Seeking Comfort

Stiles is silent.

Even Elijah and Isla can't get a word out of him, being lead away by their dad because Stiles doesn't feel well. Lydia fills his cup with coffee every time he empties it without a word.

Scott busies himself with making games for the kids or finding something to occupy them.
"Let's play hide and seek, I'll count first. Go hide!"

Boyd sits with Stiles, not too close, but near him. He doesn't talk either until he feels an ache in his chest. The only reason he stayed back was because he'd only just come back from being in subspace so Erica forbid him from fighting. He had agreed easily because he knew it wouldn't end well.

"Scotty- I," he sniffs. "I need help."
"Okay, that's okay. Come sit with me. Kids you have to play with your dad, okay? Sorry, I'll play soon."

Boyd fits himself between Scott's legs, letting him pet at him and nuzzle him.
"Stiles is sad. It's making me feel sad," Boyd complains, trying to make himself small as possible. "I want Erica."
"I know you do, she'll be home soon. Don't you worry. You want to go to sleep?"
"Okay," Boyd shrugs.
"Let's lie down, have a cuddle."

Scott holds him and strokes his back until he falls asleep, murmuring gentle praise in his ear. When he is finally relaxed, mouth open as he snores lightly Scott moves over to sit with Stiles. He's sat on the wide window sill, knees curled into his chest as he stares out of the window. His hands shake where they're tight around his coffee mug, shivering as goosebumps rise on his skin.

"Hey, buddy. I know you don't feel too great but I think you need to get up and do something. Why don't you curl up with me and Boyd and go to sleep?" Scott says gently, brushing his thumb over his cheek. "You can kneel?"

He doesn't get a response. Lydia smiles sadly, nudging him out of the way.
"I'll stay with him till Derek gets here."

Stiles looks at her.
"Derek?" He croaks. 
"He'll be here soon, love."

The pack comes home at one o'clock the next afternoon. Stiles hasn't slept. He is shaking but hasn't had coffee since Lydia cut him off in the evening prior.

Boyd clutches onto Erica, nodding when she whispers how much she loves him.
"I love you too. I missed you so much," he sobs, chest heaving as he cries.
"Okay, it's okay. I've got you, baby. Let's go sit down. I'm okay. We're okay. I'm so proud of you for asking for help."

Boyd has come a long way. When he and Erica first started dating he would refuse to talk about being a sub; he tried to act like a dom which made him exhausted and ill. Erica had to start slow with introducing BDSM, praise hidden as compliments that got less and less subtle as time went on. Boyd would never tell her that he liked it but he started getting better, started relaxing into it.

The first time he knelt had been after an argument. He was agitated and angry because he wanted to do it, to be good, but there was something stopping him. And Erica was so understanding. She let him shout at her, smash things and just waited for him to stop to go over and comfort him.

He'd been particularly nasty, though Erica refused to tell him that it hurt her. Boyd didn't know what he expected her to do, but she surprised him by hugging him, kissing him gently.

She'd gone to the kitchen to get a bottle of water and some snacks as she always did after one of his tantrums. Boyd later found out that it helps to stop him dropping.

Erica didn't react when she walked in the room, put the water and food down on the coffee table and sat on the couch next to where Boyd was kneeling.

She didn't mention the fact he was on his knees for her, just fed him chocolate and made him drink some water.

"Erica," Boyd whined. He wanted a reaction, acknowledgement.
"Don't whine, I'm here," she soothed, squeezing his shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"I want to do it for you. I'm trying so hard. Erica, please help," Boyd snuffled desperately. Erica moves round sit on the coffee table in front of him.

"Hey, it's okay. I know you've been trying very hard. You are such a good boy," Erica praised and watched as Boyd started crying heavier, choking on his breath.
"Say it again, please," Boyd begged . Erica shushed him, whispered gentle praise until his breathing was okay.

"You are a good boy."
"Your good boy?" Boyd asked nervously.
"Yeah, Boyd. My good boy."

Laura goes and hugs her kids tight, curling up with them and her mate to read a book.

