Stiles woke up to fingers being run through his hair and slowly blinked his eyes open. "Hey Izzy," he mumbled.
"Hey," he said quietly. "How are you feeling?"
Stiles shrugged. "I could be better, but I talked to Jacks. So things are looking up even if I've got something to fix."
Isaac nuzzled his nose against Stiles's neck and then smiled. "Well you're you and you always make things right. Can I help besides letting you sleep in my bed?"
Stiles smiled. "Well actually is Cora busy?" Isaac shook his head. "Hmm. Alright. Can I shower here and then I'll head over?"
"Have at it. You're always welcome here."
***
After his shower Stiles changed into a t-shirt and athletic shorts before heading back to his dorm. He could sense two people and breathed out before going in. Sure enough Derek was asleep on their couch and Cora was at the kitchen island drinking coffee. Stiles let his eyes land on Derek briefly, smiling at how peaceful he looked before heading to the kitchen.
Cora raised an eyebrow at him. "Good Morning, Stiles," she whispered.
"Morning," he greeted quietly. "Is there coffee left?" He grabbed a mug and poured himself a cup adding some cream and sugar to it before leaning back against the counter, his eyes unintentionally landing on Derek again.
"You know staring is rude right Stiles?"
Stiles's cheeks twinged pink, and he cleared his throat, taking a drink. "Sorry. It's just I've never seen him not upset."
Cora gave a small smile. "Yeah well, it's rare but you don't mind him being here do you?" she asked uncertainly.
"Of course not. He's pack, not to mention he's your brother. So he's as welcome as Liam and Isaac."
"Isaac got a text this morning," she whispered.
Stiles looked at Cora. "From him ?" She nodded and Stiles sighed. "You know if Scott doesn't leave Izzy alone, I'm going to kick his ass. It's his own damn fault for hooking up with that girl when he was dating Isaac," he huffed, his eyes flickering their grayish purple color.
Cora got up and went over to him, laying a gentle hand on Stiles's arm to comfort him and then scented him. "I know."
Stiles set his mug down and wrapped his arms around Cora scenting her in return. "I have to go for a bit today. Okay?" he said quietly.
"Where?"
"If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone and not follow me."
Cora nuzzled her nose against Stiles's neck and sighed. "Fine. Tell me."
***
Derek rubbed his eyes and sat up slowly, his eyes scanning the dorm.
"Afternoon sleepy head."
"Hmm?" Derek mumbled as his eyes fell on Stiles leaning against the counter. "Oh, um I talked to Cora and she said I could um stay," he stuttered out.
Stiles raised an eyebrow and gestured. "She's in the shower. Isaac is taking her on a date this afternoon," he explained.
"Oh. Well I should probably go then," he said and moved to get up.
"Or you could have a cup of coffee," Stiles offered.
Derek frowned slightly and glanced around before looking at Stiles and tilting his head. "You're offering me coffee?" he asked skeptically.
Stiles rolled his eyes and grabbed another mug. "It is customary to offer such things to guests. Plus, I sort of need to say something to you," he admitted almost timidly, as he poured the coffee. "Cream or sugar?"
"Neither. I-I drink it plain," he said quietly.
Stiles brought him the mug. "You and Cora really are siblings. I can't stand coffee plain. So that confirms it."
Derek took the mug. "Thanks," he said as he took a drink. "So, the eyebrows, eyes and hair didn't give it away but the coffee did?"
Stiles snorted. "Well yeah except I wouldn't be able to tell because your eyes don't match. Yes eyebrows and yes hair but eyes? Nope," he explained as he took a seat in the armchair, his legs tucked under him.
"Our eyes are the same. I think."
Stiles shook his head. "No hers are a gorgeous chocolate brown almost caramel colored. Yours are..." he trailed off as he studied Derek for a moment. "They could be called green but they've got a bit of a silvery shade to them. Then there's flecks of pale gold which give off the aventurine color," he described before tilting his head. "Technically I don't think there's a word for the color of your eyes."
Derek swallowed thickly and felt his cheeks twinge pink without his permission. He cleared his throat and took another drink. "Well t-thank you? I mean you're right that they don't match Cora's. Mom always said I'm just special."
"Well she's right," Stiles replied quietly. Before Derek could say anything else Stiles stood up. "Cora I'm heading out," he called out.
"Be safe!" she hollered back.
"Always am!" he said.
"Liar!"
