Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Christmas was a painful time for the Stilinskis once Claudia had passed away. She was the one who’d made the holiday season so special. Stiles had done the bare minimum ever since, only putting up a sparsely decorated tree.

But then Derek Hale came along, who had even less of a reason to celebrate Christmas, and Stiles suddenly wanted to try doing the holiday like his mother had done.

The scene before him of Derek laughing with flour dotted on his face while the two of them made Claudia’s sugar cookies let Stiles know that he’d made the right decision.

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Full moon nights had always been Derek’s favorites, running around the preserve with his family. Now that he had evolved and could shift into a full wolf form, he felt even closer to his mother, even though she was no longer there. He often wondered if her spirit ran alongside him and his new pack.

“I could see you having fun in there,” murmured Stiles, who was running his long fingers through Derek’s black fur while everyone settled in together back at the new Hale house.

Derek nuzzled up against Stiles, causing the teen to laugh and almost fall over.

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Stiles had always looked forward to the weekly Dungeons and Dragons games he had with his friends. They’d started back in middle school and were still going strong since they’d graduated to high school. But he was practically vibrating with excitement now that Derek was joining in. He’d never regret asking Derek to play, just as nerdy as the rest of them, but so adorable with the glasses and the shyness and the smiles.

Stiles picked up his backpack. Time to go on a quest for treasure, and perhaps love as well. Maybe he’d take an extra level in charisma…

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“I don’t need your help! We’re not a charity!” Stiles had some pride, after all.

“I know you’re not,” Derek told him gently. “But I love you, and I love your dad. And I want to help.”

Stiles bit his lip, conflicted. He looked through the glass panel into his father’s hospital room. The Sheriff was sleeping, bandages wrapped around his shoulder where he’d gotten shot.

“Let me help,” Derek said softly.

Derek truly was a good man, and the money would help the Stilinskis stay afloat. “Okay,” Stiles whispered, turning back to Derek and burying himself in his arms.

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Stiles’ heart broke at the fact that Derek was once again a wanted man. He’d gone to Quantico thinking that the werewolf was safely away from Beacon Hills and danger. Despite it being only his first day, he knew that he had to go and save Derek.

He scrambled off to go talk his way onto the task force, maybe even lead what would become his rescue effort. That’d be awesome.

(Alright, so there was disappointment that he wouldn’t be leading, but darn it, he’d be going to save his man! And maybe he‘d finally tell Derek how he felt.)

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The Argents had always been hunters, killing supernatural creatures who harmed humanity. But some had twisted their noble ideals and started eradicating every supernatural being in existence, thinking them monsters. Her beloved Scott was anything but a monster, despite being a werewolf.

She looked over at Derek. The alpha werewolf’s face was full of raw anguish at seeing his very human boyfriend bloody and in pain. Derek also wasn’t a monster, and she was upset that she’d ever been led to believe that he was.

She nocked an arrow in her bow, aiming at the rest of the rogue hunters.

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Derek had tried to warn Stiles.

His yoga studio was very popular, especially with the ladies, though there were men there as well. And Derek was drop dead gorgeous with spectacular muscles which were on full display as he held the complicated yoga positions.

As Stiles walked in after class, Derek was looking uncomfortable as he was surrounded by women standing so that their curves might entice him.

Seeing Derek‘s look of relief as the two locked eyes, Stiles walked through the swarm of women thirsty for his husband’s body and planted a passionate kiss on his quirked up lips.

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An eerie horn sounded from far away, and the veil between living and dead opened. One by one, a vast number of fully shifted werewolves materialized before them. One wolf stepped forward, and Derek had to close his eyes to keep tears from falling.

“We have come to help you,” his mother, Talia’s, disembodied voice spoke to him. “We are real enough in this world to fight alongside you, thanks to your beloved. His necromancer powers are strong.”

Stiles looked exhausted, but triumphant, and Derek knew that the endless war against the evil Argents would finally be won at last.

