CH 2
Sorry for the delay, enjoy!
Derek had made up his mind. He was ready, but he wanted more. This time it had to be more. No more running. No more hiding. He needed to claim his mate's virginity and do it right. If there was only one thing he did right, it would be that. Stiles was not Kate Argent. He roared into the night delving deeper into the woods. That old wound was taking forever to heal. He ran until he came to the river. His river.
He took his clothes off and swam into its currents, letting the water form a swirling cocoon around him.
Back in his bedroom, Stiles could still feel Derek all over him. It's as if everything around him had stayed the same and he had changed somehow. Hell he could still taste Derek on his lips, which may be the reason why he was so stoic, some sort of weird DNA recombination that was the result of several nightly failed copulations forcing silence into him.
A knock at his door stirred him from his thoughts.
"Hey, I heard a noise, anything wrong?" His dad asked, peeking in.
Stiles sighed.
"Dad."
"Yeah." The Sherriff soothed, sitting on Stiles bed instinctively knowing his son needed a one-on-one.
"So say there's this situation."
The Sherriff cocked his eyebrow in a way that reminded Stiles of Derek.
"You didn't do something illegal did you?"
"No dad. It's just." Stiles bit his bottom lip.
"Where you like someone. Like really like them. But they have issues." Stiles continued.
"Ok." The Sherriff acquiesced trying to follow his son's ramblings.
"Well. How do you. Ya know?"
"Ask them if they like you too?" The sheriff ventured.
"Yeah. Well I mean. What if they're you know, out of your league?"
The Sheriff tried not to smile. His son was an adorable dork.
"You just got to put yourself out there son. Trust me. It's the most direct way that gets you noticed. "
Stiles looked at the Sherriff like he was nuts.
"Ah, nevermind. I'll just ask Scott."
"Stiles." The sheriff insisted, rather exasperated.
Stiles thought for a moment.
"So, like a text?"
"No. No texting. Just say hi, I think you're really pretty."
Stiles bit his lower lip to hide the smirk forming on his lips. He imagined the scene.
Hi Derek, I know we like have furious make out sessions and have been trying to get each other naked and you scare the hell out of me sometimes, but I like you and I think you're pretty…
But man, was the wolf hunk pretty. Like really pretty. A stunner who made onlookers stop and stare whenever he entered a room, the dark smoldering thing he had going on adding to his sexy mystique.
He noticed his dad staring at him with an inquiring look on his face.
"Did you take your medication today Stiles?" The Sherriff inquired.
"What. Yeah. Yes" Stiles looked up smiling.
"Thanks Dad."
The Sherriff stared at his son pensively, wondering how much of the conversation had actually stuck.
"Anytime kiddo." He stated rising.
"Now go to sleep its late."
Stiles listened to his dad's footsteps disappear down the corridor.
A week passed without any news from Mr. Alpha, which gave Stiles enough time to prepare himself.
So yeah. Here goes nothing.
As his jeep approached the old, creepy Hale house Stiles noticed several other cars parked alongside the midnight Camaro belonging to a certain Mr. Tall, dark, and handsome. His stomach instantly filled with butterflies.
Hi Derek, I know we've been hanging out a lot lately, and I want to tell you that you're pretty.
No wait. I want to say that I like you. I like you a lot.
"That I like you?" Stiles cringed, was there a better way to say it?
But he didn't have time to think as he approached the front door.
Stiles knocked on the door which was opened promptly by Jackson, who gave him a quick nod as a hello. He found the pack sitting in the living room of the dilapidated house, Derek speaking quietly about something important. When Derek's eyes met his, Stiles felt his legs turn to jelly, and he just nodded hi to everyone and took a seat as far away from the alpha as possible. Derek kept talking, not particularly looking in his direction.
The sound of Derek's voice silenced itself as the group disbanded. Stiles took to his feet to follow Derek as he began ascending the stairs silently.
He found Derek upstairs rummaging through his room looking for something.
"Hey there." Stiles said quietly.
Derek turned.
"Why are you up here Stiles?"
"Um so. I just wanted to talk about our situation."
Derek gave him a stare then returned to what he was doing.
"You're almost near graduation." Derek noted casually.
Stiles felt his heart skip a beat. Was that an acknowledgement that Derek didn't see him as a child anymore?
"Yeah."
"You're going to college soon." Derek grimaced, pulling out an old box and rummaging through it.
" ?" Stiles responded lost.
"You will be leaving Beacon Hills." Derek spelled out his words like he was talking to a child.
