It was finally here. Graduation was upon them and Stiles had never felt more optimistic in his life. They had all gotten dressed in their Sunday best and drove over to the high school at the allotted time. All of them were graduating and it felt like their lives were just beginning.
Stiles had Derek take their pictures, with each other and with their families. Then, all together as a pack, Derek standing proudly beside them. They had all passed their finals, Scott barely but what could you do.
As they were getting ready to take their seats in alphabetical order, that's when Stiles saw him. His dad was standing in the back, watching over everyone carefully. Stiles had to wonder if he was actually there for him or not.
The ceremony was cheesy but beautiful. Lydia gave the best commencement speech, being the valedictorian of their class. They were each called up, to the cheers of their loved ones. Until finally Stiles' name was called and he walked up the stairs to the stage.
As he took his degree, a familiar whistle echoed through the room and Stiles looked to where his father stood. He was clapping, a big smile on his face. Maybe they stood a chance after all, Stiles thought as he smiled back and gave a short wave.
It didn't take long for the festivities to end, each student going to their families and Stiles was no exception. He walked up to his father, who immediately took him into a hug. Stiles held him steadfast, not wanting to waste the moment.
As they stood back, John took Stiles by the shoulders. "No matter what we've said, I love you and I'm proud of you. I know we're at odds, but I wanted you to know that." He said and Stiles felt tears burn the back of his eyes.
"I love you too Dad," Stiles said and John nodded, before leaving the gymnasium. It was a bittersweet moment, because Stiles knew that the very next day they would be right back to fighting. They still disagreed on so much.
Even so, Stiles made his way to where Derek stood. Together they watched the pups with their parents. Scott was jumping up and down waving them over to where he stood with Melissa and Isaac.
When they reached them, Scott jumped Stiles. "Can you believe this man?" He asked excitedly, still buzzed from how well his name being called out was received.
Melissa hugged them both, "I am so happy and proud of you boys." Stiles returned her hug, thankful that she was there. She had always treated him like a son.
"Thank you," Stiles said, smiling brightly at her.
"I want to treat you boys to lunch, if you'd like to join us at Tuckers." She said and Stiles looked to Derek.
Derek nodded and said, "We'll have dinner with everyone tonight, go enjoy yourself."
"You're welcome to join us Derek, we're all family after all!" Melissa invited and Stiles watched Derek try not to look as shocked as he felt.
"I appreciate that Melissa, that would be great," Derek accepted, reaching out to bring Isaac into the fold.
"Alright, Scott, you riding with me?" Melissa asked and Scott nodded, "Then, we'll meet you there in thirty minutes!"
Stiles nodded and they disappeared into the crowd. Derek touched Stiles' shoulder, rubbing the birthmark on his neck, "I'm proud of all of you too."
Warmth rushed to his ears and he suddenly felt shy, which wasn't a very Stiles thing to feel. "Thank you Derek," He smiled fondly. Stiles took Isaac's hand, leading the way out into the parking lot.
It was just as crowded outside as it was inside, and it took them ten minutes just to get out of the lot and onto the main road. Tucker's was a restaurant in the next town over, a good choice in Stiles' opinion to escape the crowd.
By the time they were there, Melissa and Scott were waiting out front of the restaurant. They were all seated after a short fifteen minute wait. Derek sat beside Stiles, with Isaac on his other side. Stiles had Melissa on his right with Scott between her and Isaac. It felt cozy.
"Have you ever been here before Derek?" Melissa asked jovially.
Derek nodded, "Yes, before with my sister, Cora."
"How is she doing? I know that she was in town briefly." She said while looking over the menu.
"She's doing well, she's still in University so she's been focusing on her studies," He said.
"That's wonderful, what is she taking? Scott's going to school to become of Veterinarian. His time with Deaton swayed him." She said and that was news to Stiles.
Last he'd heard, Scott was going to play Lacrosse in college. He looked across the table at him and Scott smiled sheepishly. Either way, Stiles was happy that Scott was doing something he loved.
"She's going for a Master's in Creative Arts." Derek explained as their drinks were set on the table.
"And what about you? What are you doing these days?" Melissa asked after they had placed their orders.
Derek looked a little purple around the gills, "I've been taking a sabbatical. I still have a year of University left, but I haven't decided whether to finish or not."
Melissa looked surprised, "Oh! I thought you had already graduated. What were you taking?"
"I attended the University of San Diego for a degree in Screenwriting," Derek said with a self-conscious smile.
Stiles looked Derek in the eye, suddenly understanding Derek's encouragement to go into writing. He was a writer himself. Something about that was attractive.
"That sounds very interesting," She said, "What about you Stiles, have you decided?"
Stiles turned to Melissa, "I'm going to pursue a career in Journalism."
She patted him on the shoulder, "That would be great, you're very talented, you would do well."
Leave it to Melissa to make him blush under the praise. "I'm good at research, so I figured why not put it to good use." He joked and she smiled.
"You'll do great," She said and around that time their food was set before them.
Everything was delicious and when Derek eyed Stiles' cajun pasta curiously, Stiles offered him a bite. Derek gave him a bite of his burger in trade. Neither of them noticed the look that Isaac and Scott shared.
When everything was finished and they sat around contemplating whether they were too full for dessert, Derek motioned for the check. Melissa grabbed it before the waiter could set it down, "It's on me today, in celebration."
Derek looked like he wanted to object, but then he smiled, "Thank you Melissa, next time it's on me."
Melissa nodded in acceptance of that, "Alright, anyone want dessert?" The unanimous decision was no.
They all thanked Melissa, truly grateful for the meal. Melissa hugged Scott goodbye outside of the restaurant, leaving him to go home with Stiles, so that she could go in for her shift at the hospital. She worked so hard to provide a good life for her son, Stiles didn't think that Scott could have a better mom.
