Fluff and fluff.
Chapter 10: Taking a Chance
"Um, I should- should probably go and get some sleep. You should rest as well." He quickly got to his feet but couldn't move away from the bed. A large warm hand was gripping his smaller one firmly.
"And where do you think you're going?"
Stiles felt his heartbeat pick up when he felt the strong, firm grip on his hand. His insides were still reeling from the somersaults from what happened earlier. He turned slightly to look at the Alpha sitting on the bed.
"I- I was thinking of crashing with the betas.. you know. A big sleepover seems fun-"
A sudden yank on his arm caused him to lose his footing and land directly on the bed. Stiles was almost on Derek's lap as the older man wrapped both his hands around the other man's waist. There were a few inches of space between their faces. Stiles looked at the hazel-blue eyes and they seemed to be shining with mirth.
"Why don't we let the kids be? Mom and Dad probably shouldn't intrude in their sleepover." Derek said in a teasing voice as he helped Stiles get settled in front of him. Stiles folded one of his legs that brushed against Derek's. His hands found their place on the Alpha's shoulders again. Stiles brushed Derek's left cheek with his thumb. The Alpha closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the touch.
"Der.. what is this?" Stiles's voice was barely above a whisper. Derek took a long breath through his nose. The teen's scent was laced with nervousness. But there was also a strong and sweet presence of hope.
"I have no idea." Derek whispered back. His nose brushed against Stiles's once again, his warm breath fanning the teen's mouth. "All I know is that I can't seem to stay away from you no matter how much I try."
"No, that is a bad thing to try." Stiles immediately pulled back a little and stared at the werewolf who tightened his hold on the spastic teen. "Who told you to stay away from me? Never stay away from me. Ever! I'll handcuff you to myself if you even think of staying away from me. That sounds a little kinky but I swear I had no ulterior motives when I thought of that-"
Derek cut off the rambling teen with a kiss to his lips. He moved his right hand to Stiles's cheek and pulled him closer. Their lips brushed against each other softly. It was similar to their first kiss but it felt more intense. Derek bit on Stiles's lower lip which made the younger man gasp loudly. Stiles kissed him back with a passion that had Derek's insides churning with heat. They pulled away when breathing became a necessity. Their noses and foreheads touched with their eyes remaining close.
"That is so much better than shut up." Stiles whispered in between deep breaths. Derek chuckled softly. Stiles pulled back and stared at the older man with wonder in his eyes. He was not used to hearing Derek chuckle and laugh so freely; at least not around him. Derek's laugh is beautiful and Stiles wants to just record it and play it on a loop.
Derek looked at him with a hint of sadness marring his features. His thumb brushed against Stiles's cheekbone.
"You're sixteen, Stiles.."
"Actually, I'm seventeen." Stiles interrupted him quickly. "Will be eighteen soon. I got held back in kindergarten cause of my ADHD. I'm older than Scott and everyone else in our class." His nose scrunched slightly as he seemed to think for a moment. "Well, except Allison since she's a year older than Scott as well. We're the same age. So you're only five years older than me, not six. Which, as far as age gaps between partners go, is not so bad."
"Stiles, you're still a minor." Derek looked at him firmly. "It's illegal. And your Dad's the sheriff. If he finds out you're with me-"
"We just make sure he doesn't find out then." Stiles's face lit up with excitement. "In fact, how about we just keep all this a secret? The less people know the better. We can tell everyone on my eighteenth birthday, considering we're still together by then, which I really really hope we will be."
"Stiles.." Derek sighed with his eyes closed. But it was clear his resolve was thinning.
"Der, I know you're scared." Stiles cupped Derek's cheeks with his hands; the thick stubble brushing against his palms. He looked at the werewolf with determination in his eyes. "I am too. Hell, I'm terrified! I've never felt like this for anyone before. I had this huge crush on Lydia all my life, holding a torch for her that she barely acknowledged." Stiles felt the Alpha tense a little at the mention of his past feelings. He tightened his hold on Derek to make him understand how serious he was. "But this.. what I feel for you, is nothing compared to what I felt for her. And I know you feel something for me too. Don't you think we should at least consider figuring out what it is? I don't want us to have any regrets down the line."
