Disclaimer: Neither Acherona nor trulywicked have any claim on Teen Wolf or any characters or locations thereof.

Warnings: Angst, male pregnancy, children in peril, bad words and homosexual and death.

NEVER SAVE A FAERY

Chapter Four.

Stiles shuffled into the room of the main house Cora and Peter were decorating, keeping it secret from Derek, to match the nursery in the house that was supposed to be his but more and more he was letting Lydia, Allison, and Cora decorate it in ways that were more to Peter and Chris' tastes than his even though it'd only been a week since Derek came back. He watched Peter muscle the cradle into place with a little awe because that was an incredibly beautiful piece of furniture. It wasn't just wood pieced together correctly; Peter had carved it in amazing detail with what Stiles recognized as his and Derek's stories.

Peter just grinned at Stiles' expression, happy to have managed to surprise him and having it be a happy surprise for once.

"Yup, the old wolf has some hidden skills." Cora turned around from where she was painstakingly tracing elves and stars onto the walls of the room.

"This is amazing," he murmured, finding runes hidden in the carvings, waiting to be charged, as he ran his fingers over the cradle. He paused on an image of a hooded figure, him, and a wolf curled up together in a den, "Thank you Peter." He grunted a little bit when the twins started moving around, "I think they're saying thank you too." He saw the aborted move Peter's handmade and smiled taking the man's wrist and leading his hand to his belly.

Peter's expression when he felt the babies move was a little heartbreaking, disbelieving and and amazed. "No thanks necessary, it was fun to do." His voice was a little gruff and he did his best to hide behind his usual mask.

Stiles gave him a hug. Peter would never be completely sane or any less of a manipulative asshole but Stiles knew he'd do anything for his pack and that's what they all were now. He also knew that no one but their parents cherished the babies and children in the pack more than Peter did but he was usually kept apart from them because trust was hard with him. Stiles would never trust Peter alone with an adult but he knew that Peter could be trusted with a child's life. He hugged him tight, "Thanks still stands Uncle Peter." Because he was going to be the cubs' uncle just as much as he was Derek's.

"Yeah, yeah, no touching the goods, I am claimed I will have you know." Peter still hugged back though, just as tightly. "You can charge the runes whenever you want but I would recommend that you wait until the babies are born, so you can tune their specific energy into the cradle."

"Not my first rodeo with rune buster," Stiles pat Peter on the back then let him go before things got weird. "How have you two been keeping this a secret from Derek anyway?" It was right next to the master suite, which was Derek's room.

"My brother might be pretty, but he's not all that bright." Cora scoffed and continued with her painting.

"The key to keeping secrets from Derek is to distract him." Peter grinned. "We made up some bullshit of things you'd supposedly said you needed for the babies and so he is out getting those things. He's never home."

Stiles cocked a brow, "And are these things he's out getting actually going to be helpful for the Squirmles or will I be putting them on Ebay when Derek does figure it out." Because Derek would figure it out eventually. Cora might think he wasn't all that bright but that wasn't actually true. Derek was intelligent; he just tended to forget that in favor of man pain and instincts.

"It's useful stuff." Cora shrugged; a streak of green paint on her cheek. "We couldn't just send him scurrying after any old things, he might be a pretty-boy but he's not quite that stupid."

"It's normal baby stuff. Things you would have gotten at the baby shower anyway." Peter nodded.

Stiles gave a very small shudder at the mention of the baby shower, "Don't mention the baby shower. I like to bullshit myself into believing it's not going to happen." He didn't know why the thought of the baby shower bothered him so much but it did.

"Sorry to disappoint you Stiles but the baby shower is definitely happening." Cora did look sympathetic. "As soon as Lydia is up and about." The baby shower was her brainchild and there was no one who dared contradict her.

"I know that but I like to pretend otherwise. Indulge me for the sake of my sanity," Stiles rubbed his belly, "Scott's taking me into town in a little bit. Anything you two want while I'm out?"

