*2 months earlier*
Almost a week after Jackson became un-kanima and nothing. Scott hadn't called, or texted, or stopped by. Stiles still bore the… array of injuries Gerard had left him as a parting gift. Melissa had stopped by every day after his dad went to work so she could check up on him. He had rarely left his bed those days, let alone the house. That's when Derek showed up. Stiles returned from the kitchen with food and had almost had a heart attack.
"What in all hells are you doing here?" Stiles growled.
"Just seeing how you're doing. I can leave?" Derek raised an eyebrow. Stiles narrowed his eyes and studied him before shrugging.
"Stay as long as you want." He said before crawling back into bed and starting a movie. Derek didn't move for about five minutes, seeming unsure how to proceed. "If you're going to stay for a while, you might as well make yourself comfortable." Derek did as he was told and took his jacket and shoes off. Once he finished that he was once again uncomfortable. Stiles scooched over on the bed so as to make room for Derek. Derek sat down and leaned against the headboard. After they finished the movie, during which Stiles only commentated a few times, a fact Derek took note of, Derek stood and left.
When he ran into Scott and Melissa and asked how they all were, he was seeing red when Scott didn't know how Stiles was. After Scott had walked away, Melissa told him that Stiles wasn't good. After Gerard had kidnapped him (Derek didn't know that, which made him all the angrier) he was left with a colorful array of wounds. After he left town, Derek had gone straight to Stiles' house.
After the first night, Derek showed up every night. With every passing day though, he would show up a little earlier. They began to watch more than one movie and Stiles would comment more each movie. One particular night, about two weeks after Derek first showed up, Stiles fell asleep hallway through the movie. Derek was about to leave when a scream tore through the silence. He jerked around and found Stiles curled into a ball, his hands were twisted and clenched into the sheets, turning his knuckles white. Derek practically dove for the bed. He worked loose Stiles' hands and pulled him into his chest. Derek's veins ran black as he took Stiles' pain. This reduced Stiles screams to small whimpers. Derek was shocked at the intensity. Stiles was in so much more pain than he had ever expected. So much so, that he could only take pain for a minute or two at a time.
Stiles was now securely latched onto Derek's shirt, so there was no way he could leave now. Derek shifted so Stiles lay on top of him, but he didn't sleep. He spent the night taking as much pain from Stiles as he could bear. When dawn came, Derek heard the Sheriff's cruiser pull up, so he extricated himself from Stile's death grip. After the Sheriff entered the house, Derek slipped out of the house and was gone.
When Stile's woke, he never felt better. It was strange, but his was pain was almost nonexistent now. He rolled over and spotted a worn leather jacket on his desk chair. He froze at the sight. Reaching out, Stiles felt the dip in the mattress next to him was still warm. The blush was instantaneous. "Damn werewolves," he growled. A knock came at the door. "Yeah?" he called. His dad opened the door.
"Hey how ya doing?"
"Good, slept well." Stiles sat up and stretched.
"Really?" His dad looked skeptical.
"Actually yea." Stiles said almost in disbelief. Just then the Sheriff noticed the leather jacket and his eyebrows shot up.
"I see. Join me for breakfast? I can't stay long, there was a murder down in the warehouse district." Stiles just nodded and slipped past his dad. The Sheriff narrowed his eyes. His son would normally be chomping at the bit for details.
After they sat down to eat, the Sheriff asked. "So who came over yesterday?" Stiles looked up stunned. "Leather jacket on the chair, and Mrs. Marrow is was too nosey for her own good." Stiles smiled.
"Derek Hale." He said quietly as he took a sip from his juice. The Sheriff raised an eyebrow.
"Hale?" Stiles nodded. "Do I wanna know why?"
"Just sorta thrown together by lack of other people." Stiles shrugged.
"How's Scott?" Stiles shrugged again. The Sheriff nodded in understanding. "Well just make sure he uses the door, instead of the window if he ever leaves? For some reason's that's where they think their personal entrance is." Stiles sat stunned while he dad cleaned up. He would normally help, but he was in too much shock. His dad was just getting ready to head back to work when the doorbell rang. The Sheriff opened it and was more than a little stunned. Erica Reyes stood on the porch in pajamas, with a backpack slung over her shoulder.
"Hey Sheriff Stilinski," she said with a smile.
"Erica Reyes?" He asked slowly. She nodded.
"That's me! Stiles is here right?"
"Stiles!" The Sheriff called. Stiles jogged into the living room and froze.
"Erica?" He asked confused.
"Yea? Movie day remember?" She sent him a wink. Stiles just nodded.
"Oh yea, sorry I forgot. Come in." The Sheriff stepped aside and let Erica in.
"Stiles, Erica," The Sheriff gave them a nod and walked out of the house. Stiles continued to stare at Erica.
"What never seen a beautiful girl before?" She teased.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Erica's eyes widened.
"Er sorry, I just thought maybe we could hang out or something. It's been a while since I heard from you. I can leave." She said, suddenly unsure.
"Did Derek send you?" He asked almost hostile.
"Derek? No. I haven't really seen him since Jackson. I saw him once or twice heading back into the train station. Why would he send me?"