Stiles chuckled and pulled on his tennis shoes and grabbed his phone. Derek watched him but didn't say anything even though he wanted to. Stiles patted his pockets to make sure he had his keys and then headed to the door but paused and looked at Derek. "See you around?"
Derek felt his heart twinging and gave a single nod. "Hope so," he whispered. Stiles gave him a small smile and waved before disappearing out the door.
Derek sat back and breathed out feeling confused about the entire interaction. Since when did Stiles act like that towards him? Then Derek frowned. "He didn't tell me what he needed to tell me, did he?"
"What are you mumbling about?" Cora asked as she walked out to the living room towel drying her hair after changing.
"Stiles," he offered. "He said he needed to say something to me but all he talked about was my eyes."
Cora raised an eyebrow. "Your eyes?"
Derek blushed lightly and nodded. "Mhm."
"Oh Derek," she smiled fondly. "You should text him. I mean if you want to." Cora looked down ashamed.
Derek tilted his head. "Hey, what's wrong?" he inquired.
Cora took a seat next to him. "Just I realized I need to stop getting in the middle of this. He's my best friend and you're my brother. I love you both so much, but I shouldn't be so pushy about you fixing things. I'm sorry," she whispered.
"It's alright Cora," he promised. "I-I do want to get to know him. There's like a pull but there's also a lot of history that's not very good. I'm still reeling over the fact that he and I had such a civil conversation, but then he left."
"Oh yeah. He's got something to do."
"Yeah I figured he wasn't exactly running away," he snorted.
A knock sounded on the dorm door before it opened. "Hey Cora!" Isaac greeted.
Cora jumped up and threw her arms around Isaac's neck. "Hey handsome. Where are you taking me?"
"It's a surprise but I know you'll love it," he said with a smile.
Derek tilted his head when Cora looked his way. "I'll be fine baby sis. Go on your date," he gestured.
Cora chewed her lip for a moment and then smiled. "Today might be an excellent day to go for a run with a different perspective," she hinted before letting Isaac lead her out the door.
Derek's brow knit in confusion then his phone buzzed.
{From Cora}
Go running shifted.
Derek's eyes widened in realization, and he blushed lightly before getting up and heading out to his car.
***
Stiles hurried over to the spot he marked with magic his face falling when he noticed it was untouched and he sighed before huffing. "Fine then. It's still early," he whispered. He kicked off his shoes and then his socks to have the connection to the grass.
Derek parked the same distance from the island before stripping and shifting. He took a deep breath and trotted over to the trees. He glanced around seeing Stiles in the grass, but he laid down by the tree and didn't move any closer. It wasn't that simple and for now he planned to just watch.
Stiles took a seat sitting cross legged and allowed his eyes to close, centering himself. He reached out to check his surroundings and while he could sense other presences, he knew they meant him no harm. So, he turned his focus inward focusing on the soul bond trying to study it more.
Derek watched Stiles but did not move closer and was prepared to run if need be. He inhaled sharply when he felt something thrumming inside him, but he didn't know what it was. It was enough uncertainty to send him running back to his car where he shifted back, changed and drove back to the house where he could seek refuge in his room. He felt exhausted and curled up in his bed quickly falling asleep.
***
The following week Stiles and Derek developed a routine though Stiles was not aware of Derek's presence at the island. They both attended their classes, spent time with each other in a group and Derek joined their study group. He and Stiles stayed on the far side of the puppy piles from each other. Stiles still went to the island every day, but his mood slipped lower and lower with each day that passed without seeing the wolf again. Derek did not return to the island as the wolf again that week.
Back at the dorm, Cora got up and started grabbing her keys. "I'll see you guys at the theater alright?"
Derek tilted his head. "Where are you going?"
"I'm picking Stiles up," she explained.
"Why?" he asked.
"Stiles goes back every day hoping to see the wolf," she whispered before leaving the dorm
Cora headed to pick Stiles up from the island so they could meet up with Isaac, Liam and Derek at the movies. Derek was also bringing his friend Ellie.
Liam and Isaac asked Derek to play video games and he readily agreed, grateful for the distraction.
{From Ellie}
What time is the movie, Der?"
{From Derek}
It's at 7:30 pm.
{From Ellie}
Awesome! See you there!
***
Cora got to Stiles. "Any luck today?"
Stiles sniffled and stood up. "Nope but tomorrow is the day. I can feel it!" He wiped his face, cleared his throat and headed to the car.
