Stiles wasn't sure exactly what he thought he was going to do or say, but he knew he had to confront Derek. He just hadn't expected it to be so soon. His plan to ambush Derek at the charred remains of the Hale house was totally ruined by running into Derek on the way there.
Stiles stood awkwardly and stuttered a bit before spitting out, "What the hell are you doing?"
"Walking," Derek replied, looking at Stiles like he was an idiot.
"Derek, you can't mess around right now. If I can be serious, you sure as hell can."
Derek nodded slowly. "Alright."
"OK then. Are you trying to get with Darcy?"
"I feel a growing level of attachment to her."
"What? Speak like a normal person. So you like her?" Stiles' thoughts raced and he made a mental not that Adderall before a serious conversation was a bad idea.
"Yes, I like her."
"You can't mess with her emotions right now, Derek. She's got a lot going on in her life."
"I'm aware of that and I accept it."
"I know I'm not a threat to you, like, at all. But if you hurt my cousin, I swear I'll steal one of those magic bullets from the Argents and shoot you in the ass."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Derek went to the Stilinski home the next morning and knocked on the door. Darcy was smiling when she opened the door and Derek understood what people meant about the pregnant glow. She looked radiant.
"Oh, hey, Derek," she said. "What's up?"
"I was…wondering if you and I could spend another day together."
Darcy laughed. "I think someone just wants more cake."
Derek shrugged. "That would be nice, but I swear I just want your company."
"That's sweet of you," she replied, stepping aside so he could enter.
He came inside and the house already smelled delicious. He followed her and sat beside her on the couch. Derek wasn't sure what to do from there. Though there were plenty of females that chased after him, he'd never actually encountered one that he liked so much. He spent nearly a minute trying to figure out how to talk to her before she interrupted. "Derek, are you alright?"
"No. It shouldn't be this difficult…"
"What shouldn't?"
"I'm trying to ask you on a date," he admitted.
Darcy smiled. "OK, Derek. Hold my hand."
Derek did as she said. Her hand was so much smaller than his and so soft and warm.
"Now, tell my I'm pretty."
"You're beautiful."
Darcy blushed a bit. "Now, ask me if you can take me on a date."
"Can I take you on a date?" he asked.
"Yes," Darcy said. "Now that went well, didn't it?"
Derek kept her hand in his, not willing to let go just yet. "Yes. Can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Don't tell your cousin I'm no better with females than he is."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Darcy stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had decided to wear the only maternity dress she had. It was pale blue and had the kind of skirt that usually distracted her because it swished around so easily. She was distracted for another reason this time.
"I look so pregnant," she said, turning to different angles, but none of them reduced it.
Stiles appeared at the doorway and gave her a sour look. "Really, Darcy? You look great. Go mess up your hair or something. He might think you like him."
"I do like him," she replied.
"Ew!" he yelled over his shoulder as he walked away.
Darcy quickly pulled all her hair to the side and braided it. She wondered if she should put on make up. It was two minutes until seven. She wondered if he was the type to be late and decided he probably wasn't. She slipped on a pair of grey flats and went out to the living room to wait for him. Her uncle and cousin were sitting on the couch, cleaning rifles.
"Oh, my God…" She slapped her hand to her forehead. "Put those away."
There was a knock at the door. It was exactly seven p.m. Her crazy relatives made no indication of putting the rifles away.
She went to answer the door, muttering about insanity.
Derek was holding a white rose that stood out starkly against his dark leather jacket. "You look stunning," he said, handing her the flower.
Darcy smelled the rose. "Thank you. Let's just go."
"Shouldn't I say hello to your male authority figure?"
"What? No, Derek. Google lied to you. We're supposed to run and avoid my family at all costs."
Stiles must have heard her urging him to escape because he came to the door and shook Derek's hand, pulling him inside. "Come on in," he said.
"Oh, no…" Darcy muttered as she followed them. "Before you see them, I just want to reassure you that the crazy gene doesn't pass to the women in the family," she whispered to Derek as she looped her arm through his.
Derek surveyed the collection of firearms in the living room and then extended his hand to greet the sheriff. "Good evening, sir," he said. Darcy admired how Derek kept his cool.
"Hello," the sheriff said. "So, what's the plan?"
"I'll be taking Darcy to dinner and to a movie and then for a short walk in the park."
"Have her home before midnight. Oh, and Derek? My deputies patrol the park well. No funny business."
"Let's go!" Darcy declared, pulling Derek towards the door before her uncle and cousin started acting even more embarrassing.