"I'm not leaving," Stiles exclaimed loudly.
Derek bared his fangs angrily.
"Don't be stupid. We are not talking about this."
"Talking about what? You need me."
Derek looked at him pensively.
"You won't have time to work with us when you start school. We need to be able to function without you."
Stiles felt like Derek had kicked him in the stomach.
Without you. Why would we want someone as weak and human as you Stiles? You're just weak.
"Please I'm strong. I'll be strong. Derek." Stiles whispered against the door.
"This is pack business Stiles. We have to do things that don't involve you."
"You mean you won't involve me."
Derek cracked his knuckles, looking irritated.
"You are no longer needed Stiles."
Stiles was so mad he wanted to break something.
"I hate you sometimes." Stiles seethed, though he realized how childish he sounded.
"That's fine. Now go." Derek nodded, treating him just the way he felt. The wolf man stood and headed downstairs.
Stiles crumpled against the door.
I'm strong.
I am.
Stiles found himself near tears.
So much for I like you.
As Derek ventured downstairs he felt sick to his stomach. All he wanted to do was hold Stiles in his arms. But it wasn't worth it. Stiles deserved more. Stiles deserved to be safe.
"Take him home and make sure he stays there" Derek snarled pointing at Jackson.
Allison and Scott stared after Stiles sadly as he was escorted to his jeep.
"Get over it Stiles, we'll always be friends alright?" Jackson placated quietly once the two were outside.
As soon as Stiles was gone Scott spoke up.
"You didn't have to be such a jerkwad about it Derek."
"Shut up McCall." Derek growled lunging towards the back door.
"Where are you going?" Jackson inquired.
"I'll see you all here next week. Now leave." Derek spoke, his voice like distant thunder.
And there it was. The moment when the alpha had thrown him away and Stiles had backed up and walked in the other direction. He was over it. Well that's what he told himself until he finally started to believe it.
That took a long time.
In the isolated Hale house, Derek was having his own attack of conscience. Of course he wanted to nail Stiles, he was pretty sure he was far past his depths already with the teen but he couldn't risk putting anyone he cared about or loved in danger. Because if he really thought about it, he knew that he yearned for the talkative little smart ass more than he had ever yearned for anyone before. He couldn't, wouldn't, bring him in harm's way. It would be irresponsible.
Besides, he admired Stiles a lot. From a far he noticed how happy and full of life and possibility the teenager's spirit appeared. He too had lost someone near and dear to him, yet he was able to smile and laugh with the best of them. On the other hand, the walls Derek had put up were hardened by years of bitterness and anger, making sure no one could ever break them down and hurt him again.
Derek had indeed talked to Sherriff Stilinksi, but the already awkward conversation had gone awry when the Sherriff mentioned that Stiles had been accepted into a prestigious scholarship program in computer science. Damn it. Derek could never catch a break. So he dealt with it. One thing he valued more than anything was family. Having Stiles stay would mean his father would be unhappy. Unhappy families were the worst families.
He realized asking Stiles to stay would be selfish. Just because he was tied to his pack didn't mean he would let Stiles lose that kind of opportunity. The kid was incredibly intelligent. He would waste away in a tiny place like Beacon Hills. Or even worse be harmed in a dangerous place like Beacon Hills. And with that kind of logic, he made up his mind to let go of Stiles Stilinksi.
Stiles entered the first day of university determined to start a fresh. A new. Allison had gotten into a school in the east coast just like he had but he was determined to make the scholarship work to his advantage. No loans meant more money in his pockets. A new school meant new friends and new possibilities.
He wasn't going to lie; it was hard feeling like he could see Derek everywhere. Every time a tall, dark haired guy walked through the halls he imagined it was him. Though his mind told him to be open, his heart wanted him to curl up in a little ball somewhere and remember the alpha's warmth and protection.
College was overwhelming and busy. He met new friends, grew out of his awkwardness for the most part, and in his Introduction to Software Engineering class he fell in love for the second time.
