The remaining part of the date was fairly pleasant, but Stiles couldn't get out of his head enough to take notice of that fact. He was too put down by his failure. In fact, he retired that night falling face forward into his mattress and muffled screams of frustration. It apparently hadn't been muffled enough, because Scott ended up plopping down on the bed and awkwardly patted his back, reassuring him that things would be okay.

But things wouldn't be okay, Stiles was sure about that. He had messed up, planned out a second date that had been incredibly close to getting into dangerous territory, making it decidedly worse than the first date had been. Derek may have been a douche the first time around, but at least he hadn't almost gotten them involved in a drug deal.

So Stiles would go to work Monday and face the fact that things between him and Derek just weren't meant to be. Derek was too rich and important to really bring himself to enjoy simple pleasures, such as Stiles's company. And Stiles was too much of a spaz to truly impress anyone. What was more, Stiles reasoned with himself as the workday neared, it just hadn't been a good idea to date his boss. Really, he shamed himself, they had been doomed from the start, bad dates aside.

Yet none of those reasonable thoughts seemed to have much weight upon arriving to work and having Derek enter into the elevator with him. His heart beat frantically at the beautiful sight of the man beside him, a part of him mourning at what could never be.

There must have been something in his expression, though Stiles had tried his best to school his features, because Derek raised one of his thick eyebrows in question.

That simple action had Stiles spiraling in a mental panic. He had assumed that the two consecutive bad dates were the official end of them. After all, they hadn't officially been anything, and therefore there was nothing to officially end. But now he was wondering if Derek thought it necessary to speak aloud what they both already knew. Because it wasn't. Stiles definitely didn't need to be told. He wasn't sure he wanted to be told. He'd honestly rather deal with their nothingingness without the exact words being said between them.

Sensing his panic, but ignorant of his thoughts, Derek parted his lips to state what Stiles really didn't needed to hear. Thankfully, the elevator doors opened and Stiles managed a , "No. It's cool. I understand. See ya," before escaping onto his floor. He was so embarrassed and flustered that he didn't notice that Derek had followed him out until he was planted in his chair and hitting his head against his desk.

It was Jackson who cleared his throat to urge Stiles's head up. Stiles's face heated uncomfortably under the curious gaze of vibrant green eyes, the nasty smirks of his coworkers, and the unimpressed stare of Finstock. "If we could all act professionally," Finstock gave him a poignant glare, "Mr. Hale has an announcement."

Derek's own stare remained directed at Stiles for another half a minute, before addressing the room as a whole. "So I know the tradition has stayed strong throughout the years despite my absence, and we've mentioned it before, but I wanted to personally remind everyone that next Tuesday is the company's family picnic." He smiled shyly, showing off perfectly white, if slightly crooked teeth. "I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there."

There was so much sincerity in his words and his stupid, beautiful face that Stiles hurt for him. Because while the company had in fact kept the tradition that the Hales had started when Wolf Security had been founded, no one in the company enjoyed the event. Those that did go only went because they were either in charge of a department like Finstock, or were eager to gain quick promotions like Malia. Stiles himself had only ever gone because Malia had made him, and he had never once seen Erika and Jackson there.

The thing was, the company family picnic was a joke, but it was obvious that it meant something to Derek. Wolf Security was, afterall, a family founded company, built completely from the bottom by the brother-sister duo. With Derek back running the company, but without the presence of Laura, those family traditions probably meant more now. More of a sentimental moment that Derek wanted to revisit in nostalgia.

Stiles felt for the man, having his own sentimental moments that reminded him of those cherished times with his mom.

"I'll be there," Erika cooed, flipping her hair pretentious. "Byod and I love going every year."

Stiles couldn't help the eyeroll that ensued. No one was paying attention to him except Derek. He momentarily felt guilty for his own bout of insincerity, but it was miniscule to the annoyance had had towards the others' obvious lies. Stiles, at least, had the decency of being himself.

On second thought Stiles took a mental pause while Jackson took his turn to suck up to the CEO about the family picnic, him not caring about changing the persona he put forward was probably the problem. His spastic attitude was probably what had allowed Malia to push him around for years. And why Derek had been able to so easily ignore him on their first date. And was definitely the reason for the failure that had been their second date. No doubt, it would be why he'd be alone from now on.

"Stilinski!"

Stiles startled into attention, having gotten lost in his run away thoughts. Finstock was glaring at him, irritated while Erika and Jackson watched him with amused smirks, with Derek waiting patiently behind him. "Um, yea?"

"Will we be seeing you at the family picnic this year?"

"Oh, uh," Stiles faltered, not having planned on going that year since Malia wouldn't be dragging him. Coming right out and saying that he wouldn't be attending seemed inconsiderate though...and a good way to piss off Finstock, and not in the usual way.

"You've gone every year so far, haven't you?" Erika smiled sickly sweet at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "With Malia?" There was no reason to even attempt to respond because she was on a roll. "If you're worried about her, you shouldn't be. She'll be bringing her new boyfriend. So it won't be weird or anything if you show up with your new whatever."

Stiles stared at her oddly, knowing there was an evil plan afoot, but unable to figure out what it was. A second later, he averted his attention away from her to address Finstock with a nonchalant shrug, fervently ignoring Derek as he replied, "Maybe."

"And I'm sure by maybe, Mr. Stilinski means yes. He's always so enthusiastic about the picnic, just like the rest of us." Finstock reassured.

Derek nodded with a small, crooked smile of his before announcing that he would be going to let them get back to work. He sent a last, smiling gaze towards Stiles, but Stiles had faced his computer by then, ignorant of the attention.

About two hours later, when Stiles was busying himself with the workload Jackson had ceremoniously dumped on desk, Lydia appeared in the doorway, flipping her strawberry blonde hair in a way that implied she was above everyone in the room. "Stiles, I need your help." And with that, Stiles took up the more entertaining distraction of gossiping and practically ran out of the department.

