Not Worth Saving

by FinchInTheMines

Summary:

After being repeatedly abandoned by Scott and his pack, Stiles is finally kicked out of the pack. With his bonds broken he takes a shot in the dark and calls Derek for help. Surprised when the alpha picks up and is willing to help him, he finally finds a place in a pack that actually cares about him. Scott is not to pleased about this.

Notes:

This was a fic that I started years and years ago but getting back into the fandom made me completely rework the premise i was going for. So for the first like 1,000 words the style is a little different. Its not supper jarring but if you notice less detail there, that's why. Anyway enjoy reading.

Stiles has would do near anything for Scott. They were supposed to be brothers to the end. He was the first to see what he really was and hasn’t left his side since. Mistrusting Derek, dodging hunters, fighting Peter, fending off countless creatures and even Scott himself at times. Hell he was the one who taught him control. But it seemed that this devotion and loyalty was less and less returned these days. 

 

Now he faced Derek and Erica alone in the pool room of the school. Two terrifying overpowered supernatural creatures with questionable morals and motivation. He knew at least Derek wouldn’t kill him, ok ’knew’ was a strong word but he had a pretty solid gut feeling about it. Not that the threats were helping. But he found himself alone. No sign of Scott and no way to get out other than the handover the information he really didn't want to hand over. 

 

It ended in treading, carrying Derek in eight feet of water while that lizard thing stalked them. Not an Ideal position but he had one last option. All he had to do was get his phone and contact Scott. They needed a non-paralyzed werewolf to at least scare this thing off and Erica wasn’t going to be any help. He wasn't a weak swimmer but this was still a lot. Could feel the cramps starting in his arms and legs. The tiredness pull at every movement as he fought to keep both their heads up.

 

In a split second decision after Derek had sassed him he made a break for the phone, letting Derek sink. Scott rang once, twice then picked up. Hope flooded though Stiles as he tried to explain their situation. Stiles talked as fast as he could but he barely got the third word out before Scott hung up on him. Then he was on his own again with Derek at the bottom of the pool, Erica passed out on the tile and the Kanima lurking not a foot from the edge, just waiting for him to try and get out. 

 

First getting Derek back above water, even as a werewolf he could probably only hold his breath for so long. He gave up on his phone, chucking it as close to the edge as he could and dove to get Derek. Yanking on the man’s shirt to drag him to the surface once again, he struggled under aching limbs and worry. 

 

Resurfacing was a fight. Even underwater Derek probably weighed twice what Stiles did and being dead weight, the odds were against him. He didn’t have the energy to contemplate why he was going to such lengths for someone he barely knew and he sure as hell wasn't going to interrogate it later. The only thing keeping his body moving was adrenaline. Every muscle screamed at him to just relax, to let the chill of the water take them but he didn’t. Finally, they broke the surface, both gasping for air as Stiles endured the sass and threats from a man who was completely at his mercy. 

 

He stayed there, treading and treading for so long. Most of it was spent trying to use as little energy as possible. Eventually Derek stopped speaking, that made it easier to concentrate on his breathing. In a last ditch attempt he realized that his energy was depleted. if he didn't get them out now his limbs would give out and they would both drown. The plan was to reach the diving boards and hope the kanima ignored him and get handing on to one of the boards. There he could just hang rather than swimming. If the thing didn't ingnore them and paralized him as well... well he was going to drown soon anyway. 

 

One last push for the diving boards, there at least he wouldn't be treading. With every last bit of energy he dragged Derek though the water, reaching up for the step he had to push up, fighting for both of their lives. Derek was heavier soaking wet and his fingertips just brushed the grip. 

 

He had it,

 

Then he didn’t 

 

And the water took them both. In his lungs. In his mouth. Filling his senses like the anxiety he felt when his limbs didn't respond to his call. 

 

He had killed Derek 

 

Scott wasn’t coming

 

They were dead

 

Then it was fine, coughing up water on the cold ground next to the pool. Choking and aching as every part of his body came down form the heavy strain that it had witnessed. In terms of near death experiences this was one of the more disappointing ones. Nothing to brag about, nothing to celebrate. He was alive for another day and so was Derek. Speaking of… he looked around and spotted Derek a few yards away laying on his back facing the pool. Completely still but breathing. Everything hurt but they were both alive. 

 

Scott was fighting the lizard and it occurred to him…

 

“Watch the tail! It's laced” He managed to cough out a warning to Scott who made no indication that he heard him, only focused on the thing. Until it saw its own reflection and skittered up the wall and out of the roof. 

 

Derek seemed to be regaining his strength as he started to move slowly as if his whole body was on pins and needles. Stiles knew how it felt. He stumbled a bit and it looked like he was tipping back into the pool but managed to regain his balance last minute and recover. Stiles might have giggled at the clumsiness if even smiling didn't take too much energy. 

 

He gave Stiles a quick glance that almost looked like disbelief or surprise, like he was impressed, before turning to talk to Scott. Stiles passed out after that heaving breaths as his body tried to recover from its exertion. A small part of him resented Scott’s failure to be there for him until he had nearly died, that part was drowned out by the relief to have a moment to give his screaming limbs a rest. He laid on his back, fully relaxing into the small puddle his wet clothes were making. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the pain aching through his limbs. 

 

It wouldn’t be the last time that Scott would fail to show up on time. Far from it. 

 

Stiles found himself trapped in Scott’s house protecting Lydia from Derek and his pups. Again Scott wasn’t here, it was up to him to keep the others safe. He's at the window with Allison staring out at the pack, he knows Derek at least can see them both but they aren’t making any moves. Anxiety gnawed at him. Not only did he have to survive and protect them from both the Kanima and Derek but he had to do it while keeping Lydia from knowing what was going on. 

 

“We can take the three of them” Allison turns to him to talk and for a second Stiles looks back at her before realizing what she has said. Three of them. He looks back and Isaac is gone. 

 

He feels a hand grip the back of his neck, careful not to piece the skin although he can feel the claws. Isaac throws him to the ground and stands over him. Alisson is long gone, already running up stairs to find Lydia and Jackson. Stiles knew when to stay down, after his tussle with Erica he wasn't going to try to fight Isaac. With Derek he was at least mostly sure he wouldn’t kill him. Isaac was a wild card to him just like the rest of the betas.

 

Strangely enough it wasn’t fear that flooded his mind. He was only trying to figure out what Isaac’s next move would be. But he just stood there, like he was doing the same thing, not quite ready to be a killer. And still Scott wasn’t there.                    

 

He was getting better at the fear. At some point fear gave in to adrenaline and he started thinking a little bit more clearly. He was surviving. The nightmares got worse and he hardly slept but he was surviving. 

 

The Anxiety was another thing.

 

The next time he felt fear like this was when Gerard dragged him from the field down to the basement. Not even because he needed something from him. No it was to hurt Scott. Gerard didn't care that it was Stiles hurting, he wasn't even worth the effort to make it personal. That made it worse. 

 

Trying to tear at Erica and Boyd’s bonds left his fingers burning on the live wires. They had both been crying but it was just another injury to add to the litany of marks he gained that night. 

 

He took the beating with his usual snark. Although several blows to the head cut off his ability to understand and speak pretty quickly. The only reason he got through it was the hope that Scott would find him. It never happened. Hours into his abduction he lay on the ground, hardly moving as the pain in his head and chest made it hard. There was a guard somewhere behind him, armed and malicious. No chance to escape and Scott wasn't coming. Neither was Derek or his father. Although that hurt less than Scott, he at least could find him pretty easily. One sniff of his scent would send him in the right direction but there was still no sign of him. Maybe he hadn’t even noticed Stiles had gone missing. That thought sent a particularly deep ache through his body.

 

When Gerard finally realized that Scott wasn’t coming for him and dropped the boy off somewhere, Stiles almost laid down in the grass off the side of the road and slept there. He was so tired, utterly exhausted by the day and the pain he had endured. The thought of his father waiting up for him was what ultimately sent him home. He just had to keep moving, hoping that Scott had even realized he was gone. He didn't of course. Lydia waited for him at his house and then the warehouse and then Gerard and Derek and Peter. The days got longer and longer.

 

Tomorrow he knew Scott wouldn’t ask, or bring it up. He knew they would both ignore the strikingly brutal bruise on his face and pretend like nothing happened. Like Stiles wasn't quickly becoming the only one of their friends that sustained the damage delt to him.

 

His father was on the phone with the hospital as he walked through the door. Seeing his father upset about the damage, it was too much. He cried that night. Really cried, like he hadn’t done in years. Maybe it was the panic attack that came after or maybe his exhaustion, but eventually he passed out in his bed, falling into dreamless but fitful rest.

 

He didn’t tell Scott what happened the next day, Scott didn’t ask about the giant bruise or the busted lip or the limp. Just as he had expected. The most he got out of him was worry about what happened with Allison grieving her grandfather. It made something cold in his gut tighten. When had he become such a low priority? When had the endangerment of his life started to mean so little to his best friend?

 

His last straw came after the Nogitsune, it devastated his mind and body, leaving him conscious for all of it and as soon as he was finally himself again, he faced Scott, staring down at him with nothing less than shock? disinterest? No, worry, but not for him, never for him. 

 

He watched as the person he wanted comfort from most turned his back and left, shouting something. He hadn’t even checked in with him, not a hug or nod. No acknowledgement of any kind and maybe that hurt worse. That he wasn’t even worth that. 

 

Then Theo. 

 

Donovan died and Scott’s gaze turned to him only in moments of cold silence. He still sat with them, Lydia and Scott and Jackson and Allison but it wasn’t the same. His ideas shut down before they even started. He found himself reaching out to them more than they reached out to him and then they stopped. Every social interaction initiated by him. Eventually it got to be too much.

 

Stiles started missing events, things no one bothered to inform him of. Information went unsaid, leaving him stumbling in the dark on most hunts. Finding his own research or overhearing his packmates discussing it. He could feel them slipping away as more non-humans joined the pack. Filling the roles that he once held. Where Scott used to only be able to rely on him, he had others for that now. 

 

It used to be just him and Scott and now... Stiles didn’t serve a purpose, at least one that couldn’t be handed off to someone else. 

 

Eventually Scott couldn’t take it anymore. Those cold looks turned into a plan turned into a confrontation. 

 

Late one night after a pack meeting, Scott, Stiles, Lydia, Allison, Jackson, and now Liam and Theo. Stiles had thought they had moved past it, he had even believed that it was getting better. Scott never talked about the nogitsune anymore, he had his own beta to worry about. His own pack to foster and Stiles even envisioned himself there alongside him. ...Brothers again.

 

“Stiles I think you should step away from this sort of stuff for a while.” Scott’s words tore through his barely healed wounds. His voice was rational and unconcerned. It made that cold twisting in his gut all the crueler. 

 

“What?” 

 

“Well- we’ve been thinking and it would be safer if you stayed out of pack business for now.” Scott reworded. Stiles caught the slightly surprised but smug look in Theo’s eye. Was this really happening? Was he being kicked out of the pack? He felt that invisible thread that connected him to Scott as pack strain, continuing to fray as he spoke. It hurt. 

 

“For how long?” His voice was soft, a far cry from the cheerfulness he had tried to portray earlier than evening. 

 

“You can still do the research, I know you love that and come to pack meetings of course. You just won’t be involved in the, you know, supernatural stuff.” Stiles swallowed the nausea and bile of emotions that rose though his throat. 

 

“For how long.” It wasn’t a question anymore. He could see Scott’s nervous fidgeting and he already knew the answer. 

 

“Indefinitely.” Theo supplied, finishing the sentence that Scott couldn’t with a finality. Stiled looked to Scott but didn’t meet his eye. That thin line of thread snapping in an instant, followed by the others as each of his former pack refused him the courtesy of a single glance. One by one opening up to that coldness that had buried itself deep in Stiles’ chest. 

 

“But I'm still part of the pack…?” Stiles gave one last ditch effort, already feeling his pack bonds wither thought he didn’t really understand the feeling that spread through him.

 

“...what? You’re human Stiles…” ‘you can't be pack.’ went unsaid but implied. Stiles felt dizzy. That emptying ache reaching through his chest down to his fingertips and back. It sparked through him like a physical need. Like hunger. Like Pain.

 

He didn’t really remember what happened next. He understood that they had just looked at him after that, expecting him to leave. He remembered agreeing to do the research, mumbling something after they had said he could return for the meetings.

 

 Then he was gone. 

 

The night was still young and it wasn’t terribly cold. No one else had left. It was clear that the meeting wasn’t over, he was just expected to leave now that he was not longer one of them.

 

He just drove after that. The events of that night weighed heavy on his chest. It all felt so far away now that he was on his own. Scott’s voice asking him to leave, the emptiness in his chest. His eyes glazed over on the road as he drove, thinking of nothing but the pack he had just lost. He didn’t understand why he had been asked to leave. He had thought he was a useful component to the team, someone to rely on even if he was only human. After tonight, he understood he had been wrong. 

 

He wasn’t headed home, he had long passed the turn off to get to his house. It was too hard to be there now. There it would be too easy to wallow. To lock his doors and not come out for weeks on end. No, there was something in him that told him he had to keep moving. So he drove, further and further away, toward the edge of town. No plan for what to do after, just the thought that he had to keep moving. 

 

His gas ran out just as he reached the edge of town. He didn’t know how long he had been going or what time it was. He didn’t have the energy to reach for his phone and by the time his Jeep finally rolled to a stop on the wooded backroad all he wanted to do was sit and sob. 

 

His knuckles grew white under his grip on the wheel, just staring into the dark of the forest as he fought himself to just make a move. To do anything. Anything that wasn’t sitting in the dark in the middle of nowhere, sulking about people who he couldn't even be sure still cared about him.

 

"fuck!" He shouted, slaming his palm on the top of the wheel before hunching over it. 

 

No one even knew where he was. His father would be working late, he wouldn’t be back until late morning. Scott wouldn’t be looking for him nor would anyone in his pack. He was alone in this… again. The irony of this wasn’t lost as Stiles huffed a small self deprecating laugh. This wasn’t the first time Scott had left him out to dry so why did it feel so much worse now. He felt his hand rub over his heart as if to soothe the ache. He didn’t even feel angry which was a surprise considering this felt like something he should feel angry about. It just felt like a relief, like they were always heading here. Like Scott had finally stopped pretending he was wanted. His pack didn’t want him anymore and he still didn’t know why. He could guess of course, all of those old insecurities rushing up to bite and snap at the new evidence that they were right. 

 

Stiles forced open the door and stepped out onto the road. He was so done dwelling in possibilities. Despite his resolve the efforts of the night were still dragging at his feet, begging him to lay down and rest, to return home and sleep for days. 

 

He stood in the middle of the road, staring at his jeep, there wasn’t a gas station for miles. He’d have to call a tow but he really didn’t want to talk to anyone or deal with that right now. Maybe he could just stay here for the night, sleep in his car and have it towed in the morning. Maybe he would feel better in the morning. 

 

His hand drifted over his chest again, that ache only growing the longer he let it. He set the car to neutral and began to push it to the side of the road. Careful to take it slow and adjust the steering wheel. 

 

By the end he was sweating through his shirt and that strain in his chest was now a bone deep hurt. It felt like a heavy weight pushing on his ribs. It felt hard to breathe and he found himself taking shorter breaths. His chest heaving in what little air it could before forcing it back out. 

 

He sat against the wheel of his jeep, just trying to get a handle on his heart rate, his breathing. He pulled his knees up and rested his arms there, leaning over and closing his eyes. It didn’t help. 

 

Stiles spent a long time there, sat in the dark by his car, just waiting for the pain in his chest to disappear. He knew he should call Scott for help just like he had always done but every time he thought about it the pain got worse. 

 

Eventually, after one of his legs had fallen and he had leaned his head back, he pulled out his phone. Going to his messages to search for Scott’s name. It didn’t matter if he didn’t want Stiles anymore, he was still a good person. He could help. He would help.

 

He hesitated but hit the call button anyway, swallowing the dryness in his throat. The meeting should be long over and even if he was asleep those werewolf senses would wake him to the sound of a ringtone. 

 

The phone rang. 

 

Once. 

 

Twice. 

 

Three times. Then four. With each lapse of silence Stiles found himself slipping further away. He let his hand fall to the ground, the feeling of his phone vibrating assaulting his senses. Then it clicked off, the bright and cheery sound of Scott’s voicemail called out to the dark woods. The light from his phone was the only light he could see. Even the moon seemed to be hiding from him now. 

 

He lifted his finger to end it but then waited, listening to the beep and then silence. 