"No reason. He's still living in the station?" Erica nodded and Stiles rolled his eyes. He jerked his head toward the stairs. "Welcome to casa de la Stilinski." He said with a grin. As soon as she walked into the room Erica smelled Derek. His scent was practically everywhere, mixed with pain and misery, but on second wiff, Erica could smell a hint of healing. She stretched out on her stomach, on the side Derek didn't sit on, and stayed until the afternoon, watching movies and eating junk food. When the doorbell rang in the middle of Batman Begins, Stiles was annoyed.
"Derek?" Erica said confused.
"Derek just open the damn door, it's unlocked." Stiles said in normal volume. A second later the sounds of the door opening echoed through the house. Eric raised an eyebrow when Derek walked in.
"Long time no see Alpha," Erica said.
"Erica." He shed his boots and took his normal seat on Stiles' left. When the movie ended, Erica stood and gave Stiles a hug.
"See ya soon Batman." She kissed him on the cheek and skipped out the door. After about five minutes, Derek spoke.
"How long she been here?"
"All day. What did you tell her?" Stile's jaw was clenched. He knew Derek had to have said something, and he didn't want their pity.
"Nothing. Everyone has kept to themselves since Jackson. Erica and Boyd are staying with her family now, and Isaac is staying at Scott's." Stiles tensed a little at that, but nodded. That's when the doorbell rang again. "Scott's mom." Derek said confused. Stiles just nodded and stood from the bed to go downstairs. Derek had been surprised to find Erica here. After Stiles went downstairs, he got out his phone and texted her.
D: Why did you come to Stiles' today?
R: Felt bad about what happened with Gerard. I was there and saw everything that happened. Just took me awhile to work up the courage. Not even a werewolf could go through what he did.
R: What about you ? ;)
D: Scott's mom told me about the kidnapping a few weeks ago. I've been over every day since. Seeing that Scott hasn't bothered to text, let alone stop by. I doubt he knows what happened.
R: WHAT DO YOU MEAN SCOTT HASN'T STOPPED BY! I'm gonna kill him. I should have showed up sooner. God dammit I thought Scott would be there.
R: Wait did you just tell me the truth?
D: Yes. And?
R: AND?! And there was no torture. You volunteered basic information. Even some that wasn't needed. You've been going to Stiles' for two weeks now? Don't think I didn't notice his lack of talking. You've started talking for him.
D: Shut up.
R: Don't think I don't know you spent the night too.
R: J Can I come over for movie days more?
D: Stiles doesn't want pity. He's barely putting up with me.
R: I don't wanna hang out because I pity him. I dig Stiles. He's my Batman.
R: Do you pity him?
D: No.
R: Good. I'm coming over day after tomorrow. I'm bringing Boyd.
R: And don't forget protection ;)
D: Shut up.
While he was texting, Derek listened intently.
"Hey Stiles," Melissa's voice floated through the house.
"Hi Ms. Mccall." Melissa snorted.
"I would assume we are close enough for you to call me Melissa." Stiles laughed quietly.
"Okay Melissa."
"Your bruises look good. When I mean good, I see the bruises on your face are completely gone. Shall we go up to your room?" Derek could hear Stiles hesitant shuffle.
"Err well," Stiles began.
"Is someone here?" Melissa's voice was full of surprise.
"Yea," Stiles answered quietly. At this point Derek huffed and swung his legs off the bed. He didn't have his boots on so his footfalls were quiet.
"Stiles who is it," Melissa sounded worried now. Derek had just reached the bottom of the stairs.
"No need to be worried Mrs. Mccall." He said politely. "Just me." He left a speechless Melissa Mccall in the living room and walked into the kitchen. Thinking back, he couldn't remember the last time Stiles had eaten more than a mouthful.
"Derek Hale. Derek Hale is in Stiles Stilinki's house. Derek Hale is apparently making dinner for Stiles Stilinski." Melissa said as she followed Derek into the kitchen. He just growled. "Well Stiles we can do this here or in your room."
"Here is fine." Derek said loud enough for Stiles to hear.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I'm the Alpha." Unbeknownst to them both, Melissa had a soft smile on her face.
"Here it is. Stiles take of your shirt." Melissa ordered. Derek heard the intake of breath and Stiles took off his shirt. Derek turned around, a bowl of eggs in his hands, and almost dropped the bowl. Stiles right side was mostly a deep greenish shade. Every so often, the green was broken up by black.
"Didn't this happen almost a month ago." Derek ground out. He tried to calm down, and keep his shift under control, but it was hard. These bruises should have been gone, or at least almost gone.
