It was halfway through the part about knotting that Stiles stopped him, which honestly had been longer then Derek expected him to last.

"Wait..." he began, "You're telling me that I'm like... your permanent fuck buddy? Like, no other whore will do?"

Derek stared at him for a moment. They were both sitting on one of the trees Derek had knocked down, just chatting about mates. This was normal. Well, normal for a werewolf anyway, "I guess so..." he hesitated in reply. "That's a new way of putting it..."

"Well I mean, it's not like you or I have a real choice! I mean... what if you have feelings for someone else in the future?"

"I won't."

"But what if!" he pressed.

Derek ran a hand over his face, "When I say I won't it means I won't, or better yet, can't. You're my mate, that's all I'm going to want."

Stiles let his feet tap impatiently about as he cupped his hands together, looking up to meet Derek's eyes,"Do you get to choose that of your own free will?"

Derek paused to stare at him for a moment. This boy was proving to be more trouble the longer he kept him, but he did have a point. He'd never really questioned it. Werewolves were just told that you would know when you have your mate, instinct would kick in and that's that. Instinct wasn't enough? It was supposed to symbolize an undying love between yourself and your perspective mate when you 'click' but... he'd only just met Stiles truthfully.

He ran his hand against the back of his neck awkwardly, "I don't know."

"Its a simple question," Stiles retorted, "did you want me as a mate? or was it just decided for you?"

No. He liked Stiles. There had never been a case of two mates unhappy with one another. He was happy with Stiles. Protective of him. It may not have originally been his choice, but he wanted it just as much. Instinct was enough. "It was decided." he finally let out, barely putting any voice behind his words.

Stiles sighed, "Sorry. I know you kinda got the short end of the stick with me."

"That's not-"

"Is there a way we can get out of it?" Stiles chirped, his head popping up. Derek swore he actually saw a little light bulb form over him like you see in cartoons when the characters get an idea. It was pretty comical-the way he jumped up from the log, arms in the air, "We'll rebel!"

"Rebel?"

"Yeah! Prove that a mate is the kind of thing you choose for yourself!" he cheered, punching a fist into the air triumphantly.

"Why does it matter to you if werewolves get to chose their mates? You're just a human."

Stiles grinned, "Well, you've already saved my ass a couple times. I sort of owe you."

"You don't owe me anything."

"My decision. Not yours."

Derek smirked as he watched Stiles scoop up his bag, tying the broken straps together to form a single loop before slipping his arm through the new hole. He waved for Derek to join him as he stood, an idiotic smile stretched across his face, "You coming Sourwolf?"

"Stop calling me that..." Derek scowled, pushing off the log and onto his feet.

Near giggling, Stiles returned, "Not a chance."

They started to walk again, Stiles seemingly marching at first, full of determination- but.. it only took about ten minutes before he was dragging his feet, kicking up dirt and leaves with every step. The crunch of the leaves was annoying enough on human ears, but to objectify werewolf senses to nearly a mile's worth of that sharp noise was cruel. Derek groaned, "You're too noisy. Pick your feet up already."

"We're further away then I thought..." Stiles moaned, letting his head fall back in an I-give-up gesture.

"Is this your first time visiting your grandmother?"

Stiles grinned, "What gave me away?"

"Lack of enthusiasm... and stamina." he informed, shoving his hands into the pocket's of his Stiles-borrowed jeans.

"I didn't know it would be this bad though~" Stiles gave Derek a contemplating up and down glance before adding, "Carry me?"

"No way."

"Awwe c'mon!"

"No."

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!" Stiles groaned, slouching over as he purposely let his feet drag.

Derek let out a threatening growl, "Pick up your feet!"

"Carry me?"

"Fine!" he snapped, stooping over to cup underneath Stiles' legs and behind his back, lifting suddenly.

Stiles let his limbs flail around a bit before wrapping them around Derek's neck, "Dude! I thought I'd be on your back or something! I didn't think you'd-"

"Carry you like a princess?" he smirked wolfishly, "It's this, or you walk."

Stiles let out a defeated breath before settling himself into Derek's arms. He was strong, and since he was shirtless, it was easy to feel his muscles contract against his side. It wasn't fair really. It wasn't Stiles' fault his shirt wouldn't fit Derek... He shut his eyes wearily, letting his head fall against Derek's shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"Sleeping..." Stiles muttered.

"On me?"

"Problem?"

Derek bit his cheek, not uttering a word as he continued walking, Stiles happily snoozing against his chest.

"That's it..." Stiles whispered sadly as they reached the small log cabin, "That's my Grandmother's house..."

Derek cautiously let Stiles out of his arms, but caught him so they stood eye to eye. Stiles wouldn't look at him. "What's eating you?" Derek frowned.

"This is where we split up isn't it?"

That small phrase was enough to send Derek into his protective Wolf-state, half of him refusing to let the boy leave, the other fighting against himself, knowing it was what was best. There was an Alpha pack on his tail, out to get him. If they didn't already have his scent he'd be surprised. Leaving him would be safe. Stiles would be safe... Derek shut his eyes in attempt to cool himself, calm his wolf.

After a short pause, he finally replied, hoping Stiles couldn't see just how much he was resisting the urge to just pick him up and walk away. "Do you want me to escort you in?"

It's not like that many people would miss him... and it technically wouldn't be kidnapping if Stiles didn't want to leave right? The look he was getting just secured his desperate desire to take him away. Keep him close.

"No.." Stiles sighed, "It'd be best if you didn't."

Derek let his eyes fall sadly, "I see."

"No, it's not that... I just... one goodbye is enough I think..." he looked up to Derek hesitantly, "two of them would be too hard."

"I know."

"But we don't need to have one you know!" Stiles half-pleaded, gripping onto Derek's arm, "I could just pretend like I never found my way!"

"Stiles..."

"We should shred that extra shirt in my bag! Pretend I was eaten!"

"Stiles."

"I could just-"

"Stiles!" Derek snapped.

Stiles was still, letting his eyes turn their gaze to the ground, examining their feet silently, "I..."

"You have people to see. Your grandmother's probably worried sick."

"Mmhn." Stiles hummed in agreement.

"You should go..."

"Mmhn." he repeated, releasing his grip on Derek's arm before wearily turning towards the cottage.

Derek tried to catch his shoulder, but Stiles shrugged him off angrily, maybe irritatedly, leaving Derek nothing more to do then watch him reach the door before turning to leave. He scowled to himself, "Mates are a waste of time. It's stupid. It'd not what I need. I don't. Need."

There was a loud scream from inside the cottage. Derek spun around instantly, "STILES!"