Chapter Text
Derek’s been told that he’s a pretty popular guy. He’s an alpha werewolf and although alphas aren’t exactly rare or uncommon, they’re not nearly as common as betas. Alphas are only a little more common than omegas. Despite that, people still gawk at Derek sometimes, whether it’s in the hallways at school or in the bread aisle at the grocery store.
He’s big and strong, so, people can’t help but to stare at him. Or so he’s heard.
Nevertheless, being popular and ogled by society doesn’t mean that life is suddenly great. Case in point, school. He hates school.
Even in his junior year of high school, he’s struggling to see the point of it all. It’s practically impossible for supernatural creatures to get good-paying jobs. Unless they start their own business, but even then, how likely is it to be successful? Slim to none is what Derek would bet. So, is there a point in going to school?
Yeah, yeah, education is important. Maybe if you’re able to make a life for yourself with what you’ve learned it’d be important, but if you can’t, then why waste the time and effort?
Anyway, it’s not that the school itself is bad, Derek actually really likes it. It’s a school with a wide range of students, whether you’re three or twenty-one, you’re welcome there. It’s specifically designed for supernatural creatures, so no humans are allowed.
No siree, buddy.
The students that attend are either runaways or were placed here by their parents. Parents who pretend like they care, but will probably never see their child ever again because of how ashamed they are.
Supernaturals are considered freaks, weirdos, monstrosities. Most parents don't want anything to do with their child if they’re born supernatural.
You were born a witch? Welp, sorry Sarah, your ass is being thrown into the school for the freaks. That’s just the way things are. On the bright side…you’ll make friends?
On the not-so-bright side, you’ll be shunned by society everywhere you go. You win some, you lose some.
Anyway, school is pointless.
Except it’s not, not anymore.
And it’s all because of the new kid that arrived.
Derek is standing in the hallway, talking to his friends and goofing around, something that has become a sort of frequent occurrence during their free period.
“McCall shut the hell up,” Isaac, a beta werewolf, laughs.
“Look,” Scott, another beta werewolf, starts. “I could so get her!”
“Scott, you couldn’t get her if someone paid her to date you.”
“That’s not true! Derek, come on. I could get her right?” Scott asks, puppy eyes on full display.
Derek turns to look at the girl in question. She has long black hair and he’s pretty sure her name starts with a k. Katie? Kimberly? Whatever it is, Derek knows for certain that she’s a thunder kitsune, meaning that she can manipulate lightning. She's pretty and, on the one occasion that Derek's spoken to her, she seems like a nice person.
He scoffs. “Scott, you might have to give up on her. She’s way too pretty for you.”
Scott’s mouth drops open. “What?”
“I mean look at her. You’re not ugly, Scott, but, I don’t know,” Isaac shrugs. “You’re just not in her league.”
“You guys are the literal worst friends ever,” Scott looks at Derek again. “Also, excuse me, Derek, we can’t all be an alpha with big strong muscles and menacing red eyes.”
Derek laughs and shrugs. He doesn’t think being an alpha werewolf is all that great. His eyes —the alpha red ones and his normal green-hazel ones— are supposedly mesmerizing, blah blah blah. Derek’s heard it all before. Obviously, he knows he’s attractive and the epitome of what an alpha should look like.
He just doesn’t care.
Humans also don’t give a shit that Derek is an alpha. They don’t care about the hierarchy of supernatural creatures. They simply think all supernaturals are dangerous and shouldn’t be allowed to exist within a hundred yards of humans.
Supernaturals are the only ones who do a double-take when they find out Derek is an alpha werewolf because to them it shows how powerful Derek is. There is an abundance of supernatural creatures in the world, but, few of them are more powerful than a werewolf, especially an alpha werewolf.
When Derek tunes back into the conversation, Isaac and Scott are arguing over which one of them is the better-looking one. Derek is about to interject and tell them that they’re both ugly as fuck and should invest in some brown paper bags to place over their heads, but then he sees him.