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For what seemed like the millionth time, Stiles cursed the stupid Nemeton for causing problems. Because of it, Beacon Hills had been a literal beacon for years, calling both the supernatural hungry for power and those who hunted any supernatural creature. Which was why he was currently in the thick of battle, swinging his bat at the feral omega he was facing, while the rest of the pack fought the others.

This was the one who had hurt Derek, who was healing slowly behind Stiles. And nobody hurt his werewolf. He was going to protect Derek with everything he had.

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“Since you‘re a spark, there are many paths that your magical journey could take,” Deaton said. “Take any of my books that you feel drawn to.”

Stiles perused the bookcase and felt the urge to pull out one particular book. “Blood magic?” he read, confused.

“Yes,” Deaton said. “It’s a darker power, but it’s not inherently evil. You could use it to increase someone’s speed or strength. It could even be used for protection, if you’re strong enough.”

Stiles grinned as he stashed the book in his backpack. He’d learn how to protect the pack however he could. Especially Derek.

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Dragons were supposed to be dangerous, and two of them had approached Derek‘s territory. The pup was the size of a golden retriever and its mother was hurt and unable to fly.

“You’ve got to let them stay, Der,” Stiles begged.

“Pleeeeease?” Scott added with his big puppy dog eyes.

The alpha sighed. He already knew he would say yes. He was completely wrapped around his boyfriend’s finger.

Stiles and Scott cheered, then started giving the pup pats on the head and belly rubs, causing it to make admittedly adorable happy sounds.

Yes, Derek was definitely wrapped around Stiles’ finger.

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It had been years since Stiles had last seen Derek. He’d always hoped that the werewolf was happy wherever he was and had found some peace.

But then a week ago, Stiles had received a postcard in the mail with only a series of directions on it. He had shown the postcard to his father, hugged him goodbye, and headed off to wherever the directions led.

He finally arrived at a farm in Nebraska with many acres. Then, a familiar form arrived astride a horse, several ponies following behind. Derek looked very much at peace and thrilled to see him.

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Stiles cried as he stumbled through the preserve. He thought that at eight years old, he could walk away from where Mommy was gathering her important emissary stuff for just five minutes, but now he was so lost! He slumped down at the base of a big tree, wrapped his little arms around his legs, and hid his tearful face.

Suddenly, he felt soft fur touching his arm. He lifted his head and was shocked and delighted to find a little wolf sitting next to him. Looking into its eyes, Stiles just knew that it was there to help him.

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Stiles jumped, not expecting to be tapped on the shoulder. He pulled out his earbuds and turned around. There was the hot but grumpy librarian dude, glasses doing nothing to hide his gorgeous eyes. “Heeeey,” Stiles grinned in greeting.

Hot Grumpy Librarian’s thick eyebrows drew down. “Your music‘s too loud, even with the earbuds. This is a library. in case you didn‘t know.”

“Well, the books did give it away,” Stiles drawled with a wink.

The corner of Hot Grumpy Librarian’s lips quirked up in the briefest of smiles.

It was a sign, Stiles decided. Someday, he’d date that man.

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Stiles wasn’t expecting to come home one weekend from college to find Derek in a firefighter’s uniform gently coaxing a kitten out of a tree.

“Nobody else should have to die in a fire,” Derek explained shyly after he’d given the kitten back to its young owner.

Stiles found himself falling even deeper in love with Derek. If that was how Derek wanted to deal with the shadows of his past, he’d totally support it. Stiles would travel any distance to make sure that Derek got the peace he deserved.

And maybe someday, he’d finally tell Derek how he felt.

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Derek stirred slightly at some noises downstairs, but the loud creaking that followed had him shooting right up out of bed. He noiselessly slipped down the stairs, werewolf claws out and ready to strike at whatever was in his new house.

But there was nothing there. The downstairs hadn’t been furnished yet, except for a large ornate mirror that had been left there by the previous owner.

Relieved, he turned to go back up to bed, glancing at the mirror as he did so.