"Nah, I'm good but thank you for asking." Cora smiled at him, not even an ounce of an edge or sarcasm in her smile.

"And I am going in later myself to meet up with Chris so I am good." Peter stood by the cradle, running his fingers over the carvings before he caught himself and put his hands in his pockets.

"Alright then. I'm going to put on my magic coat and wait for Scott on the porch," the 'magic' coat was so named because it was spelled to make Stiles' stomach appear flat and hide anything that might make people not in their world sit up and take notice when worn. It was red and hooded, a joke gift from Allison, but he loved it. And it was even more useful because it had armor in some places.

"Have fun, be careful and don't let Scotty talk you into anything stupid." Cora waved at him with her paintbrush.

"And if you want to get in here later, the key will be in its usual place." Peter did a vague hand wave.

"Alright," Stiles headed to his room in the house. Everyone in the pack had one though they were rarely used. He'd just sort of moved into his even though he had a habit of falling asleep using Derek for a body pillow on the couch so the bed didn't see much use. He tossed on his coat, made sure the glamor was properly in place, stuck a few weapons in hiding places under it, and was down the stairs and out the door just in time to hear the cheerful beep of Scott's van.

"Hey buddy." Scott was leaning halfway out of the van. "Seat is pushed back as far as it will go and knocked up comfortable so let's do this." It was still weird seeing Stiles in his magic coat, knowing he was heavily pregnant but not looking it at all. Scott might be married and the father of three but he still enjoyed these times when it was him and his best buddy.

"Thanks man," Stiles settled into the seat and adjusted the seatbelt to curve under the hidden belly, "The Elements shop first." It was a New Agey store downtown that, while run by people who had no magic at all as much as they liked to believe otherwise, always had everything a practitioner of the mystical arts could want and were knowledgeable enough to keep the dangerous crap under lock and key.

"Okay." Scott nodded, he didn't have any real errands to run but he was happy to help Stiles with his. "But you will have to protect me from Charma, she always tries to pinch my butt." Charma was well into her fifties and manned the shop for fun and Scott was terrified of her.

"It's a very pinchable butt my friend and Bob no longer has his," Stiles grinned, "But I shall do my utmost best."

"Bob is flat as a board; I doubt he has ever had a butt." Scott cackled, Bob was great though, he liked Bob as much as he feared Bob's wife. "And yes, I have an excellent butt; Kira's even described it as bubbly."

Stiles snorted, "Does she sing Baby Got Back to you?" He laughed at the middle finger he was given then and moved the conversation on through other channels until they arrived at the Elements. He slid out of the van and headed in, Scott at his side like a guard dog, moving well out of the way of a woman with a large bag, purple hair, and a sparkling aura who was leaving the store so his belly didn't bump into her. The glamour might hide it from view but not from being felt.

Scott didn't know anything about magic, other than what Stiles told him but he liked the Elements, it had a welcoming feel about it, almost like coming home when you entered it...right down to the handsy Aunt, though luckily he could see Charma being busy behind the till. "So, what are you in the need for bro of mine?"

"Some crystals, sea salt and black salt, herbs and a new journal," it wasn't really a journal; it was his own physical bestiary he was building based on experience. He headed for the crystal section first with the provided reed basket that came from a stack by the door. He plucked out several tumbled stones, then walked his fingers through crystal points, picked up a couple of geodes, and one fist sized chunk of moonstone. Then he moved onto the herbs and salts. Before heading to the counter to pick out one of the leather journals, he got distracted by the essential oils. He considered then picked up lavender, orange, neroli, tea tree, patchouli, and geranium oils and jojoba oil for a carrier. Then he was at the journals and facing a dilemma. He couldn't bend over to look for the design he wanted and crouching meant having to have Scott pick him up off the floor, which would draw attention.

Scott noticed his dilemma and stepped closer. "Tell me the one you want and I'll get it." He bent over and ran his finger over the different designs, waiting for Stiles to tell him which one he wanted.