Mark Davis looked like a rugged, outdoorsy guy but in reality he was a junior computer programmer that moonlighted as a TA for the class as a favor to the professor who was overseeing his doctoral dissertation. When he introduced himself to the class, Stiles realized the TA was in such great shape because he did everything outdoors. Who would have thought, a computer geek who liked hiking? Every girl in class, and Stiles was sure several guys were secretly swooning over the handsome TA from the word go. Stiles vowed that he wouldn't fall for the tall, dark, and handsome type again so he kept uncharacteristically quiet during discussion sessions and asked questions only when he was completely stuck on a problem. Mark observed him, very much like Derek had and it made him feel uncomfortable all over again. Stiles would pretend not to look, but he couldn't help but notice Mark when he was answering questions and how he looked from behind as he wrote problems on the board. He had the same raven colored hair, striking eyes, and constant stubble that outlined his strong jaw. Stiles noticed his tattooed arms that one girl had described as 'sleeves' snaking down in intricate designs. He was tall and imposing but seemed gentle and kind which made his appeal even more enticing. Stiles noticed that when he laughed, Mark's eyes twinkled. Stiles felt butterflies in his stomach once again.
However, Stiles was determined to enjoy college and not get caught up in some sort of pseudo relationship again. Teacher's aide and student romances was still taboo and he was over the initial pleasures of carrying on a secret affair. He stuck it through and enjoyed his classes and going to parties with his friends. Scott and Allison both visited, and Stiles loved showing them around. When it came time to reminisce, details about Derek were painfully absent.
"So how is he?" Stiles finally asked after his second latte. His mind continuing the question with 'is he seeing anyone?' but his filter stopping him from sounding completely pathetic.
Allison looked over at Scott who finally muttered.
"He's fine."
Stiles nodded.
"So are you dating anyone?" Allison offered trying to change the subject, a lethargic employee beginning to mop the floor and putting up a closed sign behind her.
Stiles shook his head and couldn't help but notice the pitiful looks he received.
"Just enjoying my life here. Stiles Stilinksi is a free man." He stated with a smile.
When Scott and Allison left he began to miss home even more.
In his dorm room he made a call to his dad to say hi and spent two hours talking. It felt like home.
After hanging up and feeling immensely better, he started a text with Derek's name in the recipient line. He typed out a polite 'how are you' but canceled it before he felt foolish enough to send it.
The week before finals was hectic and Stiles was so overloaded that he had gotten behind in his software engineering class. He finished the study guide and was proud of himself for retaining so much information after midterms, yet he was stuck on three questions that just wouldn't work themselves out. He pulled out the class syllabus and looked at the professor's office hours. Damn, at 7pm it was too late to see him when his office hours had ended at 6:00. He looked at Mark's office hours which ended at 7:30.
As he walked into Mark's rather small but impressive office complete with a whiteboard covered in complicated algorithms, he was surprised to see that no one else was there getting last minute help. Not good.
"Hi Stiles" Mark stated with a smile, his eyes twinkling.
"Hey Mark."
"I was wondering when you would come and see me." The TA spoke, his deep voice filling the room.
What. Stiles pushed the innuendo implicating thoughts out of his head as quickly as they formed.
"Yeah you know. Been busy and stuff." Stiles stated casually.
"How can I help you?" Mark gestured to a chair.
By letting me make out with you for a few minutes and then taking you back to my dorm for some more physical extracurricular activities? Because his roommate was starting to think Stiles was a legitimate member of the abstinence movement.
"I just don't know how to complete the last three problems on the study guide."
"Let me see what you have." Mark offered.
He bent over Stiles shoulder as Stiles explained his thought process, very reminiscent of another…Stiles picked up on Mark's cologne, it was woody and earthy with a sharp edge to it. It smelled really good.
"Here's your issue." Mark stated triumphantly.
"You're not using the V– model properly. You're relying on the Spiral model which leaves you with left overs." Mark continued drawing circles around the faulty solution.
Stiles looked up like the man told him how to cure cancer. That would incidentally, make him the most amazing man in the world.
"I can't believe I missed that."
"Well maybe less daydreaming in discussion would help." Mark smirked.
"I do not daydream in discussion." Stiles said indignantly making Mark smile widely.
"You smell really good." Stiles blurted out, his motor mouth restarting with a kick. Not good and highly inappropriate.
"Oh. Thanks."
"Did your girlfriend buy it for you?" Stiles cringed as the words fell out of his mouth.
Mark stared at him for a moment.
"No."
Stiles hesitated, worried. Just as he was thinking against it…
"Boyfriend?"
"No."
"Sorry." Stiles grimaced wanting to clamp a hand over his mouth and exit the office in a hurry.
Mark laughed.
"It's called Earth Pine."
"Huh?" Stiles was brought back to reality with the word pine.
"The cologne is called Earth Pine. It's created by a small perfumery out in the bay area. "
"Oh. You're from California?"
"No. Washington, but you know, traveling."