There was a mole-spotted young man in the mirror who definitely wasn’t there in the room.

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Stiles was walking with Derek through the preserve when he suddenly stopped.

Derek stopped as well, recognizing where they were. “Stiles?”

“This is where we met again, where Scotty lost his inhaler. A new beginning,” Stiles said, then took a deep breath. “And there’s one more new beginning, I hope. We’ve been together for years, and I love you more every single day. Every aspect of you. The man, the werewolf, and the wolf.” Proud that he didn’t stumble through the words, he reached into his pocket for the box and knelt down. “Derek Hale, will you marry me?”

“Yes!”

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Stiles trudged into the house completely exhausted, but his eyes lit up upon seeing Derek waiting for him. “Today was an absolute disaster!” he moaned as he sank into one of the living room chairs. “Car accidents, robberies, and stupid teenagers pulling pranks! No comments on that last one!” he added quickly, glaring at a smirking Derek.

“Not saying a word!” Then Derek’s smirk softened. “Dinner’s still cooking for another half an hour. Why don’t I fill up the bathtub and my favorite deputy can relax?”

“That sounds like heaven!” Stiles beamed. “You’re the best husband in the whole world!”

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“Derek, don’t cross the streams!”

“What.” Derek was so distracted by Stiles’ words that he lowered his water gun.

“Are you serious?” Stiles stared at him openmouthed. “You seriously don’t know Ghostbusters?”

“Of course he does, Stiles,” Cora said, then dashed past them. “Now get out of my way before I knock you guys flat as pancakes!”

Stiles saluted. “Aye aye, ma’am!” Then he winked at Derek. “At least she’s on our team! Let’s get going before your deadly sister scores the most points!” Stiles blew him a kiss and ran off after Scott.

Derek chuckled and shook his head.

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Derek staggered out of the preserve and sank to his knees. He’d been ambushed by hunters while he’d been alone. Thankfully, they were all either dead, still unconscious, or they had run away.

But that didn’t stop the wolfsbane slowly coloring his veins black.

Derek used to not care if he lived or died. But he was the alpha, and Stiles had managed to convince him that he was worth something and that he was needed. It had helped mature him as a leader and a person.

Derek got to his feet again and headed towards his pack, to Stiles.

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“Ah!” Stiles yelped as he fell while dodging Derek’s sword swing.

Derek immediately helped Stiles to his feet again. “Are you alright, my prince?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Stiles said. “Though I think perhaps you enjoy besting me in battle.” He sent the knight a playful glare.

“Never,” Derek vowed, grasping Stiles‘ hands. “I want you to be able to protect yourself against anyone. What if one day you are attacked and I’m away at some battlefield? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you were hurt, or killed.”

Stiles gently kissed Derek‘s cheek. “I know, my love.”

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With intense urgency, Derek and Laura raced home, terrified of what they’d find there. Unfortunately, half of their house had been burned, but the whole family was out and safe.

And Kate was screaming in the back of a police cruiser. Derek’s heart sank.

“She trapped us inside with mountain ash,” his mother said. “We would have died if it wasn’t for this boy.”

She led forward a teenager with moles all over who smelled like magic and… home.

“It’s not your fault, Derek,” the boy told him gently.

And the boy hugged him as Derek broke down into tears.

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Stiles’ appearance with their dinner left Derek feeling more than a little trepidation.

“It’s quinoa and kale salad!” Stiles announced proudly. “Doesn’t it look good?”

“Um…”

“Derek,” Stiles scolded, shaking the serving spoon at him, “don’t rob me of the opportunity to make sure my father eats healthy! No thanks to a certain Sheriff who’s been sneaking burgers after work!” He glared at his father at the other end of the table.

“Son,” John protested.

“Not another word!” Stiles proclaimed. “Now let’s eat!”

Derek and John exchanged a commiserating look. The things they put up with because they loved Stiles…

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“So, what did you do today?” Derek asked after greeting his boyfriend.

