Chapter 1 – Lacrosse Practice

The bell rang as Stiles exited his chemistry class making his way to his locker. It was finally the end of the day and it was time for his favourite part: lacrosse practice. He didn't exactly get to play very often so practice wasn't much for him but that wasn't what he was excited about. Lately he'd been looking at Danny in a different way than usual. He didn't know why he felt about Danny this way but he knew he liked it.

"Stiles!" Scott called from down the hall. "Why haven't you been answering your phone?"

"Oh shit, sorry. I guess my minds been elsewhere, what's up?" Stiles was clearly distracted from Scott as he didn't make any sort of sarcastic remark.

"I need you to tell coach that I won't be at practice today, Derek is picking me up."

"Yeah, alright."

"That's it?" Scott was in shock. There's no way Stiles wasn't going to make some pack daddy joke right when it was pretty much served to him on a silver platter. "Usually you'd make some lame ass joke about how he's a sourwolf and blah blah blah."

"Oh, I guess I'm just tired or something. I'll see you tomorrow; I've got to get to practice."

With that, Stiles made his way down the hall toward the locker rooms. He was so eager, he was almost half running there.

He burst through the door and quickly made his way to his locker, which was conveniently place across from Danny's, and proceeded to change. Danny had entered the room, of course with Jackson, and Stiles flashed him a quick little smile. Once Danny had reached his locker Stiles clumsily walked over to him, tripping on the benches stumbling. Stiles started to fall and let out an awkward little "Help!" when Danny reached out and caught him. All Stiles could think about were how strong Danny's arms were. It very much felt like he was being held by Derek although it wasn't near as hostile feeling. It felt warm and genuine.

Danny pulled Stiles up and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah, I'm fine thanks. Just had a little, uh, fall I guess." Stiles was so flustered he couldn't come up with any sort of witty response.

"Well next time watch yourself." Jackson barked.

"Maybe next time you could be as courteous as Danny here instead of being a self righteous prick." Stiles' mouth always ran faster than his head and he immediately regretting saying this to Jackson.

"Big words for someone who's going to get their ass handed to them on a fucking silver platter."

"Calm down Jackson. Just try to be more careful next time Stiles. Wouldn't want you to get hurt." Danny said placing his hand on Stiles' shoulder. His knees almost gave out at that point.

He felt so happy whenever Danny talked to him at all. He was always so nice to Stiles and it made him feel good to have someone other than Scott or Alison show any sort of kindness to him.

"See you on the feel Stiles." Danny called out as he accompanied Jackson to the field.

With that Stiles realized he still hadn't gotten finished changing and was going to be late at this rate. Again.

"Damn it!" Stiles quickly threw on the rest of his equipment and rushed out the door. While making his way to the field Stiles tripped over his untied shoelaces and hit the ground with a hard 'thud'. He lay there for a second, not because it hurt but rather out of embarrassment. While laying there he felt a pair of hands grip his sides, right at the ribcage and pull him to his feet with ease. He looked behind him to see Danny yet again. "Thanks." Stiles said, blushing.

"Anytime." Danny said back and Stiles could have sworn he saw a wink tossed in with it as he rushed back to his position in net.

Stiles stood there stunned for a moment. Had he really seen that? Maybe his mind was just making things up. Either way, he had a weird feeling in his stomach that he just couldn't help. As he stood there daydreaming for a moment he felt like he could hear someone calling his name. "Stilinski" he would hear very faintly until off of the sudden he heard it loud and clear.

"STILINSKI!" Coach bellowed. "Get your ass on the field already. You wonder way you never play? Well this is why, you don't do jack shit."

"Oh shit, yes coach." Stiles grinded out. He was always an ass to Stiles just because he wasn't a star athlete. It didn't really matter right now. It was his turn to take a shot on net which meant he was able to get that much closer to Danny. He started his run up, awkward as usual, and right as soon as he locked eyes with Danny he stopped dead in his tracks and lost himself in Danny's eyes.

"What the hell are you doing? Shoot the damn ball!" coach yelled.

"Uh, right." Stiles half ass shot the ball knowing Danny would save it regardless of how hard he shot it. He was a great goalie and Stiles was a less than mediocre player at best.