 

“H-hey buddy.” His voice was horse from the crying but he tried to force a smile into it. 

 

“I uhm- well I’m in a bit of a pickle. You know me… always… Anyway, I ran out of gas and I was thinking maybe you could come out and help me get to a gas station. I’m on Farrow Road, just where it leaves town… Call me back-” His voice wavered, barely keeping straight as he spoke. It cut off with the last words as he ended the call.  

 

He wasn’t coming. Stiles had learned that lesson time and time again. If his phone went to voicemail there was a good chance Scott wouldn’t even listen to it, no matter how many he left. 

 

He could call his dad but it didn’t feel right to pull him away. Everything in his body hurt now, that ache that had centred over his heart now infecting each nerve and tendon in him. He doubted he could even stand if he tried, he needed help. He needed his pack. 

 

That thought sent him over, tears falling freely into his lap. It was too dark to really see anything now, his phone was still clutched in his hand. He brought it to him one more time, looking for another contact that might be willing to help him. That he hadn’t been too much for or discarded by. 

 

His bleary eyes landed on ‘Derek’ saved in his phone. They had never been close, if he was honest he would have said that Derek hated him or at the very least found him to be obnoxious. They had come to a bit of an understanding as of recently, allies against the world, the Hale and Mccall packs but he wasn’t sure that that allyship extended to something like this. Besides he wasn’t even part of the Mccall pack anymore, for all he knew, it could have been the Hales that asked for his removal. 

 

His hands trembled, his whole body racked with shivers as the night had cooled off significantly. 

 

He hit call anyway. 

 

This wasn’t about expecting favors from these people, it was about not giving up. He wasn’t giving up, he had to keep moving even if it was all futile anyway. 

 

“Stiles?” It felt like the first breath of air he had taken in the last hour. Gasping in as much hope as he could possibly get before the inevitable disappointment. 

 

“Stiles?” His voice came again, there was anger there but worry too. Stiles couldn’t find it in him to respond. He just wanted to listen to Derek, to anyone speak to him with something other than disappointment or pity. 

 

“Where are you?” It was more urgent now and Stiles could hear the shuffling. He choked out another gasping breath as the pain reached his lungs. 

 

“Stiles! Where are you? I’m coming to get you.” He heard the jingle of car keys. Relief, hope, they weren’t enough to chase away the cloying feeling of despair but they were enough to get him to breathe for a moment. 

 

“...F-Farrow Road. The edge of town.” Was all he could get out. 

 

“Stay there.” Then the line went dead. 

 

Derek was coming. Stiles stared out into the dark, just the edges of the trees visible by the soft light of the city so far away. He let his phone shut off and placed it on the ground next to him. 

 

Then he waited. No way to know that Derek was coming aside from his word and his faith. Just enough light to look to the future and see something. Even if the rest was bathed in the dark. Right now there was something to hold out for. 

 

That had to be enough of a reason to keep moving. 

 

His hands fidgeted and time seemed to stretch on. 

 

Then finally he saw headlights. They were fast approaching, lighting up the road and Stiles in kind. He almost sobbed again as the camaro pulled up beside him and Derek stepped out. He looked frantic and was by Stiles’ side in an instant. That werewolf speed holding up. 

 

“Stiles. Stiles. Look at me.” Stiles made a face of confusion at the request. That's what he was doing. His eyes unfocused again and Derek started to worry. As soon as he stepped out of the car he could smell the distress in the sweat and tears. 

 

The pack bond they shared was a filtered and weak thing but he could still feel it there, barely tugging at him and fraying. Like it was moments away from snapping. He had felt it over the phone when Stiles had called him and now he could nearly see how broken it was. Something was dragging Stiles away from him and he didn’t know why. 

 

He didn’t understand why this was happening. Where was Scott? Where was anyone? Why had Stiles called him. He reached out to grab his shoulder and quickly the black veins of shared pain dug into his hands. 

 

He grunted with the surprise of it, quickly ripping his hand away in reaction. He knew that kind of pain. That hallowed emptying feeling that tore at your heart and lungs and made your body ache deep to the bones. He had felt it the night of the fire as one by one his pack bonds snapped as his family fell to the flames. 

 

Stiles was packless. 

 

A burning fury raged through him. How the fuck had this happened. Where the hell was his pack and why had they abandoned him. Where was Scott. Where was the alpha meant to care for his beta, his eyes flashed with the blood red of his status. 

 

He reached out again, both hands now gripping Stiles’ shoulders, just under his sleeve, taking as much of the pain as he could. He groaned and grit his teeth. This must have happened hours ago if it was already this bad. Stiles was cold, shivering from the night and wearing little to help with that. 

 

“Stiles. Look at me.” His voice was firmer now, more demanding. Stiles forced his eyes to focus on him, the relief was not encompassing, the pain was gone but he still felt empty. He felt Derek’s hands on his shoulders and saw his grimace and he understood. 

 

“Derek.” He didn’t know what to say. Now that he was here, thank you felt too small for this. He’d owe this man big time after this he was sure. He just wanted to get home, to see his dad and know that there were people in the world who still cared about him. 

 

“I’m taking you to the loft. Do you understand?” Stiles’ face twisted in confusion. Why wouldn’t he understand? He could hear him, maybe that was the question. He wasn’t concussed, he was just throwing a fit. 

 

He nods, keeping his eyes on Dereks. There was relief there. 

 

“Why?” Derek looked somewhat saddened by this. He moved to Stiles’ side, keeping skin to skin contact. He responded as he pulled Stiles off the ground. 

 

“You’ve lost your pack right? Scott was stupid enough to break…, from what I can feel, more than one of your pack bonds. I need to get you back to the loft so we can bond with you before the broken bonds kill you.” Stiles looked slightly horrified for a moment, realising that the pain in his chest, now his body, might have actually killed him had he just decided that he could go it alone this time. 

 

“I- Pack bonds?” Stiles couldn’t help his curiosity. Derek helped him into the passenger side of the car. Wincing as he had to let go and the pain krept back into Stiles' system. 

 

“Your- “ He looked at stiles with disbelief. Before sighing and closing the passenger side door. The sooner they got back the sooner Stiles would feel better. Once back in the driver’s side Derek kept explaining, pulling away from the jeep and back into town. 

 

“The pack bonds you made with Scott, Lydia, them. I can feel the pain you’re in is the same pain as a broken pack bond. I’m not sure what happened but right now you need a pack so they don’t kill you.” He spoke quickly, the anger finding its home in his words as it so often did. 

 

“But I'm human.” Stiles again groaned after his outburst, his muscles tensing with the flaring ache. Derek paled at the sound. He wanted to reach back out, take the pain back but he couldn’t risk getting distracted while driving. He saw Stiles breathing heavily, choking out whimpers between breaths. He just tried to drive faster. 

 

“That doesn’t mean you’re not pack! Stiles.” He sounded so sure Stiles nearly believed him. He sounded angry but not at Stiles. He was furious at Scott for doing this. 

 

He looked off the road toward Stiles. He looked rough. Dark circles under his eyes and cut off breaths. Clearly trying not to hunch over with the pain, after the brief physical contact he could feel their own bond wisp back into existence. Not quite pack but through their roundabout connections through Scott and Peter, they were close. 

 

They only made it about halfway to the loft before Derek got fed up and stopped the car. Stiles was in too much pain, the stench of it made his stomach turn. Something primal in him to protect took over and he made the decision. He couldn’t watch Stiles in pain like this and not do anything. He pulled off to the side of the road and parked. Stiles seemingly noticed but before he could question Derek had gotten out of the car and crossed to his side. 

 

“Derek- what-” He was pulled out of the passenger side and into Derek’s arms. Derek slid his hands around Stiles’ waist and pulled their bodies flush. He pressed his nose behind his ear and breathed deep, calming breaths, encouraging Stiles to simply do the same. 

 

Derek felt his eyes flash as the scent overwhelmed him with anger. He held tighter, scenting him thoroughly. 

 

“Derek…” Stiles had returned the hug as he felt the relief of pain but was utterly unsure of what was happening. Derek nosed against his neck and he felt the wind leave him. This was Derek Hale, two years his senior, nuzzling him against the side of his car in the middle of the night. 

 

“I’m sorry… you need a bond now. It will help with the pain and the emptiness.” Derek said, his voice was low but gentle. He did feel it, along with the relief of the pain was dissipating of numbness in his chest. 

 

“Thank you…” Stiles managed to get out as he felt the thin thread snap into place. 

 

“Don’t thank me. We still have a long way to go and you are going to tell me exactly what happened.” His tone turned dangerous as he gripped Stiles in a possessive hold. Scott wouldn’t be getting away with this. 

 

Derek’s hands moved around his waist, like he was caressing him. They were warm and comforting, his thumbs pressing in just above his hips and rubbing circles. The tight zing of warmth that spread through their bond was nice. He felt opened and vulnerable in a way entirely different than he had before.   

 

Where Scott had flayed him in sharp words, Derek soothed, allowing him to submit to the touch on his own. 

 

Derek slowly pulled away, making sure to keep eye contact with Stiles as he did. Searching for pain and discomfort as he held Stiles away from him. 

 

“Back at the loft the others will scent you too ok? You’ll feel empty for a while but more pack bonds will help.” Derek explained, a seriousness that made Stiles shut up and listen. 

 

“I don’t understand I’m human. I don’t do the scenting things. No, superhuman senses or anything.” He tried to reason, only getting Derek to raise an eyebrow at him. Before disappearing around to the other side of the car again. 

 

“Stiles.” His tone was warning as Stiles climbed back into the car. He was asking Stiles to let him save him. Stiles stopped talking after that, letting Derek take him back to the loft, back to his pack. 

 

The pain was lesser now but still there. He was still recovering from whatever this pack bond thing Derek was talking about but it was better. He also noticed how Derek kept looking over at him. Not judging, just looking. Checking on him to ensure the pain hadn’t gotten worse. 

 

It was the kind of thing he would never have noticed had the bond between them not allowed him to feel the worry that radiated off the wolf. 

 

Now the pain was ebbing away, still aching but duller now, he just felt tired. He could still feel the phantom pressure of Derek’s thumbs in his hips, the warmth of his hands around his body had been exactly what he had ached for the kind of contact that felt safe. 

 

Trust a born wolf to know exactly what he needs and how to provide it for him. He smiled at that thought, knowing how much Derek would hate it if he mentioned he was providing for him like an alpha. 

 

They arrived at the loft faster than Stiles expected, Derek was clearly speeding but Stiles didn’t say anything. Despite Stiles’ new found ability to walk on his own without support, Derek hovered over him as they entered. 

 

Once inside Derek near slammed the door and then was on him again, dragging Stiles to the couch and sitting him down. It didn’t take long for Peter to appear from the spiral staircase. He didn’t look exactly surprised to see Stiles but still curious as to what he was doing here. 

 

Until his face morphed into one of confusion and frustration, looking between Derek and Stiles as Derek moved to gather a blanket and a throw, tossing them at Stiles unceremoniously. Peter got closer and his face softened before he spoke to Derek. 

 

“You call the others yet?” Peter started, joining them in the living room with his usual cadence of arrogance. 

 

“Not yet, I needed to get him home first.” He looked to Stiles before taking his place next to him. He still wore the scowl but Stiles had long since learned to look past it. 

 

“Ok i’ll get them over here. Then I’ll join you. We can order in for a pack meal.” Peter spoke with a practiced efficiency, like they were both aware of something that Stiles wasn’t. 

 

“Are either of you gonna explain to me what’s going on?” Stiles spoke incredulously. He was grateful of course the relief still in his system, but he still couldn’t see the severity of the situation. 

 

Derek stood anxiously for a moment before taking his place on the couch next to Stiles. Allowing their shoulders to touch. The physical contact helped but Stiles couldn’t help but think this was a little much. Derek definitely never seemed like an overly affectionate guy. 

 

“You’re coming down from a broken bond right? We need to make sure you have other ones to lean back on while you recover.” Peter explained, seemingly sensing the same thing that Derek had. 

 

“More than one. I’d say from how much pain I found him in.” Derek said, watching as Peter stopped in his tracks and turned to him. That same look of anger he had seen on Derek now plastered across the older wolf. 

 

“More than one?” Peter confirmed. Derek leveled him with a serious look and Peter paled, looking over to Stiles with nothing short of pity before disappearing into the hall to call the rest of the pack. 

 

“You can either tell just me and Peter what happened or the whole pack when they get here.” Derek offered, his hands pulling Stiles closer, his nose finding its place against his neck leaning over as he scent marked Stiles again before pulling away. Stiles found himself leaning into it. Finding relief and comfort in the feeling that someone wanted to be near him. It was nice dispite his confusion.

 

“With the... bond breaking? I think I’d rather just tell you two, I don’t want word to get back to Scott that I’m here.” He felt the intake of air that Derek took as he heard the words. He wasn’t angry at Stiles, he was angry at Scott. His fury relighting with Stiles’ voice. 

 

“Ok.” Derek said simply, shifting to better look at Stiles squarely. Rather than sitting side by side, he sat back on the arm, his leg still pressed to Stiles’. The couch was large enough to accommodate both of them and Stiles had the inkling that this was exactly what it was made for. The idea of pack cuddles came to his mind unbidden. 

 

Derek made him feel warm, wanted. There had been nothing like this with Scott or any of that pack. Given, the Hale pack was all wolves while Scott’s was more a mixed bag but that didn’t mean they couldn’t participate in things like this. Maybe it was just that the Hale pack was raised by born wolves who were raised with other wolves. They knew the customs and traditions in a way that Scott couldn’t. Maybe it was normal to be this close to pack.

 

They knew about pack bonds, something Stiles was still not sure about, but so far he had only felt relief of that pain and emptiness since Derek had marked him. 

 

Derek’s thumb found its way back to Stiles’ waist continuing that soothing motion. Stiles had to quell the warmth pooling in his chest at the touch, he could feel the bond strengthening and filling in that empty void that Scott had left. 

 

Peter returned soon. He looked a little hesitant, standing above the two of them. 

 

“Stiles. You’re probably not used to the amount of… physical contact that actually goes on in a proper wolf pack…” Peter began, as if easing into the fact that Stiles was going to be passed around as a cuddle buddy for as long as he was ‘recovering’. 

 

“Yea… Scott doesn’t really do that. With well- any of us.” Stiles tried to add humor to his tone but he felt so tired. Just wishing to fall asleep with Derek still providing his relief and warmth. the pressure at his hip was really distracting, casting everything in a hazy light. He was so tired, the repetative motion only serving to help put him to sleep.

 

“He should have, it's probably why his pack bonds were so weak as to break in a single night.” Peter began slowly, sitting beside him, opposite to Derek. Stiles didn’t exactly want to break away from Derek at the moment, which he thought that he might have to do if the others also needed this level of contact. There simply wasn’t enough room on the couch.

 

“It wasn’t… It wasn’t just one night. I don’t think. I’m not sure about all of this bond stuff but I think this has been coming for a while now.” He felt Peter lean into him, sliding his own hands under Stiles’ arms and pulling Stiles just enough to press their foreheads together. Peter’s hands found the back of his neck and his back. 

 

He closed his eyes, sighing into the space. Peter stroked at the base of his neck and a new warmth spread into Stiles as he felt that same snapping as he had felt before. This time reaching into the dark to find Peter rather than Derek.

 

He still felt Derek, his leg against him, hand at his hip. But now he felt Peter’s hands, his warmth as well.

 

Then Peter pulled away, letting Stiles lean back into Derek with a knowing glance to his nephew. He kept his hand on his shoulder, letting the bond sink in for a moment after the marking. Then relaxing back into the couch, separating completely. 

 

“Hm.” Derek hummed, prompting him to continue speaking about what happened. Derek let go of his hip to allow him to concentrate, trying not to encourage him to sleep before all of the bonds could be completed. 

 

“I think it started with- actually since Allison really.” 

 

“Stiles that was almost three years ago. You didn’t have a pack bond back then.” Derek provided, worry lacing his words. Had this really been going on since then. Scott was supposed to be his friend, his brother. He was supposed to look after him. Even back then, before they had become allies, Derek had seen how much faith Stiles put in him. Then he was reminded of sitting in that vet’s office, dying, just waiting for Scott to get back to them.  

 

“You still have yet to explain exactly what that is. But yeah I just think that’s when it started to decline. I mean he literally tried to kill me everytime he shifted for a while.” He watched Peter grimace at the lack of elegance, he assumed. 

