A/N: What you all waited for is finally here. Enjoy!

Chapters will be updated weekly. Special warnings would be at the bottom notes of the chapters when needed.

Summary: 'Derek glanced at Stiles, who's smile dissolved into a light frown. He moved his hands again, and Derek flicked his eyes back to Sheriff Stilinski, silently asking for help. The Sheriff took a few steps forwards. "Stiles is mute." He said.'

I own nothing.

Chapter 8:

I see it all through a telescope:

Guitar, suitcase and a warm coat.

Lying in the back of a blue boat,

Humming a tune...

The muffled beat of the loud music seeped through his car's walls and echoed inside his chest as Derek drove down the street to Lydia's house. He heard loud, multiple voices laughing and someone yelping, and glanced at the front yard to see a large group of party-goers hooting and yelling to each other with drinks in their hands. He shook his head with a ghost of a smile, slowly starting to park the black Camaro on the sidewalk.

The shouts died down as Derek stepped out of the car, his black jeans and leather jacket making him look dark and dangerous, when really inside his heart was pretty much racing with panic. Hushed murmurs and whispers followed him as he quietly walked up the stairs leading to the Martins' front porch with his hands clenched nervously inside his pockets, the bouncing lights from inside flashing over his unshaven face.

This was it, Derek thought as he paused and stared at the front door. This was his one and only chance to make Stiles like him. If he screwed this up... he didn't even want to think about the 'what if's. He was going to win him, he told himself firmly. He's gonna do it.

Walking inside, Derek ignored the awed stares people gave him. Not much of a surprise, since they were mostly teenagers, high-schoolers, though Derek could spot a few around his own age amongst them - probably older boyfriends or girlfriends. His gaze flicked around nervously, looking for Scott in the crowed, and his breath hitched when he spotted him standing near the wall and watching the people dance, Stiles by his side.

He found himself just standing there, staring. Stiles was looking so handsome in a white T-shirt and an open, red plaid shirt, his tight dark jeans hugging his long legs perfectly. His hair was about an inch longer than the way Derek remembered it, in a perfect length for him to run his fingers through it. He held a large red party-cup in his hand, smiling such a bright smile, it made Derek's heart flutter as Scott commented on something he didn't bother to even try and read. They were too far away.

He forced his suddenly stiff legs to move through the groups of people, approaching the two teens with a racing heart and sweaty palms he tried to wipe on his jeans. He took a deep breath, willing a confident smile on his face as he got close enough for them to notice his approach. Scott was the first one to see him, and he caught his eye, smiling widely at his brother. The gesture made Stiles turn his head as well to see what Scott was looking at, but when he noticed Derek, his expression hardened. He shot Scott a betrayed look.

You told him to come? Seriously?! Derek translated in his head as he watched the way Stiles glared at Scott accusingly when he realized what was going on, his hands moving fast and sharp. Not cool, man. He let out a noise that sounded almost like a quiet, deep growl, and Scott at least had the decency to look guilty, scratching at his arm and avoiding his accusing glare.

Derek froze when Stiles' angry whiskey eyes suddenly settled back on him with a pissed off twist of his mouth, and the teen stormed past him, making sure to bump his shoulder hard against Derek's side. Derek's panicked eyes shot to look at Scott for help, and his brother quickly responded by making an urgent, encouraging motion with his hands, mouthing, Go!

Derek didn't need to be told twice. He barely caught Scott's thumb-ups before he swiftly turned around, striding quickly after Stiles' retreating back. He caught up with him, keeping the fake-confident smile on as he walked with him, side by side.

"Don't run away," Derek said, loud enough to be heard over the music, but not enough to be considered a shout. It wasn't as loud as the music at the spring party, probably thanks to Lydia's better taste. Derek was grateful for that.

Stiles gave him a glare and a quick middle finger. He was sure Derek didn't need to know sign language to understand what that meant.

"Oh, come on, Stiles." He said, not showing any sign of his nervousness as Stiles gave him a look that would make the Gods tremble. "Don't be like that."

Fuck off.

Derek pretended he didn't know what Stiles just signed, and instead he reached out and grabbed his wrist, making him stop and turn around to look at him. "Okay, okay, stop! Just stop." Derek called over the music. Stiles looked furious, trying to yank his arm free. "Would you please, just listen to me?" Derek asked, loosening his grip on his arm.