Now, Derek doesn’t consider himself to be the romantic type. He’s kind of the laid-back, stoic one in the relationship. It’s not that Derek doesn’t try to be romantic, he could probably whip up something nice and lovey-dovey, he’s just kind of awkward about it.
But right here? Right now? Hoo boy. Derek would write a poem about this boy just for a chance to talk to him. Hell, he’d lick the floor this boy walked on if he’d asked him to.
He is gorgeous. No, breathtaking. Like, Derek is actually a little scared for his health right now.
Everyone else in the hallway stops and stares, and who could blame them? Derek certainly can’t, he’s pretty sure his jaw is touching the floor.
With brown eyes that seem to sparkle in the light, moles and freckles dusted across his nose and cheeks. It’s like someone snatched him straight out of heaven to bless these mere peasants with his presence.
Derek has never wanted to believe in heaven as badly as he does now.
All at once, it seems like everyone breaks out of the trance that the boy has put them in, rushing over to speak to him. Yet, with all this attention directed at him, the boy takes it with ease. Like it doesn’t bother him. Like he’s a fucking celebrity or something.
“Holy fuck. Who is that?” Isaac asks, sounding just as in awe as Derek feels.
“I have no clue. But wow. If I liked dudes, I’d be all over him," Scott says. “Shit, I might have to just ask him out anyway, sexuality be damned.”
Isaac scoffs. “Yeah, fucking right. If you couldn’t land a date with Kira there’s no way on god’s green earth you’d be able to land a date with him.”
Ah, Kira is her name. Derek knew it started with a k.
Scott doesn’t seem like he’s all that offended because the boy is beautiful. Nobody in this school is even close to being in the same league as him.
The boy looks like he’s floating, like he’s too ethereal for simple walking. Walking is for fucking peons apparently.
Then, as Derek is still staring at the boy —he can’t help it— the boy looks over at him. Derek sucks in a breath and quickly averts his eyes.
Fuck
“Oof. Derek got caught staring,” Isaac teases while nudging Derek in the side with his elbow. Derek shoves him into a nearby wall.
“Shut the hell up,” Derek growls, ears turning pink.
Isaac isn’t even injured as he and Scott start laughing at Derek’s expense. Some great friends they are.
Students are still swarming the boy. People left, right, and center are vying for his attention, almost trampling each other just to be given the time of day.
“He did look at you, Derek. Do you think he likes you?” Scott asks. Which, honestly, Derek has no idea.
“If he does like Derek, and they magically somehow start dating, he’ll be the looker in the relationship. ‘Cause damn,” Isaac so helpfully contributes. Maybe they are the worst friends ever to each other.
“I hope he doesn’t have enhanced hearing like us, otherwise he can hear everything you say,” Derek snarks.
That shuts them both the hell up.
All three of them chance another glance at the boy and, thankfully, he’s not looking their way anymore. He’s walking —floating— towards where the dean of the school is. And the group of people who were flocking to him before is still trailing behind him like lost puppies until the boy enters the dean’s office and shuts the door behind him, leaving the group to disperse with a few murmurs of disappointment.
Scott turns and sends a wide smile Derek’s and Isaac’s way. “I don’t know who that is, but things are finally about to get interesting.”
“Is that good or bad?” Isaac asks.
“Who cares?” Scott laughs. “As long as things get shaken up around here, it was starting to get boring. All the werewolves and demons and witches around here. Boring. I want some excitement, and that guy,” he points to the closed door of the dean’s office, “is gonna fuck some shit up around here.”
Isaac rolls his eyes. “Dramatic much?”
Derek tunes out the rest of the conversation as his eyes drift back to the door.
Things are finally about to get interesting
That’s the understatement of the century.
It’s been a long day but, to be fair, it’s a long day every day. Here it is, four o’five on a Friday evening, Derek doesn’t know what he wants to do and he’s desperately trying to get his mind off of the boy from earlier. He hasn’t seen him since, but Derek’s willing to bet that wherever the boy goes, he’ll have a crowd of people circling him at all times so it won’t be too hard to find him.
