Courting begins… Confessions occur…
…..
Stiles had no problem with Theo on Friday. He knew to expect Boyd and Scott at the door of each of his classes, escorting him to the next one. He hated it. Hated every second of it, knowing he did indeed need his friends to help him out because physically, he couldn't defend himself. On the other side of hating it, he felt loved. Shut up, it's the bro kind of love. Boyd wasn't as much of a bro as Scott and he knew the muscle-bound shifter was doing it mostly because Derek told him to, but he didn't make Stiles feel bad about it. In fact, he let go of his typical stoic stance (say that ten times fast) and joked around with Stiles. Yes, his eyes were darting around as they walked, but Stiles never felt like the pain in the ass he was sure he was. Scott was just Scott. They talked about what videogames they wanted to play and what Scott might be doing with Allison that night. (Not that, come on, get your minds out of the gutter!) Normal stuff.
They did see Theo on several occasions. The first few times, Theo smiled, knowing Stiles was being escorted and it wasn't a coincidence that Stiles wasn't alone. By lunch time, however, Theo knew there was no chance of getting to Stiles and his smirk turned to sneers and growls. Boyd told him the growls were threats telling him and Scott to back off. Of course they wouldn't, but he was trying to scare them away.
"Boyd can I ask a question about born shifters?" Stiles asked on the way from lunch to trigonometry.
"Sure," the big man said, looking back over their shoulders, a dark look on his face. He took Stiles by the arm and pushed him a little faster toward the building they needed.
Stiles was silent until Boyd relaxed. "Can a human be the mate of more than one shifter?" He couldn't forget the look in Derek's eyes, the gentle treatment, being called 'sweet boy' as he fought the panic. The meal, conversation, and when Scott showed up that wink and hand squeeze. That couldn't have been a coincidence, could it? He'd never seen or heard of Derek acting like that with someone else. During their talk about Claiming locations, Derek had been light hearted, but his eyes had been so intense. Could it be real? Could he be Derek's mate? Everything in him was singing, no screaming for the alpha. But if Theo saw him as his mate, was Stiles wrong in how he was feeling? Obviously he wouldn't take Theo as a mate, the guy was nut-fuck crazy. But if that was his mate, his soulmate as humans saw it, then why did he feel so strongly for Derek?
Boyd stopped walking and for the first time that day looked him straight in the eyes. "No, Stiles, a human would never have two compatible mates." He was really enjoying getting to know the human who seemed to have no control over his flailing limbs. His Erica sure cared for him and finding out how much Stiles had helped her before he'd met her made him open to a friendship with the kid. They were the same age, but for some reason, his innocence gave Stiles the aura of a younger person. He was also his alpha's mate. He knew this and there was no way in hell he could tell Stiles this. He'd be de-balled by Erica and beat down by Derek. The first made him nauseous, the second made him recoil in horror.
Not many had seen his alpha go full rage. He had. Soon after he'd joined the pack, the alpha had went through a bad period dealing with grief and he got violent a couple of times, taking it out on the forest and the gym they built. It wasn't pretty. The thought of facing that anger just because he wanted to comfort Stiles and share the truth with him, was a very good deterrent. But he did want to comfort him. How to do it without giving away the ending? "Don't worry, Stiles. We've got you." That was all he could come up with.
Stiles gave him a weak smile. "I know. Thanks man."
. ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ .
After school, Stiles expected to see the twins as Boyd had told him, but instead Derek stood there by his jeep.
"Hey Derek," he said hesitantly.
Derek flashed his small smile at him in greeting. "Hi Stiles. The twins got called in to work so I thought we'd hang out until your dad got home from work. What do you think?"
What did he think? Stiles was barely holding himself down on the earth. He wanted to jump up and down, thanking anyone who would listen. Spend more time with Derek? Hells yeah!
"Sounds good to me," he said calmly.
Derek grinned. His mate's eyes were sparkling, his scent filled with joy and excitement. "Excellent. Feel like driving?"
Stiles agreed and they hopped into the jeep. He started her up and asked her with all his might that she behave and not break down at any point during their time together today. If Baby felt the need to break down, he prayed it would be some other day. "Where to?"
"Just head towards the highway, I'll direct you," Derek said.
On the way, they discussed Stiles' childhood. Derek asked leading questions that dug a lot deeper than Stiles thought they would. Before he knew it, he was talking about his mother's mental collapse at the end of her long illness. He talked about visiting Scott and Mrs. McCall in order to spend time with a maternal influence.
Derek shocked the shit out of him by opening up about his own family tragedy. Stiles knew, of course. Everyone in town knew. He talked about how hard it was to open up to anyone afterward, afraid that he would lose them. Rebuilding the pack was his goal and he stuck to it, though he'd kept his heart sealed up tight. It took Peter and Boyd to break through to him. They'd been attacked by a rogue hunter in another pack's territory. They'd traveled to talk to allies and the hunter had shot them both with wolfsbane. Derek had gone to bring them home after they'd been found and healed. The concept of losing them had been right in his face and he'd had to deal with it. His heart had opened and welcomed them and he found himself able to care again.
