Mature | 1,414w | Sterek | Established | Mates | Traveling the world
Written for @sterekfests week 2, @sterekbingo square chin on the shoulder, @sterekweekly word space, @warmandfluffybingocards square running away together.
The waves rocked against the hull, a gentle bubbling, licking, splashing sound that changed whenever the wind did. That always kept Stiles lulled into sleep, but the sharp squawking broke through his consciousness, and he blinked several times until the dim light of the morning sun filtered in through the small, circular windows of the cabin. He never imagined he could live in such a small space, but the cabin of the sailboat had been home for at least the last six months. Had it been six months? He was starting to lose track now.
After Derek’s return, Stiles decided to take a leave of absence from the FBI. Not only had he suffered physical trauma from his wounds, but the mental ones had been getting to him, too. PTSD was always something that Stiles considered normal, but waking up at night, feeling like his guts were falling out and screaming for Derek was something that had started to finally wane the longer he was away from work.
It helped that Derek promised him that he’d stay forever, that he would never be without his mate again. Stiles’ hand moved down to press against the scar on his abdomen, holding it flat against his stomach as he remembered being shot and thinking that he’d never see Derek again before he’d blacked out from the blood loss.
He reminded himself that he was safe and he was healed and that nothing could get him here. Stiles drew in a deep breath, letting the salt in the air fill his lungs and leave the faint flavor of the ocean in his mouth. He rubbed a hand over his face, brushing against the beard he’d started to grow. He really needed to shave, but he also couldn't bring himself to care while they were out on the open ocean with no one but each other to worry about.
Stiles rolled onto his side and pulled himself upright on the edge of the bed. The boat swayed and bobbed beneath him on the water. That was something else that he’d learned to get used to. Being seasick was never something that Stiles really considered himself to catch, but his first few weeks out on the open ocean had been an experience he’d never forget.
The wood was cool beneath his bare feet and he wiggled his toes before standing and grabbing some shorts. Stiles pulled them on, then found his way to the ladder that led him to the deck where he knew he’d find Derek.
The sun was still rising on the horizon, the air cool and damp with the swaying boat, the sails flapping quietly in the breeze. Derek was standing at the helm, focused on sailing like he usually was when Stiles slept.
Stiles moved with an ease that spoke of living on a sailboat, padding behind Derek and wrapping his arms around him, kissing the back of his neck gently. “Good morning.”
“How’d you sleep?” Derek asked, voice quiet as if he were afraid to wake the world, his hand smoothing along Stiles’ arm.
“I slept okay… I didn't wake up screaming without you this time. No nightmares.” That was a huge improvement. Maybe there was hope yet for him to heal before going back to work.
If he went back to work for the FBI.
He knew that he didn't have to, that Derek would take care of him, that they were mates, and what was Derek’s, was also his. Stiles still hadn't made up his mind about that yet. Especially since Derek promised to never leave him again. And if he did travel, he would take Stiles with him, like he had this time.
“Good,” Derek replied, giving Stiles’ arm a squeeze, his eyes focused on the water. Stiles kissed his shoulder, breathing him in, lips trailing until he reached the mark on Derek’s neck. Stiles kissed his mark, the one that claimed Derek as his, then nosed it and rubbed his cheek on it as he marked Derek with his scent.
Derek practically purred as a growl rumbled through his chest and Stiles smiled against Derek’s skin.
“Where are we?” Stiles finally asked, resting his chin on Derek’s shoulder again and looking out over the water.
“We’re just off of Crete.” Derek gently shifted the wheel as they sailed easily across the water.
“Elafonisi Beach?” Stiles really tried not to sound hopeful or excited about it, but he’d told Derek more than enough times that he really wanted to go to Crete and see the pink sands of Elafonisi Beach.
He knew that Derek had been there before, but Stiles had never been to all the places Derek had seen and he wanted to share them with his mate.
“You said you wanted to see it.” Derek cast him an easy smile, his hand idly smoothing along Stiles’ arm as Stiles held him close, pressed against his chest.
“Well, I never thought we’d actually make it here.” He snorted and nosed behind Derek’s ear. “Thank you, for bringing me.”
“I want to give you the world.” Derek’s words were soft and quiet, only for Stiles, despite them being the only ones on their sailboat.
Stiles knew Derek meant it, but he never thought Derek would actually take him to see the world. That was just something that wasn't part of Stiles’ life. At least not before now.
Maybe, though. Maybe they would.
Maybe he wouldn't go back to work for the FBI.
The longer he stayed out on the water, the more he never wanted to go back. Whether it was to Beacon Hills, New York, or anywhere in between. He just wanted to stay with Derek, wherever Derek may lead.
“I love you,” he breathed against Derek’s neck. “So much.”
“I love you too. Always.”
That sent a flutter in Stiles’ chest. No matter how many times Derek told him that he loved him, it always seemed fleeting because Derek had always left him when he’d visited. But now—now they were together, forever.
“When can we go to the beach?”
“We’ll be at the landing by the time the sun comes all the way up. We can dock there and then the beach is only about a ten-minute walk. I figured we could check out the island and maybe get a couple of keepsakes.” Derek tugged on Stiles’ arm. “C’mere.”
Stiles moved, tucking himself under Derek’s arm as his mate hugged him close, pressing his face against Derek’s shoulder and wrapping his arms around him again. Derek was warm and beautiful and Stiles loved that Derek’s body ran hotter than his. It kept away the morning chill.
“Maybe we can stay for a little while?” They’d been moving around so much, seeing all the places that Derek wanted to show him, that Stiles kinda missed his feet being on dry land sometimes.
“Whatever you want.” Derek kissed Stiles’ forehead and rested his bearded cheek atop Stiles’ head. “We’ll stay as long as you want. Maybe we’ll visit the rest of the islands… and then see Croatia and Italy?”
“I’d like that. I always wanted to visit Italy.” There were so many places that Stiles wanted to visit, but Italy had always been at the top of his list. There was so much history connected to the architecture, so much that he wanted to see and learn and experience in real life. Pictures would never do places like that justice.
“Then we’ll go to Italy,” Derek assured him. He rubbed his cheek along Stiles’ hair, then kissed his forehead. “Come on… let’s go back to bed for a little bit. I’ll drop anchor. We have some time before the sun is all the way up.”
“Yeah, okay,” Stiles replied softly, turning his face up to give Derek a gentle kiss. “Plus, I didn't have a chance to give you your blowjob this morning because you were awake before me.”
Derek laughed, full-bellied, loud, and happy. “You know I’m not going to turn that down.”
Stiles smirked and took Derek’s hand. “Well… I think we have enough time for that and a little more.”
He grinned as he tugged Derek along and he could feel his mate’s eyes sliding along his skin and down to his ass.
Stiles had promises to keep. Elafonisi Beach could wait. Right now, he had no plans other than taking care of his mate and making sure Derek knew how much he loved him.
For always.