Stiles' stopped trying to free himself and just stuck to glaring at him. Derek took that as a good sign - at least he stopped running. He let out a relieved breath, smiling weakly.

"Look. I'm sorry, okay?" He started, releasing his wrist completely. Stiles crossed his arms, backing towards the closest wall and leaning against it with stiff shoulders and a firm frown. "I was being a dick. I never meant to make you feel belittled, or stupid, or whatever I made you feel. I'm so, so sorry."

Stiles narrowed his eyes, as if trying to figure Derek out. His expression was still hard and pissed, but Derek could see his shoulders lost some of their tension. Another good sign.

"You see," Derek continued, and by God, this was the longest, most honest speech he gave in his life. "You surprised me with the whole, you know, mute thing-" He waved a light hand around the word, and Stiles gave another displeased growl, straightening up in protest. "-but I couldn't care less." Derek hurried to add, placing a calming hand on Stiles shoulder. And if anyone asked him later, he could have sworn he felt Stiles briefly shivering under his touch.

"I want to get to know you, Stiles," Derek said, watching the frown slowly leaving Stiles' features. "I don't care how long it's gonna take, or how hard it's gonna be." He paused, taking a deep breath before he raised two nervously shaking hands.

Would you go out with me? Derek's hands moved awkwardly, slowly, and Stiles' whiskey eyes widened in shock, mouth slightly hanging open as he recognized the strangely shaped signs.

Where did you learn how to sign? He signed slowly back once he regained his composure, his gestures and expression much more accepting now. He still seemed a little reluctant, but Derek counted the small awed smile on his lips as a win.

I don't know the sign for- Derek looked somewhat apologetic as he said out loud, "Scott."

Stiles made a quick motion with his fist that Derek recognized as the letter S and kind of swiped it along his jaw. Derek looked confused, then mimicked the motion.

"Is that your sign for Sc-" He asked. Stiles nodded. Derek let out an amused snort, a relieved laugh bubbling in his throat and making Stiles smile.

That smile took his breath away, and suddenly laughing became somewhat a tough task.

With the ice between them broken, they moved away from the wall, wandering through Lydia's halls with no real destination as they started to talk. Derek told him about his job at the record shop and the people there, mentioning that Stiles' father was there for his birthday present. Stiles' eyes lit up at that, and he gave Derek one of his brightest smiles.

I loved that record! He signed enthusiastically, Derek watching him carefully, not wanting to miss even one word. It's one of my favorites. You have a really good taste. He smirked, noticing the awkward grin that tilted Derek's mouth.

They didn't even notice where they were going when they found themselves sliding open the glass door leading to Lydia's pool, where there were a few groups of teenagers who also tried to tune out some of the music. It was a perfect place for private conversations, with a few hidden spots that made them accidentally walk in on couples making out, before they found an empty, private spot behind two trees. They sat there on a couple of fake rocks, shielded from curious eyes, and talked.

They talked about hobbies and the weather, bitched about coworkers and classmates, gossiped about Scott and how he never makes a move on Allison Argent even though he's dying to ask her out. All along, Derek barely had to ask Stiles to repeat himself, and Stiles did his best to slow down for him and choose some of the simpler signs, so he could understand everything. They got along better than either of them hoped for.

Derek also got to hear Stiles laughing. A sweet, breathy sound that rolled out of his throat in beautiful gasps. In was contagious, and Derek found himself laughing along, so hard it was getting hard to breathe.

He stared at him all that time, and in his mind he was mapping the moles that were scattered across Stiles' neck and face. He was watching his hands move elegantly as he rambled on and on about school and graduation, about his dad and the cases he sneakily helped him solve. Minutes became hours, and people already started leaving the party as Stiles told Derek how he and Scott met, and just when he was about to start a new, absurd story that somehow involved a jellyfish and watermelons, Derek raised his palms so stop him from continuing.

"Wait, wait," Derek smiled, Stiles pausing and looking at him curiously. "If it's not too personal, mind if I ask you a question?"

Stiles hesitated.

Yeah. Sure. He signed eventually, forefinger touching his chin.

"Er... I was wondering, um, how come you are mute, but you can still make sounds?" Derek asked, suddenly very aware of how awfully personal that question was. It didn't sound like that in his brain. "I'm sorry. I mean, I thought mute people can't make sounds at all, but I heard you laughing before, and... well, you don't have to answer that..." He trailed off.

