The first thing that Daniel sensed was a mix of strong emotions and the familiar scent of his dad wrapped around him. It was weird to sense him so vulnerable. Daniel was used to Alpha Hale who showed his affection in a tough love sort of way so he took advantage of this hug. Derek pulled away and Daniel was scared that he would end up pushing him further. He didn't really know what happened. He had tried to give Gina as much privacy as possible letting her get things out that she needed. Instead Derek pulled him closer and hugged him again.
"You're going to be a great alpha one day Danny," Derek said and Daniel froze.
"How much did George tell you?" Daniel asked cautiously.
"Enough," said Derek offering no more than that.
"I, umm, ok thanks…..dad," Daniel managed to get out.
"I'm sorry," Derek said pulling back.
"Don't be," Daniel realizing just how much George must have said. "You saved us," he said.
"That I was the alpha that my mother was," finished Derek surprising Daniel again.
"Dude as much as I appreciate it I'm done with the family issues. Can't we just let it be for now?" Daniel wanted to get away from this. He appreciated what Derek was doing but it still was too fresh for him. They all needed to move on at least for a little bit.
"Yeah…dude?" Derek asked with a small smile as he raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry, I know we had a moment and all and you and George seems to have had some break though that you've both needed for however long but you're still Derek to me you're still…"
"Unfinished?" Derek questioned. Daniel cold tell he'd been through the explanation already.
"Yeah" Daniel nodded.
"Can you do me a favor" Derek asked "Could you and Isaac go with Scott tonight. I need to think about some things," Derek looked troubled. Daniel couldn't blame him. It was all too much for him in the beginning too.
"Yeah. I get it it's a lot to take in. I need to run anyways when I can't shift I get…" he thought about it for a while "itchy" he decided was the right word. Daniel saw Derek's face fall and he stopped him before Derek could say anything.
"Don't you apologize again or I'll tell Pops-wow that sounds weird. I meant that it's not now Pops-I mean I could tell future Stiles when I get back that is," Daniel caught himself rambling again and he had been doing so well.
"Ok you just proved you're Stile's kid," Derek's face scrunched up again but they could both tell that he was smug underneath the teasing.
"Yeah," Daniel said laughing. "I should go then. I'll call Isaac and Scott to let them know I'm coming," they shared a look before Daniel headed out feeling lighter and happier than before any of this started. He needed to feel like himself again though. Daniel headed straight to the woods and ran fast, faster than he usually allowed himself because this was to help him remember his wolf.
It first started when Stiles received a weird text from Derek telling him to come over. After all the drama Stiles just wanted a night of peace but no he had to drag his ass out to fix something else. He grumbled all the way to his Jeep and then some more on the way to Derek's loft for good measure.
"Stupid wolves, what's it now?" Stiles complained. They already found Daniel so he didn't know what was wrong. They would send him back tomorrow and everything would be right with the world until the next disaster because yes, Stiles was sure, there would be one. He knocked but the door but it was already unlocked. Stiles stepped in and looked around. He wanted to call out but knew if any of the wolves were here they'd have already heard him by now. Finally, he cautiously made his way to Derek's room. It was weird going in when he wasn't dragging Derek inside out of some necessity to clean up or heal. Stiles shuddered. He joked but the last run in with a rival pack had been a bit too close for him. Taking a deep breath Stiles remembered that pack would always be ok. That he would always protect them and protect Derek. Whoa-wait where did that come from? He shook it off as Stiles finally stuck his head in slowly. He spotted Derek next to his bed leaned up against a wall. At least there wasn't any bodily harm that he could see at least. That meant there was a whole other problem, Stiles could fix that dealing with bumps and bruises. Hell between Melissa McCall feeling the need to show pictures to scare the boys and all the shit they dealt with on a normal basis, Stiles actually felt pretty well equipped. No, it was when it came to Derek and feelings that the problems became a lot harder to sort out. Stiles sat with crossed legs on the floor next to Derek, knowing he wouldn't like it if Stiles talked down to him. They sat in silence for a while as Stiles tried to gauge the situation.
