals (thankful he waited tables during college so he has no trouble balancing 2 plates and 2 drinks), making sure derek gets some of the good food. like on wing night, derek loves the legs. stiles is flats guy himself, but whatever. derek never gets the legs though as they're always gone by the time he gets up to make a plate. so stiles will load his plate up with legs as he loads his own up with flats.
he carries both plates and two cans of soda to the table, sets dereks down in front of him, then turns the other way to finsh his convo with isaac. he looks back and notices derek isn't eating, just staring at stiles. he just shrugs and keeps eating. derek eventually digs in, not talking, but stealing glances at stiles the whole time.
see the thing is, and alphas duty is to take care of their pack. put the pack first. he remembers his mom, always being the last to do anything, with a serene smile cause she knew her pack was taken care of. derek tries so hard to follow that. he truely wants nothing more than to have his pack be happy and safe.
so while the alphas duty is to take care of the pack, its their mates duty to take care of the alpha.
hes shaken out of this thought as stiles hands him a mug of hot chocolate, tilting his head to indicate "follow me" towards the living room.
"come on, i'll save you a seat"
well damn it.
YES THIS IS PERFECT I LOVE YOUR BRAIN THANK YOUUUU
one day stiles brings over an armful of cushions and derek is like wtf. stiles says he just had them laying around and figured derek could use some more around the loft "just in case, because being cozy is important, derek." (derek gets to sink into a overflowing pile of couch cushions because they're suddenly there now, but never has to sit on the floor again with or without a cushion because stiles always saves him a seat on the couch)
no one has taken care of derek like this since laura. he doesn't know what to make of it and wouldn't let any of his pack do this, it's his role to take care of them, but this is stiles who has a way of worming himself into things. plus, derek barely admits to himself, it feels good to be taken care of. new, but good.
stiles makes his hot chocolate just the way he likes it. how did he know?? he's stiles. there are even mini marshmallows. derek can't remember the last time he let himself have marshmallows.
sitting next to stiles on the couch feels warm and safe and smells like home. smells like his mate.
smells like stiles.
