Chapter Four: Getting Acquainted
Author's Note: There is going to be a couple of chapters getting uploaded all at once, then we will be back on track. Sorry about the delay.
When they left the building with Alia's number and Derek's next appointment set for the next day they were all groaning in hunger. The Sheriff chose a diner, where Stiles could get curly fries and complain about the burger his dad ordered. When they walked into the restaurant, several people looked over at Echo and when the waitress started to complain, she noticed the vest they put on her when they left. It declared that the big white dog was going to be with Stiles at every turn from now on.
Stiles sat down, with his dad on the inside and Derek on the other side of the table, Echo sat down and looked at Stiles until he commanded that she settle. Echo laid down with a sigh and Stiles reached down and scratched at the dog's head really quick before they looked over the menu and ordered.
It was the first time Stiles enjoyed eating in days, grinning because he knew that he was being given a chance to learn how to do this on his own. Well he wasn't going to be on his own completely but Stiles felt like he could do this with the new friend lying at his feet.
They talked about getting Stiles back in school, and what his schedule was going to look like for the foreseeable future. Every once in a while leaning down and pet Echo and the dog would look up at him. Stiles smiled then looked over at his dad, "Hey Dad, I want to go to the firing range. I know we haven't gone for a while but I want to know that I can safely use the guns in the house."
The sheriff choked on the food in his mouth and Stiles patted his back in sympathy, "What?"
"I know I can shoot but I want to make sure that after everything that happened I can handle the sound and feel of shooting a gun. After the phone, I don't want to get into a shitty situation and then I freak out because of the gunfire. I need to know I can handle this."
The sheriff sighed unhappily but nodded, "I want you to also show me a couple of self defense courses and we will enroll you in some of them. I don't want Echo and guns to be your only options. I think the physicality will help."
Stiles nodded, bouncing in his seat, looking over at Derek who'd been quiet for the whole exchange. The werewolf smiled slightly and reached his hand out. Stiles put his palm into the man's hand and held on for a couple of seconds while his dad pretended to not see the public display of affection. Though after a minute he cleared his throat and they moved their hands back to the food in front of them though Derek was still wearing that little smirk he does.
After lunch the three men and the dog loaded back into their vehicles, Echo settled in the back seat of the jeep and looked out the window in normal happy dog fashion while Derek got into the passenger seat. They watched as the Sheriff cruiser drove out of the lot and they followed, starting the trek back to Beacon Hills.
"How are you? You know?" Derek asked, trying to use his words.
Stiles looked back at the dog in the backseat and grinned, "I know its all going to suck sometimes but I think I can do this. I can go back to school and know that I can focus at least part of the day on schoolwork. I won't be alone and vulnerable."
Derek nodded and Stiles glanced at him a couple of times in the silence then leaned over and turned on the radio. The werewolf reached out and turned it back off.
"Hey!" Stiles exclaimed though there wasn't any heat behind it.
"I know you want to ask a million questions, I can smell it on you," he growled.
Stiles snorted, "What exactly does wanting to ask questions smell like anyway?"
"Curiosity has this sharp smell, like when an orange is first peeled and split, it's a part of your natural scent because you're always curious."
Stiles smiled, thrilled that Derek was talking about it then sobered because he did have questions but they ended here, "If you want to talk about everything you spoke about with Dr. Marcus that's up to you. The only thing I want to say is I hope that it helped a little. You're a good man Derek and you deserve to have some peace after what happened."
They fell silent and Stiles started the radio again, bumping and grooving to the sound even though he wasn't as peppy as he appeared. He couldn't help but think of his new life, in a werewolf pack and two epic bad guys chomping at the bit to get him though Peter was 'behind bars' though he didn't know if there were actual bars on his cage. He'd never been in Eichen House, didn't plan on going there for a visit of their Hale prisoner.
Derek leaned over and pressed a hand over his and Stiles realized that the other man had been calling his name for a minute or so. His fingers were gripping the steering wheel in a stranglehold.
"Sorry," he whispered.
"Don't be sorry, you don't need to be sorry. Do you want me to drive?"
Stiles shook his head, "I'm good, and we're close to home anyway."
When they got back to the Stilinski house, his dad waved them inside and closed himself into the office to fill out all the forms that were necessary for Echo to travel with Stiles to school. There were other red tape tasks for having Echo but since Stiles was still a minor he wouldn't need to file the paperwork himself. Someday if he ever had a job and Echo was still with him he would learn how to fill out everything.