"Seeing them so weak and knowing I'd almost lost them was like a slap in the face. I thought, what if they'd died? Would they know that I cared? They wouldn't have. So I let them know I cared in a very awkward moment that included hugging and the verbal promise to never speak of it again," Derek said with a chuckle.
Stiles laughed and nodded, bouncing in his seat a little. "I get it. I do. Scott and I have always been bros, but the few moments of letting each other know we care are few and far between and always include manly punches to the shoulder or gut."
"You have to keep your dignity somehow," Derek said with an approving nod.
"Word," Stiles said and held his fist out for Derek to bump, which he did with a raised brow. Stiles knew he was being judged by that brow. Derek was good at that. "Yes, I said 'word'. Deal with it."
Derek held his hands up in surrender. "I'm dealing," he said, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"Shut up," Stiles muttered, staring straight ahead.
"I'm giving you shit, Stiles. You know that right?" Derek didn't really want to upset his mate. He was only playing.
Stiles looked over and winked one whiskey eye at him. "I know. Gotcha!" he bounced and laughed loudly.
Derek wanted to bathe in his mate's mischievous joy, it was delicious to smell. "Ass," he said to keep it going.
"Yeah, I know I have a nice one," Stiles bragged, enjoying the playfulness of the usually quiet mannered alpha.
"I already knew that," Derek said darkly.
Stiles looked over at him and Derek looked him over, his expression openly appreciative. "Oh fuck," Stiles moaned, turning red. Stiles Jr. was trying to break through his jeans at that look. So fucking hot. Control, he demanded of himself.
Derek breathed deep of the lust and want his mate was radiating. Dear god, if this was what his lust was like, what would it be like when he finally claimed him and was buried deep inside him? Control, he told his body and wolf. It wasn't time yet. Soon. Very soon now. Derek cleared his throat. "Turn here," he said pointing.
A few minutes later, Derek directed him into the parking lot of a large warehouse. "No fucking way! I've been wanting to come to this place since it opened!" Funtasia was a huge 'fun center' that took up an entire block. Bumper cars, batting cages, arcades, bungees, go carts, miniature golf, adult sized bouncy houses, laser tag, basically anything you could think of that is fun, this place had it. Stiles hadn't wanted to go alone and with Scott being distant, he hadn't had an opportunity to go. "This is perfect!"
Derek grinned widely, Erica had been right. He'd had a feeling she would be, this seemed like the perfect place to take an active person who had ADHD. His mate was all lit up now and twitching in his seat. "Excellent. Let's go then."
Derek paid which Stiles tried to argue with but Derek's eyebrows put him in his place. They started with the go carts and went to the batting cages. Stiles could see how much fun Derek was having there, so they stayed for three sessions. Then they went and played laser tag, which Stiles won with good humor. Food was necessary after that much activity so they went and split a large pizza.
Derek hadn't thought he'd enjoy himself as much as he was. There was so much to do and Stiles was energetic and smiling; it pushed him to find just as much pleasure as Stiles was having. Laser tag was amazing, chasing his mate had brought his wolf to the fore and he'd had to hold himself back from Claiming him then and there. It was staggering, the push to claim. He hadn't felt it that strongly before. His wolf saw them chasing down their mate and wanted him NOW. He'd caught Stiles' unique scent and wanted to hunt down the source of that scent and he had a feeling it was hidden deep in those snug jeans that cupped his ass so sweetly. When Stiles suggested lunch, Derek was relieved. If they'd pursued a more physical activity, he wouldn't be able to guarantee his control over his wolf. Or his lust.
After eating, they made it through more of the bigger activities before ending their time in the arcade. They separated for a while to play different games, then came together to compete on race games and shooting games. Neither of them held back, they put their all into the competition. Derek won more of the racing ones as he had faster reflexes. Stiles shocked him in the shooter games with his dead on shooting; he had an eagle eye and Derek wondered what he'd be like as a shifter. Damn it, now his mind was picturing his mate as a wolf. Damn that would be hot. Come on, head back in the game.
In the end, they had won a nearly equal number of tickets. They went to the ticket counter and Derek traded in all of his for a fluffy wolf which he gave to Stiles with a big grin. Stiles made him turn around as he made his selection. When he tapped him on the shoulder, Stiles proudly presented him with a stuffed Batman that was nearly two feet tall. Derek broke into laughter and hugged Stiles to him. It was perfect.
Stiles cuddled into Derek and wanted to stay there forever. This had been the most perfect day ever. He couldn't even comprehend of a day better than this. Unless it was your Claiming with Derek, his mind told him. Well, okay then. But this was still the best day ever. That other thing may never happen. This was more than good enough for now.