Derek is carrying his backpack to his room, deciding on just lying down and relaxing. Having no school for the next two days sounds like heaven and he’s going to sleep for the whole two days if he can get away with it. He may not even wake up to shower.
But as soon as he enters his room he sees, uh...something. Or, well, someone.
Now, usually, there are four people in a room because even though humans are the vast majority of the population, there is still a lot of supernaturals. And this place is only so big, so to save space, everyone has to bunk with other people.
Scott, Derek, and Isaac lucked out and it’s only been the three of them for as long as they can remember. The empty fourth bed was just sitting there collecting dust. Until now.
And of course, the boy from earlier is their new roommate.
Of course.
The boy, who was bending down to put his belongings away, looks up, his eyes sweeping over Derek before giving him a slow, lazy smile. Which is also gorgeous. It’s like his smile was dipped in honey or something, and Derek wants to lick into his mouth to see if it tastes like it too.
“Hello,” the boy says as he stands to his full height. He’s shorter than Derek, a lot shorter, so when he comes closer, he has to look up at Derek to maintain eye contact. “You’re the boy who was staring at me earlier.”
Derek’s brain short circuits. What is he supposed to say to that?
Fortunately for Derek, the boy doesn’t give him a chance to respond.
“I’m Stiles,” the boy —Stiles— says, while holding his hand out.
Derek shakes it and oh, god, his skin is so soft. Derek wants to run his hands all over Stiles’ body. Which is very creepy, but Derek never claimed to be a sane individual.
“I’m Derek.”
Stiles’ smile widens a bit as they let go of each other’s hands, reluctantly on Derek’s part. “Looks like we’re roommates.”
“Looks like it,” Derek lamely replies. He’s freaking out, okay? He doesn’t know what else to say.
“So, what are you?” Stiles asks. And, wow, right to the point huh?
Derek opens his mouth to respond but Stiles cuts him off before any words can come out. “Actually no, I wanna guess.”
Derek smiles a little. “Okay. Go ahead and guess.”
Stiles looks him up and down again, tapping his finger to his pursed lips in thought. Ugh his lips, Derek swallows and tries to think about dying puppies or something.
“Let’s see. You’re very tall, very strong, very handsome,” Stiles smirks as he says the last one.
Derek can feel his face burning up to his ears.
Stiles tilts his head to the side before he snaps his fingers. “You’re an alpha aren’t you?”
“Ding, ding, ding. Although, that wasn’t hard. Everything about me practically screams werewolf,” Derek says.
Stiles nods his head with a laugh. “Little bit, yeah. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though.”
“Can I try and guess what you are?” Derek asks.
Stiles’ eyes twinkle and he smiles mischievously. “Okay. You’re never going to guess it but I’d like to see you try.”
“Wow, ye of little faith.”
Stiles laughs. “Well, unlike with you, I’m not a walking stereotype,” as soon as he says that he tilts his head to the side, squinting his eyes a little. “Actually, never mind. I am totally a walking stereotype.”
Derek looks at Stiles, seeing if something will give him away. Stiles says he’s a walking stereotype, but truthfully, Derek doesn’t know much about other supernatural creatures. He barely passed the class on it last year. He tries to subtly sniff him which makes Stiles cover his mouth to stifle his laugh. Stiles smells like orchids and, strangely enough, strawberries. Other than that, nothing is really all that clear. He doesn’t smell like a vampire or a ghoul or anything. So, he knows he’s not that. But there are so many other supernatural creatures out there.
Although, smelling like orchids and strawberries? Stiles would have to be a creature involved with nature. Which narrows things down, but not completely. Stiles could be a nymph, a sprite, an elf. There are so many options out there.
“Dammit, you’re right. I have no clue. I admit defeat,” Derek sighs dramatically.
“I’m always right, so, you’d best get used to that,” Stiles smirks. “I’m a fae, by the way.”
“A fae? Wow, I wasn’t even thinking of that. I’ve never met a fae before.”