And there it was. The entryway into friendly conversation.
So Stiles talked, and talked, and talked, giving Mark enough time to ask and answer as well. Stiles got lost in Mark's twinkle as they conversed, making up for lost time during discussion. Stiles found himself running out of steam at around 9pm and was glad when a loud beep from his phone informed him of a incoming text message.
Stiles smiled, it felt good to talk to someone new. He found out that Mark was the oldest of three boys, was single, and loved hiking and nature. Stiles told him that he'd never been on a hike but loved walking for some reason since he did a lot of it back home. Mark offered to take him the next time he went to which Stiles casually agreed to. Totally casual, total cool.
Stiles finished finals and felt elated knowing that he had aced the Intro to Software Engineering exam giving a knowing smirk to Mark as he handed him his test paper with a casual.
"Earth Pine smells good in the morning," which made Mark laugh loudly.
Stiles went back home for the winter break and loved relaxing at home. He started cooking when he realized that his dad had started living off of fast food and offerings from neighbors, making it his mission to stock the fridge up with edibles that weren't delivered in Styrofoam containers.
He hung out with Scott and Allison and didn't even comment on the very engagement like promise ring on Allison's finger. They invited him to hang out at the Hale house but Stiles declined, wanting to keep his mental state normalized and not back into pining territory.
He should not be named never made an appearance.
Before he knew it he was back at school.
In the third week of classes, he received an email from Mark. It read: 'Hey Stiles, heading out a few hours north for a day hike. Want to join?'
Yeah. Stiles would definitely like to join.
So he wrote back oh so casually: 'Hey Mark, glad you've been thinking about me over the winter break. Can't wait to go for my first hike. I'm stoked.'
Stiles hit the send button before he had proofread the email and had to hold the power button on his laptop to stop the email from traversing through the World Wide Web into Mark's inbox.
"Glad you've been thinking about me? Are you serious?!" Stiles moaned.
When he restarted and checked his sent folder, he sighed seeing the email there. Oh well, he had done his best.
That night when he checked his email, Stiles found an email from Mark.
It read: 'Great! I see you haven't lost your sense of humor. See you Saturday. Bring plenty of fluids.'
Stiles twirled in his computer chair. Why was it so easy? No push and pull, no obligations to the pack or exclusive laws, just two people hanging out with the possible chance of a casual make out session. Well maybe.
A hawk circled over head releasing a dramatic screech which Stiles took as the call of the bird indicating to its woodland friends that it had found food. He watched Mark's amazing ass traverse a slope of gravel.
"You do this for fun?" Stiles huffed exasperatedly feeling his calves burning.
Mark turned smiling.
"Aw come on, it's only been 20 minutes."
20 minutes of torture more like it.
'We sit in chairs all day, it's important to include physical activity in our lifestyles" Mark elaborated later as the two sat under a large tree.
"You'll be in major trouble by the time you're in your 40s if you don't." He pointed out.
Stiles nodded.
"Hadn't thought of that." He acquiesced.
"Thanks for coming." Mark ventured quietly.
"Are you kidding me? Thanks for letting me tag along. It's amazing out here."
Stiles looked at the panorama of greenery against the reddish brown rock formations.
"You're welcome." Mark replied warmly, the words staying in the air.
As the sunset the two made their way back to Mark's truck and he drove them to a small diner in the middle of nowhere.
"You haven't had a cheeseburger until you've tried one here." Mark claimed as they were seated at their booth.
"Holy. This is. I'm speechless." Stiles muttered after taking the first bite, his eyes wide trying to communicate his surprise.
There was only one other place that had burgers that even came close to this and he and Scott were regular patrons at Betsy's.
"Well glad something has that affect on you." Mark observed.
"Hey!" Stiles responded feigning hurt. He wondered when they had reached that level of comfort.
Mark laughed.
He reached out and wiped away a stray spot of ketchup from the corner of Stiles mouth and licked it off his fingers quickly.
Stiles blushed.
Luckily the lighting was rather dim so Mark couldn't see.
When had they reached that level of familiarity?
It meant one thing. Flirting had commenced.
Wow.
It was way too easy, no angst, no pining or over thinking.
When Mark's truck pulled up to Stiles' apartment, Stiles started to get nervous.
"So this is me." Stiles pointed to the second window of a large apartment complex.
"I had a really great time Stiles." Max stated quietly.
"I did too." Stiles whispered.
Mark leaned in and gave him a gentle peck on the lips. Stiles melted.
