Warning: Still no smut. Stiles learns that the feelings he has for Derek might be reciprocated anyway. Maybe it's not love, but it's something. Regardless, Stiles is not able to see a future with Derek and does his best to avoid him, but it's practically impossible. A party at Derek's loft ends abruptly and Stiles finds himself alone with Derek for the first time in a long time.

In a state of shock Stiles descended the stairs and exited the building. He made sure to close the front door behind him before he crossed the street and walked to his car. Settled in the front seat he started to come to his senses, but he could still not understand what happened up there. If he'd been confused and taken aback by Derek's behavior the last few hours, it was nothing compared to what went on in his mind at the moment.

The only thing he managed to understand from all of this, was that Derek wasn't done with him. What was installed for later encounters was still somewhat blurry.

Stiles had always known that their relationship had been somewhat lopsided. He'd never really believed that Derek did this for any other reason than for his own satisfaction. He'd always thought that Derek's feelings for him didn't run particularly deep.

This morning's events threw him off big time. If he'd had a hard time getting over Derek, this made it even worse. Derek's awkward display of emotions was somewhat puzzling, but it gave Stiles hope. Furrowing his brows, he gave it a second thought. Hope of what exactly?

Being in love with Derek was something Stiles had accepted. It was not, however, a desired feeling. He didn't want to feel like this. Not only because Derek was werewolf, but also because he was a dude. It was just too complicated.

Stiles had always considered himself heterosexual. Thinking about it he realized that he'd never really given it a thought. From early on it had always been Lydia. He had never had a crush on anyone but her, and from that he'd just assumed...

Another thing he'd picked up on was that, in Derek's opinion, humans and werewolves weren't supposed to be together. So what about Scott and Allison? They managed just fine, even if Derek didn't approve.

He tried to picture a future where he and Derek were a couple. It was impossible, so what could he really hope for?

What it really boiled down to was that if he entered onto this path, it could only lead to more heartbreak and confusion. Even if Derek showed him some emotion and displayed a genuine interest in comforting him, Stiles could not see that it would change much. Another round of clandestine visits was not desired.

Stiles decided that what happened didn't really change a thing. It was really no big deal and the last couple of weeks he'd managed just fine. There were times that he didn't even think about Derek for hours. He'd had fun with his friends, worked hard at school and done his chores without complaining.

He'd been happy and content. Scott had even commented on it. His friend hadn't mentioned the scars and bruises, he'd never asked Stiles why he'd behaved so strange during the previous weeks. He'd just casually let Stiles know that he was happy about the fact that he was himself again.

Stiles didn't know if Scott suspected that it had anything to do with Derek. He sometimes caught his friend staring at him curiously. If anyone mentioned Derek's name Stiles had done his best to stay composed, but he wasn't sure if he'd been able to fool Scott.

It was a long time ago since Stiles decided that if he ever asked, Scott would get the whole story. He couldn't possibly lie to him anymore. But as days went by without a confrontation, Stiles started to relax about it.

It was only in at night, when he was all alone, that he allowed himself to indulge in the memories. That's when he let his guard down and drove past Derek's place. During late night hours, if he had a hard time falling asleep, he dug out that sheet and clenched it to his chest.

Stiles knew it would take a while to get over it, and he'd accepted that. He'd taken one day at time and discovered that it was possible to push Derek out of his head as long as he stayed busy.

And then this happened. The walls he'd built in his mind to shield himself form it all wasn't more than a house of cards. With what happened there in Derek's loft it felt as if a gust of wind drove through his head and tore it all down.

Stiles knew he had to stay away. He couldn't risk being alone with Derek ever again. Not until he'd gotten over this, anyway. If Derek as much as looked at him weirdly he'd walk away and show him that he was done with the whole ordeal. Deep down he felt somewhat empowered after Derek's display of emotion. He felt he had a better hand now and could possibly be able to control this game. With surprise he discovered that he wasn't even scared anymore.

-o-o-o-o-

Derek didn't know what happened. He leaned on the door and started questioning himself. He couldn't even begin to wrap his mind around it, but what it all boiled down to was the fact that Stiles made him happy. He hadn't really felt happy since, since the fire.

This happiness wasn't pure, though. He'd tainted it with his own desire. Stiles was an innocent victim of Derek's frustration.

It was perfectly clear that Stiles wanted him, and he'd been aware of it for some time. Regardless of this, taking advantage of the young boy was really a crime, and he wished it had never happened

Leaving town hadn't changed anything so doing it again wasn't an option. Derek knew he had to handle it differently this time around.