"Hey big guy why don't we get you up on the bed ok?" There was silence. Stiles tried to hold it in, he really did.
"Come on Derek move something you're starting to freak me out here."
"They told me," Derek finally responded. Talking this was an improvement thought Stiles.
"Told you what?" he asked. As he realized the implications of what Derek said he started to panic. "I know you don't mean that you got any future knowledge because that will mess with things right Derek?" Stiles found an answer in his silence. "Derek no you got to be kidding me I thought we went through this like a million times. You're the one that wanted this way." Stiles could see something was bothering Derek. Sure they had all been curious but they all knew something like this would happen so they left it alone and Derek had to be the one to find out.
"I know the ending," Derek still looked troubled. He was coming out of whatever haze he seemed to be in before. Stiles had known a few times that were really bad that he'd shut everyone out and let the wolf take over. Those were few but they were always the worst.
"Look whatever happened there we'll get through it. We've been through some tough shit and we can do it again," Stiles said firmly. He knew that they'd live through whatever Beacon Hills threw at them he knew that-
"That's just it Stiles" Derek's voice snapped Stiles from his thoughts. "That's the thing we made it." Stiles saw a look of wonder on Derek's face. Out of all the things he'd expected this was the last thing which is actually kind of sad Stiles realized.
"We actually did it?" he knew he sounded a little too skeptical but come one. He'd already resigned himself that he wouldn't make it past graduation without some kind of lasting bodily harm. Again, Stiles realized how bleak that sounded.
"Yeah Stiles we did," Derek looked at Stiles with a sort of awe. "It won't be easy but eventually stuff will even out here. We'll actually have lives." Stiles felt him stomach squirm a bit. He liked when Derek smiles like this and it didn't happen enough. He looked different. There wasn't the same tension in him. Stiles burst out laughing.
"I thought you were freaking out because of some sort of impending doom but it's even weirder than that." Derek gave him an embarrassed look and Stiles could tell he was regretting texting Stiles so he back tracked a little. "Look Derek if you know we made it you're allowed to let yourself be happy for once. We're going to be ok," it wasn't until Stiles said the words out loud that it really hit him. "We're going to be ok," he repeated. Derek seemed to notice the change in words so Stiles tried again. "Our pack's going to be ok." They looked at each other both still basking in the knowledge. Stiles felt like this was a different sort of look though. It wasn't like when Derek usually looked at him. There was something here, after all this time and everything they had been through Stiles wanted to go forward not back. He wanted things with Derek, things he hadn't thought about before. Shit. Derek could probably sense all kinds of weird emotional signals right now. Stiles tried to open his mouth to explain. Before he could get attempt to get an excuse out he felt Derek's lips on his. Stiles felt Derek's hands on his shoulders and he liked that he really did but the surprise of Derek actually liking him back made him brave. He slipped a hand under Derek's shirt. Worried that Derek would push him away Stiles was surprised again when Derek smoothy took his shirt off and Stiles scrambled to do the same although he may have gotten stuck in the neck. Maybe. Derek smiled as he shook his head. Stiles wanted to feel that smile, so he leaned in close not even realizing they had made it to the bed. There were a lot of things Stiles would remember from that night but right in that moment the most important things was Derek whispering in his ear.
"We're going to be ok Stiles. Me and you we're going to be ok."
Daniel felt better than he had in a long time. He'd spent some quality time with Scott and Isaac which reminded him of how much he really did miss home. Daniel's wolf reacted strongly after being caged up for so long. It missed the smell and feel of home. If any of the others noticed his sudden clinginess they didn't mention it. In fact it was almost like their wolves had reacted in a similar way continuing to welcome Daniel back even if they weren't consciously aware of it. Plus it was fun to see everyone relax into the people they would become. Daniel got to see where Isaac started his scarf collection, how Cora was truly kick ass and how you should never try and challenge Erica and Boyd to anything because they will always team up on you and you will lose. Always.