"Alright now get to the back of the line, you're holding everybody up."

Stiles half sulked his way to the back of the line. Not only had he made an ass of himself in front of everybody, he had to break his gaze with Danny. As he made his way to the back of the line he could see Jackson giving him the usual death-stare but he held it a little longer than he usually would have. Almost as though he didn't approve of the way Stiles was acting toward Danny. Stiles smugly have him a little smile, almost like a "fuck you" to him.

All practice pretty much went on this way: with Stiles staring at Danny. It was almost creepy he did it so often. By the end of practice Danny seemed to be looking back even when Stiles wasn't. To him, things were looking up. Maybe Danny would be up to hanging out with Stiles. He might die if that were to happen. Just as Stiles was thinking about all of this something donned on him. "Oh shit." Stiles had forgotten to tell coach about why Scott wasn't there. If he doesn't get a reason Scott is going to be dead. What could he say? Stiles' brain wasn't working; the only thing on his mind was Danny. Maybe he needed to help his mom or something. Stiles thought that would work. His mom needed him to pick him up right away and that's why. Good. He'll believe that. Right?

"Hey, coach." Stiles called out.

"What do you want Stilinski. Hey, where's McCall? He's co-captain. He should be here for practices. It looks bad otherwise."

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. He had to pick his mom up from work right away. She needed him to take her home and back so to grab something important for work." Stiles felt his lie was flawless.

"Why didn't his mom have the car?" Coach didn't seem convinced.

"Uhh, she let Scott have it today."

"So his mom, the one who owns the car and relies on it for work, lent it to McCall today just because?"

"Oh! He was going to go out with Alison tonight and he needed the car for that. You know, hormones and wanted to show off. Teenager thing." Stiles felt quite satisfied with his story. Scott had better be pleased that he did this. Quick thinking me.

"Whatever, just tell him not to miss any more practices. Just because he all of the sudden became a star athlete doesn't mean he can skip practice all the time. He's missing too much."

"Of course. I'll make sure he knows." Like he'll care. He has much bigger things to worry about.

Stiles made his way to the locker room hoping Danny was still there so he could talk to him. He made it at the perfect time. Danny was just walking out of the shower. Holy shit. Stiles was in awe. He'd seen Danny in just a towel before but that was pre-obsession. He made his way over to his locker and decided, since Jackson wasn't there, he was going to strike up a conversation. Stiles opened his mouth to speak and then realized he had no idea what to say. This was a first. When was he ever at a loss for words.

"Uh, good practice today Danny." Stiles choked out. Damn it. That's the best I can come up with?

"Thanks, you too." Danny replied.

"Do you wanna go out some time? I uh, mean, hang out. You know, just chill. You and I or something? Stiles sputtered.

"Are you asking me on a date Stiles?" Danny had a huge grin on the face. He had always though Stiles was pretty cute.

"Kind of I guess. I mean if you want to. You don't have to of course. If you have other plans or someth—"

"I'd love to." Danny interjected.

"Really?" Stiles was in awe that Danny actually said yes. After all Danny was built like a Greek god and Stiles was well, Stiles. "That's awesome. I'll uh, call you later tonight or something."

"Sounds good to me. I'm free after 4:00." And with that Danny continued to get changed.

Stiles sat there for a moment a little stunned at what had just happened. He actually had a date. When it finally registered in his brain what he had just achieved Stiles did an awkward little jump and waved his arms sporadically. I guess there's a first for everything. Stiles thought to himself. He looked over at Danny to see him just about to put his shirt on and Danny gave him a quick smile while Stiles had a huge grin plastered on his face.

Stiles started getting changed and as Danny passed by him to leave he heard him whisper, "See you later tonight Stiles." Stiles stood up to say good-bye but Danny was too far away and regardless, Stiles had gotten distracted in Danny's ass as he walked away.

"STILINSKI!" Stiles jumped at least a foot in the air. "Hurry up and get the hell out of here already!" Coach was getting impatient. He wanted to lock up and leave already.

"Uh, sorry. I'll be out in a minute." Stiles' heart was racing after that. Not only had he just gotten the shit scared out of him, he had to get ready for his date.