Isaac launches himself at Scott, kissing him repeatedly.
"Hello to you too. You okay? Any cuts and bruises? You okay up here?" Scott asks, tapping Isaac's temple.
"In need of some kneeling, maybe go under a little bit, but I should be okay. I'll tell you if that changes," Isaac tells him, kissing him slowly now. "I got a bit scraped up but nothing that doesn't heal."

Derek's pack curls up together in one big pile on the floor of the living room. The room is filled with talk of what happened and reassurances that everyone's okay.

Stiles is still sat where he has been for the last nearly 19 hours. He doesn't even flinch when Derek calls his name, runs his fingers through his hair.

"Hey, baby. I'm so happy to see you. Scott said you've been very good but don't  feel to great. I'll fix it, I'll fix it."

Everyone goes silent, watching as Derek waits for a reply.
"Love?" Derek asks, nuzzling his cheek. He goes to pull away, deciding that putting Stiles in with pack might be better. Stiles doesn't do anything other than grab Derek's wrist and tug him closer.

"Okay, babe, I'll stay. I've got you. It's okay," Derek soothes, kissing his hair as he holds him close. "I'm not leaving, I'm all yours."

Derek lifts Stiles and takes his place on the window sill, draping Stiles on his chest. He supports him by bending his knees so Stiles' bum rests against his thighs. Stiles' legs are bent so his calves rest on the window sill and his arms are shoved up under Derek's shirt.

Derek strokes his hair soothingly, lips pressed against his temple. Stiles still doesn't talk, his fingers twitch occasionally on Derek's ribs.
"I love you so much, Stiles. I'm sorry that I had to leave, but I'm here now."

They don't hear a peep from Stiles until nearly an hour later when he starts crying. Derek coos, stroking his back gently.
"What's up, baby? What's wrong?"

Derek gulps and holds him close as he sobs. He shushes him and kisses his head as he feels his pants get soaked with something hot.

Everyone looks over, trying to gauge whether or not they should help. 
"Go run a bath please," Derek says to anyone who will listen. "It's okay, Stiles. We're going to get you all cleaned up and everything will be okay."

Scott and Isaac make work of cleaning the windowsill and the floor beside it while Derek bathes Stiles and himself.

Derek has to put Stiles' ankle cast in a plastic bag to stop it getting wet in the bath. He lets Stiles cry into his chest, splashes water up his back before he rubs some shower gel into his skin.

Stiles finally speaks when the tears have stopped streaming down his face, when Derek has washes himself and is trying to wet Stiles' hair without disturbing him.

"I'm sorry," Stiles sniffles, wiping his eyes. His voice is rough and thick from crying and his eyes are red with dark circles framing them. "I broke your rules and you only set them the other day! I'm a terrible sub- I'm sorry."
"You, my beautiful boy, have nothing to be sorry for. You-"
"I was bad and I pissed myself! On you!"

Derek sends him a warning look.
"You were dropped very far, Stiles. So far that it would be  unreasonable to expect you to worry about your rules. I think you were very good.

You told Scott you were dropping, drank lots. The only thing you did was not eat and not sleep. And that wasn't defiance that was because of your mental state. I'm never going to punish you because you couldn't do something because you dropped. Okay? Are you up or are you still dropping?"
"I'm still bad, though. I didn't follow the-"

"Stiles," Derek says sternly. "Who is responsible for telling you you've been bad?"
"You," Stiles says quietly.
"And who decides whether or not you are punished?" Derek asks, voice firm but steady.
"You," Stiles answers.
"And who has said you weren't bad?"
"You," Stiles whimpers.
"And who loves you very much?" Derek asks, tone warning up.
"You," Stiles gulps. Derek hums, squeezing the back of his neck.
"Do you trust me to be honest about all of these things?"
"Yes," Stiles says easily.
"Then listen when I say you couldn't help it. You are my amazing, wonderful, good boy and I love you," Derek says, squeezing him tightly.
"I love you, too, sir," Stiles whispers, hands squeezing Derek's sides where they rest.