“Clearly. The dean told me that I’m the first fae to attend this school in a century, so that explains why you’ve never met one before. We’re kind of a dying breed.”
“Well, maybe you can teach me a few things,” Derek says, and the second the words leave his mouth he wants to cringe. That was so lame.
Stiles smiles though, genuinely this time. “Yeah, maybe.”
Derek walks toward his bed and sets his backpack down on it. “Is ‘Stiles’ your real name? It’s unique.”
“No. It’s a nickname.”
“Can I guess what your real name is?”
Stiles lets out a big laugh. “Honey, I could give you every single letter that’s in my name and you still wouldn’t be able to guess it.”
Derek raises his eyebrows as he’s secretly dying on the inside because Stiles just called him honey. “Really?”
“Yup,” Stiles says, popping the ‘p’. “It’s Polish. Very long. Very hard to pronounce. I don’t wanna break that big alpha brain of yours.”
With that, Stiles goes back to putting his belongings away. After a few moments, he looks at Derek again. “Maybe if I decide you’re not a waste of my time I’ll let you know what it is one day.”
Derek lets out a small smile. “Maybe if I decide you’re not a waste of my time I’ll tell you what my real name is.”
Stiles gives Derek an amused look. “‘Derek’ isn’t your real name?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re lying?”
“Because I one hundred percent am.”
Stiles’s face breaks out in a big smile before letting out a laugh. It’s like music to Derek’s ears.
The first night of sleeping with Stiles around isn’t weird per se, just different. Stiles’ nighttime routine, in particular, is– well, it’s just a lot. But he’s pretty, so it sort of makes sense for his skincare routine to take ninety years.
Once Scott and Isaac came into the room and discovered that Stiles was their new roommate they collectively lost their shit. Derek had to apologize for them about twenty times, Stiles waving him off with a laugh, seemingly finding Isaac’s and Scott’s antics amusing.
Derek wishes he could say the same.
After that embarrassing display, they got to know a little bit about Stiles. He’s still very much a mystery, but he offered up that he’s sixteen years old. He said his favorite color was red, which Derek already knew considering how many of Stiles’ belongings were some shade of the color. Lastly, he has a tattoo of amber phantom butterfly wings on his back. He says that all faes can fly regardless, but he wanted to get a tattoo of the wings because he thought it would look cool.
Which it definitely does, it’s iridescent, and it looks like it’s shimmering on Stiles’ skin.
Also, backtrack, Stiles can fly. Which honestly makes sense, and is why it seemed like he was floating earlier.
Back to Stiles’ nighttime routine. He takes a long time in the bathroom, which is fine, nobody’s complaining. Isaac would risk not showering for a week just to make Stiles happy. His words, not Derek’s.
Stiles has different soaps and toners and moisturizers and masks for his skin, which sounds super complicated because all Derek does is wash his face with one kind of soap before slapping on some lotion. He’s never even heard of some of the stuff Stiles uses.
Stiles also smells amazing by the way. Derek doesn’t know what kind of soap, lotion, or spray he uses but it’s a ten out of ten in Derek’s book.
When he’s finally done he exits the bathroom and gets into bed, sending his other three roommates, what Derek can only describe as, a guilty look. “Sorry. I know I take a long time in the bathroom. I’m working on that.”
Derek shrugs, book in hand, pretending to read but has been rereading the same page for five minutes now. “I don’t mind.”
“Me neither,” Scott and Isaac both say at the same time.
Derek rolls his eyes at the clownery while Stiles lets out a giggle. A fucking giggle.
Jesus Christ.
“So, Stiles. Do you know that you’re absolutely gorgeous?” Isaac asks, shooting Stiles his million-dollar smile.
Derek won’t lie, Isaac is attractive. He has that whole precious cherub look going on. If Derek wasn’t sure that Isaac was a werewolf he would’ve assumed he was an angel or something.
It’s the curls.
Stiles sends a flirty smile Isaac’s way and bats his fucking long ass eyelashes. “Am I?”