"Yes of course, but the bruises were extensive. I didn't know a color could be darker than black. It's a miracle he isn't dead." Melissa answered quietly. She told Stiles to breath as deep as he could. Stiles took a much too short, shuddering breath. "Good." Melissa said with a grim smile. She placed her hand lightly on his ribs, which Derek realized he could count, and Stiles' breath hitched. "Still broken, but definitely better. Extremely better actually." Melissa reached into the bag she pulled out an ornate glass jar filled with a purplish paste and put it on the counter. "I got this from Deaton. He says that you need to put it on before you go to bed and when you wake up. It will help with the bruises. Turn around." Stiles had bandage tape completely covering his back. When Melissa pulled the tape back, Derek actually did drop the bowl this time. Thank god he had used a metal bowl, anticipating the possibility of breaking something, but he had never expected this. Stiles back was practically raw. Scabbing had begun to form, but the healing was obviously very slow. Derek could see each individual cut where a whip had hit. He could see where many of them were twice or three times as deep as other, but what he could also see, was a thick white bandage over his shoulder blade. Mellissa pulled off the final bandage and Derek almost began to cry. He didn't, but why the hell wasn't Stiles in the hospital. He apparently said that out loud because Melissa answered. "He refuses to go. No matter what I say," she said sternly. This wasn't a normal whip mark. It had cut completely through skin and muscle so that Derek could see the white of his shoulder blade.
"I am still here." Stiles muttered.
"It hasn't even begun to heal." Derek ground out, as he fetched the bowl from the ground. Thank god none of the eggs had splashed out.
"No, and I can't figure out why. I have asked Deaton as well, but he doesn't have any idea why." Melissa put another salve onto Stile's back and bandaged them. "That's all I can do for now. Deaton wants to see you. He also said that if you won't go to him, he'll come to you." Stiles just grunted as he pulled his t-shirt back on. Melissa kissed him on the cheek and gave Derek a smile before letting herself out. Stiles collapsed into one of the chairs in the kitchen.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Derek asked quietly. He remained calm, even if he was about to go find Gerard so he could kill.
"I don't want your pity Derek." Stiles sneered.
"That sneer befits Jackson, not you. And I don't pity you Stiles. I have never pitied you. There is no reason for me to start now." Stiles met his eyes. Derek could see the hesitant hopefulness within them.
"So what are you making?" Derek looked down sheepishly.
"Scrambled eggs. I can only really make breakfast." Stiles laughed. It wasn't anywhere close to what is normally was, but it was better than Derek had heard in weeks. Derek cooked the eggs quickly, adding as much cheese as the skillet could hold. He gave Stiles the smaller portion, but informed him he had to eat it all. Stiles only glared as he took a bite. After the first bite though, Stiles downed it. They were without a doubt the best scrambled eggs he had ever had. Derek had put extras in a bowl for the Sheriff, but handed them over to Stiles without question. Stiles ate those just as quickly. Derek did the dishes. He directed Stiles back to the bedroom and told him he had to put the goo on his bruises. As soon as Stiles was upstairs, Derek heard the cruiser pull up. He had heard it down the street, hence why sent Stiles upstairs.
John closed the door quietly, so as to not scare his son or possible guest. He made his way to the kitchen and froze. Derek Hale was leaning casually against the counter as if he did it all the time.
"Sir," Derek said with a nod of his head.
"Hale. How've you been?" The Sheriff asked casually.
"Fine. And yourself?" Derek asked politely.
"Peachy. I'm going to say this once. Under normal circumstances, I would never approve of your friendship with my son, but since he appeared to have actually slept last night, I will give you the benefit of the doubt." Derek nodded as if he had expected it. That's when the Sheriff noticed the dishwasher running. He raised an eyebrow. "Did he eat?" Derek nodded.
"I made scrambled eggs. There were some for you, but he ate them." The Sheriff's jaw fell open.
"Hold on, two helpings? As in he finished the first?" Derek nodded. John's eyes went wide.
"And as of now, I take back everything I just said. I approve one hundred percent. And since I told Stiles, I might as well tell you. You're welcome whenever, or even never leave, I don't care at this point, just use the front door." Derek nodded. That's when the sound of running feet reached John's ears. Stiles stopped short when he saw his dad.
"Hey Dad," he said hesitantly.
"Stiles, how ya feeling?"
"Good, did you eat?"
"Yea, Parrish bought dinner." Stiles raised an eyebrow. "I had a salad I promise."
"Uh huh, the steak sauce on your shirt says otherwise." The sheriff's mouth opened and the closed. He gave his son a smile and shrugged.
"It was Parrish's idea, I swear." Stiles just rolled his eyes and sat back down in his chair.
"So, let's hear it. Who was murder?" Stiles asked eagerly. John shot Derek a look of almost glee.
"You know very well I'm not supposed to say." The Sheriff said sternly. He then smiled and said, "Well I have to be at the station early. Don't stay up to late." He ruffled Stiles hair and sent a grateful smile and a nod to Derek, before heading up the stairs.
Stiles turned to Derek. "What the hell just happened?" Derek tilted his head thoughtfully.
"I actually think your dad asked me to never leave." Stiles let out a snort of laughter. The Sheriff stood at the top of the stairs, listening to his son laugh for the first time in weeks. He decided that Derek was indeed never allowed to leave. Especially if Stiles was beginning to eat and laugh again.
Stiles and Derek returned to his room and they watched 'The Dark Knight' before Stiles fell asleep. Derek had expected it because he had been taking as much of Stiles' pain as he could without Stiles noticing. Derek was about to slip out of the bed, when Stiles grabbed his wrist.
