The next day Stiles could hardly contain his excitement. Tonight was when his dad was going to meet Derek without hopefully needing to put on handcuffs and soon Derek would be considered Stiles friend and then they could move towards a closer relationship and then boom. Stiles and Derek would be lifelong mates and Stiles would be able to return to the pack.
Even though Stiles was super excited he couldn't help but feel nervous about this whole thing. What if his dad didn't like Derek? What if Derek didn't like his dad? What if Derek didn't like his dad so therefore didn't like him and told him they couldn't be mates which meant no pack recognition for Stiles which also meant Stiles alone forever? The horror of realizing just how much this dinner was to Stiles future completely hit him like a ton of bricks and he soon found himself extremely wigged the rest of the day.
Even when Ms. Warble smile and said hi to Stiles for the first time made Stiles jump a foot in the air as he yelled out "I'm going to be alone forever!" which left the entire class room to look at Stiles like he was weird (which he is) and he even saw Scott and Isaac looking at him questionably as they tried to shrug it off and continue on their work. Stiles apologized to Emma (Ms. Warble) and sat back down and tried to focus on his school work.
Stiles managed to make it home without getting into anymore awkward situations and right when he thought he was in the clear he walked in and his dad was standing on the other side of the doorway which freaked Stiles out by surprise as he slammed the door closed in front of him.
"Stiles?"
Stiles was outside on his porch, his back against the door as he answered, "Yeah?"
"What are you doing?" his dad asked his eccentric son.
Stiles who still hadn't moved replied "You know it's a really nice day. Sometimes one just needs to take a moment and enjoy nature."
"Sure. Whatever you say?" his dad said while continuing back to whatever he was doing.
Stiles waited a minute outside calming his heart before opening the door and walking into his house. He walked to the dining table where his dad sat looking through some papers and sipped something that looked like juice in a coffee mug.
"Finally listening to me on drinking healthier things I see." Stiles said aloud.
He walked over to the coffee pot which was half full of red liquid. "It's kind of hard not to when your son made juice in the coffee pot without your permission. Just what were you thinking?"
"Oh saw this video called Hot Kool Aid on youtube so I figured it would be better than coffee. What do you think?" he asked while grabbing a glass for himself.
"Not one of your finest ideas but I suppose it did stop me from making coffee. Just don't make it a habit got it?" his dad asked in an authoritative tone.
"I don't know… This could be good for us." He began but the look on his father's face stated if he didn't have morning coffee tomorrow Stiles wasn't gonna live for very long. "Haha just kidding." Stiles said with a scared laugh.
"So Derek Hale is coming over for dinner?" his dad asked as he continued with his papers changing the subject.
"Yeah, he'll be around at 5. We are having steak, potatos and green beans with a salad on the side." Stiles said proud of himself.
"Sounds good, but isn't this a little much for just a guy who your apologizing too?" he asked Stiles.
"What? No, plus it's our first dinner together in a long while. It will be good to eat with one another." Replied Stiles
"Want me to grill them?" his dad offered.
"NO!" Stiles accidently yelled, his dad looking up at his son questioningly "I was going to. It's your night off. Relax, take a load off." Stiles said with a smile.
The last time Stiles' dad grilled he ended up over cooking the hamburgers and he was basically eating charcoal that night. After that Stiles realized his dad was normally too busy to cook so he ended up taking over the choir and at first it was a little hard but he ended up liking it.
"If you say so, I'm not complaining." Stiles dad answered while returning to his papers.
"So what are you working on?" said Stiles.
"Just finishing up a few reports so I don't have to deal with them later."
"That's my dad, the non-procrastinator. I'm so proud!" Stiles said while wiping away fake imaginary tears.
"Sure…" his dad continued with as he went back to work. "Dinner sounds like you're trying to impress Derek though. Not that I'm complaining but is there a reason your being so nice to this boy?" his dad asked.
"Well actually dad Derek is my friend and well I just want him to feel welcome here." Stiles stated while starting to do the dishes.
