Chapter summary; Stiles drives Scott to the gas station to get roses for his date with Allison that evening. While there, Stiles bumps into Derek.
Stiles sleepily walked down the stairs to head for his kitchen, rubbing his right eye with the side of his index finger as be slid his socks against the carpeted floor. Before he reached the kitchen's entrance he could already hear the sound of the coffee maker, and he could smell a sugary aroma emitting from the room.
Shuffling his way in, he squinted a moment, the window blinds were opened up, allowing the bright trails of light to shine through and lighten the room. Specks of dust were floating around happily on the rays of light, which gave a peaceful feel. Stiles found his dad sitting at the table, an empty coffee cup resting in front of him waiting to be filled and a book in hand, like every Saturday morning. The book was different from last week's, Stiles had noticed after glancing at its cover. His dad was holding the book in one hand, using his thumb and index finger to hold back the pages and using the other fingers to support the book's spine, using his opposite hand only to flip the awaiting pages.
"Morning, Dad." Stiles greeted his father in a beat tone.
His father was too enraptured in his book to have noticed when his son had walked in and surprisedly looked up when he heard the sound of his voice.
"Good morning!" He cheerfully answered, "There's donuts on the counter." He informed as he gestured his head in the direction of the food.
Stiles eagerly opened the box and stared at all of his choices, unsure of which he wanted. Reaching in he grabbed a chocolate glazed and turned to his father, who was still haunched over with his head lowered to the opened pages, "I'm going to pick Scott up in a bit." He stated to his father before taking a large bite of his donut.
Mr. Stilinski folded the top corner of the page and closed the book gently, resting it on the table and replacing it with his empty coffee mug, "Where are you two headed?" He questioned as he stood from his seat and stretched his arms above his head before pacing his way to the coffee maker.
"He texted me this morning asking if I'd give him a lift, then we're staying at his place for a while until his date with Allison. His mom is working, so she has the car." He spoke nonchalantly taking another bite.
His father poured the black coffee steadily into the mug. Taking a slow sip before making his way to the assorted donuts,
"Do you have any idea when you'll be home?" His father asked as he himself chose a sprinkled one.
Stiles shrugged his shoulders and pursed his thin lips, "Is there a certain time I should I be back?" He spoke as he looked down at his grey tee, realizing there were several crumbs resting on his chest, gripping the fabric to avoid falling to the cold kitchen floor. He brushed them off with a flick of his hand and looked up to his father, awaiting an answer.
"No," Mr. Stilinski shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as well, "I just thought maybe we could do something together, you know, hang out, or something?"
Stiles was a bit shocked. Although they've known each other since Stiles had been born, the question was still a bit awkward for them both. They had a close bond with each other, and loved one another to pieces, but that's what happens when a wife and mother is taken away from the two. Although, learning to love each other with all they've got wasn't the only thing that came with Mrs. Stilinski's death. For a long time Mr. Stilinski would get angry, he would mumble to himself, and hit things, any thing in reach, even if it meant it could become broken. Except Stiles. He never hit Stiles.
Out of his mothers death, Stiles, for a while, grew quiet. He wouldn't speak a word to anyone, although Mr. Stilinski would've sworn he recalled hearing his son whispering alone in his room when he walked by his door, but he never stopped to listen and never asked his son about it, he needed his privacy.
Stiles also experienced panic attacks. More often the week after the funeral then ever before. The funeral really made him uncomfortable. He was moving a lot and wiping his face repeatedly at one moment, and holding completely still at the next, not blinking or anything. At one point he whispered to his father that he couldn't breathe. His dad had loosened his tie for him, but Stiles really couldn't breathe, he freaked out while standing amongst the guests and he started clawing at the collar of his shirt, trying to expose his neck. The guests tried not to pay attention, especially after realizing he was fine a moment later. They felt bad for him, even those who didn't know him, they knew it was her son, he had her looks, they could tell even with his pink tear stained face.
With both Stilinski boys struggling to manage a life without the woman they lived with and loved, they grew apart slightly, becoming more independent. They still joked and made conversation with each other, but it's been a good while since they've both 'hung out'
"Sure, yeah, we'll do that," Stiles answered, "I'll get home at a decent time." He smiled to his dad who was sipping at his coffee again. "I'm going to get ready to pick Scott up, okay?" He added while walking out of the room not waiting for his father to reply.
Stiles smiled as Scott slid into the jeep, "Hey man!" He happily spoke as he put the car in drive, "So where are we going?"
Scott smiled back and playfully and tapped his friend's arm as a way of greeting him, "I want to get Allison some flowers before our date tonight," he said double checking his opened wallet for cash before sliding it back into his pocket, "if you don't mind."
Stiles glanced behind his shoulder as he pulled the car backwards, "I'm cool with that. Where are you two going?" He looked back to Scott who was now evening out the strings on his grey and white striped sweatshirt.
"We're going bowling."
"I thought you sucked at bowling?" Stiles shot his friend a questioning look.
"Bowling now happens to be one of my many werewolf talents." Scott proudly stated as Stiles chuckled beside him.
Stiles spotted a gas station on their left, where he turned into the parking lot and pulled next to an available pump. "Here, the gas station sells flowers, besides I need gas." Stiles turned off the car and both boys exited.