“Oh, you know, a little of this, a little of that, nothing important,” Stiles said airily.

Derek’s eyebrows drew down. Stiles’ account was deliberately vague and his heartbeat never skipped. He was too good at avoiding outright lying to a werewolf. Luckily, Derek already knew the truth. “Really?” he drawled innocently. “Because Scott called to say you were petting those puppies at Deaton‘s for the third time this week.”

Stiles’ eyes widened. “But they were just so cute, Derek!” he blurted out. “I had to see them again!”

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“Freeze, buddy! Are you sneaking out of bed to go brood?”

Derek sighed. Stiles was always so astute, even when half-asleep.

Stiles got up and wrapped his arms around the werewolf from behind. “Humor me for a moment, okay?” he murmured.

Derek turned around in Stiles’ arms.

“Don’t worry, okay?” Stiles told him, gently tapping the tip of Derek‘s nose. “We’ll handle it! Your wolfy powers combined with my magic can take care of anything! Trust me, Der..”

And Derek did. Stiles was a spark, and belief was power. If Stiles believed it, it would happen.

Everything would be alright.

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“You can stay here in your full shift!” Stiles declared, his heart racing at Derek still being so close. “It’ll be easy! All I have to do is say, ‘Dad, can we keep this poor lost dog? I won’t mistreat him and I’ll feed and walk him every day!’ He can’t say no to that!” He shot Derek a winning smile.

“The Argents, they know what I look like as a wolf… And I’m not a pet,” Derek growled, his eyes flashing blue.

Was that a flash of guilt in his eyes, too? Why? Stiles was going to find out.

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Stiles watched Derek train his betas, then glanced down at his own plaid shirt. He wondered what Derek would look like in plaid. He was a lot broader than Stiles could ever be. He’d look like a lumberjack!

A vivid picture of Derek as a lumberjack appeared in Stiles‘ mind. Living in a cabin deep in the woods near the top of a mountain. Taking off his sweaty shirt before he finished chopping wood with his trusty axe, biceps flexing…

“Ugh, Stiles!” Scott‘s voice interrupted. “Cut it out! We’re drowning in your arousal here!”

At least werewolves couldn‘t read thoughts.

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“Stiles,” Derek sighed. “Just go home.”

“Nope,” Stiles said stubbornly. “I am planting myself right here in your loft and I’m not leaving.” He set his hands on his hips and stared down Derek, an eyebrow raised in challenge.

Derek grimaced in response.

“What part of what I’m saying isn‘t getting through to you?” Stiles demanded. “I’m staying until you realize that you’re actually worth something! If I have to stay here forever, then I will, gladly, because that’s something that you really need to know.”

But Stiles wasn‘t quite ready to admit just how important Derek was to him.

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“And lastly, your helmet, Sir Derek,” Isaac said, holding out the final piece of Derek’s armor.

Derek took the helmet from his squire and carefully set it on his head, making sure that he could see through it easily.

He inspected himself from head to toe. The armor covering his body was freshly shined and the clothing he wore under it was of the finest material. Only the best for the king’s best knights.

And he had to wear the best to impress the guy with all the adorable moles who made the delicious pastries at the bakery in town.

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The rooster’s crow was like an alarm on the farm. Normally, it signaled the start of Derek’s day. However, it was Stiles who rose sleepily with the rooster that day.

By noon, he’d managed to milk their three cows, gather three dozen eggs in the henhouse, and collect the day’s harvest of sweet potatoes and eggplants.

His work done for the time being, he went inside to check on Derek, who was stuck in bed with a fever. “How are you feeling?” he asked softly.

“Much better knowing my husband is taking care of the farm, and me,” Derek rasped.

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Stiles let out a shaky breath. He was about to go all the way for the first time with the man that he loved. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. Derek wouldn’t laugh at him with his scrawny body and Batman boxers.

He closed his eyes and imagined what their night would be like. Derek would look at him with love and ask permission for everything he did because he was a good guy and wouldn’t take advantage. And it would be the most incredible thing in his whole life.