"He's a friend? When did this happen? How does Scott feel about this?" his dad asked.
"For one dad Scott isn't the boss of me and my relationships and Derek and I have been hanging out for a while. He's nice and cool and you will see that if you give him a chance. So dad I want you on your best behavior tonight for dinner." Stiles thought it would be better to just tell his dad now that Derek was a friend. Hopefully it would make dinner less stressful.
"I wasn't saying he wasn't a good guy. It's good that you're making more friends even though they are older and a little…"
"Come on dad don't judge before you meet him." Stiles complained.
"Not judging, just an observation that he gets into trouble, quite often and what about Scott? Haven't seen him around lately."
"Oh well Scott's been all other Allison but it's cool. We hang at school and at practice and just so you know Derek is only in trouble because he has wrong place at the wrong time syndrome. Not his fault."
"Well still I would hate for your relationship with Scott be replaced with Derek. You and Scott have been closer then brothers so it would be nice to know he's still around." Stiles' dad said.
Stiles continued to do the dishes as he mumbled "so would I" and he quietly finished and dried his hands to go do some laundry before starting the grill to heat it up.
After finishing the laundry Stiles prepared the meat and through them on the barbeque. He then sautéed the potatoes with garlic, butter and a little bit of chili pepper for taste all while running back and forth from the steaks that were perfectly cooking. Stiles took them off when they had just a little pink in the center. He then steamed the beans and cut up the lettuce with some peppers and cucumbers.
Luckily by this time Stiles' dad had finished his reports and was now chilling on the couch watching a baseball game like every true American cop would. Stiles grabbed three plates and three glasses with the appropriate amount of silverware as he set his table for the first time in a while since the two had company.
He even folded three napkins and placed them under the spoon and knife on the left side of the plate and arranged the food around to compliment the setup of dishes.
His dad walked in "Wow, you really weren't kidding about impressing this guy. Why are you trying so hard for a friend? Is it that important that we sit at the table all awkwardly?" the Sheriff asked.
"Yes dad! He'll be here soon so will you not pick at the food and just go sit on the couch while I go change my shirt. I spilt some stuff on it." said Stiles as he whisked his dad out of the kitchen.
His dad sighed "if he's not here at five don't blame me for not waiting." He simply stated looking at the clock that stated 2 minutes till five.
Stiles began washing up, going to the restroom and fixing his jeans a little while pulling on another shirt but finding it too casual for this event. He started looking through his shirts trying to find the right one while the doorbell rang. "Dad can you get that?" he called out from his room.
His dad looked at the clock seeing that it was exactly five. He walked over and opened the door as he raised his eyebrows. "Derek so good to see you. Come on in." he said while moving out of the way. "You look good." He said.
Derek nodded back while he walked over the threshold "Thank you and you look pretty good too. Was I late?" Derek asked.
"No actually right on time. Stiles is just changing his shirt. Hey Stiles Derek's here. Can we start dinner now?" he called out.
"Just a minute." The two men heard from the second floor.
"Well back to the game." stated the sheriff as he walked back to his TV.
"Who's playing?" asked Derek.
"Giants and Cardinals. Just passing the time. You like baseball?" he asked.
"Yeah, I used to play but after my parents died I stopped. I used to be pretty good but now I just watch it on occasion." Derek answered.
"That's interesting. I never knew that about you. So who do you normally root for?" asked Stiles' dad.
"I don't really have a preferred team, but I have a tendency to follow the Dodgers quite a bit though. They've been doing really good this season."
The sheriff nods in agreement and then he sees two minutes had passed and Stiles still wasn't down "Stiles what's taking so long?"
"One moment gosh, don't have a freaking cow." said the boy as he skipped down the stairs. He was wearing a nice solid light blue button up shirt with a black tie and a nice pair of slacks. Stiles put on a happy smile seeing his dad and Derek seemingly getting along and it felt like a weight had been lifted from Stiles not so broad shoulders when comparing them to Derek's.
