Stiles was home alone for the first time in weeks. It was three o'clock in the afternoon and he sat in his living room working on that weekend's homework. Music played softly from the stereo. The day had gone by slowly and even though he hadn't seen or heard from the kids so far, he felt at peace.
He supposed that knowing that they were with Derek put his mind at ease. Just the fact that they were spending quality time with Derek made him smile. He had just finished his English essay and packed up his school bag when the jingling of a key unlocking the door echoed through the living room.
The door opened harshly and in stepped John. They stared at each other for a nerve wracking moment before John sighed and closed the door behind him. "Scott and Isaac not around?" His father asked and Stiles shook his head.
"They're out furniture shopping with Derek," Stiles said and John huffed.
"I still don't know how I feel about all that," The blunt honesty shouldn't have surprised Stiles, but it did. It made his stomach twist.
"Derek can't help what he was born as Dad," Stiles blurted out before reigning himself back in a little, "Besides, Scott is learning better now that Derek is around. The town is safer for it."
John rolled his eyes, "Safer isn't exactly the word that I would use. A lure, now that's more like it. If I remember correctly, the only reason there has been so much 'supernatural' activity is because the Hale boy came back to Beacon Hills."
"Derek followed the activity back to Beacon Hills, to help stop it," Stiles couldn't help it, he just didn't like the way his father talked about the people he cared about.
"Great help he's been too," John said sarcastically and finally finished shouldering off his jacket and made his way towards the kitchen.
"He has been, especially lately," Stiles followed him, "He's rebuilt the Hale house, to make a home for the pack."
At that John turned around from where he stood looking into the refrigerator, "So, he doesn't plan on leaving?"
Stiles looked at him as if he'd grown a second head, "Of course not, that would mean taking the pack away from their families and leaving Beacon Hills defenseless."
"The only defense this town needs is Law Enforcement," John said sternly.
"Not with there being hunters and other dangers around," Stiles bit out, "You wouldn't have even solved the case of Laura Hale if it hadn't been for Derek coming back."
"If Laura Hale hadn't come here then there wouldn't be 'other dangers' to worry about," And finally they stood at an impasse. Father and son staring each other down with near hatred in the middle of the kitchen that Claudia had taught Stiles to cook in.
It made him sick to his stomach.
"I'll be moving out after graduation," Stiles said, giving up entirely.
"Of course, for when you move into the dorms at the University," John said, taken aback by the turn in conversation.
"No, I have a room waiting for me at the Hale house. I'll be living off campus." Stiles said bluntly. The look on John's face said it all.
"You're going to get yourself killed," John said though he didn't need to.
"Yea? Maybe so, but at least it will have been by protecting those I care about," Stiles said, "At least I'd be able to live with myself."
"This pack?" John spat, "You think that they would give a damn if you died?"
The memories of the last two months flashed before Stiles' eyes. Of Isaac snuggling in at night, of the countless movies, of the lovely meals they had all shared. "I don't want to fight Dad, it's the last thing Mom would have wanted. I think she would have been proud of me."
The sheriff's eyes turned to steel and Stiles felt not for the first time that there was no going back. "Claudia would have been devastated knowing that you were putting your life at risk," He said.
"No, she'd have been happy that I finally found the family that I never had," Stiles knew that the words would cut deep, but he hadn't thought about just how badly. John's expression was a mixture of hurt and shock.
His eyes were softer when he said, "I've supported you for all your life, you would think that a little gratitude would be in order."
"I'm thankful that you kept me alive, but you've denied me of the love that I needed," Stiles said, tears starting to track down his face, "All because I look like her."
It seemed that his father had run out of words, all he could do was stare at his son. Who had grown up wilted in the shade, rather than in the sun where he could have thrived. For long minutes, they just stood there before finally John sighed, "So, that's it then?"
Stiles wiped away his tears, "Yea, I guess that's it."
John stepped past him but stopped at the archway to the living room, "You don't have to wait until graduation."
Then he was gone, out the front door back to the work that he prioritized so much. Stiles caved in on himself, the tears returning and deep guttural sobs falling from his mouth. He curled up on the cool kitchen tile, laying there for God knew how long. It was over, their relationship held together by strings fell apart.