But for now, his dad was stuck with the paperwork and Stiles was left with Derek standing awkwardly in the living room while Echo looked up at him, even after he took off the leash. She sat down and watched him.
Then he remembered, "Oh yeah! Release."
With that, she stood and looked around, starting off for the kitchen and the other rooms then headed upstairs and searched around Stiles's room. She must have smelled Derek and Scott; she looked back over to the werewolf then huffed in understanding. Of what, Stiles had no idea. He chuckled and Derek just shrugged.
As they continued wandering at Echo's leisure Stiles kept looking over the list of her commands, many of them were straightforward in the life of a dog. Attention and Release would be to bring her to 'work' and to let her relax. From what Alia told Stiles, she would remain on semi alert in case Stiles needed her protection but she would be allowed to roam free and be a dog when she was released from attention. She was well trained in using non-violent tactics first then warning the threatening individual then she would attack if that's what would keep Stiles safe.
"Well I guess the real test begins when I take her to school tomorrow but this is good, Derek, its not going to only be on you to keep me safe."
The werewolf nodded, "I'm glad."
When the tour was over, Stiles set up her food and water bowls, all things that Alia provided saying that having something from her old home would help with the transition. He would need to get food and treats but he had everything for at least the first week of their partnership.
Along with the commands, there was a schedule for feeding and what Echo would need for exercise. The simple plan laid out in front of him was soothing, Echo needed him to care for her just as much as he needed her.
He looked over and stared at the dog who was sitting and staring up at Derek. The werewolf was staring back, Stiles couldn't help but watch the interplay. Echo looked down every once in a while, showing submission but she didn't bare her stomach or throat so she wasn't willing to drop before Derek, but she was being respectful. Stiles had already spent a lot of time looking into pack dynamics and how they could translate to dogs but he had no way of actually knowing what was going to happen until now. He should take notes.
He would.
For now he looked down at Echo again and smiled, ever since she sat down with him on the lawn at the office he'd been taken in by her. Stiles didn't think it was because she was a beautiful looking dog though she was, there was something ineffable about her and she seemed content to be here with him.
Stiles couldn't get over the tears Alia shed when she handed the leash over. Not because she was upset he chose her but because she'd always known that Echo would make a fantastic protective and support animal. She said she always knew that Echo would know the person she was supposed to be with and though Stiles didn't know if he believed that necessarily but then again he'd seen his 'boyfriend'/alpha turn into a wolf so who was he to say what was real and what wasn't about some trainer's feelings.
After another two minutes of dog/werewolf staring contest Stiles moved them into the living room and slumped down on the couch and motioned to Echo who quickly settled at his feet and settled her side over his feet.
Even though Stiles desperately wanted to speak, he stayed silent. Derek settled a little at a time, his shoulders dropping and then he slipped sideways to press in close to the human's side. Stiles moved his arm over Derek's shoulder and rubbed his thumb over the werewolf's shoulder.
"We should tell the others about Echo, Scott and the others," Stiles whispered while Derek laid his head on Stiles's shoulder. He continued to caress the other man's arm, giving comfort and taking comfort from the closeness. He ached for this kind of contact for so long, Stiles was an intensely tactile person though he'd spent a lot of years hiding it under slapping back hugs and closeness with Scott. Having Derek close by, wanting the same kind of connection was perfect.
"You did really good, you were quiet for like two minutes."
Stiles grinned, "Shut up Sourwolf. You know you like my incessant talking."
"Like is a pretty strong term," Derek snarked and Stiles gasped comically. "But seriously, we should see what she's like with my beta and full shift. Seeing the others will be less likely to bother Echo if she knows all the cards with me and we don't want her to react differently to the werewolves at school tomorrow. It might not be enough but with Argent's eyes on us, we need to do everything we can to keep them safe."
Stiles nodded, "Where you want to do this?"
"Backyard, I don't want to feel confined. The wolf is going to be strong, going to sense her importance and I don't want to lash out at her. I don't know what this is going to be like for either of us."
Stiles pressed his nose to Derek's head and nodded as he took a deep breath through his nose and reveled in the scent of his boyfriend, "Let's do it then."