"Mark." Stiles whispered, his eyes closed.
Mark returned with a longer kiss.
"Can I take you out Stiles?" Mark asked earnestly.
Stiles nodded.
And there it was. Stile's first official date.
To the movies and then dinner it was, followed by a pretty awesome make out session which Stiles had to end because it was rapidly becoming one of those types of dates.
But things went well and even though they may have been breaking some rule about teaching assistants dating students, they starting seeing each other more and more until Stiles could say, hey, I've got a boyfriend.
When Stiles told Scott, his best friend was supportive and happy.
Things were simple with Mark and his presence in Stiles' life meant that the next three years passed by in a flash. In his senior year, Stiles was interning at one of the largest software firms and looking forward to graduation and moving in with his beau.
Mark was awesome, like best boyfriend of the decade awesome. He would let Stiles talk and revert back to his motor mouth tendencies with a smile on his face. He was great in bed and Stiles was finally able to lose that pesky V card once and for all. And he enjoyed the sex. A lot. There were a few things that weren't optimal but Stiles figured, no relationship was perfect. Not at all. They weren't a big deal Stiles told himself.
For one, Mark never wanted to meet Stiles' dad or visit Beacon Hills to see his home town and Mark barely ever mentioned his own family. Stiles finally found out that Mark had been adopted by his aunt and uncle while looking for a missing screw that had fallen out of his alarm clock, which had gotten one too many slams on the snooze button. The adoption certificate that was tucked into Mark's important documents file that Stiles was totally not snooping into made him aw out loud. Why couldn't Mark tell him? He felt the first pang of insecurity. Why would Mark hide from him?
Stiles was ok with that. He wasn't as ok with Mark not telling him, but never the less the rest of his relationship was good. One thing he didn't really like was that Mark didn't like to cuddle. Ok, not very manly but still, who doesn't like to cuddle? Stiles thought to himself. It would always be sex, shower, eat for Mark and Stiles often felt awkward lying against him on the come down knowing Mark wouldn't reciprocate.
And eventually the small things began to aggregate and build until Mark received a text on one of their movie night. Stiles didn't like to pry but those little things became a big thing when he saw the text.
'Are you stilsl there?'
Stiles didn't know what to think, or want to think what it meant.
When Mark returned and swung an arm around him, Stiles couldn't help but feel grossed out.
Stiles was speechless again and barely commented on the movie they were watching. Mark didn't even notice his reticence.
As the last few months dragged on before the implosion of Stark, Mark became less and less available and more and more distant when they did hang out. Stiles later learned these as the most obvious signs of cheating. Stiles finally asked Mark after months of waiting.
"Is there someone else?"
They were at their favorite Italian restaurant celebrating their third anniversary none the less. Conversation had been light and the mood was as stale as week old bread.
Mark gave him a look.
"You know you don't need to lie, I'm a big boy, I tied my own shoelaces today and everything."
Mark sighed.
"Stiles."
"Is there someone else?"
Maybe it was honorable of Mark not to deny it. But it still hurt.
"How long?"
"It just happened. I'm sorry Stiles." Mark couldn't even look him in the eyes.
"How long." Stiles took it as a sign of growth that he was able to keep his voice even.
"Three months."
And there it was.
"Happy Anniversary." Stiles finished calmly, rising from the table.
He stood up and walked out. He walked a good fifteen miles back to his apartment, reminding him of the long walks he used to take as a teenager and laid down when he finally reached his bed. He couldn't think or react. For once he truly felt numb.
Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard a voice whisper 'wolves mate for life.'
When Scott made his weekly call, he knew something was wrong. When Stiles admitted that he and Mark had broken up, Scott notified the pack that he would be gone for a week and visited Stiles.
"That bastard." Scott growled.
"Tell me where he is!" he continued, bristling.
"Scott no! Just leave it alone." Stiles groaned. He was still trying to wrestle with the issue and needed his best friend to help him finish the rest of the Ben & Jerry's collection he had stocked in the freezer.
The two sat and ate ice-cream for a while. Scott slowly calming down.
"What would you do if Allison left you?" Stiles asked suddenly.
"She wouldn't." Scott retorted indignantly.
"I know, I mean what would you do?" Stiles continued suddenly fascinated by the ingredient list on the tub of Cherry Garcia he was holding.
"I know she's the one." Scott offered.
"Wolves mate for life." Stiles finished his best friends thought quietly.
"Yeah. When you know you just know." Scott added quietly.
When you know you just know.
TO BE CONTINUED…