"Now, I want you to answer my question, just like you have been. Are you still dropped?" Derek says calmly. He presses his nose into Stiles' hair, inhaling deeply.

"Sorry. Feel a bit heavy, feel small and bad but I can actually think enough to comprehend that now," Stiles tells him. "Dropped enough to not be hard when I'm naked and pressed up against you. But we can deal with that another time," Stiles continues though his words don't really register, they just flow and don't stop.

"Okay, love. Well if you turn around I can wash your hair."

Stiles sits between Derek's open legs with his back to Derek's chest. Derek massages shampoo into his hair, whispering sweet words as Stiles relaxes even more against him.

Abruptly Stiles sits up, making Derek jump.
"What's up?"
"Did anyone see it?" Stiles asks. He was too far gone to have paid attention to who was there.

Derek thinks about lying to him, telling him no one knows what happened, but he doesn't want to be a hypocrite. If Stiles isn't allowed to lie, he shouldn't lie to him either.

"The pack were there," Derek says gently, pulling Stiles back down to rest on his chest. Before Stiles can complain Derek speaks again. "Lydia ran the bath. Scott and Isaac cleaned up.  And Boyd and Erica are on their way back from my place to give us some clothes."

"Oh."

Stiles is laughing, shoulders shaking as he laughs. He's turned to the side so Derek can see his profile and he can see Derek.

He thinks maybe he's laughing to much because Derek is staring at him, eyes wide and eyebrows furrowed. His eyes start to water and he chokes on a laugh that turns into a sob and wheezes through his lungs.

"Okay, alright," Derek says calmly, pulling Stiles to lie on his chest again as he rubs his hands up and down his side. "I know it seems terrible and embarrassing and awful-"
"Get to the point!" Stiles laughs wetly.

Derek chuckles, tipping Stiles' head up to press their lips together gently. His hands caress his neck and jaw, drifting down to settle on his hips.
"I know it seems bad. But- and that's a nice butt -" Derek pauses and taps Stiles' arse affectionately. "The pack just want you to feel better. And so do I. You dropped hard, we don't blame you for that. You didn't mean it."
"Yeah, but-"
"No buts. We all love you and you are a very important part of the pack. Okay?"
"Der-"
"Okay?" Derek interrupts sharply. Stiles ducks his head, pouting.
"Okay."

Derek watches when Stiles' face lights up with two, simple words and the boy throws himself forward to kiss him.
"Good boy."

Erica knocks lightly on the door, smiling when she hears Stiles talking.
"Want me to leave the clothes out here or is the door unlocked?"
"Wait one second and you can come in," Derek tells her.

He gets them both out of the bath, wrapping a towel around Stiles' hips and over his shoulders before sitting him on the toilet seat. Quickly wrapping a towel around his own hips, chuckling at Stiles' mournful sigh, he opens the door.

Erica is smiling brightly.
"Okay, batman?" She asks as she hands the clothes over.
"Better. How's Boyd?"
"Okay now he's had some kisses and kind words. Is he being good, Derek?" She asks, a subtle reminder and opportunity to praise his boy.
"Amazing," Derek answers with a charming grin. "Is always so good for me. Thanks, Erica. Thank the rest of the pack too. We'll be down soon."

She leaves with a small wink and closes the door. Derek chuckles and pulls his towel off, quickly drying himself off while his mate watches unabashedly.

"Still want to blow you," Stiles mumbles, referring to his pleas from the night before.
"How many days till your birthday now, Stiles? I know you're counting."

Stiles flushes, but his mouth stretches into a grin.
"Oh my god, it's only 22 days. That's gone so quick, I-I thought it was ages away but of just lost track of time and I'd been busy and oh my god-"
"Woah there, love. Calm down. I know you are very excited for your birthday and I know you've been caught up with other things to keep count," Derek soothes, pulling him into his chest.
"I know it's usually the other way round but- can I blow you on my birthday?" Stiles asks as Derek dries his torso off with a soft towel.
"We'll see, love. Dry your bottom half while I get dressed," Derek smiles and gives him the towel back.

