Seeking Comfort

Derek wakes up in the morning to the sound of his pack in the kitchen, but Stiles silently kneeling beside the couch. He smiles sluggishly as he threads his fingers into his boy's hair.

"What are you doing down there?" Derek asks, voice light and teasing despite the roughness left from his sleep.
"I wanted to start our first full day as dom and sub by subbing traditionally," Stiles explains, eyes closed as Derek strokes the skin around his collar.
"Such a good boy. And just for me," Derek praises, thumb pressing against Stiles' Adam's apple.
"Just for you," Stiles agrees, throat bobbing beneath Derek's touch.

Derek continues to raise goosebumps on Stiles' skin with his gentle touch, smiling at the hitches in his breath whenever he touches somewhere new. He decides not to break Stiles' headspace by telling him that two female members of the pack spent a night together again and are still curled up in the bed in their guest room.

"How about you carry on being a good boy for me and go grab your wrist cuffs? I'll lock your wrists together and you can kneel beside me as I feed you breakfast. How does that sound?" Derek suggests. Stiles shivers slightly, nodding his head.
"Good, sir. Very good."

Derek fastens Stiles' wrists behind his back, stroking his jaw as his sub smiles up at him. Stiles' eyes flutter closed as Derek feeds him, the pack eating their breakfast and chatting. The excitement of the new pack house hasn't worn off, people asking what room they can have and what colour they're having their curtains.

Derek cuts in with his explanations every now and then but mainly just listens to the packs ideas.
"Stiles and I are going to design the communal areas, but obviously we'll make sure everyone is happy. And, once you've chosen a room, you get free reign. It may take some time, it's a lot of space to decorate and a lot of decisions to make. But that also means we have time to pack up our things for moving in. I want to make a start as soon as we can so maybe this evening we can start planning." 

Stiles whines, butting his head against Derek's thigh, demanding attention. Derek huffs a laugh, shaking his head fondly at his sub.
"Don't worry, love, I haven't forgotten about my lovely boy. You can help us when you're up," Derek tells him, smiling softly when Stiles rests his head on his thigh.
"You've got such a good boy, Derek," Lydia praises, waving at Stiles when he shyly looks up at her.
"He's going to be an amazing omega to the pack," Aidan adds.

"Well, me and Stiles need to decide between ourselves the details of that, but I think so, too," Derek agrees, ruffling Stiles' hair.

When the pack disperses, some washing dishes and others bickering over what to watch on tv, Derek carefully pulls stiles into his lap, stroking his hair and kissing his cheek.

"Let's go upstairs, love. We can get showered and dressed, ready to look at how we'll decorate our new home," Derek tells him.

The pack stay together all day, needing the closeness to their pack members after the reveal of their new house and new member.

Allison and Lydia are practically attached at the hip, sharing their seat, tucking each other's hair behind their ears. They share whispers and hushed giggles, longing glances when they happen to be apart. Stiles smiles fondly at them, excited for them to be as happy as he and Derek are.

The pack gather round the table after lunch, phones and pencils at the ready to write up their plan for the house.

Derek has the blueprints of the house, a pack of coloured pencils and his patience to get him through the evening. Stiles sits at his side, almost bouncing where he sits with excitement.

They go room by room, each pack member suggesting things and voicing their thoughts until they narrow it down to a few main ideas.

Derek writes them in pencil, drawing roughly where the furniture they've decided on would go, putting down the colours they've got to choose between for he walls.

They go furniture shopping, each person or couple choosing their own bed, shelves and wardrobes for their room. Derek growls at them whenever they begin to squabble, rolling his eyes when Stiles begs and begs for a Batman rug they found in the children's section.

"Stiles, we're not having a Batman rug in the living room," Derek sighs, "- or the bedroom," he adds when Stiles' eyes light up. Stiles pouts, but leans into it when Derek ruffles his hair.

Erica giggles evilly when she links her arm with Stiles', promising they'll get the rug when they have pups, an absent hand settling on her belly. Stiles takes note of it, wants to ask Derek if Erica smells pregnant. His mind immediately wanders, will he smell different when he's pregnant to one of the girls when they're pregnant? Will humans smell different when pregnant to werewolves?

He feels his face flush, ducking his head to try and avoid questioning, when he realises that in his mind it isn't if or theoretical, it is when he is pregnant.

