Phase two was about making the hoodie a less viable option. This time around, Derek had come to visit Stiles in his room; demanding answers that were clearly more difficult to obtain 'cause Google only knows so much and Stiles hasn't been to the library yet and why the hell doesn't Derek do his own damn research? Stiles doesn't even know if Derek has internet in that old burnt out husk he likes to call a home. He makes it a point to investigate it one day, for science and the good of mankind and whatnot. Maybe if Derek had internet he wouldn't go out looking for danger every moment of the day.
"Look man, I'm doing my best here. It's not like there is a website that just gives me all the information I need. I have to search for hours and hours, giving up my gaming time. My guild misses me! I could be raiding right now! I'm like, way under-geared, bro, you don't even know" Stiles says, but he's really just deflecting so he can push Derek's buttons. Stiles found out what the newest supernatural annoyance to hit Beacon Hills was an hour after researching. He just really likes watching Derek get all bent out of shape and flustered.
And now Derek is giving him the judgement stare. The one where his eyes are a little squinted and his jaw is clenched too tight. Stiles decides to call him out on it.
"Don't judge me, Judge. You're seriously the last person that gets to do that" he iterates 'cause Derek is a dick and Stiles is trying to remember why he has an out-of-control crush on him.
Derek sighs and his glare softens.
"Do you know anything about what's going on, or not?" Derek asks, because he's all impatience and never gives Stiles enough credit.
"Dude, I told you, I barely have anything to go off of and I haven't even made it past the ninth page of search results. That's dangerous territory, Derek. Anything after the third page is a no-go zone. You wouldn't understand because you're a neanderthal and can't grasp the concept of technology and all its glory"
"I have a smartphone, Stiles" Derek retorts, clearly unamused.
"Yeah, that's awesome, Derek. You and every other cognizant being on this planet. But you get a gold star for effort" Stiles quips.
Derek is…Derek is very unamused and now he's looking murderous. Stiles needs to derail this like, yesterday.
"It's a Spectre and I'm guessing its showing up now because someone or something has disturbed its resting place" Stiles is looking a little smug and Derek is looking slightly perplexed, if not a little impressed. He nods and asks Stiles where it is and how they can kill it.
"Dude, you're all about the violence. We don't need to kill it, all we need to do is put it to rest. There is a few mentions of a prayer and some weeds that'll negate the Spectre's life energy effectively erasing it from existence. No need to claw or maim or bite things bloody"
Derek smiles and it's all tooth. Stiles is slightly horrified and strangely aroused. He gave up on trying to understand his body months ago. He blames Derek's disgustingly perfect everything.
"What if I like clawing and biting things until they bleed?" Derek asks in what Stiles guesses is supposed to be a sarcastic tone, but really, it just sounds apathetic and nonchalant, making it all the more difficult to feel comfortable.
"Right, well, that's an interesting hobby. You do that. I on the other hand, am gonna print out this prayer thing and go check the woods in the back of the house for these herbs. You're more than welcome to come along and frolic through, killing innocent woodland creatures, or whatever it is you enjoy doing."
Derek grunts and Stiles grabs the paper he just printed. When they're outside, its actually pretty cold and Stiles really, really wants his hoodie. However, he's been planning this for a while. He made sure to lay out his navy blue hoodie over the chair and hang his red one up in the back of his closet. The blue one is obviously the most practical choice. It's almost impossible not to see it.
Stiles grabs at his arms and let his teeth chatter a bit.
"Fuck man, it's cold. I forgot my hoodie again. I'm so dumb sometimes" he looks over at Derek who is staring at Stiles with that familiar scowl in place. Stiles wonders if Derek can read his mind because he feels like Derek is judging him again, or something, but Stiles presses on. He involuntarily shivers for a moment which makes it look all the more authentic. He rubs his hands together for good measure.
"Would you mind…" he trails off because Derek is already walking back into the house and Stiles is smiling a little because Derek is totally an obedient puppy.
When Derek comes back with his red hoodie, Stiles' heart beats a little faster. Derek throws it at Stiles who flails a bit before catching it and putting it on. He moans a little as he snuggles the material to his body. It smells a little like Derek which is like, a total bonus. Stiles loves the way Derek smells; it's all manly and stuff and wow, Stiles is super gay right now. He shrugs to himself and looks over at Derek is staring at him a little wide-eyed and surprised. The bounce of his adam's apple is a prominent movement that catches Stiles' attention.
"Hey…uh…you okay? You don't look—"
"I'm fine, Stiles" Derek responds, closing his eyes and exhaling heavily. "Hurry up, I don't have all night."
Stiles really wants to make a joke because Derek totally just ran into like, twenty of them at full speed with no seatbelt on, but Stiles is feeling slightly merciful and his experiment is yielding delightful results. So he just smiles and starts walking towards the forested area behind his house, Derek trailing closely behind.