 

“But that's not what I'm saying. I’m saying that's when he started to choose her over me then that became her and Lydia, and now it's like all of the non-humans against me. I just don’t really serve a purpose in the pack anymore.” He felt lost for words. Like they drained him. The wolves both gave him a sympathetic look. Well Peter did, Derek just looked angrier. 

 

Stiles was starting to realise just how touch starved he really was. It all felt so good. Too good even. He finally felt safe in a way he hadn’t in the last three years and the two of them had barely touched him. 

 

“He didn’t believe he could be part of the pack until tonight.” Derek added as Stiles scoffed at the attempt to embarrass him. 

 

Peter rolled his eyes, incredulous about how little these puny humans knew about ‘proper wolf customs’. 

 

“You realize that emissaries are human.” He couldn’t keep the sass out of his voice. 

 

“Now! Now I realize that. “ Stiles responded. 

 

“They just, they said it like it meant I was never part of the pack. The proper pack. I don’t think he really thinks of Allison as human. Maybe cause she’s so much more capable than I am. Or cause I don’t really get told about the pack events? I’m not sure.” He sort of shrugged and felt Derek press his nose to the base of his neck again, refreshing the scent. It felt like overkill at this point but he wasn’t going to be the one to tell him to get off. Peter gave them both another smug look. 

 

“No, as soon as you have a pack bond you are a pack. It doesn’t matter if you’re human or werewolf or banshee.. etcetera…” Derek said into his hair. His voice sending shivers up Stiles’ spine. Then he pulled back again. 

 

“He’s right, the bonds you share are sort of an ethereal connection to your pack. This is especially important if it's not a family pack centred pack, that would mean Scott’s. It's why we can feel if the others have… perished. It also encourages social bonding. A pack is only as strong as their weakest member and that is why we all bond. It ensures that we are there for eachother. For the survival of all of us.” Peter explained, waving his hands about as he often did. 

 

“But I felt it, the bonds with you two, that twang or snapping. I didn’t feel that with Scott and the others. At least I don’t think so.” Stiles reasoned, unconsciously shifting between the two of them.

 

“Doesn’t mean they didn’t form. Ours were intentional. The connection and marking, its clear Scott has no idea what he’s doing, true alpha or not. Those were not intentional so they developed slower.” Peter went on, his hand raking through Stiles’ hair, a similar motion to how his father had calmed him once upon a time. 

 

“I felt them snap, earlier tonight. When he- he. He asked me to step away from the pack for a bit. ‘Indefinitely’ was the word Theo used. I think that’s when they broke.” Sitles dropped his head, but Peter didn’t let up, still carding through his hair in comfort. It was such a strange sensation to have these wolves, these supernatural beings just here with him. Comforting him after such a long night. 

 

“It sounds like they were fraying for a while now.” Peter added with a scoff. 

 

“I’m just glad you called me.” It was clear that they were both exceedingly frustrated with Scott at the moment. This was probably the taboo of all taboo’s in the werewolf world. 

 

“It’s not like Scott knew what he was doing.” Stiles tried to defend. That old urge to protect his friend pulling at him. 

 

“He had no right.” Derek growled, fully growled as he spoke. Sitting up straighter with his anger.

 

“I’m not going to lie kid, you could have been seriously hurt by his actions and that means that any of the other betas could be be in danger. If Scott is this ignorant about something this important then there is probably so much more that he is ignorant about.” Peter chimed in. 

 

“Yeah Derek said I could have died.” Stiles spoke as if he didn’t believe him but the serious look that Peter gave him shut him up very quickly. 

 

“It’s unlikely considering you’re human but it could have happened. We would prefer you in one piece.” He followed. 

 

“Aww and I thought you were the scary uncle.” Stiles mocked, still a little surprised that they had even shown him this much care. 

 

“Stiles. After all you have done for us, for our pack. If you weren’t in Mccall’s pack we would have gladly taken you. Now we’re jumping at the chance. I mean I bet Derek couldn’t even hold back until you got to the loft to mark you, you reek of him. I likely would have done the same. The others might have reserved more restraint but that doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t have brought you straight here to be integrated.” Peter continues, still utterly serious. 

 

“You wanted me in your pack.” His voice was small, unsure. Waiting for the second shoe to drop and for the insults and the emptiness to rush back to him.

 

 Peter carded through his hair again. Trying to quell the feelings as Stiles let out a small whine. All his time surrounded by betas and he had started to pick up more traits than he would have liked. 

 

“Of course we did. Once the other’s get here they will tell you the same.” Derek mumbled. His voice sounded heady now and Peter gave him a scathing look. Derek pulled away slightly and there was another whine from Stiles at the loss of connection. 

 

Immediately Derek was back to him, pressing as much of his body against the smaller man as he could. Peter just rolled his eyes. 

 

“They’ll- oh.” He was cut off as the door to the loft opened. Stiles craned his neck to see Cora, and Erica heaving the heavy door open and stepping inside. 

 

“Took you long enough.” Peter snipped. They looked at him and then to Stiles and Derek on the couch. Quickly joining them as Peter got up to let them closer. 

 

“I’ve already told them the situation, Stiles it’s probably better to stand for this unless you want to start a pile on the couch” Peter stepped away, letting Stiles spread out the blankets as the other two wolves joined them on the couch. 

 

It could probably fit all five of them easily but Peter had already stood up. Erica moved in closer first. Bringing Stiles in for a tight hug and nearly pulling completely into her lap. She ignored the low possessive growl that came from Derek’s throat. 

 

“Not now. He needs all of our bonds. You can have your human back when we’re done.” Stiles just laughed at Cora’s teasing tone. She swatted her brother on the arm. Erica was soft to him, but there was genuine worry about her stance. She held him in that hug, her arms around his shoulders until he felt that now familiar popping of their bond into place. It was looser than Derek’s or Peter’s but still there. Still a tangible reminder that he was loved and wanted. 

 

Cora was next, bringing him in for a similar hug to Peter. Not overly involved, pressing her forehead to his and nuzzling just as he had done. Stiles suspected it was an intimacy thing, respect for boundaries that hadn’t been established. He was grateful for it. 

 

“So you guys are really into this, do you all do this often?” Stiles asked, genuine curiosity filtering in. 

 

“Yes. Obviously. We’re a pack.” Cora responded curtly, taking her place in the arm chair to the left of the couch Stiles and Derek sat at. Erica took her place on the carpet in front of it. Stiles saw Cora start to run her hands through Erica’s hair. Something in him keened at the thought that he was a part of the pack bonding. Derek was leaning back next to him now, side by side again, shoulder’s pressed together. 

 

Peter disappeared into the hall again for a moment and Stiles felt his pack bond pull. He didn’t want any of them to leave his sight. They would leave him, abandon him like Scott had. 

 

Another small whine left his throat and Derek had his attentions again, his hand back at Stiles’ waist under the blanket that covered him. Trying to sooth him and remind him that he was not alone. Cora and Erica were also both looking, listening to their wounded packmate. 

 

“He’ll be back, the others are coming. We aren’t leaving you. You’re safe Stiles.” Derek comforted in his own rasping growl. Forcing the words into his foggy mind. He felt so weak without them. Even one of them leaving his line of sight let more of that emptiness in. 

 

Erica stood up and joined them on the couch again. She moved her hand to Stiles' thigh, close to his knee, rubbing over him in a comforting repetition. He focused on their words and hands. His pack, surrounding him on all sides. Placing their warmth and comfort with him. Mixing his scent with theirs as a claim.

 

“You’re going to have to let him go eventually Derek, he needs more contact with the rest of the pack.” Cora complained, rolling her eyes at her brother’s possessive nature. 

 

He felt Derek’s shift, rolling his eyes or just glaring before sighing but making room for Cora to sit down where he had been. She was similar to her brother in that she simply leaned against him although without the waist grabbing. 

 

“Boyd and Isaac are on their way, and… food’s here.” Peter reentered and Stiles perked up only for him to disappear behind the door again to take the food from whoever was interrupting their pack bonding. 

 

“Derek put on a movie or something. I have no doubt that no one will be sleeping in their room tonight.” Peter reappeared with several boxes of pizza in hand and set them on the counter as he spoke. Derek moved further away but only for a moment before returning to standing next to the couch. When had Stiles become so aware of the distance between them all. He hoped that Peter would return to his side soon and provide some explanation for what was happening to him. 

 

The doorbell rang, cutting off his thoughts of comfort and introducing a few surge of hope. He felt like a child, excited to see their parent after a long time away. It was such an alien feeling. Is this what they felt all the time, anytime Derek had seen his pack or been without them. He had never experienced something like this with Scott. Such an overwhelming sense of belonging. He couldn’t even find it in himself to be embarrassed at himself for the giddy joy he felt at being surrounded by his pack, he knew they would never shame him for it. 

 

“We heard Stiles joined?” Isaac’s voice filtered into the loft as he and Boyd entered comfortably. They spotted the group clustered on the couch and joined them as Derek pulled up a streaming service. 

 

“So, part of the pack now?” Boyd’s deep voice came with a hint of pride, something of relief, like he had been waiting for this to happen all along. It only made that giddiness swell in Stiles. 

 

He stood up to embrace them this time, Derek no longer holding him he felt it was better to stand to meet them. Boyd took him in first, a crushing hug that felt all encompassing as he was much bigger than Stiles. Stiles rubbed his cheek against where Boyd’s chest became his shoulder. Boyd just stood still, just holding him, letting his scent rub off in comfort and warmth. Again there was that tight snap as another thin thread latched onto the man in front of him. 

 

The bonds were weak, he knew that. But they were there. Real and tangible and comforting. They could be strengthened with time but that would come later. For now he had five new strands of warmth in his chest. He belonged. 

 

Isaac was more intimate with him. They had known each other better so it made sense, rubbing his cheek to Stiles’ and then pulling away to press their foreheads together. One hand at the back of Stiles’ head while the other grasped his shoulder. It was awkward and desperate and exactly what he expected from the boy. Then he had six bonds and a chest full of warmth. 

 

“No, not that one! Derek, we always watch Fahrenheit 451.” Cora’s complaint came with a drawling groan. 

 

“It’s a good movie.” Derek defended. 

 

“No it’s not.” Erica shut him down, reaching over and grabbing the remote from the older wolf. Much to Derek’s rumbling disapproval, which gets Derek swatted lightly as Peter finally joins them. Stiles lets go of Isaac after he stares him down for a good minute. Assessing his emotions and mental state before letting him sit. 

 

When the pack settles, Stiles finds himself between Derek and Peter as Isaac takes his place just under Stiles’s curled legs on the floor, leaning against the couch. If Stiles wanted to he could reach out and run his hands through Isaac’s curled hair. It looks soft and he currently feels the pull for as much physical contact as possible. As he leans back into the couch and relaxes Peter throws the blanket over his legs so they are now sharing. Derek’s palm found its place at his back and Boyd came to join Isaac on the ground in front of the three of them. 

 

Cora was the only one not on or near the couch but that didn’t seem to bother her very much. The smaller arm chair she took up was close enough to the rest of them and she could easily join them with how much room was left. 

 

Instead she got up to bring the food and some plates over to the living area. Stiles felt surrounded on all sides, their newly formed pack bonds thrumming with each small touch or hold. He hoped there would be more discussions about what was going on with him but for now he was content to bask in the fact that he was finally wanted. No Scott to shame him or pity him or ignore him. No, the people here would listen to him, help him. He sank into the couch a little further. 

 

They eventually settled on a movie that not everyone had seen but was enough to keep their attention as they hung out together. Food was soon passed around as well and they all seemed content to relax. Idle conversations or jokes made and laughed at. Nothing serious to talk about and no responsibilities to think about for now. 

 

Peter had taken one of Stiles’ wrists and pushed his thumb along the vein on the underside in slow circles. All the while Isaac had pulled one of Stiles’ legs out from the blanket so it would hang over the edge of the couch and he could lean against it. Derek’s hand had moved from over his clothing to just under the hem of his shirt. 

 

The rough calloused hands of the pack pulled and pushed at his muscles as if to sow their scents into his skin. All the while Stiles tried to stay awake under the treatment. When one of the others would get up they would pass by the back of the couch and touch or cup his face or hair in some way. 

 

With each touch he could feel the thrum of their pack bonds, slowly growing stronger. He felt so relaxed, cared for. Eventually his eyes did slip shut before the movie was over. Sleep took its dues as the wear and tear of the day came over him. 

 

After Stiles had passed out, leaning heavily on Derek, the night wound down. The others dress for bed and return to the living room for their night together. There were plenty of pillows and blankets on each couch for exactly this reason. 

 

At the end of the night the pack slept with full bellies and warmth thrumming through their bonds. Derek laid nearly the length of the couch. His head resting on a pillow and the arm rest, while Stiles draped over him with his arms around Derek’s waist. Isaac across Stiles’ legs on his back. Cora and Boyd cuddled up to Erica on the love seat while Peter took the armchair. 

 

Somewhere soft growling that really sounded like purring could be heard. Tangles of limbs and heartbeats sounded in the soft night as the pack rested. 

Derek was the first to wake, his hand over Stiles’ back, his mouth dry with the morning. He allowed himself to look down with something like fondness at his pack. Finally complete with the addition of a human. His hand raked through Stiles’ hair then down the back of his neck. Gracing over his pulse to feel the steady beat against his chest through his fingers. 

 

Effectively marking him once again even if he could already smell the pack on him so strongly. It felt right. Pack should share scent, especially with the alpha. Another thrum of something possessive and animalistic ran through him as he let his fingers drift. His human, his wolves, his pack. Together and happy. Safe from those that wanted to hurt them. Safe under his care, under his watch. 

 

Of course this small lull lasted until the younger betas woke, Cora immediately demanding breakfast and Boyd just looking sheepish as his stomach growled. Stiles slept longer than the others. Even Isaac was up before him, leaving Derek trapped on the couch as the rest of the pack came over to remark the boy and Derek. Peter took Derek’s job of cooking for the pack as he was unwilling to move. 

 

With how fragile Stiles had been last night to even the thought of being left alone he wasn’t going to risk it. Seeing him so peaceful now, it was clear he needed the rest too. Those heavy bags under his eyes were worrying to say the least. 

 

They still had a lot to talk about with him, what it meant that he was part of their pack. Expectations, traditions, meetings, dynamics, but just as important was that he made a complete and healthy transition into the Hale pack. Besides, Derek wasn’t minding the closeness. 

 

It had been long since he had felt so needed like this. As if he were Stiles’ only lifeline in the void of loneliness. Even if that wasn’t the case, he wouldn’t leave Stiles alone now. Not until he could be sure he was ok. He had hovered for each of his betas and this was no different even if he couldn’t use the excuse that they might go crazy and kill someone. 

 

Peter came over later to rustle his hair and then Stiles’ giving Derek another one of those knowing looks. He was aware that he was projecting how content he was to the other super sensed wolves in the room but he could only glower in response to that. Not that it held any real effect with his betas, who would more often than not continue their offending behavior. Snickering and raising their eyebrows at him. 

 

When Stiles did wake up he felt warmth against his chest, a comforting pressure at the back of his neck. When he moved, opening his eyes, it became clear why. He looked up at Derek from his place on the wolf’s chest. 

 

His eyes widened at the inappropriateness of the intimacy, that ligering need for social politeness momentarily overtaking the need to correct the void in his chest. 

 

He jumped up, scrambling off Derek and managing to fall off the ground before Derek could get a good enough grasp on his body to stop him. 

 

Slightly dazed he stood up slightly awkwardly, the whole pack looking at him. He immediately regretted it. That empting cold creeping back through his heart, his lungs. He tried to regulate his breathing but could only pant harder. 

 

When Derek stood up he stepped away, he wasn’t sure why but he didn’t want them to see him like this. Another flash of anger shot through his alpha and he immediately felt bad about it. He had done something to upset him? 

 

“Stiles. Let us help you.” It wasn’t quite a demand but it was close. He knew Derek wouldn’t take no for an answer and he didn’t really want him to. 

 

“I- sorry for the I shouldn’t have… that was awkward for- probably for both of us. And after you invited me to your pack night-” 

 

“Are you apologizing for laying on me?” Derek raised his eyebrow. He supposed it was fair, he hadn’t seen the way the pack piled last night so he might have assumed that he had ambushed Derek, as if he wouldn't have just pushed him off if he were uncomfortable. 

 

“...Yes?” It didn’t feel like the right answer. Especially seeing that look the others were giving him. He could still feel the chill that had started to bite and wanted nothing more than to return to the warmth of pack cuddles. Even if he was still unsure if he was allowed to initiate it. 

 

“You believe I am too weak to get you off of me if I wanted to.” Derek deadpanned. 

