I'm really not all that happy with this, and - just so we're clear - my information on alaskan malamutes came solely from Wikipedia and a friend who hasn't owned one since she was eleven, so ... there you go.

"What-" Derek stutters, staring down at the squirming pup in Stiles' arms, "What's his name?"

"Undecided." Stiles replies, eyeing Derek nervously, "I was thinking of naming him Lorcan. It means 'little fierce one' plus, you know, Harry Potter."

Derek tries to laugh but his breath catches in his throat as the pup leans back into Stiles, its tongue flicking out to lap at the boy's neck. A noise which, admittedly, does sound a lot like a growl, escapes Derek's mouth before he can stop it. Stiles startles and the pup stops, tongue still hanging out of its mouth, and tips its head to gaze at Derek. Derek can't tear his eyes away.

"Derek?" Stiles asks nervously, gaze flickering between Derek and the pup, "Is this some ... weird, werewolf territory thing? 'Cause ... 'Cause you can't kill him. Please don't kill him! He's just a baby!"

Derek snorts, eyeing Stiles fondly, "You're an idiot."

He moves, sinking down onto the floor beside Stiles. He watches, his chin on Stiles' shoulder, as the pup rolls over on Stiles' lap, baring its belly.

"We can keep him, right?" Stiles asks, hand reaching out almost automatically to pet Lorcan's head, "He's only little, and I already told Mrs. Keener that we'd look after him. I figured he'd be like ... pack, you know. I mean, I know he's not a wolf, but he's an Alaskan malamute and it's, like, this weird coincidence that they're being bred in Beacon Hills 'cos they're so much like wolves. They - Derek, did you know that they need an owner who can serve in an Alpha role and you - you - yeah." He pauses for breath, hand stroking over the dog's ears. "They're really independent too, so he'll just do what he wants and of course he'll need food and we'll need to exercise him - you might want to do that, he's gonna get too big for me - and I'll do that, but, for the most part, he'll do his own thing. Just, please Derek."

"Stiles."

Stiles stops, his hand resting protectively on the pup's head.

"Why did you do this?"

It isn't a no, but Stiles shifts just a little bit closer to Lorcan anyway, smiling when the pup nudges his chin with its nose.

"Isaac - Isaac says that you're pining."

Derek growls, and the pup yaps at him, wriggling around in Stiles' arms to face Derek.

"He says that your wolf is pining." Stiles amends, his cheeks flushed, "For - for pups."

Derek scowls, if only to stop the blush threatening to develop on his own cheeks. He opens his mouth to curse Isaac but, or course, Stiles is still talking.

"And God, Derek, I want to give you that. So bad. But since I'm pretty sure that's physically and biologically impossible - and even if it wasn't my Dad would kill the both of us - I figured Lorcan was the next best thing. Isn't that right, buddy?" He coos this last bit, ducking his head to press his lips to the pup's head.

But Derek isn't looking at the dog; he's staring at Stiles, his face completely blank.

This isn't all that reassuring, "Derek? Did - did I get this all wrong? I mean, I could take him back. I don't - I don't want to, but I could. If you wanted."

Derek - Derek isn't saying anything. Stiles nods slowly, face falling, and makes as if to stand, "That - Okay, I'll go call Mrs. - mmmph!"

He melts against Derek, arms releasing the pup in favor of wrapping around Derek's neck. The pup yaps at them excitedly, dancing around them until Derek releases Stiles' lips to growl menacingly at it. It growls back and Derek just knows - knows - that he's going to regret this.