“Definitely,” Isaac leans forward. He and Scott share one half of the room and Stiles and Derek share the other.
“Thank you,” Stiles says.
“Dude. The fact that you had that huge group of people following you around? That’s so crazy,” Scott’s laying on his stomach, facing Stiles and Derek. “Are you used to that?”
Stiles shrugs. “Honestly? Kind of. With humans, it’s not as common, but with supernaturals, they always look at me like I’m some kind of god. I don’t mind it though.”
“Why do you think that is?” Derek asks, putting his book down on the bed. He wasn’t reading it so why keep pretending to?
“Well, faes are very beautiful creatures, obviously,” he gestures to his face with a smile. “And maybe since I’m supernatural I appeal the most to other supernaturals? Don’t get me wrong, humans still find me attractive, but they don’t crowd around me like what happened earlier.”
“Is it weird when supernaturals do that?” Scott inquires.
“It was at first. It’s flattering though, so it isn’t too bad.”
After that, there’s not much to do. Isaac keeps flirting with Stiles, Stiles flirts back, Scott turns the tv on and is the only one bothering to watch it, Derek goes back to reading his book, or more accurately, starts reading it this time.
At around one o’clock in the morning, everyone decides to call it a night. Tomorrow is Saturday, so they can sleep in as late as they want to.
Which Derek has no problem doing considering he doesn’t wake up until ten forty-two the next morning. And he doesn’t even wake up on his own, someone has to poke him awake.
Derek groans and swats the offending finger away before putting his pillow over his head, all without opening his eyes. “Isaac. I swear to God if you don’t leave me alone I’m going to rip your throat out with my teeth,” his voice is muffled by the pillow, but the threat nonetheless gets his point across.
“That’s very violent Mr. Alpha sir.”
That is definitely not Isaac.
Derek quickly removes the pillow and is met with Stiles’ smiling face. He can hear Scott and Isaac snickering in the background and now he really does want to rip Isaac’s and Scott’s throats out with his teeth.
“I’m gonna let this slide ‘cause you’re a newbie. But just so you know, I’m not a morning person,” Derek informs Stiles while running his hand through his hair, trying and most likely failing at taming his bedhead.
Stiles just shrugs before sending him another smile. “Up and at ‘em. You can’t waste your entire day lying in bed.”
“I most certainly can and I most certainly will,” Derek states while reaching for his pillow.
Stiles moves the pillow out of reach. “Derek. I want you to show me around. Please?”
Stiles is begging, Derek knows he is and Stiles knows that Derek knows. And Derek is kinda sorta fucked because he knows that Stiles could ask him for anything and he’d be done for. With those pretty ass eyes? Stiles could ask for one of Derek’s kidneys and Derek would perform the surgery himself.
“You want me to show you around?” Derek asks incredulously. “I don’t know if you know this but I’m not the most personable.”
Isaac snorts from his position in front of the tv. “That’s an understatement.”
Derek wants to wring his neck but Stiles is right there and he doesn’t want to be responsible for the therapy Stiles would need after witnessing something like that.
“Yeah, I do. Yesterday I only got shown around to a few classes. Today I want the not-at-all inclusive Derek tour,” Stiles answers, as if Derek telling him he’s not personable is a nonfactor.
Derek rolls his eyes but can’t quite manage to stop the smile from spreading across his face.
“Derek. Pretty please?” Stiles begs again, placing his hand on Derek’s forearm. His skin breaks out in goosebumps at the feeling of Stiles’ hand touching him.
“You know that’s not fair right?” Derek groans.
“What’s not fair?” Stiles asks, trying and failing to sound innocent.
Derek heaves a dramatic sigh. “I just want you to know that if you were literally anybody else I’d have said hell to the no.”
Stiles offers him a bashful smile. “Noted. Thanks.”
Derek gets up and pulls on something other than his sleep shorts before quickly going into the bathroom to brush his teeth.
After he’s done getting ready, he looks towards where Isaac and Scott are playing video games. “Don’t do anything stupid while we’re gone.”