Derek walked them all to the car, before driving them back to the Hale house. Once inside, Derek directed them to the living room. He pulled three brightly wrapped gifts from behind the couch.
He carefully handed them each one and with a nod of approval, Scott and Isaac tore theirs open. Stiles waited patiently to see what they got. Scott opened his thin box, before staring down at a brand new stethoscope. It was gold and silver, engraved with his name.
Stiles wondered how Derek had known that Scott wanted to be a vet. Maybe Deaton had told him. From beside him, Isaac awed in appreciation and Stiles looked to see that he had been gifted the box set of Harry Potter.
With a nudge, Isaac looked at him. "That's a good one, even better than the movies." Stiles said and finally he looked down on his own present.
Stiles opened it carefully and found an attractive brown leather briefcase. It was sturdy and exactly what he needed for his first job. He smiled up at Derek, "Thank you." That prompted Scott and Isaac to thank him as well.
As Stiles cleaned up the paper, Isaac and then Scott hugged Derek. Isaac held on longer, but Scott actually accepting the affection made Stiles feel content. They truly were growing into a stronger pack.
Around that time, the front door swung open, admitting Erica and Boyd. Derek met them at the door, bringing them into the living room. They too were handed a gift each and Stiles watched in wonder as they opened them.
Erica looked like she was going to cry when she opened a stethoscope with her name on it as well. Stiles knew that she wanted to be a nurse. Some people who grew up ill wanted nothing to do with the medical field, but Erica was different. She held such appreciation for the nurses and doctors who cared for her, that she wanted to give back in any way that she could.
Boyd smiled softly at the three thick journals he received, complete with a nice fountain pen. They knew that he was unsure about what career he wanted to pursue, so this would hopefully help put his thoughts down until he figured it out. They both hugged Derek as well, before going to take their thoughtful gifts upstairs.
When the room was clear except for the two of them, Stiles swayed from foot to foot. He didn't know why he was nervous, but when Derek looked at him, it was like the world faded away. Before he knew it, he had taken two big steps forward and was in Derek's arms. They stood there for what felt like an eternity but was just under a minute.
When Stiles leaned back, Derek was watching him carefully.
"I'll take good care of it," Stiles said and Derek smiled.
"I know you will," He said, squeezed Stiles hand and then walked off into another part of the house.
Stiles was left standing in a sea of confusion, slightly emotional. He didn't know why he was feeling the way he was. Derek had always been an enigma to him. A puzzle to solve. Yet, the longer they knew each other, the more complex that puzzle became.
He took his briefcase upstairs, setting it on his desk next to the laptop. He really didn't know what he was going to carry in it, but he was excited to find out.
Stiles decided to take a nap before dinner. When he woke up, there was a wonderful smell wafting through the house. He went down to the kitchen to find Derek at the stove.
Whatever he was cooking, it smelled delicious and Stiles went to look over his shoulder; and to maybe snatch a sample. "It's a goulash that my mother made for special occasions," Derek explained, having heard Stiles walk in.
There was chicken, shrimp and rice, with veggies and elbow noodles in what looked like a delicious sauce. It smelled spicy and savory. "It looks delicious," Stiles said, trying to reach in for a noodle, but Derek lightly smacked his hand.
"It's not done yet," He said with a laugh and Stiles tried a pout to see if that worked, "Not a chance."
Stiles laughed, going to sit in one of the bar stools at the island. "Is it going to be as good as your mothers?"
Derek looked back at him fondly, "Probably not, but it's the thought that counts."
"That's true," Stiles said as they fell into a companionable silence. He watched Derek cook for a while, not really knowing what to do with himself.
Without any school work, he was at a loss. His job didn't start for another three days, he had the weekend to himself before starting on Monday. It was like Derek read his mind.
"Are you excited for work on Monday?" He asked from over his shoulder.
Stiles grinned, though Derek couldn't see it focused as he was on their meal, "I really am. I don't know what all it's going to involve, but I feel good about it."
"That's good," Derek said, "I think you'll enjoy it. Either you'll find that it's the career you've always wanted, or it'll lead you in a better direction."
"Why did you stop your courses to be a screenwriter?" Stiles wondered.
"I had to come back here to Beacon Hills," Derek said as he stirred the goulash.
"Why don't you consider transferring your credits and starting at BHU this fall?" Stiles asked.
Derek turned to him, a curious look on his face, "I hadn't thought about it. I don't know if I'll enjoy it as much as I used to."
"It couldn't hurt to try," Stiles said, "If you don't like it, you can just change courses or drop out."
Derek hummed, "I'll think about it."
Stiles nodded, content with that. Then he had a thought, "You know, if it's too personal to ask, just go ahead and shoot me down. But, how could you afford all this?"
Derek looked thoughtful, "It's not too personal. My family had certain investments that I inherited. They are lucrative." He went back to the goulash.
"Like, how lucrative?" Stiles asked.
Derek's shoulder tensed up a bit, "Enough for us to be comfortable." Stiles felt like there was more to it, but he let it go. He didn't want to cause any upset.
Soon enough, the goulash was finished and Derek scooped it out into bowls. As if called, the kids walked in from upstairs and each thanked Derek.
They all sat together around the table, talking about the summer and what they all wanted to do. Stiles and Scott may have been working, but Erica and Boyd were taking the summer off. There was even a week during July that they would be going with Erica's family on a trip.
Stiles reminded himself to talk to Derek about planning their own trip with the pups. Even if it was just to rent a boat on the lake for a weekend. He hoped that they would fill the summer with wonderful experiences.