Derek tugs his underwear up his legs, followed by a pair of soft lounge pants.

"No jeans?" Stiles asks as he rubs at his foot with the towel.
"Soft things are good after you've dropped or gone under. Right?" Derek asks, pulling a tight t shirt over his head. It looks old and worn, a small hole under the neck.
"Yeah," Stiles smiles, still not adjusted to the sweet little things Derek does. "They are very good. You're very good," Stiles tells him as he nods his head clumsily.

Derek grins, holding his head in place so he can brush their lips together.
"You are very good, too."

Stiles moans eagerly and clutches at Derek's shoulders when he nibbles lightly on his lower lip.
"Mm, yeah, not dropped enough to stop me getting hard now," Stiles mumbles against Derek's mouth, making the older man laugh.

"That's good, love. We can go to my room and do something about that, if you'd like."
"Stiles likes," the pale boy nods with a smirk. "Stiles likes a lot."

Derek tugs his sweatpants over his hips gently, kissing his head chastely.
"Come on then, babe. Let's go cheer you up."

Stiles stumbles along with him, holding his shoulder to make it down the corridor. He flops onto the bed and shoves his pants off, smiling lazily up at Derek who puts the other clothes on the end of the bed.

"Get yourself comfy, baby. So we can either rut against each other like randy, little teenagers. Or... I can jerk off and conveniently your dick will be in my hand at the same time. Your choice," Derek says casually, smirking at him as he pulls his top back over his head.
"As excited as I am to have your hands on me... I am waiting until I turn eighteen and I'm expecting great things.  And humping each other like horny teenagers seems appropriate since I am one. But you're an old man so I hope you can keep up," Stiles rambles. Derek climbs onto the bed, shuffling forward on his knees to slip a thigh between Stiles'.

He is surprised by Stiles' answer but doesn't let it show, kisses his jaw gently and let's his lips travel down the pale neck.
"As nice as - shit - that is, it would be 100 times more awesome if you took your pants off too.  Oh my god, Derek, please," Stiles begs, fingers tugging at Derek's hair.

Derek pulls away long enough to shove his bottoms off and smiles softly at Stiles.
"You, my lovely boy, are absolutely breath taking. I'm so lucky to be able to have you in my life, to have your submission and your love," Derek murmurs as he kisses down his chest.

Stiles gasps and arches his back when Derek wraps his lips around his nipple, his hand toying with the other one. 
"Can you explain to me why we have waited this long to start touching each other?" Stiles gasps out as Derek bites down gently. He moans when his dick brushes against Derek's hip, wrapping his arms around Derek's neck to pull him up to his face.

"What's up, babe?" Derek asks, their noses knocking together as he rocks his hips down slowly.
"Kiss me, please. I just-"

Derek cuts him off by placing his lips over his. They fit together easily, moving slowly to match the pace of Derek's hips. Stiles' lips part on a whimper when their dicks line up and run along each other.

It's dry but soon their precome eases the way and Derek is grunting into Stiles' mouth as their tongues dance back and forth. Stiles eventually gives up and goes lax, responding rather than trying to lead and keep up.

They pull apart gasping for breath and smiling wide at each other. Derek knows he does something right when he brings Stiles' leg up to wrap around his waist and Stiles bares his throat to him.

"Oh shit, Der, I'm close. I love you, I love you so much," Stiles chants, noises falling from his lips with every short breath as he gets closer. Derek growls and his claws extend, tearing into his mattress beside Stiles' head.

Stiles comes first and Derek thinks his heart has stopped. His lips part and his eyes close, eyelashes fanning out wonderfully. His back is arched and so is his neck, Derek's marks scattered all over pale skin, as he presents for his alpha, his dom. Derek thinks he is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen, his pretty cock spurting thick ropes of come into his chest as he whines loudly.