Cora sighed quietly thinking to herself. " That's what you said every day this week about the next day. " She got into the car. "Did you want to change or are you good to head to dinner?"
"Dinner. I'm comfy in these clothes," he replied quietly.
"Oh by the way we have one extra person coming," she explained as she started driving to the diner.
"Oh? Who?" he asked.
Cora shrugged. "I've never met her. Derek asked if she could come." Cora watched Stiles as his face fell.
"Ah I see. Well, I can always sit with Liam," he whispered.
"You do want to go right?" she asked.
Stiles nodded. "Yes. You're all my friends."
Cora grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Even Derek?"
Stiles rolled his eyes but smiled slightly shy. "Yeah, I think so, but it's not like I've spent much time with him. So maybe acquaintances." His eyebrows knit slightly because saying that out loud didn't sound right and it sure didn't feel right. In fact, he didn't like the sound of being Derek's acquaintance or even friend and to be blunt the term that came to mind first was boy-
Cora's voice cut through the haze of his barreling train of thought. "Well, that's very mature of you," she praised.
Stiles couldn't shake the feeling that Derek was extremely important, but Stiles just had no idea what that was. "Yeah, well after talking to Jacks earlier this week, I realized I pushed it too far and I have decided to make it up to Derek somehow. I'm just waiting for the right opportunity," he explained in a whisper.
Cora grinned as they parked outside the diner. "I'm glad. You're my best friend and he's my brother. I'm hoping you'll both sort things out eventually." She kissed his cheek and got out of the car.
Stiles closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Yes he would make it up to Derek, while still trying to cross paths with the wolf again. He got out of the car and headed inside.
***
When they walked in Stiles's gaze fell on the redhead at their booth and seeing Derek's smile directed towards her made his magic hiss. He shook his head to clear it and followed Cora over. "Hey Der!"
Derek looked up and smiled at Cora. "Hey baby sis," he greeted. Then his gaze fell on Stiles and his ears turned pink. "Hi Stiles."
Stiles raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Hey," he replied. He then looked towards the door. "How long until Izzy and Liam get here?"
Derek's gaze fell and he cleared his throat before looking up again. "Shouldn't be too long."
They ordered drinks and then Cora spoke up. "So, you're Ellie, right?"
Ellie grinned. "Yes indeed. That's me. You must be Cora, right?" Cora nodded. "I thought so. You two look so much alike."
Stiles frowned slightly. "Except their eyes," he mumbled before taking a sip of his drink.
Cora and Derek looked at Stiles who merely shrugged. "I'm an observant person."
Ellie smiled. "Well, you're right to be sure. His eyes are a gorgeous green," she said with a smile glancing at Derek who was watching Stiles.
Stiles had to force himself not to roll his eyes because Derek's eyes were most certainly not green, thank you very much but whatever.
The door to the diner opened revealing Liam and Isaac who quickly made their way over. Stiles blushed lightly when Liam snuggled against him, their thighs touching. Isaac and Cora slid in across from Derek and Ellie. Derek's gaze fell on Stiles and Liam but quickly looked away though neither Cora nor Ellie missed the look on his face. They spent their time getting to know each other better including how Derek and Ellie met.
After they finished eating a hunger staving meal of bacon cheeseburgers, curly fries (because not having them would be a crime and Stiles's father is the sheriff duh) and milkshakes they headed to the theater.
***
When they got to the theater Stiles paid for the tickets while Isaac and Cora tag teamed the concessions. They filed into their theater and took their seats with Cora first, then Isaac followed by Liam and then Stiles. Derek sat on Stiles's right with Ellie following last on Derek's right. Derek and Stiles had not been that close to each other and Stiles tried to ignore the way his magic kept pulling in Derek's direction. Derek had to resist the urge to scent Stiles during the movie and it was touch and go for over half of it. Then of course it got ten times harder when Stiles started to lick the popcorn salt from his fingers. Derek had to stifle a whine of want and he might not have been successful if the bewildered look Stiles shot him was any indication.
Afterwards Stiles and Liam exited their theater hand in hand, their fingers interlocked. Stiles looked at Cora. "So, we're going to head out," he stated.
Cora smirked and nodded. "Have fun." Stiles and Liam blushed before Liam led Stiles outside just managing to get to the lamp post before their mouths collided in a hungry kiss.
Derek watched and held in a growl at the sight, his eyes following the two until they were out of sight.
Cora stepped up next to Derek while Ellie and Isaac talked. "You know you could just tell him right, Der? But until you do you can't be mad at him for this. You know that right?"