He had been pretty sure about the reasons for Stiles showing up. The boy had got tangled into this with his heart on his sleeve. He was young and could be confused by his own feelings. With a humorless smile he thought about Stiles as a newly hatched duckling. Derek was his first and now he had imprinted on him.

It would pass. Stiles was smart and as soon as he himself realized that this was going nowhere, he'd move on. In the meantime they could just stay away from each other.

It might not be totally doable, they pretty much hung out with the same people, but Derek decided to start treating Stiles as a friend. Just as a friend. No more innuendos, no flirting or touching. It would be easy. Isaac, Scott and the others would not be able to tell the difference.

-o-o-o-o-

Over the next couple of weeks a few things changed radically. Scott had a fall out with Allison and the two of them decided to take a break. Isaac – who had lived around with different friends and relatives – was now a permanent fixture in Derek's loft. With Allison out of the way for the time being Scott hung out with the werewolves more often, and Stiles always tagged along. Almost every evening they ended up at Derek's playing games or just chilling.

Boyd and Erica crashed there from time to time. Sometimes other wolves were there too. People Stiles didn't know. They always treated him with suspicion but over time they mostly chose to ignore him.

Stiles was never alone with Derek, and they really never talked much either. If Derek addressed him it was only to ask if he wanted a drink or something. And even then it wasn't necessarily directed to him. It was often a general question thrown out to whoever was there at the moment. It seemed like Derek did his best to avoid any one-on-one conversation.

Hanging out with Derek and the pack on a regular basis didn't do Stiles any good when it came to his feelings for the guy. He sometimes considered a change of scenery, but it was almost like he was dragged there by invisible forces. He tried to blame it on Scott for wanting him there, but he knew that he didn't need any coercion.

Stiles was pretty sure that Derek could sense how he was longing for a sign of some sort. He'd been able to sniff out that Stiles was turned on by him ages ago, and back then they didn't even hang out that much.

At home Stiles still had the sheet tucked under his pillow. Sometimes during the night he could have sworn he heard howling nearby, but decided that it was only a figment of his own imagination. He did, however, peek out the window just in case.

It wasn't like he wanted Derek to come sneaking in at night. Stiles was over that part. He'd discovered that he wanted more. He wanted to be able to let Derek in through the front door and not be ashamed about it. He wanted to cuddle up with Derek in front of the TV even if there were other people present. He wanted to laugh with him and tease him. He wanted to be bold and cheeky with him when all their friends were around. Disturbingly enough, he also wanted to feel the pain from Derek's claws and was willing to totally submit to him if they ever ended up in bed together again.

Most of the time he managed to act normal. He threw out stupid comments and made a fool of himself on a regular basis. Every time he spotted a ghost of a smile on Derek's face after he'd delivered a funny line, Stiles felt a flutter in his stomach. But still – after three weeks – there were not a sign to indicate that Derek even remembered what happened the last time they were alone together.

One Friday after school Scott came running towards the car and announced that Derek was throwing a party. "A pack from up north is coming. I think they are relatives of him." Scott looked excited and jumped into the passenger seat with a big grin on his face. "A female Alpha and a couple of cute girls, I've been told."

Stiles looked at him with a frown. "And Allison? Are you guys, like, you know, over?" Even if Stiles felt that Allison took his best friend away, he still liked the two of them together. She was cool and sweet, and … hot.

Scott shrugged. "I don't know. No, but you know... It'll be nice to hang out with a few girls. Erica doesn't count. She is too deep into Boyd, and anyway... she's a bitch." With a sigh he looked over at Stiles. "I want Allison to worry. I'm not gonna... you know. But, oh, I miss her." For a moment he looked really sad but then a smile lit up his face. "It'll be fun. There will be alcohol."

-o-o-o-o-o-

The Alpha was probably around thirty. She was stunningly beautiful and the moment Stiles walked into the room behind Scott she pierced him with her dark, gorgeous eyes. "A human? I'm disappointed in you, Derek. You hang out with humans?" She still had her gaze fixed on Stiles, but her hand stroke Derek's upper arm. They were standing close together by the kitchen counter and she didn't seem to worry one bit about the fact that Stiles could hear her.

Stiles tried to hide behind his friend and pulled on Scott's sleeve. He was pretty sure that Scott had heard her too. "Hey, maybe this was a bad idea. I shouldn't be here." He whispered, knowing perfectly well that the wolves could hear him regardless.