**********

It was even better than he had imagined.

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Stiles was finally making out with Derek on the other boy’s bed, their unfinished homework scattered around them. It was unbelievably amazing. But as things started getting more intense, Derek froze and stopped kissing Stiles back.

Stiles backed out of their embrace immediately. “Hey, is everything okay?” he asked, concerned.

Derek looked down. “This is a little fast for me. Can we go at a slower pace, please?” His cheeks reddened slightly.

“Of course!” Stiles said. Derek’s comfort was way more important than kissing or touching or even sex. “Wanna watch a movie instead?”

Derek smiled shyly. “I’d like that.”

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“Guess what today is!” Stiles sang as he ran into the kitchen.

Derek could practically feel Stiles vibrating with excitement beside him. He glanced at the calendar. No birthdays or anniversaries were coming up that he could think of. “Should I know?” he asked cautiously.

“It’s Girl Scout Cookie day!” Stiles shouted. “The local Girl Scout troop is gonna start selling outside the grocery store this afternoon and I need my boxes of peanut buttery goodness!” he finished with a dreamy expression.

Derek rolled his eyes.

“Don’t worry,” Stiles nudged him with a wink. “You‘ll get your Thin Mints, too!”

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As Stiles waited at the top of the grand staircase to be announced, he surveyed the crowd, looking for one person in particular. He sighed when he didn’t find who he was looking for.

“Lord Mieczyslaw Stilinski!”

Stiles cringed inwardly at the mangling of his proper name and proceeded down the stairs. But his eyes lit up when he saw the object of his affections, impeccably dressed as always, waiting for him at the bottom of the staircase.

“Derek,” he said breathlessly as he finally reached Lord Hale.

Derek answered by presenting his arm to escort Stiles into the gala.

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It was only the first day of his junior year in high school, and Derek already had a crush that blew whatever feelings he’d had for Paige the year before out of the water. Stiles Stilinski was just a freshman, but his brilliance had already been on full display as he’d debated for nearly five minutes with Mr. Harris over some scientific terminology. Unfortunately, even though he was right, Stiles had wound up with detention after school.

The rest of Derek’s day passed in a Stiles-filled fog. He even imagined their honeymoon in some exotic locale.

He was in deep!

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Derek was settled into his workout routine when he noticed a skinny guy come in that he’d never seen before. Derek doubted whether the guy had ever set foot in a gym before. After checking in, he went to the machine closest to where Derek was sitting.

A jolting sensation struck Derek. The guy was actually kind of cute with a charming smile and moles all over.

Unfortunately, he could barely use the machines without practically hurting himself. Derek hoped that he wasn’t going to quit coming to the gym, because he certainly wouldn’t mind seeing more of the guy.

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“Derek?” Stiles asked as they cuddled in bed.

“Yeah?”

“If we lived in a time of knights and stuff, would you fight for my honor in a tournament?”

Derek looked thoughtful for a moment. “But what would be my reward for doing so?” he mused, rubbing his chin. His eyes were twinkling.

“There is nothing better in the world than my love for you,” Stiles said loftily. “That’s reward enough. And I would tend to you while you recovered from your injuries in the final battle that you still won, my poor wounded lover.” He swooned back into Derek’s arms.

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Stiles was sick of being kidnapped. This time, he’d been taken by some omega werewolf who didn’t even tell him his name, brought to an abandoned warehouse, and tied to a chair.

The omega leaned in until he was an inch from Stiles’ face. “Tell me where Hale is or I’ll tear your puny human body limb from limb!” he growled.

Before Stiles could open his mouth, there was a loud roar, followed by a snarling black wolf smashing through the door, causing the omega to audibly swallow.

Stiles grinned. “I think you’re the one who’s gonna get ripped apart.”

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Through the mist hovering over the water, Stiles eventually saw a small boat coming towards him. The boat docked, and the cloaked ferryman held out his hand to Stiles for the fee to cross.

