Other people's heartache

by Bookjunk

Stiles has taken it upon himself to cheer Derek up over the summer. Chapter 34: Derek grabbed his hand to guide him in the right direction and for a second they were absolutely holding hands. Then Derek seemed to realise what he was doing and quickly let go. 'You're right,' Stiles said, smirking. 'Let's not do this dirty handholding business in front of people.'

1. Walking to Oblivion

Other people's heartache

Chapter 1: Walking to Oblivion

'I'm bored,' Stiles complained. He rubbed the back of his head against Derek's couch and slumped further down. There was something digging into his ass, so he plunged his hand deep into the couch cushions and fished a tiny branch – or root; could've been a root – out from under him, but neatly put it back where it belonged when Derek glared.

'How is that my problem? Go bother Scott.'

Stiles shook his head. Like a dog that comes in from the rain and is out to ruin a new carpet. Not that Derek owned anything new or even remotely resembling a carpet.

'Scott doesn't have time for me. He's too busy with Kira. Wanna go see a movie?' Stiles asked. Derek didn't answer that except by snarling. Stiles sat up straight and held forth.

'The way I see it you have three options. One: you come with me to a movie. Two hours tops and you'll be rid of me. Two: I stay here, I think I can swing until one a.m., telling you all about why the last season of Battlestar Galactica is not as bad as everyone says it is. Three: you rip my throat out with your teeth.'

There was a slight pause and then the inevitable, 'I like three best.'

Stiles rolled his eyes and pulled down his collar to bare his throat. No reaction. He beckoned invitingly; turning his throat to the left and to the right. He could see that Derek was thinking about getting up menacingly. Eventually, Derek sighed.

'Pick a movie.'

'Alright!' Stiles exclaimed, flipping through his phone. He paused to look up at Derek.

'Do you like Tom Cruise?'

'No.'

'Okay, not that one then.'

'We'll decide there. Let's just get going before I realize how much I don't want to do this,' Derek suggested. Stiles nodded. Not once, like a normal person, but a couple of times. He couldn't help it. Not acting like an insane person: really difficult to achieve. Derek got up with an epic groan and grabbed his car keys.

'I thought we could walk?' Stiles said. 'You look like you could do with some fresh air and sunshine and exercise. Not that you don't look fit... We're walking.'

And so it came to pass.

When they arrived, Derek looked tired. Odd; since it wasn't that far. Stiles ordered two tickets for Oblivion. If Derek gave him shit, he'd just point out that if it had been up to him they would have checked beforehand what was being shown.

'It's the only movie that still has tickets available,' Stiles explained, smiling apologetically. Well, this was awkward. He didn't have enough cash. Derek produced his wallet and some sarcasm on the side.

'I wonder why that is.'