"Stay," he whispered quietly. His eyes were still closed, but he was awake. Derek just shifted in the bed so that Stiles was curled into his chest. Stiles sighed with contentment ad drifted off. Derek took a deep breath and began taking as much pain as he could withstand. When he couldn't take anymore, he drifted off to sleep.
The Sheriff woke early, ready to jump back into the investigation with a renewed vigor. He crept past Stiles' room quietly, but couldn't help looking in. He hadn't heard his son cry out once during the night. It wasn't surprising to find Derek in his son's bed. What was surprising was his son draped over Derek. His son was the kind of sleeper to sprawl over the entire bed. He didn't share and he didn't curl up to people. Stiles had his face in Derek's neck and an arm curled around his chest. John slipped back quietly and began to think.
This is the routine they went through for a week. Erica and Boyd showed up as expected. It wasn't even close to the awkwardness Stiles had expected. Sometimes his dad joined them for dinner, sometimes he didn't. With the purple goo, his bruises began to heal a lot faster. (Derek helped a lot too, but he didn't know that). Derek never left, which Stiles was secretly delighted with.
The day after Erica and Boyd came over, Stiles had a panic attack. Derek was downstairs making lunch when it came. His chest tightened and he could barely breathe. He tried to get up from the bed, but crashed to the floor. Derek burst in a second later and wrapped his arms around him.
"Stiles listen to my voice. Breathe." It was like Derek was at the other end of a tunnel. He could barely hear him, but he did as he was told. He took a long shuddering breath. Well as long as he could. The world came back into focus and he looked into Derek's face. Derek was wide eyed and open mouthed.
"What?"
"Stiles it's time to go see Deaton." Stiles raised an eyebrow and looked around the room. It was a disaster. Books and clothes were strewn about the room.
"Whoa what happened?"
"I think you created a windstorm. It was like a hurricane when I came in." Derek was breathless. Stiles noticed how his hair was standing up on end. Stiles looked down guiltily.
"Yeah. I can do that."
"What do you mean you can do that?!" Derek stood up angrily.
"It kind of sprung loose when Gerard was beating me. It threw him against a wall." Tears spiked hot in Stile's eyes. Derek bent down and lifted him easily from the ground. He sat on the bed and pulled Stiles to his chest. He stroked Stiles arms and pulled more pain from him. Derek was beginning to dread there was a never ending supply.
"We should call Deaton."
"It makes me a freak." Stiles whispered.
"Oh yes, the magic boy tells the werewolf." Derek said sarcastically.
"Wow, I'm really rubbing off on you." Stiles said, his voice was drained though. Derek's eyebrows quirked up, waiting for Stiles to realize what he said. When he did, Stiles practically threw himself on the ground. Derek just chuckled.
"I'm calling Deaton. He can come over and see okay?" Stiles just nodded, a scowl on his face. Derek called Deaton. He came over, determined it was just the enlargement of the already present spark. The spark that had allowed him to manipulate mountain ash. Deaton said there wasn't anything to be done about it per se, but he gave Stiles a way too heavy leather-bound book and told him to start at the beginning and practice every day. Stiles had grumbled, but Derek had added it to his daily regime. Without realizing, Stiles found that Derek had him on a set schedule every day.
It all came to a screeching halt at the end of the week though. A cat had taken to sneaking into the Stilinski household, and Derek was annoyed. It was roughly seven o'clock in the morning when Derek had had enough. The cat sat at the bottom of the stairs and meowed until one of them woke up. Derek ran down the stairs, but the cat didn't move. Instead it yowled louder. Derek didn't hear the cruiser pull up, he was too focused on the cat. He shifted in less than a second, red eyes and fangs for the world to see, and roared at the cat. That's when the Sheriff walked in. He froze at the sight. Derek was sitting on the bottom step of the stairs, roaring at a cat. The Sheriff saw how Derek's face had shifted, and the fangs, and the eyes. His jaw dropped.
Stiles had heard Derek roaring and had pulled himself from bed with a sigh. "Jeez Derek. Is it truly necessary to roar at it?" He said as he descended the stairs. That's when Stiles noticed his father. "Dad." It came out as a squeak.
"Stiles. What is that?"
"A cat."
"Stiles I appreciate your sense of humor has returned, but this is most definitely not the time." John was terrified for his son. Stiles just sighed.
"Well Dad, I guess it's time to have a talk. Let's talk in the kitchen." John watched as his son pushed Derek off the step. "Derek shift back." A gasp escaped John's mouth as he watched Derek return to normal. Stiles led him to the kitchen where he collapsed into a chair. Stiles sat in the chair opposite and Derek stood behind him. Once again, John was hit with the resounding fact that Derek would do anything for his son.
"Speak. Now. Quickly." John said.