If Stiles found that day perfect, the rest of the weekend vied to take that position. Derek showed up at his house Saturday and they spent the day together visiting random book stores. They had more in common than either of them knew and had read much of the same books. Derek confessed to a secret love of Harlequin romances as Stiles fessed up to enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse series (aka the True Blood book series). At the end of the day, Derek surprised Stiles with a first edition of The Hobbit. Stiles had seen it in the glass case of one of the second hand book stores and had admired it. He didn't want to take it from Derek (well, he did, but you know, it was polite to say 'oh, that's too much' when all he really wanted to say was 'hell yes I want it!'), but his friend insisted. When they got back to Stiles' house, he saw his dad was home and brought Derek in. He ended up staying for a late dessert and seemed to have a good time chatting with his dad about sports and town news (aka gossip).
Sunday started awful. Stiles got up and went outside to drive to get donuts for him and his dad since he was so freaking happy lately. The tires on his jeep were slashed and the word "WHORE" was painted on his windshield. After his dad took down the details and made the report - there was no doubt in Stiles' mind that Theo was at fault here and he wouldn't get away with it – he started in on cleaning off that ugly word. His instincts told him to call Derek, so he did. Derek was curt on the phone, but he showed up quickly with a truck. He recognized Boyd's truck and sent him a quick thank you text. Derek growled when he saw the remains of the word still staining the window. Stiles was having a hard time getting it off. Derek suggested he take a break and help him put the new tires on. He stood there, mouth agape, as Derek unloaded the four brand new, high quality, top of the line, tires from the back of the truck.
"Derek, you really shouldn't have, seriously. I know how much those tires cost and it is way too much to spend on me," Stiles insisted. Those tires were all weather and cost nearly five hundred dollars EACH.
Derek stepped up to him and cupped his chin gently. "Let me do this for you," he said quietly.
Stiles was caught up in his gaze, his green eyes almost glowing in their intensity. "Okay," he whispered. Oh, crap, he thought, I'm in love with him.
The alpha smiled and caressed his jaw and cheek before stepping away and going to the back of the truck. Together they had the tires replaced in minutes. It's pretty handy to have an alpha wolf who can lift the jeep instead of using a jack on each tire. He then put his elbow grease into the paint on Stiles' windshield and within minutes the ugly word was gone and his jeep was good as new.
The sheriff had left to file the report – Derek had confirmed it was Theo's scent all over the jeep – so Derek and Stiles went inside when they were done with the jeep. After cleaning up they sat down to watch a movie.
Finally, Stiles couldn't take it anymore. The waiting and wondering was killing him. It was now or never. He had to know. Praying to anything that was listening, he paused the movie causing Derek to look at him questioningly. They were sitting on the couch together, their sides plastered together shoulder to thigh.
Stiles looked down at his hands resting on his lap, his fingers twisting and untwisting in fear. "I'm, um, not going to look at you as I ask this, so let me get this out, ok?"
Derek turned so he was facing Stiles, his stomach in sudden knots. His mate smelled of sour anxiety, fear, and an almost desperate hope. He had a sudden feeling he knew what was going on.
"Derek, we've been spending a lot of time together lately. Honestly, it's been the best times I've ever had in my life. I've never had this much fun and I'm a little confused. I know you're a pretty private person and you love your pack. I guess I don't understand why you're spending so much time with me. What is this?" Please love me, he prayed.
The alpha swallowed heavily. This was it. He couldn't let his mate live like this, he could feel the waves of emotion coming from him. He had to do this. "You're right, I don't do this. I've been doing a lot of things I don't normally do. Things I've never done, in fact. And there is a reason," he said. Stiles finally looked at him, desperate hope shining in his beautiful whiskey eyes. Derek kept his gaze as he took the plunge. "I'm courting you, Stiles. You're my mate."
Stiles gasped. Okay, Stiles, think. "Please don't say it just because you can feel how much I want this. Please don't, I couldn't take it." He had to be sure.
Derek took Stiles' trembling hands in his. "I'm saying this because it's true. You are my mate. I've known you were my mate since you were fifteen."
Stiles face was alight with joy then confusion clouded his eyes. "Then why didn't I know before this?"
Derek shook his head. "I was dealing with a lot of fear, sweet boy. I was so afraid that I wasn't good enough for you. I needed to know that I was strong enough to protect you and take care of you. I kept thinking I needed to do more. Get the pack grown and then settled, get the pack house just right, then I had to get the treaties with our allies cemented. I kept working when all I really needed and wanted to do was court you and make you mine. I'm so sorry I waited so long, Stiles," he said, his tone firm and sure. He took Stiles' hands in his. "But please know, I love you so very much. You are my mate and I will make you mine." He held his breath as he waited for Stiles' reaction.
….
Funtasia is a real place, they've since changed the name, but it's a seriously fun place. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
I just completed Camp NaNoWriMo, I wrote 50,000 words this month. (11,000 words written today!) I now have ten completed chapters for this story and three chapters of a new story started. WOOT!
The new story includes an Alpha who wants to kidnap his mate, the town's Spark, and claim him...