Derek's hips stutter and he chokes out a groan, pressing his face into Stiles' neck as he comes too. It's a lot. Stiles whimpers at the feeling of being covered in his alphas come.

When they've both come down from their high, Derek collapsed on top of Stiles, they grin at each other and share a few sweet, quick kisses. Instead of pulling away to get them cleaned up Derek shuffles down between Stiles' thighs, smiling innocently up at him.

He laughs when Stiles kicks him gently for teasing too close to his sensitive dick and starts rubbing his come into Stiles' belly. Stiles hums lightly, eyes half closed in a post-orgasmic haze as he tangles his fingers in Derek's hair. He scratches at his scalp which makes Derek's chest rumble, pleased.

"Do you always come this much?" Stiles asks as he stares down at his torso.
"Round about, yeah. More if I knot you. Is that a problem?" Derek asks though he doesn't seem too bothered about the answer, far too content making his mate smell like him.
"Are you serious? It's fucking amazing! That is so hot."

Stiles doesn't miss the pleased smile no matter how  much Derek tries to hide it. When Derek is satisfied that Stiles smells like him, like he has bathed in his come, he pulls away and quickly does the same to himself.

"Derek?" Stiles calls once Derek is up and getting a bottle of water from the kitchen.
"Yes, love?" Derek shouts back, quickly appearing in the doorway.
"I have made my decision."
"What decision?" Derek asks and moves further in the room, closing the door.

"I want to mate with you. I want your claim," Stiles says confidently, smiling nervously. His face falls when Derek doesn't say anything. "If that's something you think you'd want. Why would you want that? I don't know why you'd want to-"

Derek's cuts him off by striding over and picking him up; Stiles' legs wrap around his waist and his hands hold his shoulders carefully. He presses him into the wall, nosing along the line of neck, before he starts blubbering.

"Hey, what's up?" Stiles asks, stroking his hair.
"I love you," Derek laughs wetly. "I love you so fucking much."
"I love you too, Der."

Stiles pulls him up to press their lips together in a slow kiss, trying to convey all of his emotions into this one small action.
"Are you sure?" Derek asks when he pulls away. Stiles smiles softly, cupping his cheeks and using his thumbs to wipe away any tears left.
"I'm yours, Der, all yours. As long as you'll have me."
"Forever," Derek breaths.

They kiss again and it's clumsy and feverish because (ohmygodthisisactuallyhappening) they can't quite put their emotions into words.

"I see you two are feeling better," Cora smirks when Derek carries him into the living room.
"Hey, Cora. You okay?" Stiles asks, not batting an eyelash at her comment because nothing can ruin this for him.
"Oh come here, you adorable, little brat," she grins, opening her arms. "Glad you're okay."

Stiles nuzzles her cheek.
"I'm glad you're okay, too. I would've been helping but some big brute forbade me," Stiles says cheekily. Derek raises an eyebrow as he situated himself between Boyd and Lydia letting them nuzzle him as much as they please.
"Be nice," Derek tells him.
"Yes, sir," Stiles says easily, flushing when Scott, Jackson and Cora stare at him.

"Hey," Derek snaps when he can feel the sadness coming from us mate. "Staring is rude, don't do it to my mate."

Talia watches proudly as her son defends his mate and controls his pack.

"Have you told him yet?" Talia asks when she follows Derek out to the kitchen. Derek looks over his shoulder at her and sighs, continuing to make Stiles a hot chocolate.
"No," Derek says quietly, hanging his head. "It's kind of hard to slip into conversation."
"It's Stiles, he has no skill with being subtle either. So don't be. Just tell him."
"I was going to yesterday, but then this all happened. He knows there's something we need to talk about though," Derek explains.
"It'll be okay. He loves you."
"I know. I just- he's so young. I don't want to stop him living his life."
"You won't stop him," his mother argues. "You'll be right there with him."

A little bit later after everyone has cuddled some more, Derek announces that he and Stiles are going so everyone needs to give him last minute hugs.