The room fell silent as both of them kept looking at each other. Stiles looked at Derek with hope written all over his face. Derek looked thoughtful for a few drawn out moments before nodding his head.
"Okay." He pulled Stiles closer who moved his hands from the Alpha's cheeks and put them around his neck. His hands seemed to love staying in contact with Derek at any chance they got. "Okay, we give this a shot. We don't tell anyone for now."
"Not even Scott." Derek's eyebrows frowned a little at that.
"You sure? I mean, he's your best friend. You can tell him if you want." Stiles shook his head.
"No, it's fine. Scott means well but he's horrible at keeping secrets. And I don't want him to treat you any differently because of me. He needs to solely focus on your relationship as Alpha and Beta." Derek felt his chest warming with the teen's words. He always knew that no matter how energetic Stiles seemed or how ridiculous antics he pulled, he was way mature than his age. Maybe that was why Stiles's age never seemed to glare back at him whenever he thought of the boy. He always had to force himself to focus on Stiles's age every time his feelings surfaced.
Not anymore.
Derek offered one of his genuine smiles which lit up the other boy's face even more. Stiles seemed to bring out these smiles from him more and more. Derek was scared to ponder about what it meant.
"As you wish." Stiles let out a mocking gasp.
"Did you just Princess Bride me?"
Derek's eyebrows rose which Stiles decided to translate as 'where does your mind go'.
"You know what it means, right? When Wes says that to Buttercup? That is his way of saying-"
"Okay!" Derek said quickly said, not letting the younger man proceed with his train of thought. "It's way too soon to be talking about.. that. We go at our own pace." Stiles nodded his head enthusiastically.
"Cool with me."
This time, it was Stiles who moved forward and planted his lips over Derek's. Their eyes closed automatically. Derek leaned back on the pillows, holding Stiles by his waist. Stiles was almost lying on top of Derek as they kept kissing. The kiss was slow but full of passion. None of them were in the rush to speed things up.
Derek shifted and turned them both to pull Stiles under his body. Stiles laid on the bed with Derek pressing over him. His weight was heavy but not crushing. Derek pulled back for a second to allow them both to breathe. He stared at Stiles with total admiration in his eyes. Stiles's cheeks were flushed, his hair was sticking up in ten different ways and his lips were shining deliciously. Stiles smiled up at Derek who found his breath hitch for a moment.
God he's beautiful!
Derek dipped his head and resumed kissing Stiles. He pushed Stiles's lips open with his own, their tongues finally touching. Stiles let out a low moan as he tasted Derek in his mouth. The Alpha tasted of cinnamon with a hint of mint and something uniquely Derek. Stiles decided then and there, making out with Derek Hale was his new favorite activity. He gripped Derek's hair at the nape of his neck and tugged on them as their lips battled together. A grunt left the older man who pulled back slightly to look at the teen under him. Derek's eyes were flashing red. Stiles gulped a little as he felt something reacting below at seeing those fierce red eyes staring at him so intently.
Too soon. Too soon! Think of something else! Bad Stiles! No boner on your first makeout!
"Damn that's hot." He muttered as he stared at the red Alpha eyes digging holes into him. A tiny smirk graced Derek's face as he lowered his head. Stiles's eyes fluttered close when he felt the Alpha's lips touch the side of his neck. Derek brushed feathery kisses all over Stiles's neck, nipping every now and then. Stiles was a bundle of squirming mess pretty soon. Derek moved lower and focused on the juncture of Stiles's throat and shoulder. He bit on the soft skin very gently with his blunt human teeth, letting his tongue lick the spot once in a while.
Derek gripped Stiles's hip with his left hand while his right grabbed onto his thigh. Their legs were tangled with each other; no way of separating one from the other. Derek found himself lost on the taste of Stiles's skin. His wolf was humming with approval. He kept licking and biting Stiles's throat until he felt the other man pushing slightly at his shoulder.