"Okay, so let's start with the Hale family. They are all werewolves. Derek, Peter… they all were. Remember that night you were looking for Laura's body in the woods and I was there? Well Scott was too. He was attacked and bitten by the Alpha Wolf. The wolf who killed Laura. So Scott, was turned into a werewolf. He tried to kill me. Then Derek showed up and we all went on the magical journey of friendship to find who bit Scott and who killed Laura. It turned out to be Peter. Who was supposed to be comatose. He tried to kill me too. Anyway. Alison. Alison is an Argent, which means her entire family are werewolf hunters. She found out about Scott, but they were still together. Chris wasn't happy. Then her aunt Kate showed up." At this point, Stiles turned to Derek, whose face was hard and stony. "Wanna run out and get breakfast?" Derek just nodded and ran upstairs. Stiles didn't talk until he heard the front door close.
"Wha-" John started, but Stiles held up a hand. Stiles glanced at the clock and waited another minute.
"Werewolves have super hearing. So Kate. Kate Argent as you know set fire to the Hale house and yeah." Stiles looked down sadly. "Derek still blames himself for that, so I don't like to mention it in front of him. Kate came to town and began to hunt Derek, and eventually Scott. Alison got in trouble during the formal with Chris and he sent her and Kate away. That was when Lydia was bit by Peter. The big showdown happened at the Hale house. We all cornered Peter there. Alison and Kate snuck back through the woods to kill him, but he captured Kate and killed her. Then I lit him on fire, which was cool, with Allison's help that is. He wasn't dead, and Derek killed him, making him the Alpha." Stiles finished with a sigh. "That's part one." The sheriff leaned against the table, head in his hands.
"I would say it's crazy, but it makes sense. How do you fit into this? Besides affiliation with Scott."
"Besides the fact I'm awesome?" Stiles said with a grin. John raised an eyebrow. "Right. Well it seems that werewolves don't like to use their brains. Like none of them. So I provide the much needed strategy and research for the latest monster of the week."
"Monster of the week? How often does it happen?" The Sheriff asked with a look of incredulity.
"Often enough. Beacon hills is truly a beacon for the supernatural." John motioned for Stiles to continue, and that's when Derek returned. He walked into the house with two large bags, which Stiles took gratefully. He pulled out four boxes of food. He handed Derek the box filled with cheesy scambled eggs (Which Stiles has learned Derek loves), he handed his dad a pancake breakfast, and opened his own waffle breakfast. He squealed with delight as he drenched them with syrup. "Okay, so part two. Derek is now big bad alpha. He turns Jackson like the idiot he is." A low growl came from Derek. Stiles just rolled his eyes. "Don't even act like it wasn't a terrible decision. The entirety of part two proves that Jackson was never meant to be a werewolf. I told you they lack the brain thing. He also bites Isaac, but I totally back that decision. Anyway, someone starts killing people remember? First Isaac's dad and all that? Gerard then comes into town." John notices the way his son can barely say the man's name. "Gerard in Chris and Kate's father. He's important later in the storyline. Derek and Scott make a temporary alliance to fight the supernatural threat, so I'm also working against it. We tied to stop Derek from biting more people, but again, lack of brain thing. Erica Reyes," John's eyebrows shot up. Stiles just shrugged. "And Boyd. Then remember the lacrosse game I was supposed to play in? Well I had to save Derek from the Kanima, which we learned was the threat. After he had Erica drag me to him and tries to alpha talk me. Kanima shows up, paralyzes him, and I keep his sorry ass afloat in the pool for two hours."
"I did not 'alpha talk' you." Derek mumbles.
"Oh yes you did! Mr. I'm going to rip out your throat with my teeth." Stiles retaliated. John's jaw dropped again. "Don't worry. He won't. He wouldn't have back then either. Any who, we learn the Kanima is Jackson, and we try to capture him in a rave. This is where I come in. Deaton, Scott's mystical Yoda, and mine now, tells me I have a spark. That allows me to manipulate mountain ash, as well as other things… That failed though, because Allison's mom tries to kill Scott and Derek had to save him. Though he bit Argent in the process, that's why she committed suicide. We all attend Lydia's birthday party, where she poisons us, and happy days resurrects Peter." Derek snorted with annoyance. "We all got held hostage by Matt, and Derek tries to save the day. Gerard and Alison show up to kill Derek and the Kanima. Grandfather Argent killed Matt and took the Kanima for himself, and blackmails Scott into helping. The lacrosse game comes, Boyd and Erica are captured by the Argents, and uh… Gerard kidnapped me." Stiled stopped and took a deep breath.
"Eat, I tell the rest." Derek said. Stiles' shoulders drop with relief, and he digs into his waffles. "Jackson didn't die on the field. Allison blamed me for everything. After Gerard let Stiles go-"
"Yea thanks for trying to find me by the way." Stiles said. His eyes were narrowed.
"You know very well Scott failed to mention you were apparently missing," Derek growled. John could see the tension in Derek's shoulder. John now saw that Derek cared about his son before the kidnapping, and he was very close to killing Scott because of it. "Jackson cocoons himself in goo and begins the transformation to Alpha Kanima, Lydia goes to Stiles because she apparently trust him, and asks him to help her see Jackson's body. He obviously says no. Peter and I meet Scott and Isaac at a warehouse where they bring us Jackson. Gerard shows up and battle ensues. Gerard is winning, but says it will all stop if he is bitten. Scott, forces me to bite him, which he still might die for. Scott has had a plan all along, and had traded Gerard medication with mountain ash filled capsules. We believe he is dead, but we found no body. Then Stiles saves the day. He crashes through the wall with Lydia in the jeep. She does the true love thing, and Jackson becomes a normal wolf. And so brings the end to our tale of woe." John just looks defeated.