 

“Well no, but-” 

 

“Stiles, we were all cuddled up to each other last night. Derek was just being a sweetheart cause you were the last to wake up.” Erica called between bites of her breakfast. 

 

Stiles’ looked between them again, still unsure what to do but the pain was getting worse. Dully aching in his chest the longer he spent directly opposing his pack rather than alongside them. 

 

“Stiles. It's fine. You needed the sleep, and I’ve spent much longer trapped under the others. When they decide it's time to bond.” Derek reassured, dropping the sarcasm for a more comforting tone. 

 

“You’re still healing and your bonds are still fragile, it's a good idea to stay in contact with one of us for the duration of that time.” Peter’s tone was serious and condescending in the way it always was when he was genuinely concerned. 

 

“Come here.” Derek did order this time. His voice deeper and more demanding, Stiles found himself wanting to listen, knowing that it would help him feel warm, help that emptiness fill again. 

 

He gave one last glance to the others before joining Derek’s side again. Derek quickly embraced him and he felt better instantly. The soft thrum of their pack bond tight in his chest. Derek put his arm around Stiles shoulder and brought him over to the kitchen where the others were chatting, eating, laughing. Like a pack. 

 

Derek sat Stiles down in one of the bar chairs next to Isaac, sitting next to him and Boyd who stood between them. Boyd gave him a pat on the back, letting his palm drift. Marking sure to scent mark him as Derek stepped away to get him some of Peter's scrambled eggs, bacon. And a bowl of cereal. 

 

He knew it was likely that Stiles wouldn’t eat all of it but it's better to have too much and he could just finish the plate if need be. Werewolves always ate so much. Derek presented the food and took to standing at Stiles’ side, opposite to Boyd to make sure he ate. 

 

Stiles looked content again, begging so close to the others as well as Derek’s hand at his waist and Boyd’s over his back. He tried to not keen and lean into the alpha when those slow massashing circles of his thumb returned. 

 

“Eat as much as you can. It will help.” Cora’s advice came from accessing the island, noticing Stiles only picking at his food. 

 

“She's right, you need to eat. As much as you can.” Derek’s voice came again and he did lean into it, allowing his head to rest on the man’s arms as he continued picking. That infuriating thumb in his hip only helped to relax him more. 

 

He still felt so tired, mentally, physically. He just wanted to curl back up on the couch with his new pack and sleep for a year. But he did try to eat, getting most of it down before he couldn’t eat anymore. 

 

“Another bite.” Stiles groaned at Derek’s demand. He wouldn’t be forced to take care of himself by the sourwolf. 

 

“What are you, my dad?” He said playfully. Poking fun at the man for his wording. 

 

“Another bite and you can go back to the couch.” Erica offered, trying to make the offer more enticing. Stiles rolled his eyes but did take another bite. The rewarding squeeze at his waist made it worth it, although he wouldn’t say that. 

 

He then stayed at the bar for a while longer while the others finished their own meals, Derek taking the rest of his and then his own portion. He leaned on Derek the entire time, allowing the others to come over and touch him, play with his air or petting his neck and wrists. All while carrying the conversation. 

 

“You still have to do it, it's your turn tonight.” They had been arguing about the rotation of cooking duty while the other would be spending more time around the loft. Peter was arguing that the younger betas would be expected to pull their weight. 

 

“But Derek’s just so much better at it.” Erica complained, drawing out her syllables in nothing less than sarcasm. He felt Derek sigh next to him. 

 

“I’ll cook tonight but then its you.” Derek compromised. 

 

“Aw the alpha provides for us.” Stiles mocked, only half his heart really in it. He honestly thought it was sweet and couldn’t help imagining Derek in one of those red and pink Valentine's Day aprons. He giggled to himself at the image. 

 

“We all provide for each other, once you’re well again you’ll want to do the same.” Derek reassured, removing his hand from Stiles’ waist to ruffle his hair and then returning it. 

 

“That useless true alpha of yours would know that, had he been fit to run a pack.” Peter’s harsh tone resounded to the others' hums in agreement. Stiles frowned at that, still not entirely comfortable with turning on Scott. 

 

He still was unsure of his friend’s reasoning. He had said it was for his safety and he had immediately ran to another pack after just one argument? The crawl of insecurity running over his spine. Some part of him is still sure that if he got an explanation it would all make sense. That undying loyalty still tears him apart from the inside for his own abandonment by his pack. 

 

“Come one guys, he’s not that bad.” He knew he had opened a can of worms as soon as the words left his mouth. 

 

“Stiles, where is Scott right now?” Peter’s tone was tight and condescending although it wasn’t meant to berate him. 

 

“How am I supposed to know that?” Stiles felt a little incredulous about the question.

 

“And why don’t you know that?” Erica joined in, pushing Stiles to come to his own conclusions about the situation. They had moved closer to him as well, soft expressions like he was hearing a bad diagnosis. He knew they just wanted to help but they couldn’t ask him to throw away years of friendship like this. It was ingrained in his brain to defend Scott and that would take more than one day to dismantle. 

 

“Look, I know what you’re saying and yea what he did was shitty but I’ve known Scott practically my whole life. We’re brothers… I don’t think he doesn’t want me around anymore, i'm not even sure he knows that our bonds are broken.” He reasoned, feeling Derek step behind him and lean over him, pressing his chest to Stiles’ back. Not pushing or holding, just pressure. Reassuring pressure to give him the confidence to keep speaking.

 

“I’ll talk to him, see why he wants me to step down. I’m really grateful to you all for taking me in and… if I’m honest I really would like to be in your pack if you’ll have me for real. But I should at least tell him right?” He felt so unsure, shaky about the whole situation and just looking for some guidance. 

 

“First of all, you’re already in the pack. You’re ours now and that's not changing unless you want it to. But do you feel guilty for… leaving? After he asked you to leave, you feel guilty for leaving.” Cora piped up, pressing a strange possessiveness that Stiles’ had seen in both her uncle and brother. 

 

“Well when you saw it like that it sounds stupid but like he’s my ride or die you know?”

“Then why’d you call me last night instead of him?” Derek’s voice rumbled through Stiles through their pressed bodies. It was comforting, Stiles assumed that was intentional. 

 

“I- uhm. I did call him. First I mean. Before I called you, when my car gave out, I called him. He didn’t pick up, left a voicemail but he doesn’t check those so I called you. Thought you wouldn’t have picked up either if i’m honest.” Derek growled at that, another low rumble that sounded dangerous. Stiles let his head drop, not willing to look up and see the no doubt horrified faces of the others. 

 

“You called him, your alpha, for help. And he didn’t show. Couldn’t even be bothered to pick up the phone.” Derek was angry, Imagining his own betas in danger, needing help and just ignoring them. It made him want to find Scott and tear him apart. 

 

“It’s hardly the first time.” Stiles tried to joke, making it infinitely worse. He did look up then, finding similarly angry faces. It was cathartic in a way, to know that his frustrations weren’t actually over reactions. 

 

“When else.” It was Boyd’s demand now, staring at him with a frightening seriousness. It made Stiles slightly confused as to why these people were all willing to be so angry for him. With Scott often his frustrations, his sadness, his anger, were all his own. No one to share in those emotions. Here it was very different. 

 

“Well you remember the pool, I’m sure Derek does. Treading for two hours isn’t exactly easy. Well when I dropped you? Sorry again about that. I went to get my phone to get Scott there so he could either kill Jackson or scare him away so we could get out of the water… yea that didn’t really happen. He just sort of told me he couldn’t talk and hung up on me” Another rumbling growl came from Derek at his words. 

 

“I remember.” The alpha was scowling again. Stiles couldn’t see it but he was sure. 

 

“It's more than that. I seem to remember the several times you have been kidnapped. By me of course and by the hunters, wasn’t there an incident at that mad house too?” Peter provided helpfully. 

 

“Where was Scott then?” Isaac was now scowling, wholly less intimidating than Derek’s probably was but enough to show is worry. 

 

“I hope he was looking for me… we never really talked about it. I’m not sure he noticed most of those times.” Stiles mumbles, knowing it will do nothing in the face of enhanced hearing. 

 

“Stiles, I dragged you from the field after the game. He noticed.” Peter concluded, ensuring he emphasised how absurd that notion is. 

 

“And we could all smell the blood and pain on you after Gerard took you. I'm not just saying that because I was there.” Boyd answered, only serving to make Stiles shrink in on himself. 

 

“Yea but I don’t think that's enough to judge him. I mean it's a hard topic.” 

 

“Not when it's someone you love. He should have at least checked on you.” Erica defended. 

 

“It's also not as if he hasn’t gone against us too. I mean that whole thing with giving Gerard the bite. Still gives me nightmares.” Stiles sat up at Isaac’s words. He hadn’t forgotten of course he had felt the deep seated pain as Scott went against all of them to execute the plan himself, not even asking Derek for his participation. 

 

“No no you’re right, You all absolutely have good reasons for hating him. I just- I want to hear him out at least.” He looked around at them, trying to convey as much sincerity as he could with a god of a man still pressed to his back. He watched them all look to Derek for his opinion.

 

“That's fair, but you should wait until the bonds have settled and you're healed. Seeing him now will only do more damage. Trust me, it won’t help.” Derek decided and Stiles somewhat agreed although the idea of waiting was a little bitter. 

 

Although If he could keep these people around him for longer he wouldn’t complain. It was just a matter of time before they realized he wasn’t worth the effort and he would take as much advantage of it while he could. Only slightly worried about how bad he would feel about it later, once they realise he was using them for his own comfort. 

 

“Ok.” he felt Derek hum in approval behind him and some part of him couldn’t help but brighten at that happy thrum through several of the pack bonds. 

 

“Lets go back to the living room. I’ll bring you some books-” 

 

“Wait! My Jeep! I have to call my dad too- tell him I'm here.” The sudden reminder of his responsibilities coming to crash down on his illusion of comfort. 

 

“I already took care of that. Called your dad and told him where it was before you woke up.” Peter spoke, now turning back to start working on the dishes that were dirtied over breakfast. 

 

“And he was ok with that?” Stiles asked incredulously. 

 

“I told him what happened with Scott, he seemed to understand. He might drop by to see you, check on you after his shift.” Peter continued. It made more sense. Stiles had sene his dad become less and less trusting of Scott over the years asking more questions when he was involved and being more concerned about him. 

 

“Oh- uh thanks Peter.” 

 

“Don’t mention it. You won’t feel comfortable leaving without one of us with you for maybe a week so I assumed you didn’t need it.” He said it so nonchalantly but it was sort of a big deal. Stiles could feel the repulsion at the idea of leaving his pack’s side but a week with no privacy seemed a little extreme. 

 

“What about using the bathroom or showering? Oh no am I gonna have to suffer just to shower?” The thought came to him before he could stop it and his mouth moved in accordance. 

 

“You should be fine as long as you stay close, you don’t have to stay touching one of us at all times. Just most of the time.” Peter helpfully summarized, much to Stiles’ confusion. 

 

“But this morning when I let go of Derek, I was cold and the empty feeling came back.” He subconsciously put his hand over his chest, listening to Derek’s low rumble against him again was helping. 

 

“It's not exactly proximity, it's unity that makes the pack bonds stronger. When you got up from Derek, essentially rejecting that closeness, it sent you further away from him. That's why you felt the cold. If you let go now, just as an end to the previous connection it shouldn’t hurt. Although the physical connection is part of healing so we don’t recommend staying away for long.” His explanation seemed easy, he barely looked over his shoulder as he continued to scrub the current plate in the stack. 

 

“Ok good, I don’t want to start stinking up the place cause I can’t shower on my own.” Stiles did catch Cora and Erica sharing a look but he didn’t quite understand but brushed off just the same. 

 

“You should know that as soon as you do shower, they will be all over you again to refresh the scent.” Isaac laughed, clearly this was something he had also experienced when he had first joined. 

 

“Right well I think I should do that now, if that’s ok? Oh- I don’t have any of my things. Am I really staying here for a week?” Stiles lamented, still wearing his clothing from the day before. 

 

“We’ll take you to gather your things but you can borrow my clothing for now.” Derek stepped away from him and although Stiles did feel the loss, it wasn’t painful anymore. 

 

“Do you even have a shower here?” Stiles looked around the space. The large window looking out over the only industrial part of Beacon hills. And the fairly plain concrete room didn’t leave much to the imagination. There was another door aside from the one to get in, equally as industrial, but not as large. 

 

There could be some bedrooms and bathrooms through there or up the spiral staircase. Neither of which he had been through. 

 

“Yes? Have you never been upstairs Stiles” Isaac questioned. 

 

“No? I’ve only really ever been here for meetings or confrontations. Not really a chance to explore.” Stiles answered. 

 

“Though there are the guest bedrooms, upstairs are mine and Peter’s rooms as well as Cora’s. Feel free to use the bathrooms through that door to shower, they have everything you should need. I’ll get you some clothing I think would fit you.” Derek pointed at the smaller industrial door and Stiles imagined the layout of this place. 

 

“Careful Derek, don’t wanna stake your claim too quickly. We might get ideas.” Erica teased him, earning a growl. Stiles had really no idea what they were talking about but he didn’t really care. Just looking forward to enjoying a nice hot shower. 

 

Derek’s shirt was a bit big but he was grateful for a change of boxers and sweatpants even if they were also a bit big too. It was fine, the string ties made him feel slightly less embarrassed about it. 

 

When he was finished he felt much cleaner, and despite the time spent away he could still feel the pack bonds sending comfort to him so he only really felt cold. 

 

Joining the others back in the living room, he found them doing various activities. It seemed that Boyd, Cora, Isaac, and Erica were gathered near the door, looking like they were going out while Peter chatted to Derek in the kitchen. 

 

“Are you guys headed somewhere?” Their eyes shifted to him, to see his slightly disappointed look. 

 

“Yea but don’t worry cutie, we’ll be back soon. Just gotta run out to get some things for the loft, won't take long.” Erica dotted, coming over and hugging him, her nails scraping across his back lightly. Soon the others were on him too. Hands on his neck and back, over his chest, through his hair. It was overwhelming, all the touch. 

 

With how much he was missing things like this he couldn’t deny how much he was enjoying it. Feeling himself hug back and allowing them to maneuver him to better interact. The initial awkwardness had all but dissipated as he got used to the constant physical connection. 

 

Derek and Peter watched them with amusement as the four betas left Stiles in their care. One last wave and wink from Erica and he was alone with the two. 

 

“When are we going to get my things?” Derek was staring at him, his eyes wide. Stiles looked down at his clothing, making sure one of the betas hadn’t accidentally untied his draw string or something. 

 

“Yea they’re a bit big, but i’ll get you your clothes back once I get my things.” 

 

“No.” Derek’s voice was a little more rushed than he had meant it, but seeing Stiles in his clothing was satisfying a part of himself he would rather not indulge but whose demands couldn’t be ignored for very long. 

 

“Ok? uh.. I can wash them before if thats your issue?” Stiles was getting a little frustrated at how much context he seemed to be missing when dealing with wolves. 

 

“That's not quite what he meant.” Peter got a glare from Derek for that.” 

 

“No it’s fine. Keep them. And we’ll head out as soon as you’re ready. The others should get back while we’re out and then it's just another night in.” Derek explained, grabbing his keys and phone before looking back to Stiles to see him putting on his shoes and heading for the door. 

 

Derek put his hand on his back as they walked to the car, only letting go to get in. The drive is mostly quiet, comfortable silence until Stiles decides to break it. 

 

“When I talk to Scott… you know, after I’m healed or whatever, will you be there?” He sees Derek’s grip on the wheel tighten at the mention of Scott and he tries not to feel bad about bringing it up. 

 

“Yes. I was going to be there whether you asked me or not. You may trust him, but I do not. Especially with your safety.” Stiles is surprised at the candid expression Derek wears. He clearly cared about him and worried for his safety when dealing with Scott. As much as Stiles might have argued that Scott would never hurt on purpose, he had done so by accident repeatedly.  

 

“Good. I mean, I love the guy but you know how he can get when he’s challenged on something.” He recalls the first time he brought up to Scott that he shouldn’t go see Allison. He remembers the feeling of the fist in his shirt and the spike of pain through his back as he is thrown against the wall. The outburst of rage and the raised hand against him. All for someone the guy had met once. Maybe it was more about the control rather than not being able to see Allison but that didn’t make it hurt any less. 

 

If Derek’s knuckles could get whiter without breaking the steering wheel they would have. But he said nothing, now was not the time. 