"Der.." Stiles's breathy voice made it even harder for him to pull back but he forced himself to. Derek looked at the whiskey-brown eyes shining with passion. He could also smell arousal but he wasn't sure how much of that was from Stiles since his own body was reacting quite strongly.
"As much as I'm loving this, we should definitely stop unless you want our pace to go from crawling to werewolf sprinting real quick." Derek huffed out a quiet laugh and rested his forehead against Stiles's.
"Yeah, you're right." He pulled back after pecking Stiles's lips one more time. "We should probably get some rest."
Derek moved to lie down beside Stiles. He pulled the covers over their bodies and turned towards the lean body. Stiles looked a bit hesitant at first but it vanished soon. He moved closer and wrapped one arm around Derek's waist. His head rested on Derek's right shoulder, his hair brushing the Alpha's cheek. Derek smiled a little to himself. His hand went around Stiles and rested just below his ribs. He turned his head and kissed the top of Stiles's head. He felt the teen smile before they both drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.
He could hear the light clattering from downstairs before even opening his eyes. He reached out but the space beside him was empty.
Derek slowly opened his eyes and saw that it was morning. The sun has been out for a while now but someone had drawn the curtains so he wouldn't be disturbed by the glaring rays. He had a pretty good idea who that might be.
Speaking of that, the space beside him was still quite warm. So Stiles hadn't been gone for too long. He focused his hearing and could hear multiple voices. His betas were definitely up. Stiles's smell still lingered in the pillow beside him. Derek had an embarrassing urge to just bury his nose in the pillow and nuzzle until the scent wore off. Before he could entertain the idea, he heard footsteps outside the door.
It soon flung open with the man he was thinking about sauntering in with a steaming cup in hand.
The cup did not smell like it had an appetizing content.
"Hey! You are up! Jackson's wolfy senses sure comes handy." Stiles grinned brightly and moved closer, setting the cup on the bedside table. Derek's nose scrunched up as soon as the cup was within three feet distance.
"What the hell is that?"
"That's the tea Deaton left for you. Didn't I mention? It's some Chinese herbs medicine or something." Stiles said as he sat right beside him. Derek had a slight scowl on his face as he stared at the offending liquid.
"It smells-"
"Awful. Yes, I know! Your betas have been whining about it from the moment I put the bloody herbs on the stove. I don't care if it smells like Shrek took a dump after eating dead swamp animals. It's supposed to help with your internal injuries and you will drink it even if I have to push it down your throat with a funnel." Stiles was poking at Derek's chest as he spoke. Derek looked at him with his eyebrows almost touching his hairline. Then he pursed his lips as if to hold back a laugh.
"You really are a nagging wife." Stiles mock-growled at him and handed him the cup. Derek scowled at it one more time but decided to just go for it. He knew how serious Stiles was and he wouldn't compromise with anything when it came to his health. Derek held in his breath and finished the tea in one big gulp.
Worst decision ever.
The temperature wasn't a problem. It was pretty lukewarm. But the taste was horrendous beyond compare. It all hit him at once, wrecking his tastebuds. Derek had to fight to not visibly gag at the aftertaste. But his face was scrunched up and a cough did come out.
"That's the most awful thing I've ever tasted. And I've had some cheap version of Bertie Bott's beans Laura got me once. There was an earthworm flavor." Stiles started laughing at that. Tears sprung to his eyes from laughing so hard. Derek forgot all about the awful tea as he looked at the teen hunched over.
Stiles composed himself after a while, brushing tears off his face. Derek was smiling as he stared at him. Stiles smiled back and leaned close to kiss him. Derek cupped his cheeks and kissed him back thoroughly. But their makeout session couldn't commence since Stiles pulled back as soon as their tongues touched. He had a foul look on his face.
"Oh god, that is awful." Derek laughed quietly at the teen's expression. Stiles took the cup and got up from the bed. He was rambling about breakfast and school as he left the room. Derek decided to finally grace the land of the living and greet his pack properly.
But he had to brush his teeth first. There was no way he would eat anything else with that aftertaste.