He must have fallen asleep, because when he opened his eyes again, it was dark outside. Pulling himself up from the clammy floor, he walked upstairs, turning the radio off on his way. He fell into bed, suddenly so tired that his bones ached.
When Stiles woke again, it was to the morning sun shining in through the blinds. He turned over to find Isaac in his bed, tucked up against the wall. He gave a quick glance over the edge of the bed but found that only Isaac had snuck in. At least to his knowledge, the others could have been right downstairs.
He had the thought just to let Isaac sleep, but they both had school. So, Stiles ran his fingers through Isaac's hair and with a grunt, the younger boy blinked open his eyes. "It's almost time for school, we need to get ready," Stiles said as he rolled out of bed and went to shower.
It felt like he hadn't showered in ages and he did his best to wash off all the sad feelings that still lingered inside of him. By the time he dressed and made his way downstairs, Isaac was waiting by the door with a couple bottles of water and breakfast bars. Stiles thanked him before ushering him out.
They piled into the Jeep and Stiles drove them swiftly but safely to school. He noticed Jackson and Lydia chatting with their friends as they walked past. He waved to them but only Lydia acknowledged them. Typical Jackson.
"What a tool," Isaac said conspiritally to Stiles to which Jackson flipped them off.
Stiles just laughed as they made their way inside and then parted to their individual home rooms. He ran up the stairs to the second floor and entered his English class, stopping by the teachers desk to place his essay on it. The teacher nodded and waved him away.
The rest of the morning went smoothly, he was happy to see that Isaac did well on their latest chemistry assignment. He was kept busy enough that he seldom thought of the outburst with his father and so he made it through the day without many hiccups.
It was only when it was time to leave school that Stiles checked his phone and found a text from Derek. He asked if Stiles would like to come over for dinner, they were getting pizza, and that he had Uno that the pack could play. Something about it made Stiles' heart warm.
He hit the call button and moments later Derek picked up, "Hey Derek, yea I'll come over tonight but how about I make pizza instead, I haven't cooked for the kids in a few days."
"That's fine with me, if that's what you want to do," Derek said, a little out of breath from the sound of his voice.
"Are you lifting weights or something?" Stiles joked and Derek laughed.
"Somebody's got to build all this furniture," Derek joked back and Stiles was left chuckling.
"Alright, we'll be over to help as soon as they're finished with practice," Stiles said and Derek hummed.
"Alright," He said and the line went dead. Stiles shook his head. That may have been the first time that they had joked about something together.
"Stiles!" Erica's voice floated across the courtyard and before he could turn to say hello to her, she was on his back. She sniffed subtly at his check before hopping off.
"Hello to you too Erica," Stiles said, putting on like she'd hurt his back.
"Oh come off it, you're stronger than that," She lightly punched him in the arm, to which he made a show of how bad it hurt. She laughed as he grinned at her. Boyd walked up beside them, having followed her out of the school.
"Dinner at the house?" Boyd asked, voice low and surly. Stiles wondered if that was part of his charm that kept Erica interested.
"Yea, I'm just waiting on Scott and Jackson to finish up at practice before we head over," He explained and Boyd nodded.
"We'll meet you there! I just have to drop something off at my house," Erica said, before grabbing Boyd's hand and dragging him off. They disappeared into the parking lot and out of Stiles' line of sight.
Rolling his eyes fondly, he walked towards the lacrosse field and found a seat on the bleachers. Isaac eventually found his way to the field and sat beside Stiles, their sides lining up perfectly.
"Do you have any homework tonight?" Stiles asked curiously and Isaac shook his head. He had been doing better at keeping up with his work throughout his classes.
"Not tonight, but I have an essay due Monday," Isaac said.
"I think you can afford the night off, you can start working on it tomorrow. We're going to play a game tonight." Stiles said and Isaac smiled with a nod.
"Do you think they ever get tired of beating the shit out of each other?" Isaac asked, motioning towards the field where Jackson was having a fit just trying to get the ball past Scott.
"I highly doubt it, meat for brains," Stiles jested and Isaac laughed.