Derek stood up and helped Stiles to his feet. Stiles called Echo as they walked to the back door and stepped out onto the back porch which was little more than a step into a tiny back yard where Stiles built his first mud pies, and planted a sad little vegetable garden that lived about as long as his mother had who had a much greener thumb than her son. When she passed, everything else had fallen into fallow as well even Stiles and his father. Maybe they were finally coming out the other side of the season.
He shook off the gardener musings and watched as Derek beta shifted and released Echo over to him. She looked back at Stiles and he smiled, "I know its weird but its still Derek. Its still your alpha, not your owner or your boss but your alpha."
Echo turned back to Derek, sniffing at him and giving a little rumble though it didn't sound threatening or upset, just a noise of confusion or understanding? Stiles wished he could speak dog.
Then Derek started removing his clothes in efficient movements but they were slow enough to not startle the dog. When he pulled off his boxers Stiles was left focusing on his face in the desire to not let his gaze wander even though he really wanted to look down.
"Not gonna look, not gonna look," he whispered over and over as he closed his eyes for a second to shake off the lurid desire to stare then looked back over at Derek again who was staring at him with fond exasperation. The look was enough to bring Stiles's focus back to the man instead of the body, "What?"
"You smell like lust and desire," Derek responded and Stiles groaned.
"Sorry."
"No," Derek took a couple steps forward and Stiles squinted with the desire again to look down but kept his eyes locked as Derek's eyes glowed red, "Its different than others, its attached to the words and actions of someone who respects me and likes me more than for the body I wear. That's why I can do this," Derek said and there was a ripple across his skin and then suddenly there wasn't a naked Derek but a black wolf. Derek's wolf was majestic and his red eyes were shining. Stiles looked quickly over to Echo who was sitting and watching Derek. They were close enough to see that Derek's size was about six inches taller at the withers but she didn't seem impressed or violent. She was calm.
Stiles bounced happily just as Derek walked over to him and rubbed Stiles's legs. He leaned down and patted the wolf in the side. Echo walked over to them and the human grinned as he patted her too. Derek growled a little and Echo sidled next to Stiles but didn't back down. She looked down and away from Derek as the werewolf continued to growl.
"Derek, you going to be okay here?" Stiles asked, wondering if he should get Echo away from the werewolf.
Derek/wolf looked up at him, blinked and tilted his head a little then he woofed before bouncing away from the human. He leaned forward, his butt in the air and Echo cautiously moved forward and they played together. Stiles pulled his phone out and took a couple pictures then sent a quick text to Scott. If his friend brought the others with him then so be it but he wanted the others to know about Echo. He wanted them to know that maybe this wasn't the magical answer to all his problems but it was a start and with Derek's acceptance of her and Echo's acceptance of Derek nothing was standing in the way of that.
Something grabbed his sleeve and he looked down to see Derek's grinning black snout, the flash of teeth and those shining eyes. "What's up Sourwolf?"
Derek released him and woofed again, Stiles grinned and leaned down, "What is it Lassie, did Timmy fall down the well?"
Derek growled at him, clearly not amused them woofed before he went back to where Echo was playing. They were playing tug-o-war with a stick they found on the ground and Stiles grimaced at the idea of putting his mouth on something that was in this yard. He would just make Derek brush his teeth later.
"Hey," Scott shouted as he came around the house and Stiles's gaze snapped back to where his friend was and winced as Derek and Echo both reacted on instinct. They pushed Stiles back away from the 'interloper', Echo was next to Stiles but doing nothing else. Derek was snarling at his beta. The human groaned at the show of dominance before he reached out and bopped Derek on the nose, the werewolf sneezed and looked up at him.
"Scott, you probably should have let me know you were coming over. I have two very protective creatures here."
The teen wolf lifted his hands in surrender, "Sorry, you were so excited about this and I wanted to meet her."
Stiles pressed a hand to Echo's head and Derek's back. "Scott, you've seen Derek's alpha form, and this is Echo. She's my new service dog. She has also be trained for protection so seriously don't make her jumpy."
Scott looked from the black wolf to the white dog then back to Stiles again, "Are they playing?"
Derek growled again and Echo whimpered, shoving her nose into the side of Derek's snout. The werewolf nudged her away but calmed a little. Stiles smiled at the thought of fully shifted Derek caring about all the members of their pack, including Echo. Derek bounced away from Stiles and nipped at the ruff under Echo's head and she pounced after him.
"Why is he doing that?" Scott asked. Stiles stared at his friend, wondering about the disdain he could clearly hear in his friend's voice.