When Derek walked downstairs, he could hear the chattering and clanging of dishes. All the betas were crowded in the kitchen. Stiles was beside the stove flipping a bacon with a cup of coffee in his other hand. All of his betas were present, including Allison, Lydia, Cora and Peter. He wasn't expecting Allison and Lydia to still be there but he did appreciate it.
Cora rushed towards him as soon as she saw him climbing down the stairs. She clung to him tightly, breathing in his scent to calm her wolf. Derek hugged her back just as fiercely. His wolf was happy to be close to family once again. The Hale siblings pulled back and moved towards the kitchen together. Derek soon found himself in the arms of another wolf.
A blonde werewolf named Erica.
The last time Erica had jumped him, she had kissed him to try to throw him off while they were training. Derek was very mad at the time since he could feel Erica was also trying to mess with him at the time. But this was different.
Erica was hugging him tightly with her cheek pressed against his chest and her arms holding on to his waist. All Derek could feel from her was relief. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and rested his chin on top of her head. He met the eyes of everyone else over her head and found them all looking at them with a smile on their faces.
His eyes met Stiles's who had a proud look in his eyes. He really did look like a proud mama for a second. Derek smiled at that thought as he felt Erica let go of him.
He moved towards the kitchen counter and Stiles handed him a cup of coffee. After the monstrosity that was the tea, the coffee smelled even more amazing as soon as Derek took a whiff. He resisted the urge to kiss Stiles then and there. He made sure their fingers brushed when he took the cup though. He could see Stiles's ears turning red when their hands touched. Derek hid his smile behind his cup as he took a sip.
"Glad to see you have your strength back, nephew." Peter's smooth voice drawled out. Derek knew everyone in the room had a beef with Peter. He knew even he couldn't fully trust his uncle ever again, given their history.
"Where were you yesterday?" Jackson frowned at the eldest Hale. "In fact, I don't think we've seen you around after the full moon."
"I was taking care of some personal stuff." Peter said with his signature mysterious smile.
"Oh god, don't tell me you have a girlfriend!" Stiles exclaimed as he set a plate for Derek and looked wide-eyed at the former Alpha.
"Don't make me gag." Isaac muttered under his breath as he finished off his glass of orange juice.
"Not that it's any of your business, but no, I don't have a girlfriend. I'm still figuring some stuff out. I'll tell you when I want to." Peter's eyes were a little hard as he looked at the betas. "I came as soon as I heard the Alphas showed up here. Just came to make sure my niece and nephew were fine."
"Aren't you uncle of the year?" Erica flashed her fakest smile and fluttered her eyes. Peter rolled his eyes. "I know I'm not welcome here. Still, let me know if I can help." With that, he was gone. Everyone in the room seemed to breathe somewhat easier once the resurrected beta was gone.
"Now that Derek's all well and better, can we talk about you, Stiles? About what you did yesterday?" Scott asked slowly. The teen in question froze for a second. He slowly turned towards them and looked at their awaiting faces. Stiles sighed and rested his hands on the kitchen counter.
"Look, all I know is that there is something in me.. which makes me supernatural, you could say. It's called a spark since it's basically a potential of what I could be. I can manipulate mountain ash but most humans can do that too."
"But most humans can't throw an Alpha across the room without moving a finger." Jackson said with a bit of pride shining behind his words. Stiles offered the beta a little smile before continuing with his thought. "Yeah, but I didn't know I could do anything more until yesterday. Sparks who have powers can use the nature and the elements around them. They can use spells and protective shields to protect themselves and the people around them. I don't know much more than that. But I've already talked to Deaton. I'll go to the clinic after school and see what he can tell me."
"They can become emissaries." Everyone looked at Derek as soon as the words left his mouth. He was leaning on a counter with another cup of coffee in his hand. "Some sparks are said to be so powerful that they can do literally anything. As Stiles said, they use nature and elements. They use everything at their disposal to light the spark that is inside them, a spark of magic." His eyes held wonder when he looked at Stiles. "I've never met a Spark before. Emissaries are like advisors for packs. They use their knowledge to guide an Alpha. But not all emissaries are Sparks. That's quite a rare gift."