That's okay. Stiles smiled, tapping his thumb on his chest once, and it seemed a little strained, but he answered nonetheless. I have A-P-R-A-X-I-A of Speech, He spelled with his fingers, since he was pretty sure Derek didn't know the sign for that. I have all the tools required to speak, but there's a... Stiles paused for a second, then bumped both his left and right index and middle knuckles together, resuming his explanation. ...problem, in the connection between my brain and my mouth. It's treatable, to a certain level, but signing is easier.

Derek watched carefully, making sure he got everything Stiles said. Scott hadn't told him any of that... but then again, it wasn't his story to tell. He nodded slowly. "Oh," Was all he could say. Derek wished he could hear how Stiles' voice sounded like, but he didn't dare asking. He just got Stiles to spend some time with him, he wasn't going to risk offending him and chasing him away again. "I'm sorry." He said. Stiles shrugged.

It's not that bad, He signed, smiling. I'm in speech therapy, and as long as no one treats me like a retard, I'm cool. We joke about it all the time. You should hear some of the things I-S-A-A-C says, Stiles snorted, spelling the name again for Derek, along with his sign for Isaac's name. This guy has the dirtiest mouth I've ever seen. He yawned. Derek smirked.

"Oh I'm sorry, am I boring you with my deep, heart-to-heart questions?" Derek said, his greenish eyes sparkling in amusement. Stiles hurriedly covered his mouth, stifling another yawn as he shook his head frantically.

No, no...! He signed quickly once his hands were free, making Derek chuckle. Sorry, I'm just tired. He apologized, then tapped at his wrist and furrowed his eyebrows. What time is it?

Derek threw a quick glance at his watch, eyes widening in surprise. "4 AM," He replied. "We have been sitting here all night."

Dammit, Stiles signed quickly, getting up. We should probably go back. My dad is gonna kill me.

Derek nodded, a little disappointed to see Stiles go. He followed him as he walked back inside, and their hands brushed when they crossed the house while nodding goodbyes at a few people Stiles probably knew. Scott was nowhere to be seen, and Derek assumed he probably went back home earlier that night.

Once they were outside, waving their goodbye at a very tired-looking Lydia, Derek kept following Stiles until they reached a blue Jeep, and Stiles stopped, turning around to face Derek as he dug the Jeep's keys out of his jeans pocket.

Thank you, He tapped his palm at his chin, his movements small as a sheepish smile spread over his lips. For a great night. I guess you're not that bad after all.

"Glad to hear," Derek replied, a wolfish smirk tilting his lips. "Hey, you didn't answer my question, though."

Stiles cocked his head in question, his brow creasing. What question? He asked, confused.

"Will you go out with me?"

Stiles' beautiful whiskey eyes stared at him for a moment, before his face broke into a wide and shy smile, pale blush creeping onto his skin. He leaned forwards and threw an arm around Derek's shoulder, pulling the surprised man into a fierce kiss. His dark eyelashes fluttered briefly before he closed his eyes, letting out a deep, quiet and content sigh as he leaned even closer.

Derek thought his brain might explode. He didn't dare closing his eyes, wanted to see every feature and every change in Stiles' face. The flushed cheeks, the contrast between his milky skin and his moles... the dark eyelashes that softly brushed against Derek's cheek like feathers, making his shiver...

They pulled apart after what seemed like forever, gasping for breath and blushing like a couple of young teens who never kissed before. Stiles leaned back against his Jeep, looking up at Derek and letting out a rolling, breathy laugh, practically giggling. Derek couldn't stop smiling.

"Technically, that still doesn't answer my question."

That was a yes, you idiot. Stiles signed, a goofy and content smile plastered all over his face.

"Good." Derek said with a matching grin. "So, next weekend, Saturday morning. Sounds good?"

It's a date.

"Okay. See you."

Derek leaned in to peck his lips briefly, feeling Stiles smiling against him before he pulled away. He climbed up to his Jeep, giving Derek one last playful glance before twisting his keys and driving away.

Nothing else will do

I gotta have you.

A/N: Song used: "Gotta Have You" / The Weepies.

Warnings: Mention of Apraxia of Speech.

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