Stiles.. Just Stiles

"not hurt you. just scare you." but when he's called cute, derek presses down more firmly, intent on reminding him who's stronger, bigger, and currently holds all the advantage. not that this will shut stiles up, probably, but he does it all the same; doubts even his own life depending on it could get stiles to be quiet. "you're lying." and anyone in his position would be able to tell. not only because stiles isn't great at it, but also because of the jump in his pulse, all the classic telltale signs to any decent werewolf. derek scoffs lightly over the realization, though his gaze doubles in intensity, pinning stiles in place twiceover. "you don't want me to stop." flicks his thoughtful attention to stiles' neck again. "maybe it's my turn to bite you. jog your memory that way." he wouldn't go that far, of course, not really; but letting stiles think he will? invade his space and discomfort him all the further? that might get them somewhere. (aside from simply proving derek's point.)

the further pressure on stiles' chest has his breath catching again, lashes fluttering as he peers up at derek. shit. he really was enjoying this a little more than he was letting on. stiles made an attempt at steadying himself, centering his thoughts, trying to focus on something, anything other than the feeling of being pinned by derek. it reminded him of junior year, but this was so much more intense. they had both grown up, and quite frankly, derek had aged like a fine wine. at some point in his teenage existence, stiles had realised that there was more than just women on his mind. at a time, derek had helped him to realise that. not that he'd ever admit that to anyone. ESPECIALLY derek. "i really REALLY do." stiles retorted, trying to give the werewolf another slight shove, of course to no avail. when derek mentions biting him, stiles' brows raised for a moment. the thought had crossed his mind when scott very first became an alpha. but, after seeing everything that his best friend went through in the earlier stages of his transition, the idea of stiles becoming a werewolf had completed disappeared from his mind. he was content in being a semi-useful danger magnet at best. "you wouldn't do that. for one, scott would never forgive you. and for two, you and i both know that i'd be too weak to survive the bite." stiles spoke, arching a brow. "any more threats, or are you done?" again, pressing derek's buttons.

it's a relief when stiles doesn't question anything further and carries on with investigating. his slender, lanky frame steps deeper through the office, his long fingers gliding over the desk, the curves and points of his spine and shoulderblades protruding through his flannel shirt — and why, why, why is scott looking so much? "really suspicious," he mutters distractedly. "i got it, hang on." scott moves to the desk, body immediately on alert over being closer to stiles again, but he ignores it in favor of gripping the drawer. is it wise to break and enter into anything in here? probably not. maybe there's even cameras somewhere. but right now, with his brain half-focused on the mental image of how long his best friend's eyelashes look under shitty fluorescent lightbulbs, he's in desperate need to do something. so scott's eyes glow red with the effort of one good, sharp tug on the drawer, effectively wrenching it open with only a brief metallic protest of the lock that once guarded it. "there. we're in."

stiles could feel the tension in every single look the two of them shared. he hated it, but he also kind of loved it. hated it because it made him feel a little awkward, and nervous, but loved the sensation that swelled in the pit of his stomach. it was strange, how just one kiss could take him from looking at his best friend in a platonic manner, to something entirely different. there was that slight niggling voice of doubt in the back of his mind, the one that told him that scott purely kissed him as a distraction, nothing more. and that the moment was likely forgotten by the other male already. that insecurity was something that ate at stiles from the inside out, something that had always been evident throughout every single relationship he'd had. the fear of rejection. the fear of feelings not being reciprocated.. just fear. so much FEAR. attention snapped back to the present as scott moved closer, making a not so subtle attempt at getting into the drawer. "really, scott?" stiles says, deadpanning his best friend. "what happened to sneaking in and out? not leaving a trace? no signs of a break in?" he scoffed, eyes rolling playfully as he then shook his head, reaching out to peer into the, now open, drawer. picking up a stack of papers in there, his eyes widened. "scott.. these are from the hospital. it's a list of blood donors.." eyes widened even more as he showed scott the list, mouth agape. jackpot.

caroline grasped at him tightly, determined not to let go. she couldn't, not when her friend needed her like. she knew some of the dead had returned...but would it be possible that someone from so long ago could return? she couldn't fill his head with false hope. "stiles...losing someone you love is a wound that never fully heals...but it's ok to feel the pain. i-i know that feeling, seeing them everywhere...just...i'm here for you." a hand moved to brush away his tears, wanting to help somehow. "i wouldn't be anywhere else stiles."

as caroline spoke, stiles felt his heart ache. then, he remembered. he remembered that not only had she lost her mom, but she'd lost her husband and her children.. she'd lost everything. immediately, he felt terrible for dumping his grief on her, knowing that it would likely only remind her of her own. "i'm sorry.. for dumping all of this on you. i didn't think.. i should have thought. you- you're grieving too.. it's not fair for me to dump all of this on you." stiles sighed, brows furrowing as he made an attempt at burying his own emotions.