"Bullshit!" Scott dragged him towards the two Alphas and introduced himself and Stiles. "This human is special. He has helped us a lot." He turned to Derek and threw his hands out. "Tell her." Derek looked like he wanted to escape. It was perfectly clear the he was uncomfortable in the situation and it pleased Stiles. He wondered what Derek was going to say.

"It's true, Hester. He is special. One of a kind. I will protect him, so don't even..." Derek was looking at Hester as he spoke, but he threw a quick glance in Stiles' direction. "He's part of the reason we can live here peacefully."

-o-o-o-o-

During the evening Stiles got introduced to her pack. The three boys, in their early twenties, had an obvious crush on their Alpha. Stiles didn't need any werewolf senses to see that. They were practically drooling over her, and when she flirted shamelessly with Derek they seemed to shrink visibly. Stiles felt for them. He knew exactly what they went through.

The other two members of her pack was a couple of twin girls. They shared Hester's features and they behaved like bratty kids. Stiles later learned that they were her nieces. Scott was obviously taken by them but Stiles didn't feel comfortable in their presence and did his best to avoid them. He'd gotten used to hanging around the werewolves but these new acquaintances took his fears to a new level.

Derek had said he'd protect him, but Stiles couldn't see that the guy ever threw a glance his way. When Joy – her name did not fit, she was mostly grumpy – decided to give Stiles a bit of attention, he feared for his life, but no one came to his rescue.

Derek and Hester had their own thing going on, Scott was busy chatting up the other twin – Jade – and Isaac hung with the three boys obviously trying to get their minds off their Alpha. Boyd and Erica had disappeared somewhere and Stiles was pretty sure about what they were doing.

"I'm really not interested." He tried to get up but Joy pinned him down with a hand on his shoulder. "I know what you're thinking, but give it up. Derek's an Alpha, you'll never get him." She tilted her head and stared into his eyes. "If you want to get it on with a werewolf you have to settle for Betas." She stroke his cheek and moved in to kiss him. "I can show you a good time. No strings attached." Joy leaned in and as her lips touched his, a few things changed around them.

"Okay, the party is over." Derek's voice roared through the loft. Everyone in there stared at him in confusion. Isaac took a step towards him and smiled hesitantly. "Uh, what? We're just starting to have fun." He stopped when Derek threw him a piercing stare. "Okay." Isaac withdrew but he looked utterly disappointed.

With a snap of her fingers Hester soon had her pack gathered around her. "I don't know what just happened, but I do understand that we have outstayed our welcome. Come on!"

As they left Derek turned to Isaac and waved his hand in the air. "Go to bed, Stiles and Scott will help me clean up the place." He started collecting empty bottles and cups as if this was a normal end to any party. Isaac was about to protest, but then he walked off with a shrug.

Scott looked just as surprised as the others. He looked at Derek. "I don't know what got into you, but you can't order me around, I'm not part of your pack." He stood firm in the middle of the floor with his arms crossed over his chest.

Derek shook his head. "Sorry. You can go if you want. Stiles and I can fix it." He didn't even look up. "Go!" When Scott made no attempt to leave Derek finally turned to him. "What?" Scott sighed. "If I leave, Stiles leaves."

They both looked at Stiles sitting on the couch. He didn't know what to say. He was still confused about what happened. When the two wolves kept staring he cleared his throat. "I, I can help. My dad doesn't expect me home anyway. He's at work."

Scott rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Suit yourself. I'm leaving." Turning to Derek he frowned. "You've been behaving lite a twat lately. More than usual. I know why. If you... If you..." He sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "If you hurt Stiles in any way shape or form I'll come after you. I'll kill you."

Seconds later Derek and Stiles were the only ones left. Stiles was still sitting on the couch not knowing what to do. Looking at the table filled with empty bottles and bowls of snacks he slowly got up and grabbed a few of them. If Derek wanted him to help, he'd definitely do that. He didn't feel forced to do it. He was not scared of Derek anymore. It was just... He wanted to. If Derek wanted him to help out, he'd do that.

As he walked across the floor towards the kitchen counter, he swallowed hard when he noticed that Derek was standing there staring at him. He put the bottles down and turned to pick up more when Derek stepped in front of him. "Stop it. I can do this myself. I'm quick." His hand came up to Stiles' cheek. "I tried. I failed. I..." He let his hand fall down. "If you want to stay you have to sleep on the couch. I won't bother you."

Stiles was a little drunk, but he knew perfectly well what he was doing. He grabbed Derek's hand and lifted it to his lips. "Only if, only if you sleep there with me."