"Probably for the same reason he trains with you and Allison, to bond with a packmate."
"I don't like this, I don't want to be part of his wolf pack and I don't get this at all Stiles."
He frowned at his pouting condescending friend, "What the hell is up with you Scott? You said you would try with Derek. You agreed to this."
"Because of you!" Scott snapped and Echo turned to check on Stiles while Derek was already growling and growing… oh he was growing, the shift back took much more time but it was still quick. Stiles took a moment to wonder if Derek was slowing the process to prove something to Scott, maybe the power he held. Stiles would ask later when his best friend wasn't being a weirdo.
"Well, you have to decide for yourself if you are going to be able to listen to me as your alpha," Derek said when he was human again. He casually leaned down, showing Scott his vulnerable back leaving Stiles to roll his eyes and shake his head at the power play between the two werewolves.
"Okay Sourwolf, put your dick away. Both of you are manly beautiful men and there is no need for the measuring sticks and I cannot believe I am saying this right now. When did I become the voice of reason? Its exhausting."
Derek walked over and patted Stiles's cheek in a semi-comforting, mostly amused gesture. Stiles shoved him away playfully and Echo was calm now that she knew that Stiles was okay despite the raised voices. She took a seat next to Stiles while Scott stared off into the distance while Derek wiggled into his incredibly tight jeans and jerked his shirt on over his head.
"So you want me to lose my best friend because I can't listen to you and he decided to be with you?" Scott demanded.
Stiles growled, bringing Echo and Derek's gaze over to him, "I love you to the moon and back bro but you are going to have to stop treating this like an us or them conversation unless you're talking about the hunters then we can have that conversation all day long. You are both werewolves, Derek is an alpha and someone who can teach you to live with these powers. This is the same someone you were willing to learn from before this somehow became a pissing contest over Allison and me."
Scott crossed his arms looking sullen.
"Look Scott," Derek interrupted, "I have said this more than I care to but this is never going to be about choosing sides, pack can be more than protection. I want it to be like it was with my family; we aren't here to boost each other's power base. I took the alpha power because it was my birthright and there are new betas that I could try to help. I could bring you to heel but I won't because I am not my uncle, I'm not going to force you to listen to me. You can stay in the pack or not, its your choice."
Stiles heaved a deep breath, letting it out in a groan. Derek turned back to him and rubbed a hand down one of Stiles's arms in comfort then walked inside leaving the two best friends and the dog alone. He would still be able to hear from anywhere in the house if he tried hard enough but Stiles didn't care, there wasn't anything he had to say here that he would keep from Derek.
"Scottie," Stiles cajoled.
His friend sighed and flopped down on the step and when Echo walked over, he held out a hand to let the dog sniff him. Echo woofed at him a little, like when she was playing with Derek but Scott just pulled back and she looked up at Stiles. He waved her away and she went to get the stick that they were playing with a few minutes before. Stiles threw it for her while he waited to see if Scott was going to talk or not.
"I don't want an alpha," the teen said and Stiles shrugged as he threw the stick again. Echo bounced away happily and he couldn't help but smile at the joyful creature. God it had been a long time since he'd felt like that, maybe since before his mom. He'd been so busy pretending that everything was okay, or taking care of his dad and Scott to notice that he wasn't happy. All the sarcasm and laughter, all the times with Scott he'd spent so much of it hiding anything real or deep or painful. Maybe that's more so what their friendship was about, having someone to hide together with but Stiles didn't want that anymore.
And now what happened with Kate was dragging everything to the surface. Well Dr. Marcus was not going to be bored in sessions.
"Stiles!" Scott called and he snapped back to attention.
"Sorry man, I was zoning. Happens sometimes, you know since that thing."
Scott looked down and away at the reminder and Stiles sighed, he hated that response so fucking much. He coughed and started again, "I don't want an alpha."
Stiles shrugged, "Then don't come to the training, but you are going to have to remember that Allison is going to be with him. She needs someone to train her to fly under the radar. I am hoping Jackson is going to join as well but you heard Derek and I am not going to make any demands either. We can bro hang when we can but I am going to stick close to Derek for more than just the protection. Though undoubtedly you are going to be doing your Allison-stalking thing for a while and have a blast with that."
Scott squawked in offense and he stumbled to his feet as Echo bounded back over to them and looked at Scott, waiting for the werewolf to play with her. Scott just ignored her until she pranced back over to Stiles who threw the stick again and Stiles sighed, "She's a dog. She's innocent and she just wants to play. You smell like pack. Why can't you just throw a stick for her?"