She couldn't help the guilt that was eating her up, he was such a nice person and she'd chosen him of all people to suck completely dry and almost kill. ''Perhaps you're right I never will but you know I don't like to be called out on it.'' she chuckled slightly. Searching his eyes for something, she could feel he was confused and that was understandable she wanted to tell him but god would he hate her, and she didn't want that. Plus if he remembered it would destroy him she had to convince herself this was for the best. ''Maybe you're just blocking it out because it was that horrible?'' she shrugged before giving him a soft smile. ''As long as you're safe and happy that's what matters to everyone.''

stiles couldn't help but laugh in response to her comment, a goofy smile spreading across his face. "well, you better get used to it. with your brothers, and now me, you're going to have to deal with being called out a lot." he chuckled again, then propped his elbows on the table, chin resting in his hands. "yeah, i totally get that. i've kinda' gotten to the point where i guess i've accepted that it happened and i won't find out what exactly happened." he shrugs his shoulders, nose wrinkling a little. of course, he knew that the rest of the pack were still pretty damned determined to find the culprit. but, stiles wasn't sure what their endgame was in that department.

closed starter ft @ewnotstiles

"that will never not be creepy." he murmured in response, then moved closer to malia, taking a seat next to her. "i mean, technically, this is my spot." he nudged her with a slight smile. "ain't it past your bed time?" stiles teased.

TIME WAS MOST PRECIOUS AND YET SEEMED TO BE RUNNING OUT. She can't explain it but it was a feeling she couldn't shake. Stiles was home now which meant that she needed to act fast; and now that she had the book, she could do what she needed to do. First thing was first, freezing Noah where he stood in the living room QUICKLY so that he couldn't argue with her quite just this yet. The spell was quick, mostly so she wouldn't lose her nerve, but then she popped her head around the corner to look in, letting Stiles see the familiar aid who spoke to him at the hospital. "I'd say don't freak out but..." He was her son. If she hadn't seen so much of her in him when she was younger, she might not of worried about a teen witch out there in the world. "I need to tell you the truth, Stiles. Please just listen."

on his way to make a drink, readying himself for another all nighter, stiles was greeted with a strange sight, one that could only be described as something from a movie. there stood his father, statue-like. he was still, yet the world ticked on around him. he frowned, then hurried toward his dad. that was when he saw her, the aid from the hospital, the one whom had stayed by his side during his recovery period. "uh.. what the hell is going on?" stiles quickly spoke, eyes flicking between his dad and the woman, whom still held the very same hint of familiarity that he couldn't place. "what have you done to my dad?" the woman had said not to freak out. but, stiles was a natural at that. when she mentioned telling him the truth, he quickly combed a hand back through his hair. "no, i'm gonna' stop you right there. you're going to tell me what the hell is going on, what the hell you've done to my dad and, more importantly, why are you in our house?" he spoke, his tone of voice becoming a little harsher, yet still rapid, spitting the words out with barely a breath in between, so much so that all of them almost jumbled into one.

this much is clear: stiles is quite literally asking for it. there's absolutely no way a guy this smart doesn't know what's going to happen by saying such a thing. so derek does what he needs to; he grabs stiles and lifts him out of bed entirely. it's just one smooth turn before he's pressing stiles' back against the wall, pinning him there with a hand high on his chest, palm practically wrapped around the base of his throat — but avoiding the slender column of his neck, mindful of any lingering injuries. "this is why you keep getting hurt," he points out in another low murmur. studies those wide eyes as he processes the scents in the air between them now; not fear, but ... "—stiles." thoughtful, listening to the rhythm of his heart. "you're not supposed to like it."

it's a little humiliating, how effortless it seems for derek to be able to pull him up from the bed, to then press him against the wall. the strong hand that rests on his chest, almost on his throat, has stiles firmly pinned in place. hands fall flat against the wall for a moment, before one then moves to wrap around derek's wrist, ready to make an attempt to pull the man's hand away from him. but.. does he even want to? "oh, now you want to hurt me? that's cute." he smirked. though, derek's next statement made his breath catch again. of course, he should have known that his heightened senses would have been able to pick up on the slight raise in his heart rate, and the way his stomach fluttered. "what?" stiles quickly sputtered, shaking his head rapidly. "i don't know what you're talking about. i.. i don't LIKE this at all. in fact, i'd really rather you took your hands off me." that's a lie, and stiles knows it.