Even though Daniel was dead tired the next morning, he felt better than he had in a long time.
The next day Daniel went back to the loft with Scott and Isaac. It was finally time, they day that they would be sending him back. Daniel was stuck between excitement and terror that they'd send him somewhere else. He believed in Pops and George though, they wouldn't let him down. Scott must have realized that he was feeling jumpy.
"Why don't I take the bike and you can run with Isaac?" he suggested.
"That sounds perfect," Daniel wished he sounded less relieved.
"Well come on bet I can beat you there," Isaac took off after shoving Daniel catching him off guard.
"Damn it," Daniel laughed, some things never changed.
As they made their way back to the loft the air was cool. He was constantly listening out for Isaac and on the nearby road he could hear Scott's bike. If he closed his eyes, Daniel could imagine he was back home messing around with his uncles on a full moon. Finally they made it to the city and couldn't run anymore. Daniel was out of breath from laughing more than actually running and he felt a strange sadness. He would miss this even though he was going back to it. His thoughts were interrupted by his surprise at seeing the Jeep when he walked up to the loft.
"Dude, it totally finally happened," said Scott who looked like he was trying to hold back a laugh.
"What?" Daniel was confused.
"Damn it Stiles you couldn't have waited until after graduation," Isaac slapped a five into Scott's hand looking annoyed. Slowly a smile crept onto his face.
"Erica's going to be pissed," Isaac laughed.
"She owes Boyd a month of laundry," Scott seemed to think this cleared their conversation up.
"Hey at least that's better than whatever she would have won," Isaac said thoughtfully.
"What did they finally tell you their whole deal?" Scott looked curious but Daniel saw a little bit of alarm on his face.
"No but come on dude it's Erica. It can't have been good," they both grimaced.
"Ok," Daniel said slowly. "So are you going to let me know what you're talking about?" he was still confused. They both looked at him as if trying to decide if they should tell him or not.
"Just go up there," Isaac finally gestured towards the entrance.
"Yeah because we're so not going in there when it comes to these two," Scott wrinkled his nose as he said this.
"Alright," Daniel backed away slowly, still feeling weird. "But you're ok sending me up there when you won't go," he looked at both of them. "Alone up to your alpha." He emphasized. Sure everything was worked out but these two didn't know that.
"You'll be fine," Isaac grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him back to the entrance. "Just knock" he emphasized "and you'll be fine. Here take my key," with that final sendoff Daniel went to see his dads. He knocked before he opened the door and still called out to warn them.
"Hey guys Scott sent me up to get you," Daniel tried to finish but the smell hit him too hard. Sex. He had to do everything in his power to not immediately turn around and run all the way to the Nemeton.
"Seriously guys?" Daniel grimaced to himself. Whatever heart to heart he'd been thankful for the night before was wiped out by the weirdness of his parents having sex. You never wanted to think about your parents together and here this was even worse.
"Get dressed c'mon we need to go," Daniel tried again to call out to them. "George gave us a time and she told me all about the plan. You and Stiles need to hurry so we can tell you on the way… sorry," Daniel added and cringed. He heard movement as he assumed they started to get dressed, he cast his eyes upward not wanting to see anything he'd regret even more later on.
He heard muffled voices and a laugh. Ugh. No fuck, this was weird. He'd made it through his life without this experience. Even though he'd heard horror stories from of the kids he knew, this was an experience he'd never needed to feel included in. The best he could hope for was that Stiles didn't know the whole story or else this would be even weirder for all of them.
Stiles came out and stretched before he put on his shirt. Daniel tried to ignore the bruises he saw and took a deep breath. Apparently Stiles noticed his discomfort.
"I told you before, you need to be cool with this," Stiles gave Daniel a pointed look. The uneasiness must have still been showing on Daniel's face.
"Aren't they more progressive in the future?" Stiles teased. Ok so he still didn't know. Derek flashed Daniel an apologetic look as they got ready to leave.
