Stiles knew it very early on. He didn't want to admit he knew it, but he knew. He knew he was in love with Derek. There was just no denying it. But they'd only been together for a month and while Stiles wasn't exactly an expert on relationships, he guessed a month was too early to break out the L word.

Not that they were exactly shy about how they felt. On the contrary, they never missed an opportunity to tell the other that this was the happiest they'd ever been, that being together was the best decision, that they enjoyed each other's company so much. They weren't afraid to show it, either. Derek and Stiles were always holding hands or one had an arm around the other or one was sitting on the other's lap (usually Stiles on Derek, given how much muscle Derek had).

But now, here he was, cuddling with Derek on the couch, watching American Pickers because nothing else was on. The Sheriff was out today, which was normal, so Derek came over to hang out. It wasn't that Stiles' dad didn't like Derek; he just didn't like the idea of them having sex. Which they hadn't done, by the way. Not yet. They've fooled around a bit but not gone all the way.

"Derek?" Stiles said, resting his head in the nook of Derek's shoulder.

"Hm?"

"There's something…I want to say."

Derek turned his head and kissed Stiles' forehead quickly. "Anything, babe. What's up?"

Stiles took a deep breath. "I think I'm in love with you?"

Derek tensed slightly. Stiles cursed himself. Fucking great, now he'd ruined their relationship and he'd never be happy again. He just couldn't have nice things, could he? Just when he thought things were going well—

"I think I'm in love with you, too," Derek said quietly, lips pressed against Stiles' temple.

Stiles closed his eyes, traced circles on Derek's thigh, let the words wash over him. Yeah, that felt nice.

"I've never said that to anyone," Derek said. "Not in that way, at least. My family and stuff but…you're different."

"Same here."

They were silent for a few minutes. Stiles gasped and "ooh"ed when the pickers found an old collection of comic books. Derek was excited by an old motorbike.

This felt natural and right and home. Stiles probably would've stayed there forever if he hadn't had to pee, and then he went to get a snack, and then the Sheriff came home so Derek had to leave.

"I'll be back tomorrow," Derek said. They were standing by the front door while the Sheriff cooked dinner.

"I know," Stiles said, arms around his neck. "But I want you to stay. I love you."

Derek smiled. "I love you." He kissed him lovingly and left. Stiles felt a piece of his heart leave too.

"You didn't have sex, did you?" the Sheriff asked as he served dinner.

"No, Dad. We're not…there yet."

"Well, good. You're not ready."

They ate in silence. Stiles could only think about how good it felt to have Derek said the L word to him and mean it.

"What's up?" the Sheriff said.

"What? Nothing."

"You're quiet and staring into space. Is everything okay between you two?"

Stiles sighed. "Yeah, everything's wonderful. Perfect. We…we said 'I love you' today."

To Stiles' surprise, his father smiled. "Good. I'm glad you both admitted it." Stiles frowned. "Come on, son. I know you well enough to tell when you're head over heels for a guy."

Stiles rolled his eyes. But it was true. He was head over heels, too far gone to even think about a life without Derek now.

And that was fine by him.