"I usually go for a wolf on the cover, find those and put them on the counter so I can look closer. It's a feel I have to get. Pain in the you know what right now," he murmured under his breath so only Scott would hear him.

Scott just smiled at him, well acquainted with the pains of pregnancy. He looked through the leather bound journals and found a few with a wolf on the cover, grabbing them and putting them on the counter so Stiles could do his thing. Scott couldn't sense anything regarding the journals other than the fact that they were very pretty and well made.

Stiles walked his fingers over the journals, looking for the one that would work best for the purpose in mind. It wasn't power in the journal itself but the images and materials of the unused journal could fuse in a way with the intended purpose to make a book of shadows that only the approved could read. He found the right feel in a journal that had a den scene with mother and cubs curled together asleep, father wolf standing guard. "Got it." He set the chosen journal in the now heavy basket.

"Right." Scott took the other journals and put them back in their place before standing back up to keep guard over his best friend. He knew he was being overprotective but he was not going to let anything happen to Stiles or the babies, absolutely not. He had almost lost Stiles once he never wanted to experience that feeling again.

Stiles got into line and beamed at Charma as he set the basket in front of her along with his reusable shopping bag, "Business booming Char?"

"With customers like you, absolutely sweetheart." Charma whose birth name was Barbara smiled adoringly at Stiles and winked at Scott who squirmed. "How is everything dearie? It's been a while since you've been in, Bob was getting worried."

"Everything's good. Got a new goddaughter. I've just been caught up in all the baby madness. How's Bob's angina?"

"Oh, it's not any worse, for which we are both thankful." She made a worried face. She loved her husband and everything that hurt him, hurt her. "But thank you for asking and congratulations to the goddaughter; babies are the gift of the universe."

Stiles smiled, a little ironically, "I know, believe me I know that very well. I'll send Bob some more of his tea blend since I know he's almost run out."

"Thank you darling, Bob always feels so much better after a cup of your tea." Charma's smile warmed even more as she registered his purchases, giving him a hefty discount.

Stiles only tsked but didn't argue. Charma would charge him as little as she wanted no matter how much he might argue. He usually made it up in the tip jar on his next visit. "I'll bring Lydia and the new baby around with me sometime soon." Lydia got a few of her ingredients for certain deadly concoctions here.

"You and your friends are always welcome." She winked again. "Especially when you bring mister sweet tush there." She chuckled as she could see how Scott blushed at her words.

Stiles cackled, "It's a fight, you make him shy," he paid then accepted the bag with his purchases, "You and Bob keep safe. Halloween is coming up and I know how the boneheads get."

"Oh don't worry about us, dearie, we can handle ourselves. You keep safe now too you hear and don't be a stranger. Come on in even if you don't need to buy anything." She waved cheerily at them as they exited her store.

Stiles let Scott grab the bag from him with a fondly amused smile and got into the van, "You're still red in the face buddy."

"I can't help it, she looks like this sweet grandma and yet she is a rival of Peter in perviness." Scott's face was still hot. "Where to next buddy?"

"Farmer's market and then the organic grocery store," Stiles felt an itch between his shoulder blades, fleeting so he didn't pay much attention to it.

"Okay." Scott sniffed the air as they headed to the farmer's market but he couldn't sense any sort of threat so he relaxed.

At the market Stiles got fresh veggies and fruit he knew the pack members never bought even though they liked them because they didn't know how to tell if they were fresh and ripe or not, and a humongous container of liquid castile soap in one of the few stalls that sold body products instead of produce. There he felt the itch between his shoulder blades again, longer. Long enough that he turned and looked but didn't see anyone.

"What's wrong?" Scott recognized the signs of Stiles becoming twitchy and having known Stiles for most of his life he knew better than to ignore it. Scott might be the one with the enhanced senses but Stiles was the one with the instincts, always had been and always would be. Scott trusted Stiles and followed where his best friend led.