Derek groans, his patience wearing thin after hours of shopping and bickering. Ethan and Danny are arguing over the bed they want in their rooms because they want a completely different style in their room, Aiden rolling his eyes as they both try to get him on their side.

"You two can have separate rooms and I'll alternate between them if you're going to argue this much over a bed frame," Aiden grumbles, leaning in to the sympathetic pat Jackson gives his shoulder.
"No," Danny deadpans.

He moves away from the swirly bed frame he was pointing at to stand by his other sub. Danny gazes at Ethan longingly as he relishes in the feeling of Aiden's skin beneath his hand. Ethan stands strong; he struggles more with his temper than his twin does, fists clenched at his side.

Aiden flashes his eyes at his twin, silently begging him to come back up and realise that they don't have to fight everything they come into contact with anymore, that it's their sir he's been growling at.

Derek joins Danny's other side, as he shines his eyes at Ethan, red boring into amber. It helps ground the pack, a show of solidarity. Ethan scrubs a hand over his face tiredly when he drops his head.

"I'm gonna get some air," he mutters as he walks past his twin and their dom. Danny grabs his wrist before he can leave, eyes sure as he catches his gaze, letting him know it will be alright.
"He just needs time, it's still hard for him," Aiden hurries to tell Danny, though Danny smiles softly and shushes him, nodding in agreement.
"I know, A, it's alright. You've both made amazing progress, it'll just be a different journey for both of you to get to the same place. If he wants to be in the same place, that is," Danny reassures Aiden, a gentle yet firm hand cupping the were's jaw as he speaks. Aiden leans into it, eyes fluttering closed as he listens to his dom talk.

It takes him back to when they first got together, a late night at a club, some questionable and borderline inappropriate dancing and they're back at Ethan and Aiden's place. They're all riled up, the wolves able to smell the arousal on each other and on Danny when they get into a taxi and as they walk to their door.

Ethan impatiently shoves he key into the lock, stopped by a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turns to find a kind smile on Danny's face. Danny let's his fingers run down Ethan's arm, catching his hand in his. He then turns to Aiden and links their fingers loosely, too.

"I don't want this to be a one time thing, guys," Danny admits to them, voice breaking through the buzz of the bugs in the air. He isn't surprised when neither of them react. "I know I'm normally all for just one night stands, but not with you guys. You, both of you," he adds as he glances between them, "mean more than that to me. And I can't have this once if I can't have it in the future."

Ethan feels his stomach turn, still not comfortable with his - anything really. The alpha pack had made sure that they knew they were absolutely worthless, submissive alphas were scum. Ex-alphas he reminds himself. Having it drilled into them makes the thought of even a relationship sickening, because it's wrong. They can't have that.

Danny nods when Ethan pulls his hand away, accepting that as his answer.
"Wait-" Aiden's voice halts him as he leaves. "I - I want to try."
"You what?" Ethan demands. "Are you stupid? I swear to god, Aiden-"

Danny doesn't hear the end of the sentence because Aiden is pushing Ethan inside he flat and closing the door. The angry twin kicks the door before storming away.
"I'm sorry, he needs time. I need time, too. It won't be easy but I've seen the other couples in the pack and god, danny - I want that," Aiden confesses, voice shaking at his last words.

Danny steps forwards slowly, cautious of overstepping his boundaries. When Aiden doesn't move away, Danny reaches up to cup his jaw, taking his time to memorise the feeling of Aiden's warm skin beneath his fingertips.

"We'll try, together. It'll be okay," Danny says, voice low and calm and Aiden feels a sense of security he's never had before wash over him.
"It'll be okay," he finds himself repeating as he nods into the palm cradling his face.

Boyd's eyes nearly fall out of his head when he catches Erica stood by the baby cribs, fingers gently trailing over the wooden bars and spinning the zoo animal mobile hanging above it. He quickly scurries away, glad that his dom seems to be too entranced to notice his speedy departure, pressing his face in to Derek's shoulder when he's close enough.

Derek hums, running a hand down his head to his neck. Boyd is glad his alpha doesn't ask him what's  wrong, simply gives him comfort.
"Do you need me or Erica?" Derek asks as he rubs his thumb in soothing circles over his skin.
"Time," Boyd whispers, "I need time." 

No one mentions Allison and Lydia making a list  together  of what they want in their shared room. Stiles shares a few eyebrow wiggles with Lydia when she glances over, gaining himself a fond eye roll in response.