Everyone seemed to hold their breath when Derek finished his speech. They were all looking at Stiles with a new light now. Most of them looked at him with pride and wonderment, some gazes held a hint of fear in them as well.
"Have you tried doing anything else?" Scott asked excitedly, like a puppy (excuse the pun). "You know, like levitating a book or setting something on fire?"
"Can you teleport?" Erica looked genuinely curious.
"Can you grow something out of thin air?" Isaac was just as curious as well. Stiles became more and more exasperated with each question.
"Okay! That's enough." He said a little loudly. "Last time I checked, we're not in Hogwarts and our lessons do not include Charms or Potions. We have Math, English, Biology and the lot. Get your asses to school." The betas all groaned but they did obey the spastic teen. They quickly finished eating their breakfast and started to head out. "Isaac, you have a Chemistry quiz in two days which if I recall, you were not excelling at. So I better find you in library during free period." Stiles looked deadly serious as he pointed a finger at the curly-haired beta.
"Yes, Mom." The blonde grumbled as he went to rush out of the loft.
"Boyd, take my car. Erica, Isaac and Cora will go with you." Derek called out to the most responsible teen in the group. Boyd just offered a nod. Erica looked giddy as she literally bounced out of the loft. "I call shotgun!"
Cora hugged Derek briefly before following the other betas. Scott's bike engine could be heard roaring followed by the familiar rumbling of the Camaro engine. Lydia and Allison were huddled together on one side, whispering something between them. Derek decided to not eavesdrop but he had a feeling it involved him.
"I'll wait in the car." Lydia said as she walked out after pecking Jackson's cheek. Allison looked visibly nervous as she approached Derek. She was fidgeting with her fingers, not really meeting anyone's eyes. Stiles looked at Jackson questioningly who shrugged his shoulders slightly.
"Derek." The Alpha looked the young Argent in the eyes to let her know she had his full attention. "I'm sorry." Well that's a first. "Scott told me everything.. about that night outside the club. How my mom-" Her voice broke a little but she took a deep breath and continued. "How my mom tried to kill him and you saved his life. I'm so sorry I blamed you. My family has already caused you so much pain. It was unfair of me to go after you and your pack so blindly without really knowing the truth. Gerard and Kate," Her voice sounded strained at the names. "They tried to turn me into someone I was not. They tried to make me a monster like they were. But I promise, I am not that person anymore. I understand if you can never trust me. All I ask is that you forgive me."
Derek's face was blank for the entire time Allison was talking. Jackson looked something between angry and understanding. Stiles kept looking at Allison and Derek. Time seemed to draw on but not for long as Derek's face finally showed some emotion.
"I forgive you." His voice was full of sincerity and understanding. "You were in a vulnerable place, you had just lost your mother. It was a good opportunity to manipulate you and your grandfather took advantage of that. I hope we can work together and make Beacon Hills safer."
A smile broke out on Allison's face, showing off her dimples. She nodded her head gratefully. "Thank you." She walked out of the loft, feeling lighter than she had felt in a long time.
"That was something." Stiles muttered. Jackson looked like he agreed with the statement. "Well, we should get going too. Jackson, you're my ride. Don't leave me behind, man." Stiles called out as the beta was already walking towards the loft door.
"Wouldn't dream of it, Lady Alpha." He called out as the door shut behind him. Stiles scoffed after the beta. "So disrespectful, kids these days." He picked up his backpack from where it was lying on top a kitchen cabinet and slung it over his shoulder. Before he could move away, he felt someone kiss his cheek.
"Have a nice day at school, my lady." Derek's rich voice rang in his ear. Stiles froze in his spot. He could feel his cheeks heating up from that one kiss. When he looked up, the Alpha was already gone. Stiles smiled to himself and walked out of the loft.
Derek walked into his bedroom with a new lightness in his steps. He picked up something from the top of his dresser. He went to his bedside table and rummaged through the top drawer to find some pencils. He flipped onto a new page of the sketchbook Cora had given him and stared drawing.
He finally has some new memories to hold onto.
Please review! 'Till next time. Ciao!