When they're in the car Stiles sighs and looks out the window.
"What's up, babe?"
"I'm just happy you're okay," Stiles says quietly. "I was so scared when you left."
"Hey, I'm okay. I'm always okay," Derek smirks.
"Whatever you say, big guy," Stiles laughs.

The next morning Derek wakes Stiles up early because they have to be out soon. Stiles whines and pouts at him but sits up nonetheless.
"I know you're tired but you're getting your cast taken off in an hour."

That really wakes Stiles up. Derek chuckles when he falls off the bed in his hurry and picks him back up.
"You okay, love?" Derek asks and rubs his back.
"Yeah. Thanks. Can I wear one of your shirts?"

When they're dressed they curl up together on the couch, Derek constantly petting at Stiles. Stiles is relaxed and smiling up at Derek and god,
"You're beautiful," Derek whispers, kissing him gently. Stiles grins.
"You've got the whole muscled Adonis that is tanned and graceful and fucking gorgeous. So you aren't too bad either," Stiles giggles. Derek chuckles and nips at the thumb that brushes along his lips. Stiles gasps when Derek sucks it into his mouth, tongue laving slowly down his thumb.

"I know I asked for the other way round yesterday," Stiles says breathlessly. "But can you blow me on my birthday?"

Derek has to pull away because he laughs so hard, kissing Stiles' cheek.
"What if I blew you but didn't let you come?" Derek asks. Stiles gasps and shivers, ducking his head.
"I-I'd do what you told me to," Stiles says quietly. "But don't be mean."
"I won't do that, sweetheart. Not on your birthday at least," Derek teases, kissing his cheek. "Do you want to go out for ice cream today?"
"Like a date?" Stiles asks.

Derek laughs and kisses his head.
"You've agreed to my claim yet you're disbelieving that I'm taking you on a date?"
"Ice cream sounds great," Stiles grins.

Melissa grins when Stiles comes in on his crutches with Derek in tow.

"You ready to finally get this thing off?" She asks and pats the bed for Stiles to sit on.
"I was ready to get it off as soon as it was put on," Stiles laughs. Derek helps Stiles sit up and sits next to him, patting his thigh.
"How's he been, Derek?" Melissa asks as she pulls up a stool in front of Stiles. "I need you to turn so your foots up on the bed. Good lad."
"He's been fantastic," Derek smiles. Stiles blushes, shrugging. "Absolutely amazing."

"I'm sure he has been. Now, sit still or I'll take your ankle off," Melissa warns jokingly. Stiles smiles at her and relaxes against Derek to let her get on with it. "Now it'll be weak for a little while so no fighting with the pack for you and you have some exercises to do everyday just to help it out. Take it easy will you, Stiles?"
"I don't think easy is in his vocabulary," Derek grumbles. "But I'll make sure he does."
"Good."

When the cast is off Stiles wiggles his toes and his ankle.
"Feels funny," Stiles frowns, nose wrinkling. Derek laughs lightly and ruffles his hair.
"Want to see if you can finally walk?" Derek asks.
"I think I'm gonna miss you carrying me around," Stiles laughs as he swings his legs back over the side of the bed.
"All you need to do is ask."

Melissa gives him a sheet with the exercise on and hugs him, nodding at Derek, before she leaves the room.

Stiles tries walking but complains that it feels weird and still kind of hurts from being in the same place for so long. So Derek carries him, despite still having the crutches, to the car where he kisses him and squeezes the back of his neck.

"Good boy. Ready to go?" Derek asks as he buckles his belt.
"Yes. What's your favourite ice cream flavour?"
"Anything with a lot of chocolate in," Derek smiles. "I don't get it much, but I do love it. What's yours?"
"Cookie dough or brownie but I think if I had the opportunity, any ice cream I ate off of you would definitely top that," Stiles tells him, grinning at him.

"You are unstoppable," Derek laughs, patting his thigh. "And that's definitely an idea to remember."
"What can I say? I'm a submissive teenager with a mate/alpha/dominant that is ridiculously hot and growly. You know I like it when you get growly," Stiles says quietly, flushing at the the end.
"I know you do, love. It's something I'm sure I'll use to my advantage," Derek smirks, tangling his fingers with Stiles' and rests their hands on Stiles' thigh.