He tags along with Jackson, Cora and Kira, everyone else busy with shopping or with personal troubles. Jackson surprises him by picking up a sleek looking kneeling pad. He hadn’t missed the looks he’d been sending Lydia, possibly to Allison too.

"What's wrong stilinski? Am I not allowed to kneel in the privacy of my own room?" Jackson sneers, daring Stiles to say something derogatory, as if Stiles is one of the bigoted dominants Jackson has to work with and against in court.

"Just didn't realise you were doing well enough with it to use one," Stiles tells him softly, offering a smile in the hopes of softening any retort that Jackson is surely preparing.

Stiles remembers when Jackson refused to wear a sub bracelet, confusing the whole school when he and Lydia would walk down the corridor together, neither of them sporting a bracelet.

It was a commonly discussed topic, everyone had their own theories about how their relationship worked. Two Dom's together was unheard of. But nobody could decide who out of Lydia and Jackson would submit.

There was no doubt about it that Lydia was dominant; the floor she walked on seemed to bend to her will. She constantly had submissives following her round school, offering her help with homework because they hadn't bothered to look past her beauty to find the genius beneath it.

Everyone also thought there was no doubt that star lacrosse player, Jackson, muscly and mean, was a dom. Jackson who practically ran the school along with his team, arm bare of a bracelet, was really struggling to accept his status. His parents were never around to talk to about his concerns, so he hits the gym, puts on an arsehole facade to survive high school without having to face the fact that he wants to kneel so badly.

Lydia had helped. She didn't make him kneel, but she accepted the flowers and breakfast in bed for the things they were: a sub trying to please their dom. She would run her fingers through his hair as she kissed him, before complimenting his actions - the only way he would accept praise.

It eventually got too much for Lydia, her need to dominate fully wearing her down. She tells Jackson this gently, preparing herself for the worst.

"You're just never good enough, Jackson," Jackson spits to himself, desperately trying to stop the tears from falling.
"Jax-" Lydia tries but Jackson won't listen. He paces, hand fisted in his hair.
"I'm sorry, Lydia. I'm so sorry," he apologises.

The next time they talk it's because Jackson is telling her he's moving to England to work on himself for a while, ensuring her that he loves her. Lydia whispers that she's proud of him as she kisses him one last time.

Jackson comes back from England a new man, finished with his law degree and more confident in his status.

Yet at Stiles' answer, Jackson seems a little stumped. He looks down at the kneeling pad, mouth opening and closing as he thinks of something to say.

"It's not easy," Jackson murmurs, "but it's easier than fighting your biological need and instincts. Plus, I've been working on it. I'm a lot better than I was. Not ready to submit to someone but it's enough to be a submissive in the pack."

Stiles can't help himself as he pulls Jackson into a hug. He's a dick, Stiles knows, but he's a dick that cares and is trying so hard to let people in after years and years of building up walls to keep them out.

Jackson scoffs as if appalled at the contact but he pulls Stiles closer and runs a hand through his hair. When they part Jackson quickly averts his eyes to the nearest item on the shelf.

Cora and Kira giggle mischievously as they go to bug Scott and Isaac where they're debating over what sheets hide stains the best.

Derek finds Stiles looking at throws, all assortments of colours and materials. He moves quietly up behind him to wrap his arms around his waist.

“Hello, my love,” he greets, kissing his boy’s neck. “What are you looking for?” Stiles hums and leans back into his touch.
“I was thinking maybe we could have the top room as a pack space? Fill it with lots of blankets, comfy things, the like.”

Derek’s Wolf preens. Stiles isn’t even pregnant yet and he wants to nest. Although he isn’t a werewolf physically he acts like one from being around the pack so often. His boy will make such a great wolf, such an amazing pack-mom and an even better father to his pups.

“Fuck, I really want to mate you,” Derek confesses with a growl vibrating his chests.
“Shit Derek. Please. I want it more than anything,” Stiles pleads.
“Once we’ve had a proper conversation about it, we’ll decide. A talk with my mom may be useful,” Derek soothes, cursing himself for losing his control when he’s admonished stiles for being impatient.
“That sounds... awkward,” Stiles comments, giggling when Derek pouts against the side of his neck and nods.
“But it will be worth it,” Derek reminds him, kissing his jaw as he moves away. He spins stiles round, holding his hands in his. “But even if we do both agree to it, we’re not turning you or mating before we’re moved in to the new house. It would be so much easier for you to be surrounded by pack and not have to settle as a wolf to then move to a new place.”
“I’m on board with that. Best get decorating quickly then, Der,” Stiles grins, squeezing Derek’s fingers in his palms.