The practice flew by after that and Stiles stopped Jackson to invite him and Lydia to dinner. He just gave a jerk of his head before rushing off to meet up with Lydia. There was once a time that Stiles wondered why Lydia always waited around on Jackson. That was before he found out that Lydia tutored other kids every day after school, so most of the time it was Jackson waiting on her.
Despite Jackson acting like a dick most of the time, he was good to Lydia and that's all that Stiles cared about. Jackson would soften in time towards the pack, it would just take a while. Shaking away the thoughts, Stiles revved off towards the reserve and by the time they arrived, he'd gotten a full rundown of Scott's day.
They made their way inside, Scott racing up the stairs to his room as Stiles and Isaac walked into the kitchen. Derek must have fully stocked the kitchen, because when Stiles went looking for ingredients, they were all there. It was weird, being in a kitchen that wasn't his own, but it was beautiful and he would get used to it.
There was a soft ping in his heart; sooner rather than later. He tried to shove the thoughts away, as they made tears burn at the back of his eyes.
He looked over at Isaac, who sat at the kitchen table with his essay laying before him. Stiles smiled gently, knowing that previously Isaac would never have taken the initiative. "If you need any help, I'll be right over here," Stiles offered before diving into making the feast for that night.
An hour later he pulled the pizzas out of the stacked ovens and set them out on the bar. He'd have to ask Derek for a dinner bell. Just seconds later though he heard clamoring from upstairs and the front door opened.
He heard Lydia chastising the herd at the bottom of the stairs and all the rest of the kids entered the kitchen suitably cowed. Lydia followed them all in, walking over and giving Stiles a hug. "Thank you for dinner Stiles, it smells delicious," She said before making a plate.
As the kids grabbed up the pizza, Derek wandered in and nodded in thanks to Stiles as everyone sat down to eat. "Would have been better from a restaurant!" Jackson crowed, even as he stuffed his face.
To that Stiles jokingly sneered, "That's just not possible."
Erica and Lydia laughed, and Isaac sneakily put red pepper flakes on Jackson's last slice of pizza. One bite of that had Jackson wheezing much to the amusement of everyone. Derek and Stiles ate standing together at the bar, watching over the kids as they tried not to make a mess.
"It's really good Stiles," Derek said in between bites and Stiles smiled.
"Thank you," He said as he finished off his slice.
When everything had died down and they all helped clean up the kitchen, Stiles motioned for Derek to follow him and walked into the foyer. He could hear the kids setting up to play Uno in the kitchen, so he hoped that they would be too distracted to hear.
"I actually have something to ask you," Stiles said, not quite sure how to explain the events that had transpired.
Derek looked at him worryingly, "Is everything alright?"
Stiles shrugged, "Eventually I think it will be, but for now, I'd like to move in."
Derek glanced towards the kitchen and then back to Stiles, "Is that why you've been crying?" He looked like he wanted to bite his tongue as soon as the words left his mouth.
It probably shouldn't have, but it made Stiles laugh, "I'm fine, it'll just take some time. I know where I want to be."
Something about Derek's expression confused him, and he couldn't quite place his finger on what it was. Then Derek stepped forward and hesitantly put his arms around Stiles, hugging him close. At first, Stiles just stood there frozen, unsure of how to react; and then the tears were back.
He dropped his forehead onto Derek's shoulder, not leaning into his embrace but not leaning out of it either. The tears wet Derek's shirt and for that Stiles felt the need to apologize, but if he opened his mouth he would just sob. He didn't want the kids to see him this way, didn't want them to feel like he was the one that needed emotional support.
That was the point of family though. This was his chosen family. Derek was a part of that as well. Maybe it was okay for Derek to be his shoulder to cry on, just like Stiles would be there if Derek ever needed it.
Something stirred in Stiles' belly, a feeling he hadn't experienced in quite sometime and suddenly he was embarrassed. He finally leaned back, thanking Derek lowly.
"We can move you in this weekend," Derek said, pointedly ignoring what had just transpired and for that Stiles was grateful.
"You mind going furniture shopping again? I have straight A's, they won't care if I play hookey on Friday." Stiles said and he thought Derek would disapprove, but instead he smiled.
"Friday, then," Derek agreed.