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Stiles raced around his room, his eyes sparking as he waited for Scott and his mother, Mrs. McCall, to show up. It was finally Halloween, and Stiles couldn't wait to walk around the neighborhood and go trick-or-treating with his best friend.
He'd wanted to be Batman again this year—and Scott, Robin— but Scott had insisted they dress up like werewolves instead. Stiles didn't want to hurt his friends feelings, but he felt nothing like a werewolf. He was definitely more of the fun superhero type.
But in the end he'd agreed. He wore a plaid shirt, one that matched Scott's, as well as a pair of jeans. Melissa had found the best fake hair to glue along their faces, and Stiles bared his wolf fangs in the mirror again as he admired his costume.
His bedroom door flew open as Scott stumbled inside, his own face lit up in excitement.
“Stiles! Are you ready!?” He yelled out, bouncing in his spot near the door.
Stiles nodded frantically, grabbing his jack-o'-lantern bucket from his bed before racing Scott down the stairs.
“Thanks again, Melissa. We're going to be busy tonight at the station with it being Halloween. Always are.” His dad let out a sigh, his sheriff uniform already on as he reached for the keys to his police car.
A smile pulled at his lips as he watched the two boys bounce down the stairs.
“Well look at you two scary werewolves.”
Both Scott and Stiles gave him a goofy grin. Stiles wished his father could stay home and spend the holiday with him, but duty called and the sheriff took his job very seriously.
“Thanks Dad! Be careful at work tonight.”
He gave his father a quick hug before saying goodbye.
Melissa sat on the couch arm, her own warm smile staring down at them.
“Are you sure you two boys can manage going alone tonight? You remember the rules?”
Scott blushed at his mother's words. They weren't five anymore, they were both eleven years old now. They were old enough to go out by themselves.
“Yes, mom,” he groaned out.
“Be home before dark. Don't leave the neighborhood, and don't leave each other's sides. We remember, Mrs. McCall!” Stiles repeated the words they'd heard at least a dozen times the past few days.
She gave them an approving down, standing and walking with them to the door. It wasn't dark outside yet, probably another hour or so before the sun would finally set. But an hour was just enough time for them to gather as much chocolatey goodness as possible.
“See ya, mom!”
“Bye, Mrs. McCall!”
They raced out the door and down the sidewalk, eyes wide as they searched for the first house to visit.
Stiles rummaged through his bag, counting to see how many Reece’s cups he had accumulated so far. He wasn't paying attention, and felt himself stumble backwards as he collided with something hard.
He looked up, face twisted in confusion and pain from where he'd scraped his leg in the fall, to find Jackson Whittemore sneering down at him.
Stiles' face fell, anxiety rippling through him as he waited to see what Jackson would do next.
“Oh look, if it isn't Scott and his little sidekick, Stiles. Wait—don't tell me you two are out trick-or-treating?”
Jackson laughed, gripping his side as if it was the funniest thing he had ever seen. His two friends joined in, laughing as they pointed at both he and Scott.
Stiles' face darkened, embarrassment overtaking his thoughts as he watched Scott next to him. His slightly taller friend frowned, his fists tightening by his side but Stiles knew he was just as scared as he was.
Jackson was big to be eleven, and so were his two friends. Ever since kindergarten, Jackson had taken pleasure in bullying Stiles, and Scott by default.
Stiles huffed, pressing his hand against the sidewalk as he attempted to stand up. But Jackson shook his head, biting his lip as he shoved Stiles back to the ground.
“I didn't say you could get up, Stilinski.”
Scott leaped, but was forced back as one of Jackson's friends held his arms behind his back. Scott struggled, eyes wide in fear as he watched the interaction before him.
“J-just leave him alone, Jackson. Leave us alone, okay.”
Jackson scoffed, dark eyes moving to look at Scott who was struggling to free himself.
“Shut it, McCall!”
Before Stiles could retaliate, the sound of an older boy speaking cut through the autumn air.
“Let them go. Now.”
Stiles’ head jerked to the left. Derek Hale, along with his younger sister Cora stood a few feet away.
Cora was dressed like a fairy, and Derek wore a black hoodie and black jeans. He glared daggers at the three bullies.
Despite Cora’s fairy appearance, she too had a look of disapproval on her face.
Jackson rolled his eyes. “This has nothing to do with you.”
Derek shrugged, his gaze never faltering.
“I said, leave them alone. Or I'll make you leave them alone.”
Jackson's friend immediately let Scott go, backing away with his hands held up.
“Jackson! It's not worth it man, come on.”
Jackson wanted to protest, but even he was scared of Derek Hale.
“Fine,” he spat out. “But this isn't over, Stilinski. I'll see you at school tomorrow.”
He rolled his eyes once again at Derek before stalking away, muttering about how he was going to get them one way or another.
Cora raced forward, bending down to help Stiles up.
“You okay, Stiles?” She asked, giving him a friendly smile.
They weren't in the same class, but they saw each other every day at school. Cora was nice.
“Yeah, I'm okay. Jackson is just an asshole. Hey, I like your costume!”
She twirled, her fairy skirt flying around with the wind. “Thanks!”
Her eyes fell back onto her brother who was still watching the three of them.
“Oh, this is my brother Derek! He's taking me trick-or-treating tonight. I told my mom I didn't need her, so she told me either her or Der, and I of course chose Derek. He's waaay cooler than my mom.” She whispered the last part, but Derek must have heard because he smiled at her.
“You guys should walk with us. Just in case Jackson comes back. And it will be nice to have someone other than my brother to talk to.”
Stiles shrugged, looking at Scott for confirmation. “Sure! Sounds fun!”
And for the rest of the night, Derek had to deal not only with his little sister, but also with the hyperactive Stiles Stilinski and his goofy best friend, Scott McCall.