Stiles frowned as he accepted the bag from the vendor, "I'm not sure, it felt like I was being watched. It's gone now but..."

"If it felt like it then someone was most likely watching you. You're rarely wrong." Scott tensed next to Stiles and sniffed the air again, growing frustrated when all he could scent were the many people at the market. "We should leave."

Stiles nodded, "I just need to get the quinoa, flax meal, and nut butter from the grocery store then we can head home." The itch was gone but it was still an uneasy feeling to be watched.

"Okay." Scott was still on high alert as they walked back to the van to head to the grocery store. "I don't like the thought of someone watching you; I don't like it at all." Scott grumbled the whole way.

"I'm not too happy about it either," it didn't feel threatening but with his condition it set all the alarm bells clanging in Stiles' head, "So the sooner we're done, the better."

Scott nodded and hovered over Stiles like a crooked jaw shadow as they made it into the grocery store to get the last things Stiles needed. He glared at the other customers so one man actually dropped his basket and backed away. It was quite the accomplishment since Scott didn't do glares.

Stiles didn't bother telling Scott to ease up as he scooped a few pounds of quinoa from the bulk bin because he could feel the itch again and that meant they were probably being followed and that was never good. He sealed off the bag of quinoa, and jumped when he heard his name called. He hadn't even finished the jump before recognizing the voice and embarrassment set in. He turned and gave Derek a sheepish smile, "Hey."

Derek narrowed his eyes at Stiles, he wasn't usually jumpy at all. "Everything alright?" He could sense anxiety and crazy protectiveness coming from Scott.

Scott was just embarrassed now, he had focused so hard on hovering over Stiles that he had missed the presence of his alpha.

"Not really," Stiles murmured, "I think someone's watching me." He set the large bag of quinoa in the basket Scott was carrying and got right into Derek's space and the safety it offered.

Derek didn't even try to stop the growl from escaping his throat at the thought of someone watching Stiles. He wrapped his arm around Stiles and pulled him close, knowing that Scott flanked Stiles on the other side. "Does it feel menacing?"

Stiles shook his head, "No but a lack of menace for us doesn't always mean a lack of danger. It's...intent, and this is the third place I've noticed it today." He hooked his hand in Derek's waistband.

"We'll find the person or creature watching you." Derek promised. "Nothing is going to happen; I will make sure of it."

"And the rest of the pack will help." Scott piped up, still all puffed up and glaring at his surroundings.

Derek nodded and tucked Stiles even closer to his side. "I haven't sensed anyone or anything crossing our borders but one can never be sure." There was more than one way to cloak one's presence if one really wanted it.

"I don't like this," Stiles muttered, "I wouldn't like it normally but right now? I don't believe in coincidence anymore and I do not like that I'm suddenly being watched after years of calm and peace just as I'm really losing speed and agility after coming up pregnant."

The pack's emissary was usually one of their greatest warriors and Derek didn't underestimate Stiles for one second now either but Stiles was right. It was strange and very, very worrying that someone was watching Stiles at this time. "I am not a fan either." Derek's voice conveyed how very unhappy he was. "We will figure it out though."

Stiles hummed, nuzzled at Derek's shoulder, then looked up at him, "What are you here to get?" He wanted to plan out the fastest route through and out of the store.

"Nothing that can't wait for later." Derek was already steering Stiles toward the checkout, leaving Scott to have their backs. "We are going home." At the den they would be safer, it was warded by Stiles himself and Derek knew every corner and straw of grass outside.

"Whoa there. I have stuff I need to finish getting!" Stiles dug in his heels, "You and I can get the flax meal," he nodded at the bulk bin, "Scott can run to aisle four and get the tahini butter." He bumped his nose into Derek's chin affectionately, "Whoever they are, whatever they want, they're not going to move now. Not in the middle of a crowded store. And I am totally out of both flax meal and tahini butter and I need both for the nutrition." His kids were picky so it made getting all the protein and calcium and fiber he needed right now challenging sometimes. A little tahini and flax meal went a long long way toward closing the gap.