Derek sighed, his shoulders sagging. "I know but it still sucks. Besides, I don't even have my mark to prove it. So, he'd never believe me. Then again, he knows I got rid of mine and that his soulmate did. It's best not to dwell on it. I'm sure Stiles and Liam will have a wonderful night of whatever they want, and I can go home and curl up with a book and do my damndest not to think about it."
Cora hugged him and scented him with a barely audible whine. "I love you, big brother and I'm here for you," she whispered.
Derek hugged her back and scented her in return. "I know. I love you too," he whispered back.
***
Derek parted from Cora and Isaac and walked Ellie back to her dorm. "So when were you planning to tell me about that guy?" she asked.
"What guy?"
Ellie scoffed. "Don't play dumb with me Derek Hale. You like him. Admit it!"
Derek sighed. "Yeah but—"
"No. No buts. You like him and there's nothing wrong with that but why did you let him leave then?"
"Because he doesn't know, and he won't know if I have anything to say about it."
Ellie sighed letting it go for the moment but Derek knew they weren't done talking about it. "Fine. Are you coming out tomorrow night?"
Derek's brow furrowed. "Coming out where?"
Ellie gaped and then squealed. "The Zenith! It's only the best night club in the city. Bring your friends. I bet I can get you and that guy grinding on the dance floor!"
Derek's ears turned red and his cheeks flushed. "I'll come but no g-guarantee about Stiles and I grinding. I don't really want to anyway."
"Mhm. Well, your ears and cheeks say you dooooooo," she teased. "But I won't force it. Just think about it and if the opportunity is there then take it."
***
Stiles huffed as he looked into his closet trying to decide what to wear, finally settling on black skinny jeans, a dark maroon short sleeved shirt that showed his muscles and a pair of black converse. He ran his fingers through his hair and breathed out. He then headed out to the living room where Cora was waiting with Isaac. Cora was wearing a forest green off the shoulder mid thigh length dress with black stiletto heels. Isaac was in dark wash skinny jeans, a short sleeved dark blue t-shirt and black high tops. Stiles beamed and raised an eyebrow. "We're so hot it's not even funny!"
Cora snickered and Isaac blushed as they headed out. Isaac went to grab the car and Cora pulled Stiles aside. "Liam?"
Stiles cleared his throat. "I believe he is with some guy named Theo," he said with a shrug.
Cora hugged him and scented him. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
Stiles scented her back and shook his head as he pulled back. "Don't be. I'm pretty sure it was just sex for us anyways," he said dismissively.
"Well, I'm sure we'll find you someone to dance with," she promised. "I'll save you a dance."
Stiles put his hand over his heart. "Well, I'm honored. I would hunt you down and pull you into a dance if you didn't save me one."
Cora cackled and playfully shoved him, the two of them climbing into the car when Isaac pulled up before they headed into the city.
***
Derek sat on a stool at the bar nursing a drink even though it wouldn't do him a bit of good since he wasn't affected by the alcohol. His eyes scanned the club for his sister and okay maybe Stiles too but they weren't there yet.
Ellie sauntered over. "Why aren't you dancing babe?"
Derek huffed. "No one to dance with," he mumbled.
"Uh huh. You mean all these people are invisible?" she teased.
"N-No but they're not–" he stopped his eyes falling on the door as Isaac, Cora and lastly Stiles filed into the club.
Ellie's eyes followed his gaze and she giggled. "They're not Stiles," she kissed his cheek. "Go on then. Shoot your shot babe." She urged him before disappearing into the crowd.
Derek swallowed thickly and watched as the trio made their way to the dance floor, but his eyes widened slightly, his nerves immediately rising when Stiles broke off and made his way to the bar area.
The bartender smirked and shot a flirty smile at Stiles. "Hey cutie," he purred. "What can I get for you?"
Derek watched Stiles from his stool not daring to move as he took in his appearance. Fuck why did he have to be so devastatingly gorgeous and the color red? Fuck Derek's whole life.
Stiles leaned on the counter and raised an eyebrow at the bartender. "Rum and coke?" he asked with a matching purr as his fingers trailed across the guys arm, making Derek's wolf growl and he quickly looked away hating the whole entire idea of coming out.
"Hey!" Stiles said, startling Derek.
Derek looked at Stiles and gulped. "H-Hey," he greeted and glanced at the bartender who was watching them with a calculating gaze.