Stiles gingerly placed a coin into the bony hand, trying not to cringe. Charon was truly as terrifying as he was rumored to be, especially his eyeless gaze.

As he was ferried across the River Styx, Stiles knew that his next step was getting past the three-headed dog, Cerberus. His quest was incredibly dangerous, but he would do anything to free Derek’s soul from the Underworld.

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“Why am I at the clinic? I don’t like this, Derek,” Stiles whined, his legs drumming against the exam table he was sitting on. “I don’t like this one bit.”

“I know,” Derek said soothingly. “But it’s good for you to get a flu shot to help protect your dad from getting sick. And you know how much you want to keep him safe.”

“Yeah,” Stiles murmured, taking a deep breath. “It’s for my dad.”

A nurse walked into the exam room, holding a large needle.

Stiles turned white as a sheet. “Oh my god,” he breathed, then promptly fainted.

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Being held prisoner in a cell alone was awful, but Derek knew that it was much better than the hunters coming in to torture him again or, even worse, his pack being there getting tortured as well. As an alpha, he could withstand more pain than the others. He’d never ask or beg for mercy, not as long as he lived and breathed.

Suddenly, there were loud noises outside of the cell. Then, the door burst open and Stiles ran in, a cut on his cheek and his baseball bat over his shoulder. “Sorry we’re late, big guy!” he grinned.

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The brave yet undeniably human Stiles Stilinski had finally been defeated, by the flu. He was stuck in bed, too exhausted to even lift his head off the pillow. And he was alone because everyone was either at school or work.

Derek coming through the open window had to be a hallucination from loneliness. It would have been a real treat if the werewolf that he had feelings for came to keep him company. But he wasn’t real, Stiles realized sadly, his chest tightening painfully.

“Of course I am.” A hand gripped Stiles’ shoulder.

The tightness around Stiles heart released.

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Stiles’ grandmother was a lot stronger than she looked, and she gave hugs as good as either of the two Stilinski men did. Stiles missed those hugs. He missed her.

“My little Mieczyslaw,” she said, finally letting go of him. “Look at how you’ve grown!” She beamed.

“Grown into the handsomest good looks,” Stiles joked, pointing finger guns.

“Silly wisecracking boy, you were always cute as a button,” his grandmother said fondly in her accented voice. “While my son puts my luggage away, you can tell me all about your boyfriend!”

Stiles nodded eagerly. “His name is Derek,” he began.

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Derek had been terrified about bringing his boyfriend home to meet his parents. While Derek was a model student, basketball player, and decently popular, Stiles was the kind of boy who children were usually warned to stay away from. He swore like a sailor and often skipped school, yet somehow still managed to have a good GPA. The basketball angel with the bad boy of Beacon Hills High. It was a recipe for disaster.

He had no reason to worry. Stiles completely charmed his parents despite his reputation, and he was invited to dinner the following week.

Derek couldn’t wait.

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Stiles chewed thoughtfully on a pencil while he typed up another story on Superman. Superman was the hero of Beacon Hills who saved people from harmful things such as burning buildings, bank robberies, and cats stuck in trees. And he was absolutely gorgeous with that charming smile and that bubble butt that Stiles wanted to bounce quarters off of.

But then there was Derek Hale, his fellow journalist. He was kind of shy and wore glasses and was so smart, and Stiles really wanted to get to know him and date him.

His heart was being pulled in two directions…

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“Man, you need a ship to get through that storm!” a sopping wet Stiles exclaimed as he walked inside the house, but then he stopped short. He wasn’t expecting to find an expertly-made blanket fort in the middle of their living room. Inside it was his husband with his laptop in front of him.

“Did you make all this for me?” Stiles was amazed.

Derek nodded. “Your dad said you had a rough day out there. Get out of that wet deputy uniform and come watch Star Wars with me!”

Stiles practically swooned. “I love you!” he grinned.

“I know.”