"Are you going to throw a stick for me?" Scott snarled.
Stiles chuckled but it didn't sound like humor even to his ears, "I might hit you in the head with the stick but no I am not going to play fetch with you. Scott, you don't deserve fetch because your not being very nice, I would be more likely to swat you in the nose with a rolled up newspaper."
"Dog jokes, really nice Stiles," Scott sneered.
"You started it," he shrugged, trying not to feel baited by Scott's bad mood.
Scott watched Echo for another minute while Stiles threw the stick again and looked back to his friend, "She going to help?"
"I think so."
"Good," Scott said, "I'll text you later okay?"
Stiles nodded and watched as he left, Echo coming back with the stick but she dropped it before he could take it, "All done chasing the stick?"
She sneezed and walked over to the door, Stiles chuckled and moved to let the dog inside and followed her to where Derek was brooding in the living room. "So that went well."
Derek shook his head even as he leaned forward to pat Echo on the head before she started wandering the edges of the room, "He's never going to accept me as his alpha."
Stiles waved him off, "Maybe. Maybe not but we can't force it. He's either going to sit on the sidelines while you train Allison or he'll get over his bad self. For now though, I have homework if I am going to school tomorrow. Echo means that I am not getting out of that."
Derek snorted, "You weren't getting out of school anyway, you're too smart and having an education supposedly is how you get things in life."
Stiles frowned at Derek before flopping down next to him on the couch, gesturing to his feet and Derek's lap. The werewolf nodded and Stiles moved his feet to the man's lap, sighing when Derek grasped his feet and rubbed them a little. Stiles felt a stab of self-consciousness, wondering if his feet smelled or if they were gross but then Derek just kept holding them in his warm hands so he flailed a little then asked, "Did you finish high school? After the fire and everything?"
Derek shook his head; "We were running for most of the time since then. We had a couple places that we bounced around. Education wasn't the highest of priorities. Laura worked as a temp in offices around town, she had a good resume and I mostly worked in restaurants and fast food joints, anywhere we could maintain a cover. We had money but we rarely ever touched it, worried that someone could possibly track the accounts because they were still attached to the life insurance and the house insurance."
Stiles watched him and crossed his arms over his chest, "You have money?"
"Again, we don't use it much so yes we have money. I have all the accounts and someone to take care of it in my mother's name and we speak every once in a while about it. Laura used to do that." Derek sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead. "I miss her Stiles."
Stiles reached over and rubbed Derek's shoulder in comfort, "I get that. Its been a long time and I still miss my mom. Can you tell me about Laura?"
Derek looked over at him, "We were twins actually. Can you believe it? Most people didn't really notice because she was on the fast track and ended up skipping a grade. I was an egotistical jock and a jerk with my eyes on skirts and the ball. Our other siblings weren't in high school yet and we weren't really that close. She was a lot like Lydia actually; amazingly smart and ready to take on the world, working three jobs to make sure that she would have the experience she needed to do something she wanted to do when she was out of college. I was always so impressed that she could keep us together, she could keep me calm and centered and I don't think it was only because she was my alpha. I think it was just who she was, so much like our mom."
Stiles smiled, "She sounds like a badass. I wish that Dad hadn't asked my mom to stay away from your family. I wish we could have had all that time together. I could have learned from all of your family members about packs and werewolves. I could have seen Laura in action, I could have known you."
"I wasn't as special as I thought I was," Derek said with a self-deprecating smile.
"I don't know about that, I bet you were as good a basketball player as you thought. I bet you were a good friend despite the ego."
Derek shook his head, "I don't really know. After Paige, I lost sight of myself. Maybe this is the new me now."
Stiles leaned forward a little more to shove Derek's shoulder in play, "Well this Derek Hale is pretty great too, even with the brooding."
He smiled and they fell silent, Stiles leaned in after a couple minutes and pressed a kiss to the side of Derek's head. After a while Stiles moved to get his bag and books, working on his assignments then also started writing a couple of papers that he could sell for some extra bucks. He could consider an actual job but for now this was the best he could do. Derek stayed on the couch and read a book. Echo stayed close to Stiles, he would reach down every once in a while and pat her head, his feet running along her side or slipping his toes under her stomach. She moved when she wanted to, she drank water or munched on her dinner when she needed to but mostly she stayed close to him and it was a lot easier to get used to than Stiles imagined it would be.