Derek didn't want to stay here, in a store where they were in the open, vulnerable. He also wanted and frankly needed to give his mate all he wanted so with he just nodded, sending Scott off to get the tahini butter while Stiles and he got the flax meal.

Stiles wasn't any keener on staying that Derek was so he scooped the flax meal without measuring how many pounds he was getting, just filled the bag and sealed it, dropping it in the basket Scott had transferred to Derek and plastering himself back to Derek's side as they moved toward the self checkout, meeting Scott there. The itch remained as they moved through weighing and ringing up the quinoa, flax meal, and tahini, "What'd you drive here in?" He glanced back at Derek as he swiped his card.

"The SUV." Derek was looking around, a red gleam to his eyes.

"Will you take Stiles home?" Scott knew that Stiles would be happier with Derek anyway, it was so clear that the two of them belonged together and Scott hoped that Derek wouldn't fuck things up. "I think I want to stay behind, make sure you aren't followed."

"He'd better be willing to take me home cause I'm getting my crap from the van then getting in that SUV with it and not moving til I'm home," Stiles said, grabbing his receipt and hooking his fingers in Derek's waistband as Derek grabbed the bag then quick marched them both out the door..

Derek followed, getting the other bags out of McCall's van and transferring them to his solid black SUV. Derek wasn't one for bright colors in his cars...or anything really. He leaned in and pushed the passenger seat back so Stiles would be able to get into the car somewhat comfortably, closing the door behind Stiles before quickly getting in himself and turning the key.

Once they were out of the parking lot Stiles felt the itch disappear and reached over to lay his hand over Derek's on the clutch for the comforting skin to skin contact, "It's gone. For now at least." He pulled his phone out to text Peter to have Chris look into any new arrivals in town.

"That's good, I still don't like that someone was watching you at all." He was still happy that the sensation was gone for now, that someone hadn't figured out a way to watch Stiles from a distance.

"Ditto," Stiles shivered a little bit, "I think I'll be shopping via internet and pack members for the time being."

"Sounds like a good idea." Derek nodded, eyes grimly on the road to get home as soon as possible. He enjoyed the contact of Stiles' hand over his own though and he wished he could hold Stiles' hand properly. "We will still find this bastard quickly though, you're not supposed to be stuck in your own home." Derek didn't even notice that he counted the main house as Stiles' home, to Derek, Stiles belonged there.

He just continued to focus on Derek's hand, the veins and tendons, the strength in them all the way home and once they were parked he wasn't the least bit surprised to see both Peter and Cora pacing the porch. Well Cora was pacing, Peter was leaning indolently against the railing like he hadn't a care in the world but Stiles saw the tension in the way there were fists in his pockets.

Derek felt some of the pressure in him lessen at the sight of his sister and uncle. Pack protected their own and with them standing watch, it would be very difficult for anything to to even get close to Stiles. He turned his hand over and gave Stiles' hand a squeeze before they had to get out of the car and go inside.

Stiles slid out and immediately moved back to Derek's side. He was fully intending to cling to Derek until he felt better, "So hi guys. We have aproblem of unknown origins."

"I read Peter's text." Cora nodded, a wrinkle of concern between her brows. "Chris is researching."

"Good," Stiles nodded, "If you guys could grab the stuff and bring it to the kitchen please, I need tea and chocolate. I'll give you the rundown in the kitchen."

Peter nodded and kicked off the railing to go get the bags. He was seriously pissed off that someone even dared to go after Stiles. A pregnant packmate, their alpha mate. It was the highest crime that could be committed in his opinion. So he slammed the car door a little harder than he needed to and didn't even wince when it hung off its hinges. Derek would kill him later but that could be handled then.