 

Derek was not blind, he had seen the bruises on Stiles in those early days, he knew what claw marks looked like. Of course Scott was inexperienced and his lack of control was to blame but the thing that pissed him off the most was Scott’s reluctance to get help. To try to be better. He had seen what he was doing to Stiles, and done very little to stop or make up for it. 

 

The Stllinski house was quiet, the sheriff off at work and Stiles just arriving. Derek parked in the driveway and shadowed Stiles to the door. Making sure to keep an eye out for any rogue true alphas lurking to ambush their former packmates. 

 

“I’ll start packing up my things, uhh make yourself at home.” Stiles gestured to a comfortable living room. Derek did drag him into another marking just before he left once it was made clear he didn’t need him to follow him up to his room. 

 

Sliding his hand around Stiles’ neck and around his waist as he held him. He felt Stiles reciprocate quickly, sighing into his chest. Wholly content with the situation. 

 

“I wish Scotts pack was as touchy as yours. This is really nice.” Stiles admits, earning a small huffed laugh from Derek. 

 

“I can’t imagine any of them hugging or doing anything wolfish.” Stiles continued, hearing Derek’s chest rumble in agreement. 

 

“It would be good for them.” Derek agreed. 

 

“Shame that someone so inexperienced got to be a true alpha huh?” Stiles laughed. Allowing his hands to shift at Derek’s back and feeling the alpha nose at his hair, breathing against him in a slow rhythm. 

 

“He wouldn’t be without you.” 

 

“Cause I got him bit or whatever, yeah I’ve heard that one Derek. Believe you me that man is never gotta let that one go.” He felt Derek tense slightly. 

 

“Not what I meant.” 

 

“Yea I know… Ok wait here, I’ll only be a few minutes. Uh there's probably chips in the pantry if you get board.” Derek just deadpans him and he turns to head upstairs to his room. 

 

His room is exactly how he left it, only colder with the window left open overnight. He rolls his eyes and shuts it before grabbing his backpack and emptying it of all the leftover scraps from school. 

 

It's only a week so he grabs a few shirts, pants, shorts, underware. He grabs his charger and his pillow. If he would be sleeping there, he couldn’t exactly expect to have a pack member to rest his head each night. 

 

Then makes to leave for the bathroom when he hears the window click open and his heart plummets. It doesn’t take him turning around to know exactly who is there. When he does he sees Scott looking at him with those pleading eyes. He can feel that void in his heart returning, clawing its way over his new pack bonds to reach out and devour him. 

 

“Stiles…” Scott starts but then inhales and his eyes flick to the closed door behind him. 

 

“Derek is here? Why?” His voice lowers to a much softer whispering hiss. He sounds angry and his eyes drop to Stiles’ outfit. 

 

“Why are you wearing that?” His voice is still low, and there is judgement there too. Stiles is very familiar with that tone of voice. Before he can respond he hears a commotion down stairs and then a furious Derek bursts in through the door, immediately standing in front of Stiles, facing Scott. 

 

“He’s helping me. I’m staying with Derek for a bit.” Scotts eyes widen and he looks almost disgusted for a moment as he looks between the two of them.

 

“Oh I didn’t know you two were… that close.” Scott looks harshly at him but more so at Derek. 

 

“What's that supposed to mean?” Stiles balks at him, taking issue with his tone and that look on his face. 

 

“Look, I didn't come here to fight. I just wanted to come talk to you about last night.” Stiles’ unwavering optimism leaps to his throat at the possibility of getting an explanation. 

 

“We don’t want to hear it.” Derek growls, his fangs dropping. Scott only pushes back, his own form shifting at the challenge. 

 

“That’s not up to you. This is between me and Stiles, it's none of your business.” 

 

“As Stiles’ alpha, his well being is absolutely my business.” Derek defends. Siles feels the need to step in, stop the supernatural posturing but he doesn’t really feel like anything he could say would diffuse the situation. 

 

“ I’m Stiles’ alpha” Scott responds, his tone rising with his anger. 

 

“Where is this even coming from anyway? Stiles, tell him to leave, you’re needed with the pack.” Scott continued before Derek could get a response in, festering that void in Stiles as he was repeatedly reminded of what had been taken away from him. 

 

His new bonds felt so far away, drowned out by the look in Scott's eyes, somewhere between demand and frustration. As if his simple existence was enough to warrant this treatment. 

 

“I thought you didn’t want me to interfere with pack business anymore.” He said, trying not to sound as cold as he felt. Honestly the only thing he wanted was Derek to come over and hold him again, to be back at the loft with the pack. To feel Peter or Isaac run their hands through his hair or touch his neck again. Its too cold. 

 

“Oh come on, It was an exaggeration. You’re still going to do the research, you love doing that. We just don’t want you in danger.” His chest felt tight at Scott’s words. Derek looked back at him, seeming to sense his distress. 

 

“Lydia will be there. You might wanna take off Derek’s clothing before though, kinda… ya know.” He pulled another face, glancing at Derek as he did. Stiles felt the shame that he was meant to as Scott embarrassed him. 

 

“Leave Scott.” Derek's tone was serious, dangerous. It was a threat. Scott simply rolled his eyes as Derek glared. 

 

“Fine, I'll see you later then Stiles. Seriously though get out of those clothes, you reek of him. It's gross.” He said finally before slipping back out the window. 

 

Derek glared at him as long as he could be seen before turning back around to Stiles. He was shaking slightly, until Derek took him in his arms again. His hands found familiar places. 

 

“He’s gone. Stiles, we’re safe alright? I’m here.” It was more concerned that he was expecting from Derek. 

 

“Why would he say something like that? He’s never once said anything like that to me.” Stiles, rather than wrapping his arms around Derek, folded them against his chest, clutching at his shirt. 

 

“I should have come up with you. If you’re done, let's go. He’ll come back.” He nosed just behind Stiles’ ear, his voice reverberating. Chasing away the void again. Stiles was finally starting to understand just how fragile he was like this, why they were all making such a fuss about the scenting and contact. It had only taken Scott showing up for him to feel like his legs might give out. 

 

“I just need my tooth brush and stuff. Then we can go.” 

 

“Ok, sit down, I’ll go and get it.” Derek offered, pulling away only slightly. Stiles’ reaction was immediate, holding fast as he didn’t want this to end. 

 

“Stiles, we have to get back to the loft.” Derek probably rolled his eyes, but there was too much anxiety in his voice to convince Stiles he was annoyed. 

 

“Fine. here-” He pulled Stiles’ hands away from his collar and to hold onto the back of his shirt. Then grabbing his backpack and pillow and walking out of the room, letting Stiles traill behind him, feeling utterly humiliated at the fact that he was letting this happen. Even if he couldn’t bring himself to let go yet. 

 

He wondered if all the other betas felt so clingy when they were coming into their own. He’d have to apologize for this behavior once he came back to his senses. Assuming that this wasn’t just something he thoroughly enjoyed and it really all was part of this pack bonding situation. 

 

“This?” Derek was holding up his toothbrush and toothpaste.

 

“Yeah that should be good.” 

 

“Alright, come on. Scott is still outside.” 

 

“You were right about not talking to him until after all of this blows over. I feel awful.” He rubbed over his chest with his free hand. 

 

“He had no right-” Derek cut himself off with a sigh, leading Stiles out to the car once again.

 

“Once we get back home you can rest again, you’ll probably crash in the car. Don’t fight sleep.” He looked back with his last sentence. Stiles only nodded, climbing into the passenger side as Derek got in the drivers. 

 

Stiles still felt angry about what Scott said. What he implied was less of an issue, he knew how it looked. But he was so baffled at Scotts reaction. They stayed silent the rest of the drive, not really needing to speak. He knew the others would want to know about it and Derek would probably tell them. 

 

Stiles didn’t really mind. It was nice to have someone come to bat for him no matter the opponent. The strange thought that Derek would have believed him if he had told him about Donovan struck him hard in the chest. Derek would have believed him. 

 

He felt Derek’s palm on his knee while they drove. Not taking his eyes off the road, not moving, just there. Like Erica had the previous night. He felt himself smile at such a small show of care. Even after being passed around as the pack’s cuddle human, even this little intimacy got his heart to swell. 

 

He didn’t end up sleeping in the car, his mind still racing about the confrontation with Scott. But once they made it home and his stuff was tucked away in a spare room he flopped onto the couch as Derek began to make lunch for the pack. 

 

The others hadn’t returned yet but Peter was still there, coming to sit by Stiles and keep him company as Derek cooked. 

 

“Derek is more pissed than usual. Did something happen?” Stiles lifted his head up from where he was laying to look at the older wolf. 

 

“We ran into Scott at my house.” He said with a sigh, seeing Peter’s smile drop slightly. 

 

“We didn’t run into Scott, he tried to ambush Stiles alone in his house to ask him for a favor.” Derek growled from the kitchen, getting both the other men to look over at him. 

 

“Yeah sort of. Then he made some really shitty comments and left.” Stiles said, his face twisting up in disgust as he recalled. 

 

“Yeah? What did he say?” Peter was smug again, grinning as he poked for more information. 

 

“Well he insinuated me and Derek were together, and I mean I get it, I’m wearing his clothing and I probably reek of his house. That's not the issue. He made this face when he said it. Like what was that about. Maybe me and Derek are together like thats an issue.” Stiles rambled on and Peter took in the words, only looking more smug as he threw a look to Derek over the back of the couch. 

 

“I mean you should have seen it. I take back what I said about not laying into him. Right? Derek was there. Could you believe what he said afterward? Ridiculous right?” Stiles continued.

 

“What else did he say?” 

 

“He tried to get me to come with him, said ‘Lidia would be there’ Like I get that I was a little bit weird about her but that was two years ago. Then he said I should change in case she thought something was going on.” Peter was hanging on every word, also paying attention to the way Derek’s heart was racing in his chest and the way his clawed hands gripped the very glass bowl in his hand. 

 

“Do you still want that explanation from him?” Peter’s tone continued to play at smugess but there was some genuine interest there. Stiles just sighed. 

 

“I think so. I mean it would be nice right? But I don’t know if I’ll get one. He didn’t seem to be in a very giving mood when we saw him right Derek.” Peter heard something drop from Derek’s hand. His anger was getting to him, and he was trying not to let Stiles see just how much fury he had to direct toward the true alpha. 

 

“No.” Was all Derek said but there were clearly many more thoughts about the situation in his head. Stiles seemed to be ignoring this, letting his head fall back down onto the couch and his arms to fall over his eyes in an overly dramatic motion. 

 

“Well if he comes here, we’ll be sure to send him away.” Stiles did sit up at this, recognising the tone of voice and leveling Peter with a deadpan stare. 

 

“No threats.” Peter laughed at this but lifted his hands in surrender. 

 

“Fine no verbal threats.” 

 

“No. Threats. He’s still a pack in Beacon hills and we don’t want drama just cause he’s been hanging out with too many lacrosse players lately.” Stiles reiterated much to Peter’s disappointment. 

 

Peter, instead, took Stiles’ legs and put them over his lap as he remote from the coffee table. 

 

“We’ll see. If he threatens us , I make no promises.” Before Stiles could answer he turned it on to some random channel. Stiles didn’t argue, Peter’s offer was reasonable, as reasonable as a psychopathic werewolf could be. 

 

He let his eyes close soon after that, the weight of Peter’s arms resting on his shins enough of a comfort to let him rest for a little while. At least until Derek was finished with the soup he was making. 

“You were gonna beat the shit out of that boy weren't you.” Once they both heard Stiles’ breath and heartbeat even out, Peter spoke over his shoulder to his nephew. He almost expected the reactionary growl coming from the kitchen. 

 

“I would have done more than that If Stiles wasn’t there. It was worse than he described.” Peter could almost see Derek seething from here. 

 

“Whether you agree or not, you take after me more than you realise.” He knew he wasn't helping. 

 

“If you had been there, I doubt the kid would have left.” Derek sneered. 

 

“Oh I don’t know, your human has a domesticating effect on all of us.” Peter rubbed across Stiles’ shin twice, watching as he shifted in his sleep and then settled again. 

 

“Never knew you to be one to be domesticated.” Derek challenged. 

 

“Don’t push it. Nephew, he would be easily as useful with half as many limbs.” The threat was hollow, even now Peter looked fondly at the new member of the pack. He might snap his own fingers before laying one against Stiles. Doesn’t mean he couldn’t poke at Derek’s possessive side a little. 

 

“You’d be dead before you could shift.” Derek was also smiling slightly, playing along with the banter. 

 

“This is almost done. He’ll need to wake soon.” The Alpha continued before Peter could get in another witty retort. 

 

“Let him rest. He’ll need it. After that encounter he might not even be able to eat it. You know how these things go.” Peter said, something near softness entering his voice. Derek simply handed him a bowl and spoon. Taking his own, he sat in front of the couch between his uncle’s legs and began to eat as well. 

 

Stiles’ portion as well as the rest left for the other beats sat on the stove with a lid over it to trap the heat in. 

 

“He kicks him out of the pack, leaves him on his own for a the night, and then shows back up to his house the next day expecting favors.” Peter was slightly taken off guard by the resurgence of the conversation but It was clear Derek was ready to share all of his thoughts now. 

 

“Hm.” 

 

“I don’t understand how Stiles put up with him for so long.” 

 

“We have him now, no use worrying. I doubt he’s keen to go running back to the wolf’s den so to speak.” Derek huffed in response and then continued complaining. 

 

“He reeked, I heard him speaking to Stiles up stairs and when I got there the room already reeked of Stiles' stress and pain and Scott’s annoyance.” 

 

“If that isn't a clear cut example of their relationship.” Peter scoffed to Derek’s hum of agreement. 

 

“Yes but not anymore.” Derek’s momentum was running out, no longer angry, just resolute. 

 

“And he implied you were dating.” Peter teased. 

 

“It makes sense, he only smelt of Allison. I’m sure someone like him would assume that kind of content is reserved only for the person you’re with. I’m not even sure I could tell you any of the other members of his pack simply by scent. It was… unsettling.” 

 

“I can Imagine. Being that separate from the pack. I’m glad we are not his betas, I even now, this is the best part of being what we are.” Peter lamented, setting his now empty bowl down on the side table and running his fingers through his nephew’s hair. 

 

It was his favorite way to scent mark the others, sometimes when being too close to them made his heart hurt a little too deep he would card through their hair or rub at their wrists. Telling them they are his pack in any detail they wished. 

 

After losing so much, the both of them sought comfort like this. Going through something similar to Stiles in the heart of grief, both alone. Unaware of the other or how to help them, they could both cherish all they had now. Including the human now deep in his dreams on their couch. 

 

“It’s unnatural.” Derek commented with a slight look of disdain. 

 

“Hm, I don’t disagree. But only some of them are wolves over there. Scott, his beta. Who else?” 

 

“It's only those two.” Derek confirmed. 

 

“Maybe there are different customs?” Peter shrugged, his hands still toying with Derek’s hair.

 

“Even so, they should at least smell like they like each other. They are all close to a group of allies against a greater threat than a real pack.” 

 

“We could ask Stiles how they did pack bonding when he wakes.” Derek seemed to take that as a good answer and went back to eating the rest of his portion of soup.  

 

The others were quick to arrive home with groceries and few other things for Stiles’ stay. Their boisterous laughing was immediately silenced by Derek’s warning growl. 

 

“Our human is asleep. Good thing he’s got shit hearing or he’d have woken up the moment we got up the elevator.” Cora said softly as he carried two large tote bags to the kitchen. 

 

Soon enough the whole pack had gathered in the living room along with the other three and had sat down to join Peter in watching whatever reality TV show he had flicked to. Each with their own bowl and glass and piece of bread. It wasn’t that Derek made a habit to eat in the living room but it was the only place where they could all lounge around and on each other comfortably with enough room to fully stretch out. 

 

Not that he really minded all that much. Seeing his pack like this was well worth the cleaning he would do later. 

 

“You all saved some for Stiles right?” Derek remembered the last time he made the mistake of leaving food out. There should be enough for everyone but with wolves it was tricky. Oftentimes if there was food, they’d eat it. 

 

He looked around at the blank faces staring at him with guilt. Derek could only sigh and grumble at them, it's not like he had warned them. There was still enough to make more anyway. It would just take longer. 

 

“It's fine. I'll just make more when he wakes up.” He grumbled and turned his and their attentions back to the very over dramatic, poorly edited episode playing. 

 

The night again slowly wound down in comfort and the familiar thrum of pack bonds. He watched as slowly the others began to slowly drift into their small group activities. 

