By lunch, Stiles is strongly resisting the urge to punch Jackson in the face. Because every, single time he sees him, Jackson will start howling with laughter and walk away saying something about him and Derek.
He knows he shouldn't be this angry but he is. And Stiles doesn't know if it's because he never fought against the kiss or because he liked it so much. But still, by lunchtime, Stiles strongly believes that Jackson deserves to be punched.
It's sunny, so they decide to take a seat outside on one of the picnic tables; Scott sits on one side of him and Erica on the other (Isaac had made a jump to sit beside him but Stiles was ecstatic when Erica sat down – he still hasn't forgiven him for the face rubbing). They eat their lunch quickly and then start quietly discussing various Werewolf things that Stiles really can't pay attention to at the moment.
There's a familiar prickling at the back of his neck, like a bug is crawling around on his skin. He reached up to rub it but instead of finding a bug, he feels all the hairs standing on end. Yes, he defiantly remembers this feeling from the night before. He doesn't dare glance round, so to avoid suspicion, he leans forward and kicks Boyd under the table to get his attention – he receives a glare but he's got what he wants.
"Be subtle but is there someone watching from behind me?" he asks quietly.
Boyd's eyes scan the surrounding area and then his mouth goes into a tight line "Yes."
"Describe them. We've not had an ID on any of them yet" Stiles pulls out his cell and opens a draft message to write notes in and he types as Boyd speaks.
"Female, mid 20's, dark skin, long dark hair," he frowns and then winces suddenly "Stiles... her eyes are red"
The entire table has gone silent now and they're looking at the two boys. Stiles nods at Boyd and puts his phone on the table before looking around the table – they look confused but completely alert.
"Nice job" Stiles comments "Listen, me and Derek went out last night–"
"Their first date" Erica chimes in and he glares at her.
"–and we were being watched in the diner. Derek recognised a female's scent from my room. There were two of them and they followed us back to my house, and she was here this morning."
"They're getting careless" Jackson comments "If they're being seen then they know we're onto them"
He frowns and Scott rubs his back "We'll protect you. Derek is with you whenever you aren't in school and we're here when you are. Nothing is going to happen" he promises.
Stiles allows his head to hit on the table "Why is it always me?" he groans "why can't someone target you guys for a change?"
"Jackson tried to kill all of us" Isaac says brightly and then his face falls "Sorry, Jackson"
The boy shrugs "It's true."
"In his defence, he was under the control of a psycho!" Allison grimaces.
"Guys, we're dealing with Stiles' problem at the moment" Danny mutters, petting his head. "C'mon, these guys won't let you down"
"Course we won't!" Isaac smiles softly as the teen lifts his head "but I think you should send Derek that description and tell him you're being watched still"
Stiles shakes his head with a frown "I'll wait until later. If I text him now, he'll either go after them or he'll come here and demand I get in his car" he says "I'll tell him on the way home"
The bell ringing signifies the end of lunch and they walk back as one large huddle towards the school again, Scott has an arm around Stiles' shoulders and is twitching with how alert he's being. It would be amusing to watch if he wasn't keeping an eye out for a pack of people who want to kill Stiles. Painfully kill him with claws and teeth and pain.
By the time school ends, Stiles is almost reluctant to leave the building (something that has never happened before) because he knows he can make the school into a fortress – they'd done it when Peter was attacking. He knew he could defend himself from there, but at the same time, he knows that Derek is on the other side of the door. Waiting for him.
He'd seen the Camaro pull into the parking lot from the second-story window he was staring out of while he was meant to be paying attention. Derek was probably waiting right by the steps for him but what if it was that woman? Or another of the pack that they'd not had any contact with yet?
He thinks about calling Derek to ask him to meet him by his locker. He could make some excuse... or just ramble until the other man gets sick of his voice and he hangs up. That would work. But as he thinks further about the plan, Erica is linking arms with him and from the other side; Isaac grins – on the other side of Erica is also Boyd – he curses them for a second, mostly for their insistence of touching but then his body is unwinding, only slightly – enough to allow his legs to walk out the doors.
His body is still tense as they reach their Alpha. He's tried (nothing new there) but he's jittery too, like he's been electrocuted and all that energy needs an outlet. Derek frowns at him and immediately reaches a hand out to cup his cheek and run his thumb along Stiles' cheekbone. His hand then moves around to the back of his neck and he uses it to pull Stiles into his embrace – safe arms wrapping around the small body. Stiles feels the tension melting away and he pushes his face into Derek's chest with a sigh of contentment as fingers thread into his hair.
"You guys want a lift home?" Derek says, talking to the other three.
"Please" Isaac replies, "I think it's going to rain"
Stiles lifts his head enough so he can see Derek hand over his keys and a jerk of his head telling them to go get in the car. After they leave Derek pushes his nose against Stiles' neck and sniffs.
"What's wrong?" he asks "You're not happy"
Stiles sighs again and tightens his grip around the man's waist; looking up with wide eyes. "They haven't left." He explains "We saw the woman it lunch, Boyd gave me a description which is progress... but I've been tense and I'm exhausted"
Derek presses his lips to Stiles' forehead "You can give me the description. And when we get to yours, you should have a nap" he says
Stiles nods "Then we'll go out?"
Derek frowns "I thought you didn't want to go... you didn't reply to the text"
Stiles' stomach drops "What? Oh god, I'm sorry! Me and Erica got kicked out of class and I must have forgotten" he rushes out "But I do, want to go out - that is"
Derek's lips twitch at the edges as he tries not to smile. "Okay"
Stiles offers him a huge grin and then takes a deep breath 'It's now or never'.
He leans forward onto his tiptoes and presses their lips together in a chaste kiss. He returns his feet to the floor and looks everywhere that isn't the mass of pure muscle in front of him. But apparently, Derek has different ideas as he grips Stiles' chin and tilts his head back – forcing their eyes to meet. And, to the teen's surprise, Derek is smiling. Like, a genuinely happy smile.
"Thanks" he whispers "Kiss was good"
Stiles blushes and pulls a displeased face "Are you really quoting what I said last night?"
"Yes. Yes I am" he looks oddly proud.
"Can I go take that nap now?" he asks and Derek laughs before pulling away and throwing his arm around Stiles' shoulders as they walk. "By the way, Erica gets shotgun on Wednesday's because it's 'skirt day'"
Derek smirks "Okay, so you're in the back?"
"Yeah" he replies and Stiles decides he can push his luck a little and he nudged Derek's in the ribs with his elbow "you going to miss being able to touch me"
He snorts in response and doesn't reply at all. When they reach the car Erica get out and pulls the passenger seat forward so that Stiles can climb in the back. Derek's already starting the car by the time she closes her door and he shoots a grin at Stiles in the rear-view mirror before turning to give Boyd his 'serious face'.
"Tell me about this woman" he says and as Boyd starts talking, Derek pulls out of the parking lot – heading towards Erica's.