Stiles leaned against his car as he patiently waited for the gas to pump. The sun was now high in the sky, resting on the surface of the calm town and licking the back of Stiles' neck, warming his skin. He inhaled deeply through his nose to the scent of leaves and soft dirt that had gotten caught on the breeze that brushed past the woods and into city. He loved its scent.
Scott was only gone a moment before he approached the car with a bouquet of a dozen red roses. The sun reflected off of his brown hair as he walked, and when the light had hit his eyes at the right angle, you could see them flash the wolfly golden color.
Stiles stared at his friend then looked at the many red flowers that were gripped in his hand, "You never buy me flowers." He joked.
Scott laughed, "I've never taken you on a date either."
Stiles pretended to be offended, "I mean, we're together all the time anyways, there's no need to take me out. We're practically on a lifetime date here. I thought you loved my company, but apparently I'm just your chauffeur, who gets no love, no date, or no flowers." He stuck out his bottom lip as if to pout and narrowed his eyebrows playfully.
Scott laughed again and rolled his eyes, "Here," he plucked a rose from his bouquet and extended his arm to Stiles, "my lovely chauffeur." He added as he winked and opened the passengers door and stepped inside.
Stiles laughed to himself as he lifted the rose to his nose and sniffed the petals. He liked roses, after all they were his mom's favorite, she often times had them placed in fancy vases around the house.
Stiles lifted his finger to stroke one of the petals, it was so soft and smooth. He was so enraptured with the silly flower that he hadn't noticed when someone had walked up beside him.
"A rose? I always saw you as more of a daisy kind of guy." The voice from beside him laughed.
Stiles looked up, startled to meet eyes with Derek Hale, the pack's Alpha.
"Derek! What are you doing here?" Stiles grinned.
In the past few months the pack as a whole had grown closer. They've become one big happy family. Well, almost happy, they still tried sorting out differences by slashing at each others throats every now and then, but all together, they were happy. The pack consisted of humans now too, Derek, with hesitation, allowed Allison, and Stiles to come to pack get-togethers, and even invited them to watch the pack train. Lydia had joined often when they all hung out. She had recently found out about werewolves, and the Kanima, and she didn't take it all too badly, she was shocked at first and kind of frightened, which is why she refuses to watch when they train. Watching the angry wolves scrape each other with their claws and bite at objects with their shiny teeth, was not how she enjoyed spending her time.
Stiles had grown shockingly close to Derek over the past few months too. While Derek watched his betas train he often sat with Stiles, as they both made fun of the wolves together. Not only have the two grown closer as friends, but they both grew a strong liking for one another, although the both of them tried denying their feelings for a long time, especially Stiles, who had found Derek quite alluring at first sight. The last two pack get-togethers had ended with a small peck on the lips, both of which Derek went for first. That second time Stiles would've gladly kissed back, but he was always worrying that someone would see, even when he made Derek listen intently for anyone nearby. He was finally comfortable with how he felt towards Derek, but he hadn't told Scott yet, and Scott walking in on a kiss, wasn't how he wanted him to find out.
Derek threw his thumb over his shoulder and gestured to his car, "Needed gas." He stated, "So, what's with the rose?" He looked at the flower in Stiles' hand.
Stiles glanced down at his hands then back to Derek, "Ah, this," he flicked it around in the air, "it's my gift for being such a good chauffeur."
"A good chauffeur?" Derek echoed and raised an eyebrow with a grin, "May I?" He asked, outstretching his arm with his palm face up.
Stiles placed the flower into Derek's waiting hand and watched as he examined it. Man, Derek looked really good. Standing with the sun behind him, casting magnificent shadows across his face and his signature leather jacket.
Derek lifted the flower and lightly shook it at Stiles, "Here, for you." he smirked as he took Stiles' hand and placed the rose against his palm.
Stiles blushed as he watched Derek walk to his car with his hands shoved into his pockets. He had completely forgotten that they were at the gas station and noticed his gas must have been done pumping minutes ago. He took the pump from his Jeep and walked for the drivers door.
"Now that's why I never buy you flowers, Stiles." Scott said once Stiles had started the car. "You just give them to other people so they'll give it back to you and take all the credit! Like they bought the darn thing!" He teased.
Stiles had also forgotten Scott was in the car and had probably just seen the whole thing, but it still wasn't the best time to tell him. "I mean come on, I'm just a chauffeur who doesn't get enough of your love, I'm bound to run into other people arms."
Scott chuckled as he fingered through the roses, "Are you breaking up with me?" He complained, "Besides, why would you run into Derek's arms?" He laughed amusedly.
Now was definitely not the time to bring it up to Scott. "No, I'm not breaking up with you. But I should, considering you have a date tonight and I'm not included." He smirked back, purposefully forgetting to respond to the Derek part.
"Would you like to come bowling with us, Stiles?" Scott offered with a sarcastic pity, "But seriously," he changed his tone, "I can ask Allison if she minds you tagging along tonight, which I'm sure she wouldn't." He pulled out his phone and began to text his question before getting an answer from Stiles.
Stiles wouldn't mind joining them. He told himself it could turn out being a lot of fun.