“How could we? You’re taking all the stupid with you,” Scott replies and cracks up at his own reference. Derek has to take a deep, calming breath before he follows through with his violent impulses.
Stiles is patiently waiting by the door and Derek shortly joins him. “Are you ready, tour guide?”
Derek chuckles with a roll of his eyes. “Aye aye, captain.”
Stiles snickers then links his arm with Derek’s. “Let’s go,” he says before pulling Derek out the door.
Just like the day before, people stare at Stiles as they start walking down the hallway, except this time, they don’t crowd around him. They do, however, also look at Derek with a mixture of astonishment and envy. As if any one of them would be dying to have Stiles’ arm touching theirs.
Derek is equal parts weirded out and exposed. Like he’s said, being an alpha werewolf may award a few glances here and there but nothing like this, nothing anywhere near this.
Stiles just ignores them like they’re no big deal. “So, where to first?”
Derek honestly isn’t too sure. On a regular day, he goes to his classes, then after classes, he goes right back to his room. He doesn’t really roam around the premises.
“Maybe we can start outside?” Derek suggests.
Stiles nods. “Lead the way.”
Derek leads them out of one of the doors. Quite a few people are sitting on the lawn, either studying or just enjoying nature.
Stiles sighs contentedly as they walk along a path and Derek can’t help but catch a glimpse of him.
“I’m guessing you faes love nature, huh?”
Stiles smirks. “Yes. We do. What’s not to like?”
Derek nods in agreement. “Werewolves love nature too. Who’d’ve thought that an alpha werewolf and a fae would have something in common.”
Stiles smirks. “I know right. Maybe we’re meant to be besties.”
Derek wants a whole lot more than just to be besties with him. He keeps that to himself for now, although he’s sure Stiles can tell. It’s kind of obvious.
“Ooh! Let’s sit down on that bench,” Stiles says and starts leading Derek there even before Derek can answer.
“Okay.”
They sit and Stiles shifts so that instead of their arms being linked, Stiles is just kind of holding onto Derek’s forearm. Silence fills the air for a few seconds, both boys just sitting and basking in each other’s company.
Stiles breaks the silence, never being able to stay quiet for too long. “May I ask you a question?”
“Go for it,” Derek replies.
“It’s kind of personal.”
“I can handle personal,” Derek looks at him and shoots him a smirk.
Stiles gives him a small smile. “What made you come here?”
Derek’s smirk slides off his face and he turns his head to look forward. He takes a deep breath and blows it out through his nose. “I ran away. My parents always knew I was different, ever since I was around six months old. I didn’t act like a normal human baby. They tried to ignore it for years, thinking that maybe if they kept acting like I was normal their problems would just...go away and that I would be normal. And it kinda worked, for a while, until it didn’t.” Derek chuckles bitterly.
“They stopped taking me places, they’d take my siblings, but they’d leave me at home. They took me out of school. I think they were just embarrassed of me. They were embarrassed that they had me for a son. Which sucks, because I couldn’t help what I was born as. One day, they talked about going on a vacation. I was stoked. It was the first time in so long that they actually acknowledged my existence, and I thought that maybe they set up this vacation so that we could work on being an actual family. That was wishful thinking though. A few days before the vacation, I overheard them talking about them sending me into a gas station on the way there, I guess to get some snacks, and then leaving me there. They were going to leave their ten-year-old son on the side of the road, without a second thought. I was heartbroken. I cried in my room for hours. Then, I realized that I didn’t have to stay here anymore. One of the few times my parents took me somewhere, I had overheard some people talking about a ‘school for freaks’, and I figured, why not go there? It can’t possibly be any worse than living here. So, I packed my stuff, stole a shit ton of my parents’ money, and left in the middle of the night. I took a bus here and I haven’t looked back since. I’m sure I could’ve left during the day and they’d have given me a million dollars to go as far away as I possibly could. But, uh, yeah. That’s my story,” Derek finishes and finally looks at Stiles.