They were getting dinner ready when there was a knock on the door and Stiles walked to the front of the house with Echo on his heels. He looked through the window next to the door and grinned as he opened the door to find Lydia and Allison on his porch, "What brings you ladies to my porch?"
The answer was obvious when Allison moved into the threshold and hugged Stiles tightly. Stiles stood with his hands lifted awkwardly before he wrapped them around the hunter princess/nascent werewolf and looked over as Lydia smiled a little. She looked down held her hand out for Echo to sniff. The dog did so obligingly then let herself be patted on the head. Once Allison was done smothering him with concerned affection along with some surreptitious scent marking she leaned down and started talking to Echo.
"Well aren't you just the most beautiful dog I have ever seen."
Stiles grinned and invited them fully into the house and watched as Derek reached his hand out to Allison who was looking unsure of what she should be doing. When he pressed a hand to her shoulder, the girl immediately folded herself into Derek's arms and he scent marked her on the crown of her head before he heaved a great sigh and took a step back.
"Thanks, I don't know what that was," she responded quietly.
Derek patted her shoulder, more uncomfortable with the 'human' gesture then he had before with the werewolf gesture. "It's because you're new and I am the alpha you chose to follow. It's going to be strong for a little while. It might be best if we had some sleepovers just to be close a couple times a week but that would be tough for the Argents to accept, I'm guessing… Well, either way we will figure out times to see each other until the need for closeness and scent marking starts to subside. It will always be a part of you now but it won't always be this strong."
Allison hugged herself and nodded, "What if I slept over with Lydia, and then we could both come here once or twice. We could all shove together in the living room and obviously nothing naughty is going to happen."
Stiles nodded, "I can ask, just let us know."
Allison nodded and Lydia gave one of her imperious nods. Stiles rolled his eyes and looked down at Echo who was looking from each person then looking over at Stiles again. She was clearly smart enough to know her commands but as he looked into her eyes it was like he could actually see her working things out.
"So how are things going with Echo?" Lydia asked, snapping Stiles back into focus.
"Good, Dad is working on the paperwork and we have been getting to know each other. Echo met Derek, saw him as a beta and in his full shift, she did really well with him. She was a little protective with Scott but I think that had more to do with him being an idiot with Derek than anything else. And she's good with you guys. I think she's going to handle pack life well, I mean she was made for it after all."
Allison chuckled and Stiles kind of understood why Scott had such a torch for her, the noise was so freaking happy, he couldn't help but smile back at her. His Dad came in from the kitchen to ask the girls if they wanted to stay for dinner and they agreed since it was pizza and salad. They sat around the living room, talking about school assignments and Derek actually shared a couple of pre-fire family stories which Stiles couldn't help but flush with pride and desire at the thought of him telling Allison and the others about his brush with control problems, even the mantra that his mother taught him. All of it was said with a pang of sadness that would appear at random moments throughout each story and Stiles touched him in comfort. The Alpha would turn and stare at him with gratitude then he would continue.
Allison watched Derek with rapt attention and Stiles chuckled thinking that they were going to get Scott with or without Stiles on Derek's side because Allison had clearly chosen to accept Derek's alpha status and if Scott wanted to be close to her, even get her back at some point he was at the very least going to end up hanging out with them a lot.
He wasn't going to take Scott's words earlier to heart, the guy was hurting in the ego and the heart and Scott wasn't to great at words. Neither of them was great when it came to actual emotions and stuff. Video games, yes. Girls, hells yes. But not the emotional crap.
They finished dinner and the Sheriff said they could watch one movie in the living room together before the girls were sent home, other future stays would be decided on a different day. Stiles, in his sly ways decided on the first Lord of the Rings Extended Edition and they curled up together on the floor in front of the couch. They pulled all the cushions off the couch, Derek was holding Stiles on one side and Allison was tucked in on the other side since she needed the comfort of physical connection more than any of them even Stiles. Lydia was settled in next to Allison and the girls were holding hands while Echo moved to Stiles's other side. She curled up close to his back, keeping him warm and safe while Bilbo's party came about and the legendary adventure was about to begin.