"Wow Derek you look good" he said as he looked Derek up and down. Derek had a pair of form fitting black jeans and a pressed white button up shirt with a few unbuttoned at the top just enough to see his v-neck undershirt.
"Thanks." He said with a smirk "since you were making such a big deal earlier when we talked I figured why not dress up a bit for the occasion." He replied.
Stiles smiled back "so what were you two talking about?"
"Baseball" Derek answered.
"Yeah looks like Derek's a Dodger fan." stated the sheriff with a smile.
"Really I didn't know that." said Stiles looking at Derek kind of stunned. Who would guess the alpha would have such a normal interest outside of battle plans and pack building exercises.
Derek just shrugged and said "Something smells good shall we eat?" he asked.
"I agree whole heartedly." said Stile's dad as they all made their way to the dining table.
The two men sat while Stiles made his way around the table and opened the oven that had the steaks of the meal still hot and fresh from cooking them earlier. He set the food on the table and sat down on the other side of his dad across from Derek and he smiled.
"So shall we say grace?" asked the sheriff trying to move the awkward situation along.
"Why? We never say grace? Granted we never eat together either." Said Stiles as his dad smacked the back of his head.
"I'll say it and then we can eat." The sheriff said as he grabbed hold of Stiles left hand and Derek's awkward right hand and bowed his head. Derek then reached over the table to grab Stiles hand. Stiles slid his hand into Derek's and felt his rough palm strongly cup his and they followed suit in bowing their heads.
"Thank you lord for this food and company. I hope this new friendship with Derek will be a good thing and I hope Stiles doesn't get into too much trouble. Thank you again. Amen." He said while breaking the hands apart and began dishing out food.
"So Derek have a job?" Stiles dad began.
"Not yet, no. I'm looking though." He replied as he continued to dish his food out.
"I'd say come to work at the police station, but we're already tight with money and we had to lay someone off 2 weeks ago. Sorry but you'll find something. Where are you staying?" sheriff asked.
"With an old family friend, Dr. Deaton. He was nice enough to open up a place until I get back on my feet." Derek assured Stiles dad as he took his first bite of the meat.
He paused. He began to chew slowly as he turned to look at the Sheriff who began smiling at Derek and Stiles who had a pure I-told-you-so look with a cocky smile.
"So Derek, how's the steak?" asked Stiles.
Derek finished chewing and swallowed, he grabbed his water that was already out and took a sip. "You made that?" he asked skeptical.
"I offered to but my boy has a knack for baking and cooking, just like his mother." Said the sheriff as he smiled fondly to his son.
"Well it was good." Said Derek.
"Good? Just good? Come on Derek tell me one person who can cook a better steak then that." Stiles challenged Derek.
He paused to think "okay maybe it was better than good alright?"
Stiles smirked "So you admit I'm a great cook?"
Derek sighed knowing Stiles wouldn't ever drop it until he admitted it "yes Stiles you're a great cook. Thank you." And he continued eating his delicious food.
Stiles smiled and the three of them continued talking and eating for the next hour as Mr. Stilinski got to know Derek better and even Stiles learned some things about Derek.
"Tell me something about your family, I only met your father three times and your mother once." The sheriff requested.
"Dad that's a little personal isn't it." Said Stiles sharply trying to get his dad to lay off.
"No its fine" said Derek as he began "My dad was strong, you could almost say the leader of the entire house and always put the family first. He had his own way of living and always acted honorable and dignified, even if he didn't want to. He was a man I could look up too and even though I disagreed with some of his views he still had a way of making me realize that I need my family. I still feel that way even now." Derek said as he took a drink of water.
"And your mother?" the Sheriff asked.
Derek smiled softly. It was a smile Stiles had never seen on Derek's face before and he felt his heart pull on his chest as he slowly remembered his own mother.