 

Books and computers brought out the living room where they would stay until the betas decided to sleep. Boyd and Erica in a heated game of life, Isaac reading, contently resting against Derek and Cora on her laptop, sitting next to the board game. 

 

Peter still looked engrossed in the show but Derek was more focused on thinking over the interaction with Scott. His anger rose when a new detail he remembered uncovered. The look of discomfort and pain across Stiles’ face and the way Scott just ignored it. 

 

It's not like the human was very good at hiding his emotions from them. Derek started to wonder how much Stiles had needed the help and comfort of his friend and was promptly ignored. He glanced up at the other man, still resting peacefully on the couch with his arm over his eyes. It only made him agerier and he looked away. 

 

The idea that someone could be that cruel and callous when it came to these things. Such a lack of value for those close to you. It was almost nauseating. He should be grateful for every single member of his pack at all times. It was the only way to ensure he could cherish them all before he lost them. Derek would never make that mistake again. 

 

His hands found Isaac next to him, throwing his arm over the smaller man as he read and leaning back into Peter’s touch. 

 

It didn’t take long for Stiles to wake up after that.

 

Groaning as he blinked and shifted into a semi upright position. Staring out at the other pack members with less than focused eyes. His hair sticking up in all sorts of directions, he almost forgot where he was for a second. 

 

There was a warm hand around his leg he was pretty sure and all the wolves were looking at him. He ran a hand through his hair to try and smooth it out before fully coming to his senses. 

 

“You guys are back?” The first words out of his dry mouth. 

 

“Yeah, been back. You missed lunch though.” Boyd offered, from where he was losing the game of life.

 

“Aw man, I’m hungry. It’s fine. I’ll just wait for dinner. Derek’s cooking right?”

 

“He also did lunch.” Croa provided. 

 

“Damn. And I missed it? Ok well wake me up again when it’s dinner time please.” Derek was already up before he could lay back down and headed for the kitchen, ready to prepare a meal for Stiles with what was left of the soup ingredients and some of the stuff the betas had brought home. 

 

“No Derek! I’ll wait! It’s fine.” Stiles Nearly fell onto Isaac trying to get up Peter managed to steady him. With a mumbled ‘sorry’ he ran to the kitchen to at least help with it If there was no convincing Derek to just let him wait. 

 

“You’re hungry. I had already planned to make you something when you woke up.” Deak deadpanned as he chopped more of the celery and carrots, dumping them into the boiling broth. 

 

“At least let me help.” Derek shrugged at this. 

 

“Not much to do actually. It's a pretty simple recipe.” Stiles still didn’t leave the kitchen, just stayed and watched as Derek worked. The work was mostly in watching the food so it didn’t boil over or burn. 

 

Stiles did find that when Derek wasn’t fiddling, or moved past him he could touch Stiles again. A hand on his back or waist. Brushing his shoulder or ruffling is already messed up hair. 

 

“So then what's the plan for tonight?” Derek looked up from the pot to answer. 

 

“You’re dad’s coming over, remember? He wants to check on you, make sure we aren’t using you as a sacrifice or something.” 

 

“A sacrifice?” Stiled couldn’t help the amusement that crept into his voice. 

 

“Yeah… I don’t know what your dad thinks about us. I mean he’s held a gun at me more than once. I doubt he’s very trusting with the care of his only son.” Derek responded. It was clear he was in-fact very nervous about the whole situation. 

 

“You’ve sort of lost your chance for a good first impression but I think he trusts you. I mean from the way I talk about you at home it seems that way.” Again Stiles found himself regretting ever opening his big mouth. Derek just looked at him with something between smugness and pride?

“You talk to your dad about me?” There was the smugness. 

 

“W-well it's not like I can talk to Scott about you.” Stiles flailed his arms and crossed them in exasperation. 

 

“You talk about me?” Stiles was sure his face must be beet red by now with now much it burned. 

 

“... Maybe. I mean there’s only so many times a guy can save your life before he comes up in conversation.” Stiles defended. He had talked about the stupidly pretty werewolf to his father a completely normal amount. Thank you very much. 

 

“He talks about you too!” Cried Peter from the living room. Stupid wolves and their stupid hearing. If possible Stiles' face turned redder. Not that Derek wasn’t also sporting a nice flush by now. 

 

“Anyway. You want to impress my dad? You don’t have to worry about it. He’s chill.” Stiles tried to change the subject and reassure Derek that this was nothing really to be worried about. Derek only hummed in response but his shoulders did drop slightly. 

 

Stiles suddenly found himself with the urge to initiate physical contact. He wanted to give that warmth and connection to Derek. He came up behind the slightly taller man and put his palm square on his spine. 

 

“Is- Uh is this ok” He felt Derek relax into the warmth. 

 

“Of course Stiles.” Derek near whispered. Stiles felt more warmth at the permission and wrapped his arms around the alpha, holding them in front of him, and nuzzling his face between strong shoulder blades. 

 

He felt Derek rumble in approval and continue watching the boiling pot. He didn’t comment or touch back but it was nice to be allowed this. To give freely affection to those he cared about. 

 

Eventually Derek slid out of his hold to get him a bowl and fill it with soup. Stiles took it hungrily and sat at the bar while Derek cleared away the rest of the ingredients and dishes. 

 

“Thank you for this. You really didn’t have to.” Derek only raised an eyebrow at him as if his lack of prioritizing his own needs had offended the wolf in some way. 

 

“It’s my job. No one goes hungry under my roof and you could use the extra meals.” He grumbled, glancing down at the other’s torso. 

 

“Hey! I eat.” 

 

“Stiles. I can count your ribs from here. And I know for a fact you skip meals when you are chasing the next lead for Scott.” Stiles felt his heart catch in his throat. It was more of a breakdown of his habits than really anyone had noticed. He looked down at his own chest. His slightly underweight frame was hidden by his baggy shirt but with all of the close contact Derek had probably felt it. 

 

“Sometimes… only sometimes not enough to make that much of a difference.” Stiles argued. Breaking the piece of bread Derek had given him and dipping it into his soup. 

 

“That won’t be happening anymore. Not while you’re recovering or afterward.” He was so firm about it. A rule, put in place to protect his betas even from themselves. Derek really had grown into his role as alpha quite nicely. Not without struggles of course but it was clearly paying off. Stiles couldn’t help the fond smile that crossed him. 

 

“I really am proud of you, you know.” That seemed to take the wolf off guard. He looked at Stiles eyes wide. Like he didn’t quite understand what he was saying. 

 

“I mean look at all you’ve come from and what you’ve built. I mean come on man, Alpha of the strongest pack in the state. I just can’t believe you want me to be a part of it.” Derek just looked stunned still. Not moving or saying anything but that was fine Stiles just needed to make him hear this. 

 

“The… the others can hear you, you know.” Derek stumbled through, now looking slightly flustered. 

 

“Let them hear, I’m proud of them too.” He raised his voice, slightly turning over his shoulder to call to the others. He heard a few snickers in response. 

 

“That's all, I just wanted to tell you.” He took another bite of his soup, expecting the conversation to be over. 

 

“I’m- I’m glad to have you. We’re glad to have you. And I’m proud of you too.” His voice quieted at the end only slightly. Trust the sourwolf to be embarrassed about verbal affirmations. 

Stiles smiled back at him. Feeling that thrumming bond strengthens into a heat inside his chest over his heart. 

 

He realized quickly that he might do anything to hear Derek do that shy little voice again. Not that it was any less gruff than anything else he said but it was clear that this man cared so deeply for his pack. When had reading Derek Hale become so second nature? When had trusting him become the only option? 

 

Stiles wasn’t upset about it. This is what pack was supposed to be. Not that mocking thing that Scott had tried to build. 

 

Stiles’ father did show up at the door not long after that. Everyone but Stiles knew he was coming as soon as they heard the elevator start the slow ascent to the loft. 

 

The doorbell sounded not long after that and Cora got up to get it. Not surprisingly the Sheriff walked in, still in uniform, giving polite waves and nods to the others in the room and eyeing Peter with suspicion. 

 

“Stiles?” 

 

“Heya pops.” Stiles set his now empty bowl down and hopped down from the bar stool to greet his father with a hug. Derek and Peter soon came over as well, standing off to the side, ready to explain what's going on. 

 

“Glad to see you’re ok. Now why don’t we sit down and you can tell me what's going on. Cause Peter told me something but I want to hear it from you.” They all gathered in the living room, the others making room as they continued with their own tasks and small conversations. 

 

“You guys might want to leave this to u-” Before Derek could go on to dismiss the others Stiles tugged on his shirt. All of the wolves heard the cut of whine stuck in his throat at the idea of them leaving again. 

 

“I know darling, but this is really not a conversation you want the commentary for.” Peter passed by the back of the couch, flicking his hand to emphasize his point and subtle gesture toward his father. Stiles glared at him for that. He really didn’t want to see his pack leave again. They had already spent so much time apart today but he understood. 

 

Having this conversation with his dad would be bad enough and knowing the others were listening might just make it worse. 

 

“Ugh fine. But we’re raiding your room Peter!” Erica called out as she helped to shuffle the others up the stairs toward presumably Peter’s room. The wolf whose room was in question fondly rolled his eyes and turned back to pouring himself a drink. 

 

“Ok will somebody tell me what this whole ‘pack bond’ thing is?” Noah was getting a little impatient. 

 

“I have to be back in the office in like five hours and I’d like to spend some of that time sleeping.” The sheriff continued. Stiles laughed at his exasperation and Derek rolled his eyes. 

 

“I told you over the phone that Stiles is no longer part of Scott’s pack?” Peter began. Coming back over to stand behind the couch as he explained. 

 

“Yes but what does that mean? Did you guys just have a fight or something?” Noah questioned. 

 

“Not exactly, see when a pack forms, there are these bonds that develop between members. While I mean socially I also mean…” Peter tapered off as he decided how to word this 

 

“Almost spiritually. It's Almost like a physical tether to other members of the pack. The stronger your relationship with the pack member the stronger the bond. It's the meat of the pack what keeps them together even in the heart of struggle.” Noah’s attention was rapt as Peter’s tone shifted and dropped with his words. 

 

“But- they can also break. An incredibly painful experience that, depending on how it goes, can heavily injure or kill a pack member in extreme cases. It's why Omegas are so rare. Usually this happens when pack members drift apart and in those cases its not usually an issue but  in this case…” He took another sip of his drink to keep the anger from filtering heavily into his tone. 

 

“Scott purposefully snapped Stiles' bonds to his entire pack, basically sending him into a spiral of neglect. See, with the proper preparation breaking bonds can be a mostly painless process and is sometimes necessary to keep the pack healthy. This was not that. This was a cruel betrayal that endangered your son from a place of ignorance.” Peter didn’t manage to keep a neutral face, hissing out the last words as he turned away to hide the harsh grimace. 

 

Noah looked startled by the information and pinched the bridge of his nose as he tired to understand. 

 

“Ok so, Scott… broke these ‘pack bonds’. Not in the proper way? A-and that's bad. But you don’t look in pain? Is it like a short term thing?” The Sheriff scanned over Stiles, looking for tells of pain or injury. 

 

“No, I was when it happened. But I managed to call Derek and he came to get me. So now I’m technically in Derek’s pack until he kicks me out.” Stiles tries to joke but Peter just looks at him and Derek sighs, standing next to the couch where Noah and Stiles sat. 

 

“I’m not kicking you out. Stiles is part of my pack now. Scott has shown that he can’t be trusted with the things that matter.” Derek grumbles. 

 

“New bonds help to dull the pain of broken ones. But he’s not healed yet. Won't be for another week or so. It's a slow process.” Peter jumps in with the rest of the explanation. 

 

Noah just looks at them all with tired eyes. He's worried for his son and confused as to what to do with Scott but for now things seem to be calm so he could be grateful for that. 

 

“Ok- just… ok. Stiles. Are you ok?” His eyes came back to his son. The reason he was here was to check up on him after all. 

 

“I’ve been better. I can still feel where the old bonds were in my chest but the pack is helping a lot. It’s been nice to finally be wanted around you know” Noah just sighs at that. Telling himself that even if it wasn’t Scott’s fault for this low self esteem he would still blame him. 

 

“Derek and the others are taking good care of me.” Stiles tries to reassure him. 

 

“And you’re sure you wouldn't rather just do this at our house?” Noah asks. Stiles almost whines again at the idea of getting even further from his pack.

 

“I don’t think it's a good idea. When we went to gather his things too stay the night we were ambushed by Scott and that only made it much worse.” Derek answered for him Noah reacted with genuine surprise at that. 

 

“He broke into our house?” 

 

“No, I used to leave my window unlocked in case one of the supernaturals needed anything and while I was packing he snuck in to ask me for something or talk to me? I’m not really sure. It sort of devolved into homophobic implications pretty quickly.”  Stiles explained, quickly exhausting as he recounted the less than positive experience. 

 

“Whoa he what? What did he say to you?” The familiar defensive frustration crossed his dads face. Stiles sighed at having to tell the story again. It would just make him upset and the refreshing post-sleep haze was quickly wearing off. 

 

“It’s fine dad. He didn’t really actually say anything, he just got a little weird cause I was wearing Dererk’s stuff.” Stiles tried to defuse. 

 

“It wasn’t ‘fine’, it was disgusting. And if he does it again-” 

 

“Derek.” Stiles warned. As much as he was preening at the defensive nature of his alpha, he didn’t really want to talk about mainming his former best friend in front of his dad and Sheriff of the down. 

 

“Alright. But you’re ok right son? We can deal with Scott after all of this uhh… the bonds thing.” It was clear he was well out of his depth but Stiles couldn’t help but smile at his effort. 

 

“Yeah for now, I just want to sleep mostly.” 

 

“It's just like having a fever.” If a fever requires you to be intensely emotionally attached to a group of people, so much so that simply knowing they are leaving the room gives an intense sense of loss. Stiles did not say. 

 

“And you’ll be safe here.” Noah eyed the two wolves, both looking just as murderous as they always did. 

 

“Yeah, they are the only ones who could actually tell me what was going on and it's gotten much better since being here. So I think staying is my best option, especially considering that Scott is lurking outside our house.” Stiles added on at the end, shrugging as if it was normal werewolf behavior. 

 

“Alright then. But I want updates. Text me what's going on and if you need anything. I’ll come over when I can. Derek, you have my number?” Derek nods. And Noah goes to stand up, checking his watch. 

 

“Good. I expect updates from you too. But now I gotta go see about sleeping.” Stiles also stood back up to hug his father goodbye as they sent him off. Waving down the hall as the sheriff left. 

 

“That went… better than I expected actually.” Peter commented when it was finally just the three of them again in the room. 

 

“Yeah well like I said, I talk to him about you guys so I think he trusts you on the fact that I trust you.” Stiles felt drained again. This was getting a little annoying. He just wished he could function without needing to be in contact with pack members at all times. 

 

“You really shouldn't, darling. I mean I think we’ve proven again and again that… well at least I can’t be trusted.” Stiles ignored him, instead walking up to him and wrapping his arms around the older wolf. Peter looked taken aback by this before wrapping one arm around him and running the other through his hair, scratching his scalp in an almost massage-like manner. 

 

“I’m sorry, that took a lot out of me I think. I’m so tired.” 

 

“Aw Derek we broke your human with too much talking.” Stiles turned his head to tuck it into the man’s neck, silencing him of his playful insults. 

 

“Good. He should be tired. You’ll sleep hard tonight Stiles, that will help.” He felt Derek’s hand over his back and he imagined them both on either side of him, cozy and safe surrounded by pack. 

 

“Are we sleeping on the couch again tonight?” Stiles mumbled, feeling Peter hold him tighter. 

 

“No, I assume that the pups have already made my room into the next pile location. We’ll probably sleep there.” Peter reassured, sounding like he was probably fondly sighing at their antics. 

 

“Are you ok with that?” Stiles cautioned, it felt a little like an invasion of space. 

 

“Of course, it’s yet to smell of you yet so it will be good for the wolf. Derek will ask something similar of you as well.” Derek was still standing behind him, absently rubbing over his back. Comforting. 

 

“Yes. I will.” Stiles felt his heart rate pick up. Derek wanted him in his bed… that was just something he would have to not freak out about. It was fine and made sense and didn’t mean anything. 

 

“What about dinner?” Stiles felt a little foolish asking but he was still hungry. 

The puppy that night was similar to the last except everyone was in close reach. He found himself between Derek and Boyd this time. Boyds back to him and Derek holding him from behind. Cora had cuddled up down by his legs and the others were sprawled across each other over the rest of the bed. 