He would have to get up soon and get ready for bed. He would need to take Echo out for one last walk of the day. He would get up tomorrow and got to school with a protection dog, would have to see the looks and so on not that he really cared about those looks so much. Right now though, he just curled as close to Derek as physically possible and smiled because they could make this pack thing work. Telling his dad had turned out to be one of the better decisions especially when a third of the way through the movie he heard his dad moving around the living room until he could settle on the other comfy chair in the living room. Stiles knew his dad was looking at them, eventually he sighed and turned his attention to the movie instead of the puppy pile on the floor.
The next morning started like any other school day, except there was Echo. Stiles took her outside to go to the bathroom and then fed her the breakfast before making some omelets for him, Derek and his Dad. Derek stayed downstairs with the dog while Stiles took a quick shower and got dressed for the day. He went back down to find Derek and his dad chatting in the kitchen so he grabbed his messenger bag and Echo's leash and little jacket. She saw it and stood at attention while he attached it around her. Then he attached the leash to her collar and they headed out to the jeep but Stiles stalled out a couple yards from the door and looked back to see his dad standing on top step outside the door.
"You're going to be fine Stiles," his dad said and Stiles nodded and pushed down the desire to run back and hug his dad.
Derek reached over and took Echo's leash and nodded towards the Sheriff, "You're not less than because you need him."
Stiles smiled and rushed back to hug his dad, the man gripped him tightly around the shoulders and pushed his nose into his son's neck. Stiles clung to his dad for another minute then stepped back. His dad let him go and nodded when Stiles stayed there for another unspoken second.
"Thanks Dad for her and everything," Stiles whispered then headed back to the Jeep. They all got in, Echo in the back again and headed towards the school.
"I'm meeting with Doctor Marcus again today so I am not going to be in the lot lurking for someone to call the cops on. Scott and the others are going to be close and you have Echo."
Stiles nodded, "I know Derek, you did what you needed to see me safe now I need you to keep getting better. It's for all of us, you know."
Derek snorted, "Yeah I know."
Stiles leaned over enough to press his hand to Derek's shoulder and squeezed, smiling when Derek leaned his head to press his cheek to Stiles's knuckles. "My day is going to be good ole fashioned boring, I can't wait to tell you all about it then you can tell me about your session okay?"
Derek rolled his eyes enough that Stiles could feel it in his hand and he grinned even wider as he pulled away and drove into the school parking lot. He parked and stumbled out of the seat in classic Stiles fashion and grabbed his bag and Echo's leash. She was still sitting in the back waiting for him to call her and he did. She bounced out quickly and moved to his side. Stiles looked over the hood at Derek who was watching the pair of them.
"Are you going to take the jeep or just run to your appointment?" Stiles asked as he closed the jeep's door and headed for the school. Derek moved to walk next to him.
"I don't actually know where we are meeting and it's not for another hour and a half so I am just going to be here for a little while this morning. It helps, being where you and the pack are. I will probably end up lurking anyway, so don't think its about you today."
Stiles turned and watched as Derek winked at him and chuckled, loving the fact that Derek Hale just winked at him, "I would never."
Derek reached over and pulled him to a stop, motioning them both behind a nearby truck, hiding them from all the prying eyes and the werewolf leaned in close to press his nose to Stiles's shoulder. The human reached out and pulled Derek in for a tight hug, one that brought them into contact from shoulder to thighs. Stiles dropped the leash, knowing that Echo wouldn't go anywhere and pressed one hand to Derek's back and the other to the back of the man's head. The alpha reveled into the contact, making a growling purr noise of contentment and just a little fear like he wasn't sure he should like this all that much. Stiles just shoved his nose into Derek's neck and smiled, "Stay safe, and I'll see you after school."
"I'll be here," Derek pulled back enough to say then pressed a kiss to the underside of the human's jaw then he shoved Stiles towards the building. Stiles leaned down belatedly and grabbed Echo's leash and started walking. He tried not to look back, thinking that if he saw Derek standing there all by himself he would just turn around again. He looked anyway, Derek waved at him then turned towards the jeep and Stiles knew that if Derek could walk away and trust that Echo and Stiles and the pack were safe then he would damn well be safe.
He made it inside and headed to the office with the final paperwork and notes from the doctors about his needs and what that would entail. He handed over the paperwork and listened as the front desk ladies cooed at his dog. Then he headed to his first class, waving at Scott who was looking like someone kicked him in the gut. Jackson and Lydia were both there and ignoring each other in Ice King and Queen fashion and Allison was the buffer in the middle of them all.
It was going to be an interesting day.