Stiles has been officially mated to Derek for five months now. The morning sun shines through the window and straight into Stiles' closed eyes. He wriggles around beneath Derek's arm so they are chest to chest and the sun is no longer burning holes into his face. Derek starts to pull him closer but then stops. He pushes him away so he can look him over. Stiles grabs at his lover's shoulders, wanting to pull him back so the cool morning air doesn't hit him.
"You smell different," Derek says as he furrows his brows.
"So?" Stiles murmurs, burrowing into Derek's warm arms.
"So, you smell different." Derek breathes him in deeply, trying to identify the scent.
"Fine, I'll take a shower," Stiles says but still doesn't try to move.
"It's not a smell on you. It is you."
"Whatever, it's barely dawn. Go back to sleep." Stiles tries to stay close to his mate, but Derek pulls away. Stiles huffs and sits up in bed. "Do I smell that bad? So foul you don't even want to touch me?"
"No, it's… a person's scent doesn't change unless…"
"Unless they're sick." Stiles' heart speeds up ever so slightly. "Smell me. Am I sick?"
"No. I don't know what it is, but it's nothing wrong. I just don't know why it's different."
"Well, since I'm awake, I might as well start breakfast." He gets up from the bed.
"Don't fix a huge feast like you usually do. It's just me and you today."
"And just me tomorrow." Stiles whines.
"Don't remind me."
Stiles jumps back onto the bed. "Can't you skip it?"
"You know I can't. I gotta keep my job."
"Who ever heard of a mechanic's convention?"
"I know it sounds ridiculous, but Charlie needs me to go in his place. Let's just enjoy today."