"It makes so much more sense. God dammit. I see why you lied, but I am most definitely not happy about it. Werewolves. In my house. Cooking dinner. Oh my god." Stiles finishes his waffles and grabs the last box of food. He opens it to find another stack of waffles, which he begins to inhale. John watches his son eat. He thinks about the past two weeks. He could no longer see his son's ribs through his shirt, and his sarcasm and laughter had returned for the most part. John looked up and found Derek watching Stile's intently. "I don't approve, but I know I won't be able to stop you. Now let's return to this spark."
"Well it was a spark, but Deaton has said that it is now an inferno. It happened when Gerard was uh… captured me. It was like something sprung from a cage. It's almost like todays sorcery." Stiles said between mouthfuls. The Sheriff raised a skeptic eyebrow.
"Werewolves, fine, but magic?"
"He created a hurricane in his bedroom." Derek said.
"Yea, that sucked." Stiles said glumly. "But here watch this." Stiles held his hand up in front of him and closed his eyes. Almost immediately, John could feel a breeze, but the breeze quickly picked up. Wind whipped throughout the room, throwing things off the wall. John looked up at Derek, but he just looked so done. Derek reached out and grasped Stiles shoulder. Stiles opened his eyes and the wind died. He looked around with wide eyes. "Oops, I just wanted little breeze."
"You're cleaning up this time." Derek growled. Stiles smirked and closed his eyes again. He raised his hand with a jerk, and most of the debris flew back into place.
"Deaton gave me this huge book and told me I had to practice so I could control it." Stiles grinned.
"I see. Well I think that's great. I am a little information logged, give me a day or so to process and we will have a much lengthier, parental talk." Stiles smiles warmly at his dad. Derek's head snapped toward the door.
"Who is it?" Stiles asked.
"Lydia?" Derek said with a confused look. "And Jackson." Stiles got up to let them in.
"So werewolves can do what exactly?"
"We have enhanced hearing, smell, and agility. Some werewolves can shift into a full wolf." Derek answered. Stiles appeared in the doorway.
"So Lydia's here." Stiles said awkwardly.
"Derek?" Lydia said with a raised eyebrow. He gave her a nod of the head. She looked him up and down and took note of the bare feet and flannel pajama pants.
"Am I invisible?" Jackson sneered.
"Well I can dream. But I get a statuary one month of hate for you trying to kill me." Derek snorted.
"You didn't tell me Derek was here." Lydia said, turning to Jackson.
"Didn't think it was important." Lydia just flipped her hair.
"So what were we talking about men?" She asked.
"How Jackson tried to kill my son." The Sheriff said. Lydia and Jackson both jumped. They hadn't noticed he was there.
"Having a little trouble with your hearing Jackson? It seems like you were surprised there for a minute." Stile said. Lydia and Derek both picked up on his mischievous tone. Jackson suddenly jumped sky high and tackled Lydia. She let out a yell and slapped his arm.
"Jackson!"
"Your heartbeat is gone!" He yelled. His eyes were wide and Derek could smell the fear rolling off him in waves. Lydia smiled and turned to Stiles.
"Okay, you tortured him, and you have to show me how to do that." She said. Jackson looked up at Stiles who wore a grin. He let out a breath and Jackson was able to hear Lydia's heartbeat.
"Deaton will be happy. Removing singular heartbeats in in the back of the book." Derek said. John laughed.
"Well, Stiles don't go around getting too much revenge, but good job. There was no hurricane this time, but it's time for me to head to bed. I work the night shift so have fun. Thanks for breakfast Derek." The sheriff gave Lydia a smile and climbed the stairs.
"So your dad know?"
"He caught Derek trying to scare the cat." Stiles deadpanned. Lydia raised an eyebrow. "I'm actually not kidding." Said cat then jumped up on Stile's shoulder. Derek growled at it, but it just lay down.
"Wow, great and powerful alpha, doesn't like cats." Lydia said.
"So what are you guys doing here?" Stiles asked, trying to be nonchalant. Lydia saw the tension though.
"We just got back from vacation. We stopped by Scott's to see you all, but he said he was 'keeping his distance from everyone' apparently he's working on being a better friend and person." Derek snorted. Lydia gave him a glance.
"Yea Scott disappeared after Jackson."
"Everyone else?"
"Erica has come by a few times, Boyd came once with her. Isaac is apparently living with Scott." Stiles shrugged. "And it looks like you guys were on vacation."
"Derek? Where have you been all this time? And everyone's favorite Uncle Peter?"
"I've been here. Peter is hopefully in a ditch." Derek answered.
"You've just been here? Like the Stilinski residence?"
"Yeah." Derek said with a shrug.