Derek held on to Stiles, keeping vigil even though they were supposedly in the safety of their den.

Stiles didn't mind, in fact he was happy to let Derek plaster himself to his back while he brewed himself some calming tea. He reached back and positioned Derek's hands over his belly so that the most important thing in his world right now was protected. He gave Cora a smile when she set the really good chocolate in front of him after depositing her bags on the counter. When Peter had set his own load down Stiles started talking about the feeling of being watched. "And like I told Derek and Scott, coincidences are hooey. I'm pregnant, it's close to some of the most powerful sabbats on the calendar, and it's a magical pregnancy. Yeah I am not buying a coincidence here."

"In our world, there are no things as coincidences." Peter shook his head, his mood not improving. He had one mission in life now, one mission that mattered and that was to keep his family safe.

"Could someone have overheard you when you met with the faery?" Derek was grasping at straws but he hated not knowing what kind of threat they were facing. Stiles and Stiles' babies meant everything to him.

"Possible but unlikely." Stiles muttered, "It's more likely that one of the sources for male pregnancy information the pack had to look for has loose lips." And when Stiles found the one who didn't know how to keep it buttoned there was going to be hell to pay.

Derek's growl was echoed by both Cora and Peter's. The knowledge that they couldn't trust their sources sucked but knowing that one of them was in danger because of it made it worse.

"If there is a leak I will find it and plug it." Peter's voice was still a growl.

"I am worlds of okay with that," Stiles tested his tea, nodding in approval, then brought it, and his chocolate to the kitchen table, where he promptly decided to make Derek sit then use him as the chair, "Because no matter why they might have spilled the beans there's no excuse for it. Pregnancy alone is magically powerful, a male pregnancy? There are people who'd salivate over that." Among other things said people would do.

Derek wrapped his hands back around Stiles' stomach. "No one, absolutely no one is going to lay a finger on these babies. They are going to be safe and happy from the time they come out in the world to the day they leave it from very, very, very old age."

Stiles didn't bother to call Derek out on that frankly absurd hope. Heartbreak happened to everyone and in their world safety was tenuous so making promises for happiness and safety were lies right off the bat but Stiles didn't say that. Because he knew what Derek was really saying. The cubs would be protected, loved, and cared for to the best of Derek's abilities. He laid his hands over Derek's, "I know. I'm just saying why whoever spread the news deserves to have Peter go bad wolf on them."

"Oh yes! When we catch them, I will even help hold whoever down so Peter can perform his special brand of charm on them." Cora's tone was flat and cold.

"I work best alone but thank you pumpkin pup." Peter walked over and ran a hand over his niece's hair.

Stiles just smiled and settled back against Derek more comfortably, "We'll hammer out a full plan to discover who's watching with the rest of the pack tonight when everyone gets in for now though, any ideas Cora?"

"Sadly not right now and it makes me cranky." She pursed her lips. "I will call Kira and we'll do some heavy research on the magical dates in the calendar coming up, see if we can get some clues there."

"Nearest one is Samhain," Stiles said, nibbling on chocolate, "My money's on Yule though."

"Yule is my bet as well. Serious mojo going on then, not to mention all this rebirth new life crap." Peter was speaking through fangs now and Derek was giving him a warning glare to calm down.

"Peter," Stiles leaned over as well as he could to grip Peter's shoulder lightly and met his eyes. He didn't offer pointless soothing words, just held Peter's gaze until he slowly calmed down.

Peter didn't bother to say anything as he breathed deeply, keeping himself under control. No one messed with family and lived. That was how it was and Peter would make sure that was what happened here too, he would eliminate any threat without a second thought.

"Have Chris come here when he's done snooping," Stiles said, knowing Chris would be better for Peter than anything else. He gave Peter's shoulder a supportive squeeze then leaned back against Derek again.

Peter nodded shortly, watching his nephew hold Stiles like he was holding the world in his arms...to Derek he probably did.

To Be Continued…