Stiles nudges his way into Derek's arms in the queue, pressing his back to Derek's front and tucking himself under his chin. Derek kisses his hair, arms draping over his shoulders to rest loosely on his chest. He smiles as Stiles' hands entwine with his.

"You okay, baby?" Derek asks, tugging him a little closer.
"I love you," Stiles blurts out, feeling his cheeks warm at his outburst.
"I love you, too, Stiles," Derek laughs lightly. "We're going to your dads for dinner, by the way."
"Is it just us?" Stiles asks.
"Yeah. Scott and Isaac are having date night and Melissa is in work. Thought it'd be nice to see him," Derek murmurs, dropping his head so his lips are closer to Stiles' ear.

"Thank you," Stiles grins, turning his head as far as he can to kiss Derek.

John hugs them both close when they get there, grinning as he ruffles Stiles' hair.
"What's got you so cheery, old man?" Stiles asks but finds his happiness infectious and smiles back up at him. Derek laughs lightly, hand squeezing the back of his neck which makes Stiles shudder and lean back into his touch.

"I'm here," Derek soothes when Stiles whines because he removes his hand to take his coat off. "Just slip your jacket off and I'll hold you."

He's been reassuring Stiles with soft words when he's not touching him because Stiles is still a little shaky after dropping so hard. Stiles gulps and does as Derek tells him, waiting patiently for Derek to wrap his arms around him.
"I've got you, it's okay," Derek whispers and kisses his cheek. Stiles sighs, eyes fluttering closed.

"What's up?" John asks when they're sat down in the living room.
"The pack had to fight two days ago and we were gone for a while. Stiles dropped quite far. Still finding your footing, aren't you, love?" Derek answers. Stiles nods, curling up to his side.
"'M okay. Just need some reassurance," Stiles dismisses. Derek hums, ruffling his hair.

Stiles perks up when Derek pulls him close with a snug arm around his waist.
"Anyway," Stiles says loudly. "I can walk now!"
"That's great, son," John laughs. "It's about time you learnt to walk properly. Been trying for nearly seventeen years."

Derek snorts, laughing louder when Stiles let's out a whine of protest.
"'Ve got rules now, too,"Stiles tells him with a small smile.
"Strict?" John asks. He watches Derek's eyes dart to Stiles but he doesn't say anything or send Stiles any looks; he just seems interested.

Stiles smiles, patting Derek's cheek patronisingly.
"Don't look so worried, sweet cheeks."

Derek chuckles quietly and rolls his eyes. Stiles giggles at the reaction and shakes his head.
"They're as strict as I wanted them to be. A lot of them are for health and communication and I'm very happy with them," Stiles answers. "Got me a very good Dom."

John bites his lip, smiling when Derek beams and flushes a light pink.
"Yes, you have," John agrees which makes Derek flush darker.
"So what had you so happy earlier?"
"There are some new developments in my life that I'm hoping you'll be accepting of," John says gruffly, tense now he has to address it.
"Are you retiring?" Stiles asks.

John gawks at him, throwing a cushion to hit him.
"How old do you think I am?"
"I don't know, dad. You've been looking particularly grey lately," Stiles teases. Derek smiles at the easy banter between them.
"I blame that on my pain-in-the-ass son," the sheriff grumbles. Stiles smiles sheepishly and shrugs.

"C'mon then. What's the news? You're killing me!" Stiles exclaims dramatically.
"I'm dating someone," John tells them, breathing out a sigh of relief.
"Oh. Oh wow. Who?" Stiles stutters out.
"I think she wants to wait for a little bit before telling you," John shrugs.
"You can't do that!" Stiles exclaims. "I'll be left anticipating and you know that's not good for me!"

Derek intervenes then, making a disapproving noise.
"Stiles don't be rude. Your dad is allowed to have as much privacy as he pleases and you will wait until he decides to tell you more information," Derek admonishes.