"Might I ask why?"
"Reasons. So what's with your sudden need to see us?" Stiles asked. Derek gave Stiles a side glance.
"Well I figured now that Jackson is werewolf, and we live in Beacon Hills, Derek is the alpha. And I am part of this by association, like Stiles-"
"Stiles is pack. Not by association."
"I thought only wolves?" Lydia asked. She gave Stiles a smirk she knew would go over his head.
"No. Any supernatural being of the Alpha accepts them into the pack." Derek explained. "You have potential to be pack as well, not only as Jackson's mate, but also because Stile's trusts you."
"Stiles is human?"
"Sorta. I think Deaton want's to classify me as a druid, but he can't because it's more of birth thing." Lydia's mouth opened slightly. Even Jackson looked interested. "But continue."
"So Stiles is pack and we thought we could be too. I know Jackson needs it, and well, I'm not sure if I'm truly up to making friends with Allison after what happened. Will you take us?" Stiles raised an eyebrow, and turned to Derek. Their eyes met and Lydia can see the silent conversation. They have been together for a few weeks, apparently 24/7, and Lydia could see it in their relationship. There was no doubt they were already head over heels for each other, she could see that clearly, but neither of them were in a place to admit it.
"Fine." Derek growled, turning to eye Jackson.
"It this the point where you teach me the secret handshake?" He asked with a sneer.
"No, we passed that. It ended with you trying to kill everyone." Derek growled. Jackson had the courtesy to look sheepish.
"So, since we are like pack now, we are going to join you for whatever you're doing today." Stiles raised his eyebrows and laughed.
"You're going to hate it." Lydia saw the challenge and accepted.
"We'll see." The doorbell rang before Stiles could respond. He looked at Derek.
"Melissa." Stiles jerked his head toward the stairs.
"Okay come on." Derek motioned for Lydia and Jackson to follow him as he climbed the stairs. Lydia walked slowly and she watched Stiles head for the door. She followed Derek to Stiles' room she made a plan. She was Lydia Martin, and since they were hiding something, it was her prerogative to know what it was.
"Where's the bathroom?" She asked Derek.
"Back down the hall on the left." Derek said, concentrating on something else. Lydia closed the door and crept back down the stairs. When she saw Stile's she let out a gasp of horror. Lydia heard the door fly open, but didn't hear it. Nor did she hear the angry werewolf barreling toward her. Derek tackled her and brought her to the ground.
"oly Holy crap Derek. Let her up." Stiles yelped, pulling on his arm. Jackson ran down the stairs after Derek, but froze at the sight of shirtless Stiles. He was no longer black, but his bruises were still a violent shade of yellow and green. When he leaned down to pull Derek off Lydia, Jackson saw his back. Many were fully scabbed over now, but the particular cut on his shoulder was still open to the bone. Derek got off Lydia, but he remained wolfed out, growling if she swayed to close to Stiles.
"Oh my god," Jackson whispered. All heads whipped around to him. Stiles could see a slight glisten in his eyes, and with a start, realized he was on the verge of crying. "Did I," he started.
"No." Stiles answered with a shake of his head.
"When?" Lydia asked. Her voice had an edge Stiles had never heard before.
"Three weeks ago." Derek growled.
"Answer these questions later. I have to put the salve on." Melissa didn't give him any warning before wiping a glob of cold goo on Stiles shoulder. His breath hitched and Derek whipped around.
"Der-" Melissa squeezed his shoulder and another gasp escaped his lips. "Being big bad Alpha isn't the answer right now." Derek shifted back, a scowl on his face. He reached out and grabbed Stile's arm. His vein's turned black as he absorbed his pain. Stiles closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. His eyes snapped open when he recognized the feeling. "You!" Stiles said incredulously. "You've been hijacking my pain!" Derek ducked his head.
"Okay. You're using the purple stuff right?" Stiles nodded. "Then I'm done here." Melissa kissed Stiles' cheek and let herself out, but not before sending a knowing wink to Lydia. Stiles crossed his arms.
"Why the hell have you been taking my pain without my knowledge?"
"Because I know you wouldn't let me take it willingly." Derek answered, head hung. Stiles rolled his eyes.
"Derek, this is where the trust thing comes into play. Now that I know, I can tell you exactly when you started absorbing my pain. And it was a godsend you asshole. But you have to learn a little communication, because I would have actually been okay with it." Derek looked up and found Stiles with his arms crossed and an annoyed look on his face. He looked over at Lydia and Jackson, who both had silent tears in their eyes, though Jackson did his best to hold his head high and try to hide them. "I guess its pack bonding time." Stiles took Lydia's hand and led them all up the stairs. Stiles made himself comfortable in the middle of the bed, and Derek took his left side. Lydia raised an eyebrow.
"This is what you do? No like bowling or mini golf?" She asked.
"I've left the house once in the past three weeks. And only because I ran out of medication." Stiles answered. With that Lydia kicked off her shoes and crawled up on Stiles' right. Jackson just rolled his eyes and followed. Stiles had a fairly large bed, so there wasn't much trouble fitting the four of them on the bed. Lydia practically sat on Stiles lap anyway, so it didn't matter. Stiles snatched the remote from Derek as soon as he saw it.
