Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski
Characters: Derek Hale, Stiles Stilinski, Sheriff Stilinski (Teen Wolf)
Additional Tags: Established Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski, Mates Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski, Fluff, Christmas Tree, Christmas Decorations, sterekfest winter 2023, Derek Hale Deserves Nice Things, Stiles Stilinski is a Nice Thing, Derek Hale is a Softie, Derek Hale Loves Stiles Stilinski, Stiles Stilinski Loves Derek Hale, Future Fic, Deputy Derek Hale
For: @sterekbingo square (Christmas) ornaments, @sterekweekly dinosaurs, @sterekfests 'it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas', and @seasonaldelightsbingo winter square ornaments
Summary:
“You’re looking mighty sexy today, Deputy Hale.” Stiles chuckled, even as Derek rested his arm on the door frame above Stiles’ head and leaned in to kiss him. It was so hot that Stiles felt like if he were ice, he’d be a puddle on the floor.
A gust of wind made Stiles shiver, shaking the few remaining leaves from the trees around him to the ground and blew them under his feet. He walked quickly, pulling his coat tighter and tucking his face into the collar. He didn't think he’d ever get used to the weather changes, especially because he lived in California.
People thought it never snowed here, but it did. And he hated it. Every year. At least, he hated when he couldn't be inside warm with his mate by the fire.
His ears were cold, even with the beanie on his head. He really needed to invest in earmuffs with how quickly those things flew off the shelf as soon as it dropped below sixty. He’d be a millionaire by now. The same goes for gloves. Because every year, sure enough, he always lost his gloves.
It never failed.
Which was why he didn't have gloves on right now.
He shoved his hands into his coat pockets and grumbled under his breath at the puddles in the street. How dare it be cold enough to freeze, but warm enough for it to melt before it became ice again. He really hoped they would be able to pick out a tree at the lot today.
Stiles reached out to grab the door handle and pulled it open, the bell jingling above his head as he entered the police station.
“Hey, kid,” his dad said, looking up from where he was looking at some files at the front desk.
“Erica go home early?” Stiles asked, shaking the snow from his beanie as he took it off. It wasn't snowing too hard yet, but it was enough to make the walk terrible to visit his dad.
“Yeah, she said she had to finish up some work for school so she went home early. It’s almost winter break and I hear there are finals soon,” his dad replied, closing the file. “Derek’s in his office.”
“Thanks, Dad.” He clapped his dad on the shoulder and headed off toward Derek’s office.
When he reached the door, it was already opened and he smiled, leaning on the frame as he looked his mate over. “Hey.”
Derek looked up, a smile spreading across his lips. When it reached his eyes, it made Stiles’ heart melt. He loved the little wrinkles at the corners of Derek’s eyes when he smiled. It meant that Derek was genuinely happy, and he deserved all the happiness in the world.
“Hey,” Derek replied, standing and rounding the desk.
“You’re looking mighty sexy today, Deputy Hale.” Stiles chuckled, even as Derek rested his arm on the door frame above Stiles’ head and leaned in to kiss him. It was so hot that Stiles felt like if he were ice, he’d be a puddle on the floor.
It sent tingles through his entire body as he smiled into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Derek, kissing him back. “Whew. If those get any better I might be arrested for public indecency.”
“Ha-ha. Don't get any ideas,” Derek replied with a chuckle, giving Stiles another peck and then wrapping an arm around him. “Cold out?”
“Yeah, it’s getting a little chilly. The ice melted but it’s getting cold again so I’m sure it’ll be freezing tonight. And that’s if we don't get snow again on top of what’s already on the ground.” Stiles sighed, conveying just exactly how he felt when they were not quite in winter weather yet and stuck in the middle. It was a strange place of being freezing and unhappy there was no snow. Ice just wasn't as fun.
“Well, if you’re not up to going to the Christmas tree lot—”
“I didn't say that,” Stiles said quickly. “The plan for today is to get the Christmas tree and then we’re going to be decorating late into the night.”
Derek laughed. “Such a tradition,” he teased and then gave Stiles a gentle kiss. “Let me get my coat and then we can go.”
“Perfect.” Stiles’ favorite tradition was picking out their Christmas tree and decorating it.
It didn't take them long to get Derek’s things together, say goodbye to his dad, and make it to the Christmas tree lot before they closed for the night.
Stiles looked between the trees as they walked through the array of greenery. There were different species of trees, which Stiles never really understood. A Christmas tree was a Christmas tree, right? But they’d always gotten a Douglas Fir since he was a kid. So it was just the tree that Stiles always bought.
They loaded the tree onto Stiles’ Jeep, which Derek often took to work during Winter, and headed home. When they got there, Stiles was giddy with the idea of finally getting their tree set up.
Derek unloaded the tree and placed it in the living room while Stiles got the ornaments from the attic. When Stiles returned, he set the box down on the coffee table.
“We really should buy some new ornaments,” Derek replied, opening the lid and looking in.
“We can, but what we have is perfectly fine. Plus, I’ve been using most of these since I was a kid.” Stiles grinned and fished out an ornament, showing it to Derek. It was an ornament of a dinosaur. A raptor. Stiles’ favorite.
Derek laughed. “Well,” he pulled out a little wolf and fox. “We’ve been adding over the years…I thought it just might be nice to add some more this year. Maybe some gold and red glass ornaments?”
Stiles put the raptor onto the tree, then took the wolf and fox Derek handed him, placing them next to each other. “Sure… and maybe in a few years, we can buy a baby wolf ornament.”
He smiled softly as he glanced at Derek, then his gaze returned to the tree. Derek’s arms wrapped around Stiles from behind and held him close. “Maybe…if we’re lucky enough. But if we don't, you know that you’re all that I ever need, right?”
“I know,” Stiles whispered, his hand trailing along Derek’s arm. “Kinda the whole point of mates.”
Derek chuckled and kissed Stiles’ neck. “Well, I’m glad we have forever.”
“Me too.”
And tonight, they wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon because Stiles wouldn't rest until their tree was decorated.
It was the kind of thing only someone who loved him would entertain.
Stiles leaned back against Derek, turning his face to brush his nose against Derek’s cheek. “I love you, Derek Hale.”
“I love you too, Stiles. More than anything.”
It was the kind of love that Stiles knew would survive anything. That people wrote sonnets about. A love that would last forever, even long after they were dust.
“Let’s finish the tree.” Stiles pecked Derek’s cheek and drew away from him.
“You got it. But then, sleep.” Derek sorted through the box of ornaments.
Yeah, they’d be okay. Even if they only had each other for their next forever.
Thank you to everyone who participated this week! Be sure to check out the works submitted for this week’s word prompt: dinosaurs. And don’t forget to leave them some love with kudos and comments!
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christm—" by EvanesDust
G | 598w | est. relationship | holidays | fluff
ornaments and traditions by Winchesterek
T | 1.1k | est. relationship | mates | fluff