Stiles is glad most of them are werewolves. It’s a whole lot quicker moving furniture and decorating when the people helping don’t get as tired. John insists on at least helping somewhat, can’t resist imagining Claudia there with them, helping them paint the walls a dusty grey colour and putting up the light blue wallpaper everyone had finally agreed on for the living room. He does, however take a back seat for moving the couches in.

Stiles bosses them about, ordering where the cabinets in the kitchen are going, where the tv is going. At the end of the day they go back to the loft, Stiles offering out massages and cuddles while they eat dinner and watch awful tv together.

“Mom, don’t make this anymore painful than it needs to be,” Derek groans, scrubbing a hand over his face. Stiles giggles beside him, stroking his hand down his Dom’s back. They both know this will be a difficult conversation to have.

Talia looks at them with a warm smile, sipping her tea.
“So what do you want to know?” She asks, warming her hands on her mug.
“The changes Stiles, the pack and I will go through when Stiles is turned; what we need to expect when Stiles and I mate and he becomes my omega. What is pregnancy like for male omegas?”

Stiles flushes, excitement thrumming through his veins. Derek squeezed a hand on his bouncing knee to sooth the boy while they talk to his mother.

“It will be the same as when the other betas were changed. You’ll feel the bond between Stiles and the others strengthen more, feel your alpha urges towards your mate get harder to resist. Stiles will also feel the normal transformation urges and the urges to please his alpha more as you two are mates. However, he will have a different transformation than the others. And it will be longer, more tiring and possibly painful. His anatomy has to change more than it would for an average change; so he could be impregnated and carry and deliver the children. He may be unconscious for several hours or maybe even days depending on how his body takes it. There is a slight possibility that it could put too much stress on his body-“

Derek jerks forward at that, eyes bulging.
“If there’s a chance he can die then it’s not happening,” he dismisses, a growl coming from his chest. He flashes his eyes at his mother as she shows her red irises. Stiles rubs his hand over the tense muscles between Derek’s shoulders.

When his touches don’t succeed in calming his alpha, Stiles whimpers.
“Sir, please,” he begs until Derek comes back to himself. Derek sags, falling back into the chair and pulls stiles to his chest.
“I’m sorry. The thought of losing you, after all the close calls we’ve had is too real and I can’t live with that. We’ll adopt or someone else in the pack could surrogate,” Derek soothes him, nuzzling his jaw and pressing kisses into his skin.

“Well,” Talia interrupts, having the decency to seem embarrassed about her temporary loss of control, “if he did start to go downhill, you could give him the mating bite. He and his body already recognise you as his alpha, mate and dom. His wolf would, too. It would perhaps make things run faster than you would’ve liked, but it would stop him dying,” Talia explains. “The pack may experience a different kind of bond to Stiles than they have to each other due to their different status’s, but it’s nothing your pack can’t handle after all the things they’ve been through,” she assures, voice tinged with pride for her son. “I would have to speak more to Deaton about the pregnancy specific to males, but pregnancy in general for werewolves is the same as for humans, perhaps just more intense. The cravings I had when I was pregnant with you Derek were so strong. People said that’s because you were meant to be an alpha, but I think that’s an old wives tale. Deaton would be the best to ask about the pregnancy aspect. I think you two would make great parents and a great alpha pair to lead your pack.”

Stiles smiles smugly when Derek’s heart pounds against his chest, easy to feel with his hand resting on his pec. He nods his thanks to Talia as she quietly leaves the room. Derek presses his nose deep into the skin behind his ear, huffing deep breaths as if normal air isn’t good enough, only air saturated with Stiles’ scent.

“Hey, we still need to talk about if that’s something we both agree to. I know I’m on board for all of it. The turning, the mate bite and having pups,” Stiles murmurs into Derek’s ear. He’s surprised when he hears the sniffles coming from his dom. “Hey, what’s up, Der?”

Derek lifts his head up, gaze locking intensely with Stiles’. He smiles softly when his boy gently wipes the tears from his cheeks.
“I want that, Stiles. I want all of that so bad,” Derek tells him, voice croaky.

And then Stiles is pulling him forward and their lips are meeting.
“I want a baby with you, Derek Hale,” Stiles whispers against his lips before pulling him impossibly closer, right where he belongs.