"Beautiful. Nurturing. She always knew how you felt and what was needed to be said to make you move on and push forward. She was everyone's mother and she practically led the entire family through my father. If she walked into a room all eyes would be on her and every one would do whatever she asked because well no one wanted to be forced to miss one of her meals. Whenever my father and I would get into fights, she would comfort me and tell me that he was only trying to look out for me and then she would hug me and her scent was like pine needles. I loved it." Derek became silent as he zoned off looking down at his plate.
"She sounds amazing. They both do. I think they would be proud of you Derek." Said the Sheriff.
Derek smiled at the Sheriff "That was actually the first time I talked about them since their deaths. It was nice. What was your wife like?" he asked.
Mr. Stilinski looked down at his plate and cleared his throat. Derek turned to Stiles who looked like Derek said nothing, but his eyes turned darker and less life like. "If it's too uncomfortable then you don't have to say…" started Derek but the sheriff cut him off.
"She was incredible. Mostly only cared about others and whenever she was selfish it was more with attention than any material objects. She worked hard even though I told her she didn't have too, but she wanted to. She liked sharing all the responsibilities of the household with me. She always smiled, just like Stiles. He reminds me so much of her. She got into trouble all the time but that was more out of mischievousness than anything else. She was unique, one of a kind and no one will ever be able to replace her." He said solemnly.
Derek nodded in agreement and looked to Stiles "She sounds remarkable." He stated.
There was a silent pause before Stiles continued "That's an understatement. She was crazy and fun and adventurous and never tried to bring down anyone." Stiles began to look extremely happy as he began describing his mother, "She gave off this feeling of pure non-judgment which only drew people towards her. If she was ever disappointed in you though it would feel like a ton of bricks just landed right on top of you and she always knew how to control you just by looking at you. Like she could send you a subconscious message that said clean your room or go do your homework. She would also do pranks with me against everyone. Dad, Scott, even Melissa! The list is endless and so are the amount of pranks and her favorite holiday was April Fools. Once she spent the entire day doing nothing to us. Dad and I were so scared and at the end of the day we begged her to just trick us and she gave us a kiss on the cheek and said Happy April Fool's day and went to sleep. It was hilarious!" Stiles said while beginning to laugh.
His dad also chuckled from the memory and then they talked a little bit more about life with their families before each one's horrible demise and for once Stiles felt a little closer to Derek as the two men walked to the next room to watch some more of the game while Stiles did the dishes.
After a while Derek walked back into the kitchen as he leaned against the back of the counter while Stiles dried his hands. "So how's it going with my dad?" he asked quietly.
"I think really well. How was I at dinner?" he asked.
"Great! I don't think it could've been any better."
"So I didn't completely mess up after asking about your mom?" he asked the boy.
"No it was nice to talk about her once again. It's been a really long time since my dad and I have done that so thanks." Stiles said while giving the alpha a smile.
Derek leaned over and kissed Stiles cheek. "I'll leave now but thank you for inviting me over." He whispered in Stiles ear and then left the kitchen as Stiles followed.
"Have a good night sir." Said Derek as he held his hand out to the sheriff.
"I will and you be safe driving back home." He said after standing and taking Derek's hand giving him a firm grip.
Derek walked out the door and drove off in his car to head home.
"So what did you think?" Stiles asked his now sitting father.
"Your right. He is a good kid and I wouldn't mind him over again for dinner if you wanted to invite him again." He answered.
"Really? SWEET!" said Stiles as he did a mini jump of happiness in the air.
"I just have a question for you."
"What? Go ahead I'll answer anything you want." Said Stiles smiling at his father.
"When did you two start dating?" he asked as Stiles face dropped to a oh-my-fucking-God expression of fear.
"You knew?" he asked innocently.
"Yep, so are you going to answer the question or should I wait till I see Derek again to ask him?"
"Well" started Stiles as he rubbed his arm nervously. "It's a long story." He finally got out.
"I've got all night." The sheriff said as he motioned Stiles to sit down.
Stiles took a deep breath as he got ready for one Hell of an explanation to a father that didn't know half of what went down in his whole town. This was going to get interesting.