 

Derek was much more choosing to hold him this time and it made something spark in his heart. His arms wrapped around Stiles’ waist, holding him still. His nose pressed to the back of his neck letting steady warm breath ghost over his skin. 

 

In this rhythm is where he found the lull of sleep ever alluring. 

 

The next day was much the same. He woke up with the rest of the pack this time. Feeling the shifting bodies climbing over him and touching him on their way out. It was becoming more and more routine to expect the various hands on him, his arms or neck, hair, hands. Each time a little spark of warmth through his heart as his pack bond beat. 

 

He felt content. Not only that but Derek had waited until he got up again to then begin his own day. Not before nosing at his neck again and pressing his thumbs into his back, behind his hips. Stiles simply let him, allowing himself to relax into the touch again and then mourning it when they finally had to get up. 

 

Erica was cooking this time. The loft filled with the smell of sausages and bacon as the pack gathered in and around the kitchen. 

 

Derek again was the one to bring him his food. It was sweet in a way. Showing that he could provide for his pack. Like he was trying to prove to Stiles that he was a better Alpha that Scott, like he needed to prove anything. 

 

Stiles did smile and thank him anyway, not voicing the racing thoughts of his new alpha. 

 

That quiet domesticity didn’t last very long. 

 

A knock at the door cut off all the little conversations between pack members. Derek looked over at Peter, who shrugged. No one really ever knocked at the door. Derek looked over his betas and sighed when they all looked back at him. 

 

He went to open the door. 

 

His heart rate spiked, anger flaring through his veins as he saw, standing there, having the indecency to look awkward, Scott. He glanced back at where the others couldn’t see but could probably smell him and shoved the man back out the door, following quickly and shutting it behind him. 

 

It was likely that Stiles hadn’t seen him and he wasn’t going to let this asshole ruin what had been a near perfect morning. He had the pleasure of waking up, holding the human and had even gotten the pleasure of hearing that content sigh he always did when he relaxed. Relaxing because of him. 

 

Not even a word passed between them and that possessiveness already wanted him to hit the other alpha. 

 

“What are you doing here.” Derek demanded. 

 

“I need to speak to Stiles.” Scott tried to sound threatening but he always just looked lost when he did that. 

 

“No. Not happening.” Derek did a much better job at intimidating the slightly younger alpha. 

 

“You don’t get to make that call.” Scott growled. Growled. At him. In his own home, after coming here to distress his pack. To distress Stiles. 

 

Derek’s clawed hand shot out before he could stop it. Grabbing the boy’s, the child’s, the worm’s collar and throwing him against the door. Holding him there at arm’s length and letting his eye flash. 

 

“Stiles is mine. My beta, my pack. Mine. You abandoned him, left him to die again and again. It's not his fault your latest failure as an alpha led him to me. It's yours.” Scott didn’t wince, it was clear that he didn’t believe him. He never blamed himself. Might not even be capable of self reflection. 

 

“No he’s not! He’s my best friend. He’s not even a wolf, hes just human. And he’s only here cause he thinks he’ll never be in my pack and you’ve convinced him he’s part of your pack.” Derek’s eyebrows furrowed. He was baffled at how one man could be this delusional. Thinking that Stiles’ life surrounded him entirely and not even considering the fact that Stiles would want nothing to do with him now. Implying that he wasn’t part of Derek’s pack cause he was human? There was too much wrong with his words to even begin to be angry for just one.

 

“Once he’s like us he can be part of the pack. He’ll be my beta and then he’ll be in my pack for real this time. Then I can keep him from making the wrong decisions...” Scott continued when Derek stalled. 

 

What. 

 

Derek couldn’t help it, his claws dug deeper into Scott’s collar bones as he comprehended what he had said. Scott was going to bite Stiles, from what it sounds like, unwillingly. Then force him into submission to keep him like a pet rather than a pack member. The image of Stiles, defeated. Alone in a pack that had broken his bonds but unable to leave. No comfort or warmth, just that cold void of being packless while surrounded by the people who were supposed to chase that away. 

 

“You would take Stiles’ choice from him to saute your own ego. You’d put your ‘best friend’ through that because the thought of seeing him be his own person is too much for you. You Scott Mccall are pathetic. Less than the dirt under our feet. If you come near Stiles or any of my pack again I will kill you.” His voice was colder than his normal threats. This was not empty, there was no skip in his heartbeat and he knew Scott was listening. 

 

“His dad is the Sheriff. Your threats don’t work on me. I know what I’m doing is right and Stiles will see it too. He always forgives me.” Scott pushed his hand away and made for the elevator. 

 

Derek just stood in the hallway. Knowing that if he moved before Scott was out of sight it would be toward the boy with rapid speed, possibly with teeth and claws. While he was sure that keeping Scott away from Stiles would be thanked, he wasn’t sure that killing him was on the table yet.

He did know for sure that keeping an eye on Stiles would have to be ramped up. Scott was now an active threat to Stiles physically as well as mentally. He took a deep breath, finding his bond with Stiles to anchor him. Pulling at it hard like a physical need for the closeness before he felt comfortable enough to open the door again. 

 

It was clear all of the wolves had been listening. The large industrial door was pretty good and muffling sound so it was likely Stiles didn’t hear what was said but he couldn’t be sure that the running commentary Erica and Peter were likely giving hadn’t given him away. 

 

“You're finally gonna use the security system then?” Peter was the first to speak. 

 

“Yes.” Derek could only answer. 

 

“Wait security system? Derek, who was that?” Stiles looked more lost than Derek had expected. He would have assumed that the others would have filled him in on at least that part. But no, it looked like I was up to him to clear the air. Derek sighed before answering.

 

“It was Scott.” Stiles looked confused. 

 

“Scott? I thought we told him not to talk to me for the week. I have even turned my phone on do not disturb for this. Wait- why does he need a security system?” Stiles was catching on fast. Derek really hated the look of worry and dread on his face. He wanted it to go back to that contented, relaxed expression of this morning. 

 

“He thinks that if he can bite you, turn you into his beta that you’ll be under his control.” Derek clarified, much to the horrified face of the new pack member. 

 

“That's not exactly how it works. An alpha doesn’t control their pack, they guide them. Stiles you wouldn’t actually be at the mercy of his whims.” Peter added, seeing as the spiraling started in the boy’s head. He just found out his friend wanted to hurt him, it was a fair reaction. 

 

“Didn’t that exactly happen when you bit Mccall?” Isaac, pointing out that Peter had nearly made Scott kill his friends back then. 

 

“And, you forced me to chill out multiple times.” He then pointed to Derek. 

 

“You were new, barely in control of your shift and so was he.” Peter argued. 

 

“Which I would be if he bit me.” Stiles pointed out, feeling more and more worried about the possibility of getting bitten and then controlled. 

 

“Yes, but you would have us to fast track you to control. And you’ve always been a fast learner, Stiles.” Peter smirked. 

 

“Honestly I would fear a werewolf version of you. Although that much power in one man… has its appeal.” The older wolf continued, as if trying to convince him that making that decision was a good idea. Maybe that was why he had offered him the bite before, wanting to see just how powerful Stiles could be. 

 

“...Even so, we won’t let him get near you.” Boyd sounded protective, angry at Scott. He tried to change the subject away from Peter’s obsession with power. 

 

“He knows I want to stay human. Why would he- what gives him- I…” Derek was at his side faster than he would be willing to admit. Standing in front of him, between is legs and looking down at where he sat at the bar. 

 

“He won’t lay a finger on you. We won’t let him.” Erica joined in, leaning over to put her hand on his bicep in comfort. 

 

“Hence the heightened security.” Peter jumped in. Calling over his shoulder.

 

“Yea yea, I know I know. It’s just a lot. I thought he didn’t want me in his pack, now he wants to force me into the pack. I just-” Stiles leaned his head forward, letting it thump against Derek’s stomach as he closed his eyes. Derek responded by holding the back of his neck and petting through his hair again. 

 

“He wants you to be on the edge of his pack rather than in ours.” Peter reasones, something of distaste over his face. 

 

“...why…” Derek’s heart lurched at Stiles’ tone. He sounded defeated and that image of Scott’s version of Stiles came back to him. He squeezed the back of Stiles’ neck to try and comfort him and he felt an appreciative tug on their bond. 

 

“He probably expected you to just stick around after he said you weren’t in the pack. From what we know he doesn’t really understand what it means to be in a pack. It's like a social concept to him. He probably feels betrayed.” Isaac had known Scott for a while as well. He could provide some insight. 

 

“Betrayed. After literally telling me to leave, and then letting me leave. Was he always this much of an asshole?” Stiles didn’t lift his head, speaking at Derek’s feet as he didn’t have the energy anymore. 

 

“Which is why we’re keeping him away from you.” Derek’s voice came with finality. It was an instruction to the rest of the pack. 

 

“He better hope he doesn’t find you again Derek, i’ve not heard you use that tone of voice, ever I think.” Cora teased. 

 

“What? Did you threaten him again? Do your ‘i’m a bigger alpha than you’ act?” Stiles laughed and Derek looked entirely sheepish. 

 

“That's exactly what he did.” Erica confirmed. 

 

“You should have heard him. Bet he did the eyes thing.” Isaac was now also mocking him. Derek simply rolled his eyes and continued to run his hands through Stiles’ hair. 

 

“What eyes thing?” Stiles’ curiosity outweighed the comforting nails on his scalp. Derek stepped away, letting the hand at the back of his neck fall to his jaw. Lifting his head to look him in the eye as he flashed them again. 

 

Stiles looked absolutely enamored. ‘Mine’ Derek thought, looking down at that wonderment in his eyes. Stiles could only think about how fitting they were for him. How much he deserved this title. More than Scott, more than anyone else. 

 

“Bet he took that well.” The weight of his head was entirely in Derek’s hands and he was smiling playfully at the idea of the two alpha’s pissing contest. 

 

“He brushed me off.” Derek deadpanned, dropping Stiles’ jaw and letting him put his head back against his stomach.

 

“So you think he’s gonna come for me?” 

 

“Yes. Alone or with his pack I’m not sure. But he’s too sure of himself to give up just yet.” Stiles let himself groan in frustration. 

 

“Should we tell the Sheriff?” Peter, again, brought the practical angle. Although he didn’t really look excited about talking to cops any more than he had to. 

 

“No, no I don’t want to worry him. You guys can keep me safe.” He made sure to rub against Derek when he said it, feeling the wild protectiveness of the pack stir at his words. 

 

“Fine. but if it gets any worse we tell him. And I mean any worse.” Derek conceded. Squeezing at the back of Stiles’ neck again. 

 

“Yea yea whatever alpha. Just keep doing that with your hands.” Stiles sighed, absolutely falling asleep in his hands. Between the neck massage and head scratches, he was gone. 

 

Derek’s hands stilled at the words. The others around also turned to look at him and his human. Knowing exactly what kind of reaction Derek was giving to being called that. 

 

Stiles also seemed to notice as he stopped, shuffling and then looking up at him with confusion. 

 

“Oh sorry, you don’t have to. It was just nice.” He began to pull away from Derek’s frozen hands before the alpha pushed his head back against his sternum and began to pet over him again. 

 

“It’s fine.” He growled, working his hands back over his neck and shoulders and through his hair. Then ignoring the snickering and knowing looks the other betas gave him. Especially the smug smirk on his uncle’s face. 

 

“Good. I think I might just sleep here. Let me know if Scott turns up with his pack of dogs. In the meantime I'm commandeering the alpha.” He wrapped his arms around Derek’s middle, trapping him there while the others gave their various reactions of exasperation. 

 

“This can not be comfortable for your neck Stiles.” Derek had not stopped massaging. 

 

“You say that, but your hands are miracle workers. I should get you to do this more often. Man if I had known this was what I was missing out I would have joined your pack a while ago.” Stiles murmured into his shirt. 

 

“How do you think he got me?” Erica called, interrupting her own conversation with the others to make that joke. 

 

“I stalked you into the hospital, kidnapped you and then offered you an impossible ultimatum.” Derek deadpanned. 

 

“Details, details.” Erica giggled, turning back to where Boyd and Isaac were bickering. 

 

“Stiles, this will strain your neck. Let's move to the couch.” Derek pushed again, finally getting Stiles to relent and lean back. His hair looked a mess and his eyes half lidded like he was about to fall asleep. 

 

“Fine… Just give me a moment to-” Derek did not give him a moment. Instead, yanking Stiles to his feet and then scoping him up into his arms. Stiles did not yelp. He absolutely did not yelp and then cling to the larger man for fear of being dropped. And he absolutely did not look back to see Erica winking at him before burying his face in Derek’s chest to hide his embarrassment. None of that happened, don’t ask him about it. 

 

He was then promptly dropped on the couch with another less than dignified noise before Derek sat down beside him. Then grabbing Stiles’ hips closer to his and pulling him down to lay in his lap before resuming his task of combing through Stiles’ hair. 

 

Stiles even managed to stare up at him with wide eyes before the repetitive motion and his own content warmth forced him to comply with his new situation. Not that it was any hardship. He found himself smiling as he let his eyes fall shut, just enjoying the closeness. 

 

He doesn't know when he fell asleep. Nor when Derek fell asleep either. But when the rest of the pack came to check on them. They found two promptly passed out men, relaxing on the couch in the middle of a romcom-esque pose. 

 

Derek’s hand was still by Stiles' head while the other was draped over the other’s chest. Stiles’ hands, neatly folded over his stomach. They both looked peaceful. aside from the occasional twitch, they were completely relaxed. It was not often that the other betas got to see their alpha like this. With so much stress going on. After the entire situation with Gerard and the alpha pack, and Scott. It was a nice change of pace. 

 

They all soon joined them, hanging on and around the couch to continue their lazy activities and bonding surrounding the napping pair. 

“Derek? Mh Der… I need to shower.” Stiles softly patted at Derek’s chest. He had woken up to see the underside of Derek’s chin as the older man’s head rested on the back of the couch. Something in him told him to warn Derek of his leaving so as to not scare him if he woke up alone. 

 

“Hm? No Stiles, you smell fine. Don’t move.” Derek, still mostly sleep only moved slightly as he spoke, then dropping his head back down on the couch as sleep tried to take him again. 

 

“No, I feel gross. Let me shower.” 

 

“Let the boy shower Derek.” Somewhere else in the room Isaac’s voice sounded. 

 

“He needs to smell like pack. It's not safe… on his own.” Sties felt the thrum of heat at his words. They never failed to effect him like that. 

 

“Tell you what sourwolf. You can scent me first when I get out.” He felt Derek growl, possessive and heady at the offer. 

 

“Fine, Peter? Go make sure he doesn’t die?” Peter looked up from his book and stood with Stiles as he tracked back toward the smaller industrial door. Derek let his head fall back down on the couch and was promptly gone a minute later. 

 

Peter followed him into the spare room as he gathered a change of clothing and then to the bathroom, stopping at the threshold. 

 

“If you need anything to shout, I won’t come in otherwise.” He was surprisingly respectful about it, which surprised Stiles slightly. 

 

“Wow, that's more of a boundary than I thought you were capable of.” Peter rolled his eyes. 

 

“I know most people aren’t as callous about seeing naked bodies as born wolves. Especially you young pups. So if it makes you feel safer I'll be more careful. But know that if I hear anything wrong I won’t hesitate.” He shrugged and then turned to lean against the wall next to the bathroom door. Not before Stiles gave him one last hug, trapping his arms to his sides before disappearing into the bathroom and shutting the door. 

 

It was nice to be clean again. Finding that most of the soaps and hair washes were unscented was nice. He imagined showing up to the pack in an overly floral or woodsy scent wouldn’t be received well. They might even try to spray him down with the hose before letting him in the house. The image made him giggle as he pulled the towel down from over the curtain rod and began to pat himself dry. 

 

Then wrapping himself around the waist he pulled back the curtain. The next part happened entirely too quickly. 

 

Before he could understand what happened, his head slammed into the tile wall at the back of the shower, a hand pressed over his mouth and against his chest as Scott stood in front of him. 

 

That information barely registered however as the pain at the back of his head overtook his senses. There was a ringing somewhere and the world was spinning some. Scott might have been speaking but it was too far away. He cried out as best he could, a muffled thing that barely made it past the air of the bathroom.  

 

Something was wrong! Something had gone wrong! Peter! He tried to shout but it all came out as muffled sounds and spit filled slurs. To his relief the message was heard and he heard a crash against the door as Peter threw himself at it, snapping the flimsy lock with ease. He could see the door slam open and the crash as it hit the wall. Suddenly the pressure against his mouth and chest was gone and he crumpled into the tub of the shower. 