"No way dude. I am so Die Harded out." Derek just rolled his eyes.
"Is it because you think you're Bruce Willis?" Lydia asked, feigning innocence. Derek growled, but Stiles laughed. He handed the remote to Lydia and she flipped through the array of on demand movies. She settled on the first episode of Agent Carter. Stiles was stunned. He raised an eyebrow at her. "What she kicks ass and looks good doing it." Stiles laughed. Halfway through the episode, a light tap sounded from the window. Derek sighed, but got up to unlock it. Erica tumbled in, Boyd on her heels.
"Hey guys," Erica said.
"From now on, everyone has to use the front door," Stiles said. "Dad's new rule." Erica gave him a startled look. "Told him everything."
"No way! Why?"
"He inadvertently found out Derek was a werewolf."
"How?" Stiles snickered.
"He got into a fight with the cat." Erica and Boyd laughed. Derek just took his seat with a huff.
"Wanna join us? Lydia and Jackson have decided we are having an impromptu pack bonding day." Stiles explained.
"Of course we're joining! We are pack after all." Erica climbed over Derek and Curled up on Stiles' lap. Boyd laid on the end of the bed at their feet. They spent the entire day laughing, and watching Season 1. Derek ordered pizza at six and they all ate at least a pizza each, and that was where they fell asleep. Stiles drifted off first. Erica sat up when he did and looked at Derek. "How's he doing?"
"Better. His back is healing and the bruises beginning to fade, but his bone is still showing through." As he said it, Derek reached down and brushed his hand against Stiles', just enough to begin to take pain. Erica's eyes lit up and she began to do the same. Soon Boyd and Jackson were as well. "Don't take too much. It can kill you."
Lydia watched in fascination as Stiles curled into Derek. A faint smile graced Derek's lips as Stiles threw an arm around Derek's chest. She giggled. Derek's eyes narrowed as he looked up at her.
"Just kiss him Derek. It's painful watching you pine." Jackson smirked. Derek let out a threatening growl.
"Don't listen to him. I think you guys would be perfect. He's already pretty much Alpha mom." Erica said softly.
"This conversation is over before it begins." Derek growled. Erica sighed, but draped herself over Stiles again. Lydia shifted closer and wrapped her arm around Erica and Stiles. Jackson followed suit, and curled up behind Lydia, but he made sure he hand a hand on Stiles. Derek felt the pack bonds strengthening. He had felt it that morning, but now they were glowing. Stiles was bringing his pack together.
The sheriff was stunned when he opened Stiles' door to say the least, but Derek woke and followed him to the kitchen. He explained that it was a pack thing. They looked for the physical, not only emotional, bond in the pack. Stiles had brought them all together, so they have an instinct to surround him.
"More than the Alpha?" John asked.
"No, they see him as my second. They also take into account the fact that Stiles is usually in charge of most things, so they will look to him for direction a lot." Derek shrugged as he took a sip of coffee.
"So my son is like Alpha Equivalent?" Derek choked on his coffee.
"No, most definitely not, Sir. He's like second in command."
"What's the difference?"
"Alpha Equivalent is the Alpha mate. They are not officially Alpha, but the pack will protect and obey them as if they were. If the Alpha is down and there is no Alpha mate, the second would take command." John nodded, but most definitely noticed the blush on Derek's neck.
"So they'll be around for a bit?"
"Most likely." John nodded again.
"Well I'm off the work. I think our next task is getting him out of the house." Derek laughed.
"Lydia has already started working on that." John nodded and headed to work. When Derek returned to the room, he found Stiles awake.
"Dad go to work?" He asked sleepily as Derek slid back into bed.
"Yea, and I was informed my next task was to make you leave the house." Stiles laughed quietly.
"Told you he wouldn't let you leave." Derek smiled as Stiles buried his face in Derek's neck. Derek took a deep breath and inhaled Stiles' cinnamon scent, but it wasn't just cinnamon. Derek could smell a hint of the forest. A deep musk hidden beneath the cinnamon, that when blended together, were enthralling. It took a second for Derek to realize the musk was his own scent, blending with Stiles'.
"I don't mind that much." He said dazedly.
"Neither do I," Stiles mumbled, sleep taking him again. Derek's heart squeezed and his stomach dropped. It was then he realized that Erica and Jackson were right, and no doubt Lydia. She had probably figured it out first. He was completely in love with Stiles.
The following month passed like this, except the pack were usually only there four or five nights a week. Whenever they were gone for more than a day, Lydia would slip in, and sniff the place out, almost like a bloodhound searching for its prey. Each time she came in and no change had been made, she got more frustrated. They ended up getting Stiles out of the house a few times a week, and Derek began pack training nights. Isaac even showed up for those. Melissa passed Stiles' bruises and ribs healed. The whip marks on his back were all healing well too, even the shoulder wound. You could no longer see the bone and it was begging to scab. Things were drifting back to normal, well not normal, but better. That's when Scott showed up.