Stiles followed his gaze and rolled his eyes, taking a drink of his rum and coke. "Don't worry about him," he huffed. "For one he should be arrested for serving a minor alcohol but whatever."
"Not your type?" Derek asked before he could stop himself.
"Not a bit," Stiles answered.
"Why not?"
Stiles flicked his eyes to Derek and raised an eyebrow before sighing. "He's not a wolf. So, it would just be a fling," he explained, averting his gaze.
Derek tilted his head, his eyes falling on Stiles's soul mark and held in another whine when he saw it. Before he could say anything else he felt Stiles's hand on his arm. "You wanna dance?" he asked.
"With you?" Derek asked, feeling dazed and stunned.
Stiles took his hand away and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah? I mean, no? I mean I should–" he turned away, but Derek caught his wrist.
"Yes."
Stiles swallowed thickly but smiled before dragging Derek to the dance floor. "Do you dance?" he asked curiously.
Derek shook his head. "I-I um not really. I mean I'm capable but I don't know how to do this kind of dancing," he rambled, noticing how some of the pairs were dancing including his baby sister who was definitely not a baby anymore and he so didn't need to see that. He looked back at Stiles who was chuckling. "What?"
"Nothing. Just this kind of dancing gets a bit up close and personal. Is that alright?" he asked, his expression suddenly serious. Derek's heart stuttered a bit at the consideration and then he nodded.
Stiles's smirk returned but it was more a smile and it was all for Derek. Stiles turned so his back was to Derek and he guided Derek's hands to his hips. Derek swallowed thickly as Stiles began to circle his hips. "Just do what I do Der. Our hips will move in the same direction." He began to demonstrate and Derek matched the movements. They started slow and gradually sped up their bodies moving in perfect sync.
The club faded into the background and Stiles became Derek's sole focus. He didn't flinch a bit when Stiles slid an arm back around his neck, so they were flush chest to back. In fact, he melted into it, his wolf rumbling pleased with the action. Stiles tilted his head back and glanced up from under his eyelashes though Derek didn't know if that was intentional or not. The feeling of Stiles's ass grinding against his denim clad dick was a welcomed feeling. He felt ignited by the shudder that went through Stiles's body every time he felt Derek's breath hot against his neck.
He almost whined when Stiles swiveled, backing away but he didn't go far. Just enough to rock his hips forward into Derek's. Derek's heart was pounding and he placed his hands on Stiles's hips again, pulling him closer. Stiles's cheeks were flushed as their dancing got hotter and Derek felt pretty debauched himself despite nothing happening, though that was just it. It wasn't nothing. It was everything.
Derek let himself go and just feel. Feel the beat of the music echoing through every bone in his body. Feel the heat of Stiles's body against his own consumed by a passion he didn't fully comprehend but craved, nonetheless. Fueled by desire that swept through his veins lighting his soul on fire. Feel the passion as his senses became overwhelmed in the best way by all that is, was and ever would be... Stiles.
Derek didn't remember closing his eyes but when he opened them, he realized their faces were so close it wouldn't be any trouble at all to close the distance. Stiles's eyes were narrowed in a heated gaze and Derek wanted to kiss the lips he'd dreamt about. Stiles might have been thinking the same thing by the way he leaned closer but before Derek could ask or close the distance, some guy sidled up to them.
"Going to share there, big guy?" he asked Derek, but his eyes were locked on Stiles.
Derek wasn't able to stop the growl from erupting in his chest and pushing its way out of his throat. The guy backed up and Stiles smirked, leaning into Derek as the guy kept backing up before flipping them both off and disappearing into the crowd.
Stiles cackled and looked up at Derek but then he froze. Derek was watching the guy and his hand was on Stiles's arm, his thumb tracing the mark. Stiles's brow knit in confusion at how easily Derek touched the mark. No one had been able to touch it except—his eyes widened, and he quickly backed up. That was enough to make Derek's eyes lock on Stiles again. "What's wrong?"
Stiles opened and closed his mouth several times. Then his eyes flicked between the mark and Derek several times before his expression became guarded, his scent disappearing. His scent didn't simply fade, Derek realized, but was there one second and gone the next without a trace. "Why was your hand on my mark?" Stiles asked, his voice low.
Derek gulped but took a deep breath. "I-I wasn't trying to cross a line, Stiles," he explained.
"O-Okay. What's with your eyes?"
"My eyes?" Derek asked, confused.
"They're red."