The moment they were securely on the bottom floor, away from the earshot of the other employees, Lydia gave him a stern glare and demanded, "So, what have you been up to lately?"

It was only by avoiding her eyes, that Stiles was able to respond nonchalantly. "Ah, you know, work. Life. That sort of thing. More importantly, though, what's been going on in the amazing world of Lydia Martin?"

"Destroying Jackson's self esteem and having hot sex on the side."

It wasn't clear if the hot sex if said hot sex was with Jackson, or with the hot guy she had mentioned awhile back, but in truth Stiles didn't want to dig, on the chance that it actually was Jackson. His lack of verbal response, however, prompted the return inquiry to him.

"You've been fairly secretive these last few days. Spill."

They exited the building and stepped into the slightly chilly air.

"Me? Secretive?" Stiles dramatically motioned to himself and laughed fairly uncomfortably. "How could I possibly be secretive? No, sorry Lydia, just not possible. You are mistaken."

Lydia gave him a sideline glance, only slightly smiling at his antics. They entered the coffee shop. As they stopped in line, she faced him completely with a pointed expression. "Generally, I'd agree that it would be impossible for you to maintain any amount of secrecy, but ever since you dumped Malia, there seems to be something off about you."

"I didn't dump her. It was a mutual decision."

She rolled her eyes. "You dumped her. It was about time. Let's move on to more interesting news."

Stiles figured that he could at least feign ignorance enough that while she would be annoyed and put out, she'd eventually drop it. But at that moment, just as he was also about to order his caramel latte, the cashier announced that his order had already been paid for and then his drink was immediately placed before him. Stiles blushed profusely at the elegant handwriting on the cup, "Stiles, hope to see you at the picnic. It'd make for a romantic date."

At Lydia's impatient, questioning stare, Stiles squeaked pathetically, "I think I have a secret admirer."

Lydia gave an exasperated sigh. "Erika mentioned something about you receiving gifts."

"Erika needs to keep her mouth shut."

"Yes, but what I'm wondering is if it's actually a secret."

Again, Stiles was not much louder than a queak. "I might have an idea."

"Who?"

"Well, it's a secret."

Lydia's perfectly painted lips thinned threateningly. "Fine. Keep your secret for now but I'll get it out of you later."

She flipped her hair so that it swatted his face, and she then she was sauntering off. Stiles watched her as she left, sipping his latte, feeling only minimally guilty for keeping the news from her. When she was out of sight, and the latte was finished, he dragged himself back to design where, unsurprisingly, a new stack of paperwork had been added to his desk.

By the end of the workday, Stiles hadn't been able to get to any of his own designs, too overwhelmed by the paperwork Erika and Jackson had deigned to give, and he was exhausted. His first thought upon the clock hitting five was to rush home and slump onto the couch, but just as he was about to head out, he made the rash decision to grab the Triskelion folder and instead make his way to the top floor.

"Hi," he stopped short in front of the secretary's desk, and raised the made-up file. "I'm here to give…"

She waved him away before he could finish his lie. "Mr. Hale is waiting for you. Go in."

Obediently, Stiles went into the CEO office, closing the door behind him. He was immediately greeted with a smiling Derek who stood up and stepped towards him. "I'm glad you could come by. I wanted to see you."

Stiles couldn't help but smile in return, along with a small, shaky smile. "What are you talking about? You saw me this morning."

Derek frowned. "Right." He stopped moving forward, holding his hands behind his back. To most, it would have seemed a professional stance, but Stiles could see the uncomfortable tension in the action. "You seemed...," Derek stated almostly shyly and a little awkwardly, "distracted this morning. I was worried that something might be wrong."

For some reason, in that moment Stiles's brain to mouth filter thought it best to respond jokingly, "I'm always distracted. The downside of a fast paced mind."

But Derek wasn't deterred, and all he had to say was a simple, curt. "Stiles," for the younger man to fold.

"I thought maybe the whole dating thing we tried was obviously a failure and I wasn't exactly sure how to act around you with that knowledge, and I also didn't really want to hear that it was a failure out loud even though I obviously knew it. Except, I guess not obviously. Because, I see now, with the whole cute note on the latter thing, that I might have been wrong. Not about the dates. Those really were failures. But I was wrong about us not continuing to try. So, yea, we're good now. I'm good. Everything's good."

Though Derek usually found his ramblings amusing, this time the frown became more set and profound the longer Stiles went on. When he was sure that the other was completely done, Derek's voice was low and thoughtful. "You think dating is a bad idea?"

It really wasn't right, Stiles thought, for such a handsome, successful man to look so insecure. Stiles had to bow his head to hide his eyes from the sight as he mumbled, "No. That's not what I said. I just figured that two bad dates didn't mean well for any future dates we might have."

From his view past his eyelashes, Stiles could make out the older man's sculpted remain in its stasis of a frown. "I'm sorry sorry for the way I behaved during our first date. It was unacceptable of me."

Stiles dropped his head even lower. "I'm pretty sure the second one was far worse, and that was my fault."

After a brief pause between them, warm fingertips caressed Stiles's chin to gently lift his gaze. "It wasn't that bad, but either way, I forgive you. And if you want," he continued, dropping the volume of his voice to a sultry, baritone, "I'd look forward to trying again and again until we get it right."

Stiles gulped nervously. Partly from the close contact and the intimate gesture and partly because he was overwhelmed by the level of sincerity this man seemed to have for him. It as unreal. A long, breathless minute passed before Stiles agreed that he would like to try again. And though there were so many doubts about the two of them, Stiles couldn't help the hopeful thought that maybe the third time was the charm.