Stiles is frowning, it brings down his whole face. It’s not a happy story obviously, but Stiles probably didn’t think it was going to be that bad. He probably figured Derek found out he was a werewolf and his parents laughed it off and were like aw honey, we still love you, but let’s take you somewhere that’ll be good for you not aw honey, that’s gross. Please get away from us at your earliest convenience.
Stiles rubs Derek’s arm. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”
Derek clears his throat. It’s been almost seven years since he left. Of course, it still hurts. Derek loved his parents, loved his family. And they didn’t feel the same towards him. They never loved him, and they never even tried to either.
Stiles looks down at his fingers still rubbing up and down Derek’s arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dampen the mood.”
Derek gives him a weak smile. “You didn’t. I mean, I was sad for a while after I ran away, but the people here are more my family than my biological family has ever been. So, it’s not that bad,” He gently pokes Stiles in the side, trying to lighten the mood. “Now, tell me why you’re here.”
Stiles slaps Derek’s hand away before shooting him a small smile. “My dad put me in here. He just didn’t know how to raise a child like me anymore. My parents have always tried their best. Then when my mother died when I was eleven it was just me and my dad. He did still try, bless
his heart, but he was way out of his element. You know, faes are very mischievous. So, a trickster for a child is bad enough already, but add in flying and magic? It was a recipe for disaster.”
“I can see that. You seem like you’re a troublemaker,” Derek says with a nod.
Stiles smiles slyly. “You don’t even know the half of it.”
The rest of the tour goes by without any more tragic backstories, thank god, and their last stop is the cafeteria. Might as well end the tour with food in their stomachs.
“Last but not least, this is where we eat. You faes do eat food right? You don’t just sit in the sun and absorb the UV rays into your body?” Derek asks, smirking.
Stiles gives him a flat look. “Do you alphas eat food? Or do you just drink protein shakes and eat glass every day?”
Derek laughs and puts his hands up in surrender. “Okay, touché.”
Stiles smiles smugly as they grab food and sit down at an empty table. Almost instantly, people fill the seats just to get closer to Stiles.
Derek has to fight the urge to roll his eyes.
“So, Stiles right? Where are you from?” a red-haired girl asks. Derek thinks she might be a banshee.
Stiles smiles at her. “Beacon Hills. It’s a long way from here. What about you?”
Derek sort of mentally checks out. He selfishly wanted to spend more alone time with Stiles, but he figures he’ll see him a lot more than the other students will since he shares a room with him.
But still, he likes hanging out with Stiles. Alone. Sue him.
Even now that Stiles and Derek are finished eating, people are still trying to ask Stiles questions. Stiles shoots them all a smile.
“I appreciate the attention everyone but Derek here is supposed to be showing me around. I’ll see you guys later, okay?” Stiles tells the group of people.
They both stand up and Stiles grabs onto Derek’s forearm again.
“My name is Lydia. Lydia Martin. Just so you know for next time,” the red-haired girl states with a smile.
Stiles gives her a flirty smile and she damn near swoons. “I’ll keep that in mind. Bye Lydia Martin.”
They make it about twenty feet away before Stiles says anything.
“Lydia’s pretty, don’t you think?”
Derek has to swallow down the growl fighting to escape. He doesn’t like Lydia flirting with Stiles. Isaac is okay because, well, it's Isaac.
But Lydia? She irks Derek, because not only is she pretty, but she’s also insanely smart.
“She’s okay,” Derek cannot, however, help the petulant tone in his voice.
Stiles bites his finger to stifle his laugh, and even that doesn’t work because a giggle or two still manages to slip out.
“Wow. Alphas are territorial, huh?”
Derek doesn’t respond but it doesn’t seem like Stiles was waiting for a response anyway as he drags Derek back towards their room.
“So, magic huh? What kind of magic?” Derek asks, trying to deflect.
Stiles smirks. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Duh. That's why I asked.”
Stiles laughs and as they reach their room Stiles shoves Derek inside. “Smartass.”