"Go down and meet Scott. Take them to the Nemeton, we'll be right behind you," Derek told Stiles as he picked up his jacket.
"Ok but you better straighten this one out," Stiles had his arm around Daniel giving him a better look at the bruises on his neck. As Stiles looked between the two there was an awkward silence.
"Actually Sourwolf is probably not the best to help you out so we'll work on it" he clapped him on the back and said goodbye to Derek.
Derek shuffled around by grabbing things. Daniel turned to the window and noticed Stiles made it down. Scott high fived Stiles and nope that wasn't really helping at all. When he turned back around Derek look like he wanted to say something.
"Just don't," Daniel shook his head. "We've gotten closer but we'll never be that close."
Derek at least looked embarrassed.
"How do you want to do this?" Daniel asked trying to move on. "I mean what deal did you made with George to voodoo them all to forget?" He winced after he said it. George would kill him if she heard Daniel refer to her magic as voodoo.
"They need to forget, if they fight it it'll be harder," Derek said. "I don't want them struggling to keep anything afterwards."
"There might be a snag in that," Stiles said. "We kind of need to talk to the twins about how you two pulled that switch off." Derek and Daniel looked at Stiles then back at each other. When the hell did he get in? Especially without either of them hearing. Even Derek looked a little uneasy. Well maybe his powers were going to come in sooner than Daniel thought. As far as he knew only Stiles and George could sneak up on wolves.
"They were curious and it's not like they have a lot of comparison for this stuff. You can just add them in to be neuralized right?" Stiles continued as nothing was wrong. Finally noticing the looks on the wolves faces.
"What?" he asked looking between them.
"Yeah, I don't think it's specific to the amount of people who are there," Daniel said frowning. "How much did you promise to tell them?" He looked at Derek who just shrugged so he didn't agree to this then. "I mean I can't tell them a lot."
"You already told Derek so what's a little more? Besides you'd be helping them and helping us. That's got to have positive consequences don't you think?" Stiles pressed.
"Ok first of all you told them before Derek found out anything," Daniel said with a bit of edge to his voice. "And second of if you remember, I didn't actually say anything that was all on George."
"Don't talk to him that way and don't put the blame on your sister," Derek scolded without thinking and Daniel froze.
"Shit. Why did we think this was a good idea? I never actually left did I?" he started grumbling "George getting me in trouble again and I'm still in the same exact place literally between you two," he turned to leave. Grumbling the whole way with the knowledge that only Derek could hear him sulk.
"Where are you going?" Stiles started.
"Back down to the Jeep. Fine I'll tell the twins a little but none of you get to hear, just them," Daniel sighed looking at Stiles.
"Wait you can't do that we need information too," Stiles argued.
"Nuh-uh he's got enough," Daniel gestured to Derek "and we need to go," Daniel said starting to turn again.
"You're not just going to walk away on this Daniel," Derek said he was using his 'you're in trouble voice.' Guess that didn't need time to develop. That shit was innate thought Daniel.
"Geez, what are you his dad?" Stiles joked trying to diffuse the situation. Daniel and Derek froze. They gave a similar looked of panic as they avoided looking at Stiles.
"Whoa you guys I haven't seen that hard of a double stare since Cora…" Stiles trailed off and looked between Daniel and Derek with a weird comprehension dawning.
"Wait," he slowly turned between the two.
"What?" Daniel asked with contained tension in his voice.
"Wait hold on what?" Stiles turned to Derek a question forming on his lips.
"You're right sorry let's go" Derek answered quickly.
"Yup, no problem. My bad let's just head out," this time Daniel was able to take advantage of his speed as he ducked out of the loft.
"What the hell?" was the last thing Daniel heard Stiles say before the door slammed shut. Smooth Danny, he felt like he didn't breathe again until he was finally back with Scott and Isaac.
"Whoa man was it really that bad?" Scott laughed as he saw the alarmed look on Daniel's face.
Note: Apologies for taking so long but I took a break while I traveled for a bit. Thanks y'all for hanging in there.