 

He watched as Scott was lifted off the ground bodily and thrown out the bathroom door. His head throbbed in pain. As he tried and nearly succeeded in standing up. 

 

“I- I was just- uhm.” He heard Scott’s voice although it was nearly drowned by the growling coming from the older wolf’s throat. 

 

“Just what? Ambushing my pack in the only place you knew he would be alone. Holding him down cause you knew the moment we heard what was happening you would be dead?” He looked angry. Angier than Stiles had possibly ever seen him. 

 

“No! I just. I need him to see. Once he’s my beta-” He didn’t manage to finish the sentence as Peter’s hand came to wrap around his neck, squeezing enough to let him feel the claws. 

 

“He’s not your beta. He doesn’t belong to you Scott. What in that deluded child’s mind of yours thinks that you can abandon a pack member and then expect them to come running back?” Scott looks angry again

 

“I deserve-” Scott starts but Peter is faster. 

 

“You deserve? Scott you deserve to choke to death on my claws while Stiles watches smiling, knowing you will never harm him again. And after I am done ripping that alpha spark from your eyes I will burn you to ashes and scatter them in the next ces pit I find. Don’t worry, Allison will join you there too.” Peter’s grin is feral, wolfish. Nothing in him portrays that he is anything less than serious. 

 

Stiles manages to pull himself out of the bathtub, stumbling slightly and catching himself on the counter. His head throbs with pressure and pain. He steps toward Peter but doesn’t make it far as he stumbles again and his legs give out. He's so shaky. Terrified of what could have been if Peter hadn’t been there. 

 

“Stiles, stay down. Derek!” Peter speaks to him, his mind momentarily drifting from Scott to him. It doesn’t take even a minute before Derek is in the hall, the industrial door slammed open and left. 

 

His eyes lock on Scott and he stomps forward. Peter surprisingly stops him, a hand planted firmly on his chest. 

 

“Derek. Let me deal with this. Your mate needs you.” With a smirk he nods his head toward Stiles. He’s still sitting on the ground, his knees folded under him and staring at the tile. The sight breaks something in Derek and all of that anger toward Scott amplifies but his concern for Stiles. He doesn’t even feel like chastising Peter for his choice of wording. 

 

“Mate? Derek! You can’t- he’s. You’re taking advantage of him. Stiles isn’t like that! He likes Lydia, you know a girl.” Derek ignores him. The pack surrounds him on all sides, the pack of notably mostly queer people. They all stared at him in disgust. 

 

Derek is shucking his jacked before he reaches Stiles as the others start to pour in. The towel is holding his decency but with the rest of the pack he thought Stiles might be appreciative of a little more cover. He leans over Stiles, pulling the leather across his shoulders and preening at how it devovers him. He pulls it closed over his front and then gathers Stiles into his lap. 

 

Immediately Stiles clings to him, letting his head fall against Derek’s neck and nuzzling there, scent marking just as he promised. 

 

“You’ll wanna watch your mouth here Scott.” Boyd warned but Scott could only look at Derek and Stiles. 

 

“How can you guys not see it! Derek is not a good person! He's using Stiles like he used all of you!” His voice ebbing with emotions. Mostly frustration. Until a fist colids with his gut, forcing him further onto Peter’s claws. Isaac looking smug, fist still curled. 

 

“Watch what you say about our alpha.” 

 

“He’s using you!” 

 

“No you were using me!” Stiles finally gathers his wits enough to speak. 

 

“ Tell him, tell him what you need to .” Derek whispers against his skin, soft encouragements that are only meant for him. 

 

“I did so much for you, research, rescue, saving you and your pack over and over for nothing! All you did was leave me behind and then abandon me as some sort of strange punishment for not being good enough.” Derek rubs holds him closer as Stiles speaks. Lips ghosting over his neck as the alpha leans over him, curling around him in protection. 

 

“You kick me out of your pack and then try to turn me against my will because you think that's the only way you can control my actions. And that's another thing! You want to control my choices? Thats fucked up.” Stiles' head was pounding, each movement felt sluggish but it was having a satisfying effect and the others looked so proud of him. 

 

“I’m only trying to keep you from killing again!” Scott defends. There's another thwack as Isaac hits him again, this time landing hard against his jaw. 

 

“I’m not a killer, Scott. Donovan was self defense. He was going to kill me! Did you want me to just lay down and take it?” Stiles was losing patience, Derek’s was gone as was the rest of the packs. They were only holding off to let Stiles get what he needed to, out. 

 

“You almost killed Allison! I just don’t want to see it happen again. I’m trying to protect you from yourself.” 

 

“There's no getting through to him, Stiles. Save your breath for someone worthy of your voice.” Peter growls, his eyes never leaving Scott as he holds him against the far wall. 

 

“No, he needs to hear me. If he’s got any sense he might even listen to me this time.” Scott just gives him a scathing look. 

 

“A week ago I would have considered you my brother. Now you are the biggest threat to my safety and you can’t even see past your own motivation long enough to see that. I’m honestly baffled at how long it took for me to see this side of you. Maybe the bite made it worse, maybe you were always like this, it doesn’t matter. I want nothing to do with you. I have found my pack. People who do actually care to pick up the phone when I call. You know the bare minimum in the world we live in.” Derek kisses his neck, it almost pulls a sob from him. A silent encouragement, a reward. 

 

“You should be glad it wasn’t Derek that found you. The way you had Stiles, you’d be much less intact.” Peter grins, that bloodlust showing through. 

 

“I-I Stiles…” Scott’s near plea just tastes like ash. No apology, not even an excuse. It is truly pathetic. 

 

“Peter.” Stiles has nothing left to say to him, just directing his attention to the older wolf. Peter knows exactly what he is asking and grips Scott hard, claws digging in, eager to draw blood. Boyd helps to restrain him but Scott doesn’t move much. 

 

The rest of the pack follow suit, watching as Scott is manhandled away. They leave Stiles with their alpha, who is still currently curled around his human. Scenting him again and again. 

 

“Good beta. Doing what I asked. We’ll protect you from that monster.” Derek mumbles into his skin. Kissing his neck again. The thrill of arousal that shoots through him is not surprising. But being called good, pleasing Derek, it makes him feel good. He makes him feel wanted, loved. 

 

“I know Der. I know.” He doesn’t realise he's been shaking until his teeth chatter. Derek is warm but he was so scared. Seeing Scott standing there, fangs dropped and threatened at him, eyes flashing. 

 

“Hard- hard to lose a friend.” Stiles concedes. Derek kisses his neck over his pulse point again. 

 

“Yes it is. Harder to be betrayed by one.” Derek sympathizes, sliding his hand under the jacket to Stiles’ hip to push his thumb into Stiles’ skin above his hip. 

 

“I need to put clothes on, can… can we sleep after that? My head is killing me.” As if on cue Derek’s hand on his side squeezed and the pain drained away from him. Relief felt like a thick blanket and he went limp in Derek’s hold. A small content moan slipping past his lips. 

 

“Thank you. It's not too bad Derek. I need to get dressed.” Stiles' heart wasn’t in it. He really just wanted Derek to keep fawning over him. 

 

“ No . You wont leave my sight again.” Stiles shivered at the possessive tone. He would really have to examine why that had such an effect on him but that could come later. For now he was busy being lifted off the ground in only a towel and jacket. He actually didn’t yelp this time, but still clung to Derek like a lifeline. Something that if pressed Derek would swear did not shoot a thrum of pride through him. 

 

Then picking up the clothing Stiles had laid out and leaving with both his human and his human’s clothes. Derek carried him back through the lounge and then up the stairs to his bedroom, kicking the door closed behind him. 

 

They didn’t see the others but Stiles wasn’t looking, too busy being very distracted by the board chest he was pressing his face into. 

 

Derek laid him out on the bed with more care than he was expecting although that could be due to the fragile state of his coverings. The alpha set down his clothing next to him. 

 

“I’m not sure what Scott was thinking. I mean he came through the window.” Stiles filled the silence as he propped himself up on his elbows and began reaching for his clothing. He was then promptly swatted away as Derek picked through his things. 

 

“I can get dressed myself Derek.” 

 

“No.” Stiles rolled his eyes as his alpha slid the fabric over his feet and then pulled it up over his knees and then under the towel. Lifting Stiles up required him to bodily wrap himself around Stiles again and then pull his boxers into place around the towel. A wholly humiliating experience that hand Stiles flushed to high heaven as Derek then removed the towel, fingers brushing over his skin in places. 

 

Derek stood back, gazing over Stiles’ body, now dressed in only his jacket and matching black boxers. His chest and cheeks were flushed, his legs crossed slightly as if to hide himself. 

 

“P-peter said we were mated? Y-you didn’t correct him.” Stiles ventured, hoping to god that whatever Derek was looking at pleased him. A low hum came from Derek, a pleased hum. Stiles relaxed entirely. Derek looked back through his clothing and tossed the pants and shirt into the hamper in the corner. 

 

Stiles looked at him confused or a moment until Derek riffled through his own draws picking out sweatpants and a shirt that he thought might fit and brought them back. 

 

“Oh I get it. This is your whole scenting thing. Ok fine, your clothes are probably more comfortable than mine. And I did promise you could.” He reaches out his hand to take the clothing but Derek responds by gripping Stiles around the waist and pulling him back to his feet. 

 

“Ok dude, you really have to stop with the manhandling. Just tell me where you want me.” Derek growls a warning as he presses his face back into Stiles’ neck. 

 

“Don’t call me dude.” Stiles rolls his eyes. Of course he wouldn’t answer anything about being called mates but being called ‘dude’ of course he had feelings about that. 

 

Derek removes the jacket and Stiles shivers again as the cold meets him. Quickly it's replaced by a shirt that is slightly too big for him. 

 

“Ok I won’t call you dude, if, you just tell me where you want me to move next time.” Derek hums again. 

 

“Sit down.” Derek doesn’t indicate where. Just orders. Stiles sighs, it's better than nothing. Stiles complies and Derek slips on the sweat pants, tying the ties around his waist. 

 

“Ok I smell like you now, satisfied.” Derek frowns at this, staring at Stiles’ mouth. 

 

“I can still smell him on you.” 

 

“Who? Scott?” 

 

“He marked you first. Before I could get there.” Oh. That's what this was about. He promised his alpha something and had failed him. A deep seated guilt spread through the bond. He needed to tell him, he was sorry. 

 

“Derek-” 

 

“I’m so sorry.” Derek’s words cut through every one of his thoughts. Surprising him into a frozen state. No no. He had to apologize. His mouth wouldn’t move. Nothing but a pained whimper left him. Derek looked him right in the eyes, sincerity beyond measure flooding their bond.

 

“I wasn’t there to protect you Stiles. I can be now.” 

 

“You gonna follow me into the shower next time?” Stiles' mouth ran faster than his brain. It wasn’t quite a teasing tone, still unsure of how he should respond. He wanted Derek to hold him again to tell him he was safe from Scott and anything else that might hurt him. Wanted the soft kisses and the thumbing at his hips that made him all but keen for more. 

 

“Yes.” Oh. 

 

“Okay…” Derek finally moved closer. Their faces inches from each other now. 

 

“Every one of my instincts is telling me to cover the scent of another alpha. You think you are to blame for letting him close again. I felt it, though our bond.” Stiles swallowed. This was getting to be too much. He hadn’t even felt this flustered for Malia: they had done much more than this. 

 

“He did this to you Stiles. You did so well to stand up to him for me, for us. For your pack.” Stiles felt pride flood out his guilt. 

 

“And he left his scent on you…” His eyes dropped down to Stiles mouth, where Scott had pressed his hand to muffle him. 

 

“Are you going to fix that…” Derek’s eyes flashed, a brilliant red. Gods if that wasn’t the hottest thing he had seen. 

 

“If you let me.” Stiles could only nod before Derek directed him into his bed. Laying over the covers Derek laid to his right, laying on his side so he could slip his hand under Stiles’ shirt and lay it over his chest. Where Scott had held him against the wall. 

 

“I can smell him here.” His words were whispered. Stiles gasped slightly as the cold fingertips warmed against his skin. 

 

“And here.” Derek nosed at his cheek, kissing the corner of his mouth. He was rumbling, growing in approval and possession and Stiles could only lay there and let him mark where he wanted. He could feel his heart pounding but he wanted Derek to know how it was affecting him.

 

There had been so much shame with Scott. So much hiding and running. Keeping secrets from everyone until they absolutely had to know. This was so much easier. Telling the people he cared for everything he felt or wanted. It felt real. 

 

He felt warm, safe, and protected. Laying there as Derek kissed at his cheek and jaw. His hand lightly scraping at his chest, dragging through his chest hair. Their bond tight and humming in his chest. Here he could imagine that he would never have to feel that void again. That Derek, Peter, the betas. That they would never let him feel like that. 

“Derek…” 

 

“Yes Stiles.” 

 

“Thank you. Again. For letting me in the pack and for this. I- I’m sorry I couldn’t see it before. About Scott, about everything.” Derek hummed again. 

 

“You were always welcome. We would have waited far longer than this to have you.” Stiles smiles at that. 

 

“I- can’t go back to Scott. I don’t think I can even ever look at him again.” 

 

“You shouldn’t be looking at other alpha’s anyway.” He caught the small smile on Derek’s lips. It was a joke… mostly. 

 

“Oh shit. We need to tell my dad.” Stiles remembered, ready to shoot out of bed but Derek pushed him back down. 

 

“Peter has it taken care of. I heard him come in a few minutes ago. Be good and stay here.” Another thrum ran through him, it wasn’t a demand. He could leave if he wanted to. Derek would get up with him and hover over him the whole time but he could leave. He found he really didn’t want to. 

 

“Ok, ok good. He’ll want to come over again to check on me.” 

 

“Later.” That absolutely worked for him. 

A voice came through the door a few minutes later. 

 

“The Sheriff has been notified. Scott won't be bothering you anymore darling.” Peter called out to him, the sneer audible in his voice. Stiles briefly wondered what had been done to him but then Derek’s hand scratched at his chest again and he stopped thinking. 

 

This was where he needed to be in the moment. Anything else could come later. It's not as if he could do anything about it now anyway. He turned into Derek now, letting his arm fall over Derek’s waist and tucking his head into Derek’s chest. He reveled in the pleased growl that followed. 

 

“Thank you Peter!” He called out from his new position, hearing the soft footsteps away from the door. 

 

“Wake me if you leave.” Stiles all but whispered to his shirt.

 

“I won’t leave.” Stiles smiled at that. Feeling the press of Derek’s lips to his hair and then the deliberate intake of air. He had his pack, he was safe from Scott and he had his mate. Here with him. Safe with him, where he could take care of them and they could take care of him. 

 

He felt himself lean up to look at Derek, who was now looking down at him. 

 

“I’m your mate?” Derek’s eyes flashed again. He wasn’t entirely sure what that entailed but if it got that reaction from his alpha then he would absolutely want it. 

 

“Yes. I would have courted you had you known what that means.” Stiles smiled. 

 

“Tell me what it means, I might still be open.” Stiles snuggled back close to Derek’s chest to listen to the rumble as he spoke. 

 

“I would have shown you that I can provide for the pack, for you. For any future additions to the family. That I am a strong and worthy alpha that can lead a strong pack. Then I would show you that my devotion to you is worth your devotion to me.” 

 

“Sounds like you already have been courting me.” Stiles giggled at the low growl that followed. He would enjoy pulling those from Derek for the rest of his life. 

 

“It's instinct for us.” 

 

“Well then consider your courting successful.” The hand against his chest slid out, only to move to his jaw to lift his head so he could look directly into Derek’s eyes. 

 

“Tell me again.” 

 

“You are an amazing alpha Derek, our pack is strong because of you. You’ve provided for me and them wonderfully and you have protected me. Of course I want to be with you.” Derek stared at him like he was the most beautiful thing in the world. Tears near pricking at his eyes as he leaned down. 

 

His lips were soft, pliant and undemanding. Slow but hungry, hidden behind unsure motions. Stiles reciprocated, closing his eyes to the feeling. They stayed like that for a while. Soft, pliant kisses that brought warmth and surety. When they finally pulled away, both flushed and heady, a sting of spit connected them. 

 

Derek leaned in again. One last kiss before he let Stiles cuddle back to his chest. 

 

“Rest now Stiles, you deserve it.” Stiles hummed, shuffling closer to get comfortable and closing his eyes. 

 

The warmth of the pack would come later, speaking to his father, figuring out what to do about Scott. All that would come after he took another nice nap with his mate protecting him. With Derek protecting him.