Derek shoots him a shit-eating grin as he lets himself be pushed.
Derek walks to his side of the room before removing his shoes and laying on his bed. Isaac and Scott aren’t in the room. Derek has no clue where they are, probably out trying, and failing, to get Scott a date with the kitsune.
“Can I?” Stiles asks, gesturing to Derek’s bed. Derek nods and Stiles sits on the edge of Derek’s bed. “So, I’m not a hundred percent sure of what my magical abilities entail, however, I do know a few things that I can do. I can control nature, put people under spells, grant small wishes, and obviously, I can fly. I know I can do other things, but since we fae are kinda thinning out, it’s harder for us to know what it is we can and can’t do.”
“Wait, you can put people under spells?”
Stiles lets out a small sigh. “Yeah, but I never have before. That seems too, I don’t know, invasive. I don’t want to control people’s actions.”
Derek nods. “I get it. Here, they’ll teach you how to, though. The philosophy at this school is that if you learn to use and control your abilities, then the better off you’ll be. Just in case.”
Just in case humans try to kill you.
Stiles nods, not even needing to hear that last part to understand the implications. “I’d love to know how to control my magic. I don’t want to accidentally hurt anyone because of my lack of knowledge or experience.”
“How very noble of you. Also, I know this might be a dumb question, but you said you can control nature? Like, grass and stuff?”
“Well, yeah. Plants, trees, and animals to an extent. Nature magic makes up a majority of my magic. Oh, I can control the elements as well.”
“Really? So, you’re the avatar?”
Stiles snorts and rolls his eyes. “Yes. I’m like Aang. You can be Katara.”
“That’s fine by me. She’s badass.”
“That she is,” Stiles kicks his shoes off and crosses his legs on top of the bed. “So. Tell me all about your abilities. Big, strong alpha.”
Derek smirks. “I am big and strong aren't I?”
“Mm-hmm. Tell me.”
Derek shrugs. “Well, I’m strong. I’m fast, I have enhanced senses, honestly, everything is enhanced. I’m not sure how else to describe it.”
Stiles rolls his eyes. No doubt thinking Derek is dumb as all hell. “Cool, I’m assuming you have claws and fangs right?”
“Yup, if I shift.”
“Can you turn into a wolf?”
“Maybe.”
Stiles bounces up and down on his legs. “Oh my god. Wait, can you?! That’s so cool! Can you show me one of these days?”
“Sure. If you show me the avatar state.”
Stiles lets out a laugh. “Okay, it’s a deal.”
Not too long after that Scott and Isaac return from who knows where. Isaac looks at Stiles sitting on Derek’s bed and smirks. “What are you lovebirds talking about?”
“How lame you are and how we’re going to ask for a new roommate,” Derek says without missing a beat.
Scott cackles and flops onto his bed as Isaac goes over to his own. “Leave them alone, Isaac. Don’t be mad ‘cause Stiles wants Derek and not you.”
Stiles actually honest to god blushes and he’s even beautiful doing that.
“Scott shut up. Focus your attention on how the kitsune doesn’t wanna date you,” Derek says.
Scott sputters. “Hey! She talked to me today! I think she likes me back.”
Derek resists rolling his eyes when Scott happily sighs. Scott’s like a puppy though, so Derek can’t be too annoyed with him.
Stiles gets off Derek’s bed to go lay on his own and Derek almost starts rolling around on the spot that Stiles was sitting on just to get Stiles’ scent on him. It’s really weird, Stiles is making Derek’s instincts go haywire. Fortunately for Derek, he ends up not embarrassing himself by rolling around like a dog. He doesn’t need Stiles making any dog jokes.
It’s a close thing though, because Stiles just smells so good.
Derek really is kinda sorta fucked, but, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like it. He likes it a lot. He likes Stiles a lot. Hopefully, this affection won’t backfire on him, although, Derek really can’t find it in himself to care. If liking Stiles fucks his life up, well, Derek can adapt.
Jesus, he’s so fucked.