sneak backstage. right. easy, natural, just continuing their investigation. except his body still won't calm down, and even more distractingly to his heightened senses, stiles' body still won't calm down, and he notices stiles' hand move toward him and away again. as if meaning to touch him then deciding against it. is that how it's going to be now? awkward, different? did scott completely screw things up with his dumb idea? "let's do it," is all he manages, weakly, moving to lead the way. it's not so much a miracle that they do make it deeper into the club's private areas as it is a decent stroke of luck; there's no guard posted at the doors, no employee coming in or out or watching like a hawk for would-be homoerotic invaders. "i don't even know what we're looking for anymore," he mutters, avoiding looking at stiles and instead looking around the small office space at a total loss. at least the music isn't as loud back here, nor the scents of a hundred different people's arousal or alcohol or sweat. but it's making him that much more hyper aware of how intimate it is, being alone in a room with his best friend. help. "see any files marked evil plans or anything?" he lifts a hand to lock the door behind them, while he's at it, just in case. then realizes what that might look like. "that was for — in case someone finds us."

stiles still couldn't shake the electrifying feeling that lingered from their kiss, and the way he, all of sudden, gained butterflies when looking at his best friend. he followed scott backstage, trying to focus on their investigation, and not the obvious tension that now lingered between the two of them. when scott locked the door, stiles couldn't help but smirk, feeling his face heat up ever so slightly. though, he quickly averted his gaze as scott made an awkward explanation for locking them in the room. stiles took a breath, then spoke. "evil plans? nah.. though, i was hoping for a big, flashy sign that says 'supernatural conspiracies headquarters' or something." stiles teased, chuckling lightly to himself. he made an attempt to avoid looking directly at scott, afraid that eye contact would betray him, revealing the whirlwind of emotions within him. stiles moved further into the grand office, then toward the desk. hands immediately found a locked drawer, a brow arching. "locked.. 'cause that isn't suspicious at all."

there's nothing more satisfying right now than the alarmed look in stiles' expression, the new too-fast tempo of his heartbeat. this tug-of-war, playing stupid games and winning unbelievably stupid prizes with him — yeah, maybe derek missed it. "you know i would." he pulls up on stiles' gown a little to prove it, dragging the human back up into just enough of a sitting position to find himself face to face with derek, in close proximity, as if stiles the ragdoll doesn't weigh enough to give him any trouble at all. "the question is whether or not you're going to make me feel like i need to." derek's steady gaze flicks from the depths of his brown eyes to those nervous, slightly parted lips and back again. "what do you think, stiles? still pretending to be scared for the sake of my ego?"

breath catches, eyes widen and his pulse quickens. how can he make it any less obvious that derek still gets to him? stiles licks his lips, his eyes flickering to find derek’s for a very brief moment. the way his hand balls into a fist, burying the fabric of stiles’ hospital gown in it and lifting his body from the mattress, as stiles’ heart skipping a beat. the close proximity between the two of them has his breath catching again. he can feel the warmth of derek’s breath, and for once it isn’t fear that stiles feels when faced by him. it’s something entirely different, something that makes his stomach flip. “i’m not afraid of you.” stiles murmurs quietly. the statement was true. but.. unnecessary. something he’d definitely said to push derek’s buttons a little more.

stiles clung to caroline, his body trembling with the weight of grief he thought he had left behind. his voice wavered as he spoke, the pain evident in every word he spoke. "it.. it's like... like i can't escape it. everywhere i turn, she's there. and it's not just memories, it's like i see her, like she's still here. and then i blink, and she's gone." he took a shaky breath, trying to compose himself. stiles knew that more than anyone, caroline would be able to relate to what he was feeling, and that her loss was a lot more recent than his, so perhaps a little more raw. he nods in response to her comment, agreeing with her. "i miss her so damn much. i thought i was okay, you know? but now, it's like... it's like losing her all over again." stiles wiped away more tears, his voice cracking with each word. "thanks for being here, care. i really don't know what i'd do without you."

Rebekah wasn't expecting too see Stiles, and as soon as she did what she did came flooding back. She swallowed heavily her eyes moving over him as he sat. She knew he wouldn't remember, that was the only good part of all this. But now she had to pretend like it hadn't happened and she wasn't sure how long she could lie to him. ''Hey..I've been behaving actually my brothers weren't too happy with me causing trouble.'' a soft chuckle passing her lips as she spoke. ''How are you feeling?''

stiles flashed rebekah a lopsided grin, thanks to her compulsion he was completely oblivious that she was his attacker. "you.. behaving? i'll believe that when i see it." he teased, his half smile stretching to form a wide one. "i'm getting there. my memory is still a little spotty but my wounds have almost healed and i'm just happy to get back to normality." stiles spoke sincerely.