Stiles sucks his bottom lip into his mouth while Derek scolds him, nodding once he stops.
"Sorry, dad, I just wanted to make sure it was someone that'd make you happy. I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to be rude. A-are you going to punish me?"

Derek tugs on his chin until his bottom lip appears again, red and shiny with spit. Stiles keeps his eyes downcast and tries (and fails) to stop his lip from wobbling.

"Did you fix your mistake when I reprimanded you?" Derek asks expectantly.
"Yes?" Stiles shrugs.
"Well, in our rules it says that the lines between sarcasm and rudeness can be unclear so I can warn you and you make the decision to continue or fix it. If you fix it you get no punishment. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Stiles says, more sure of himself with Derek's firm explanation. "Thank you for being so patient with me."

Derek relaxes, smiling down at him and kissing his forehead.
"No need to thank me, love. I enjoy looking after you. Good boy," he praises. "Very proud of you."

John grins at him.
"That's really good, Stiles. I used to have to punish you for every little thing because you couldn't accept that you were okay and you were good. Now look at you."
"Thanks, dad. Being with Derek really helps. He's absolutely amazing."

While they're eating dinner, talking about the fact the sheriff is in work on Stiles' birthday so will see him the day before, Stiles straightens up and makes a concerned noise.
"What about Melissa?" Stiles asks, staring at his dad.
"What about her?" John says, laughing slightly at the way his son's brain works.
"Does she know you're dating someone? Is that gonna change how our family is? Is it-"
"Slow down, love. One questions at a time," Derek says lightly. Stiles blushes.

"She knows and is very happy for me. Melissa will still be a big part of our family, Stiles. Nothing will change. I'd only involve her a lot if you wanted me to. Okay, son? How about we arrange dinner sometime next week so you can meet her?"
"Yeah," Stiles smiles, thankful his dad is so understanding. "That sounds great."

Later on, when they're back in the living room, John jumps and frowns down at his phone when it begins to ring.
"Who is it?" Stiles asks.
"It's-"
"Oh my god! It's her isn't it?" Stiles exclaims.
"Yes, it is. So shush."

John answers it, tapping his foot as he listens carefully.
"Hey, what's wrong? What's up?... Okay, love, deep breaths for me. Do you need me?" He pauses, glancing over at Stiles and Derek.
"Don't worry about us. Go, we'll stay here tonight," Derek tells him easily.
"Is he home? ... Okay, I'll be over as soon as possible. Think you can do what I say until I get there? ... Good girl... Yes, I'll stay on the phone with you."

He holds the phone away from his mouth for a moment, smiling sadly at the couple on the couch.
"Be good, you two. And thanks!" He calls as he walks away. Derek smiles, kissing Stiles' cheek.

When John gets outside he finally lets himself say her name. He soothes her gently down the phone, Derek trying to fight back a grin with the new knowledge of who it is. Stiles kisses his jaw to get his attention, smiling up at him when he ducks his head down to kiss him properly.

"Pyjamas?" Stiles asks.
"I'll just wear my underwear. You want my shirt?"
"Yes please," Stiles nods.
"Very polite. Good boy," Derek praises. Stiles flushes, squirming as he talks.
"Thank you. I like being your good boy."
"That's lovely, Stiles."

They strip down to their boxers, Stiles slipping Derek's t-shirt over his head, and crawl into bed together. Derek gets his kindle out that the pack had put together to buy. Stiles scrawls through his phone mindlessly until he sighs.

"I'm bored," he complains, looking over at Derek. Derek hums, not turning away from his story.
"What do you want to do?"
"Wanna make out?" Stiles asks as casually as he can.

Derek laughs lightly, but he puts his kindle down so Stiles counts it as a win. Stiles leans over Derek, cupping his face gently as he presses their lips together slowly. They both moan when their lips part, soft, wet noises the only ones in the room as their mouths meet and part over and over again.

It's like nothing else matters and they both want to keep it that way, but life always seems to do the exact opposite of what they want.