his lips still feel so warm. it reminds him of the first time he kissed allison, which is — crazy. (oh, god, allison.) the quickness of stiles' pulse still drumming an uneven rhythm in scott's ears, unusually loud even over the beat of the club's music, isn't helping matters at all. isn't helping him forget what just happened — which was completely necessary, anyway, for their own survival in here. "yeah, i know. i'm just saying ... i don't know." how to string together coherent sentences again? he finds himself watching stiles chew on his lip, or rake a hand through his hair, and hastily looks away again. "i'm overthinking it." which isn't an explanation at all, so he rubs the back of his neck and does his best not to form an instant headache. "right. investigation. uh ... can we check out a more quiet room for a minute?"

stiles can barely pay attention to anything his best friend is saying, his mind consumed by the way his lips still tingle. it was confusing at the same time, though. kissing scott made him feel so alive, like it had sent a jolt of electricity all the way through his body, from head to toe. stiles inwardly cursed himself, and willed himself to forget about it, that it had only been an act. he’d continue to tell himself that it was just the heat of the moment, nothing else. when scott mentioned checking out a quieter room, stiles couldn’t help but nod his head. quiet was exactly what he needed too. his mind was racing almost as fast as his heart. “let’s see if we can sneak back stage and find one of the offices..” stiles offered with a smile. for a moment, his hand reached out toward scott, almost taking his hand to lead him. but, stiles managed to catch himself, and quickly shove that very same hand into the pocket of his hoodie.

"you mean most." but his playful counter (or what can count as playful for derek hale) doesn't last long; can't even manage much of a reaction to frowny little face before the rest of stiles' frankly offensive statements sink in. "you'll pretend?" his eyebrows inch up his forehead. the longer those brown eyes shine at him, the more intensely he finds that he needs to put the human to the test. "sure, stiles. sate my ego." up derek gets from his chair, nonchalantly stepping up to the hospital bed, fingers carefully reaching out to smooth a wrinkle from stiles' hospital gown. only that hand presses down, firm and abrupt, shoving and pinning stiles as far back against his bed as its current half-upright position will allow. derek leans in, leans over him, intense gaze flicking a brilliant shade of blue as his fingers curl into a fist where they rest against stiles' chest. "do i need to pin you against the wall next," he says, low, "or does this cover it?"

the playful retort has a smirk crossing stiles’ face, a brow then arching. “i’d say it’s about 50/50.” he laughed again, nose wrinkling a little. stiles was, quite frankly, a master at provoking people. he knew exactly which buttons to press and how to rile them up, and he’d gotten that skill down to an art form where derek was concerned. what he hadn’t expected however, was the other male’s next move. chocolate hues watched, and lips were pressed together in a thin line as derek stood up, then approached the bed. a large hand smoothed over the hospital gown, making stiles’ breath catch, until he then began to feel the pressure of derek pinning him down, showing the strength that stiles knew damn well he possessed. brows raised, heart rate increased, and a slight sweat began to form on his brow. after all these years.. derek was still just as unpredictable, and knew exactly how to get under stiles’ skin. chocolate hues flicked up, seeing the shining crystal hue of his eyes. “the wall?” he sputtered, voice cracking, lashes fluttering. “you wouldn’t.” oh, but stiles knew damn well that he would.

"i'm here, aren't i?" lets that speak for itself; wouldn't just turn up at the bedside of anyone from beacon hills. "good point. the list of people who secretly want to snap your neck is probably too long to bother with." he can't help but smirk just a bit himself when stiles' own smirk vanishes and transforms into that stupid pout. "you said you were up for it, and that'd be the easiest way to get your blood flowing. would you prefer i try to scare you?" a touch of rare curiosity makes him lean forward, elbows resting on his knees, an intense focused stare locked intently on the human before him. "i'm guessing you still find me intimidating enough."

when derek mentioned the list of people wanting to snap stiles' neck being too long, he gasped, feigning offense. "hey! surely not everyone in beacon hills wants to snap my neck, just... you know, some.." he said with a dramatic sigh, a chuckle then following. a plafyful smirk settles on his face as he considers the words derek says. at his proposal of scare tactics, stiles rolled his eyes. "derek, please, we've come a long way since junior year, when i was terrified of your frowny little face and bad attitude." stiles grinned, teasing derek, chocolate hues shining playfully. "but if you want to try, be my guest. i'll even pretend to be scared for your ego's sake." honestly, stiles just wanted to see how this would play out, the thought of amusing him.

it's surprisingly easy to make this look convincing — it feels a little convincing. stiles' fingers in his hair, warm mouth on his, erratic pulse echoing through scott's sensitive ears — it's nicer than it should be, hypnotic. lulls him into kissing stiles just a little deeper than he should, arm slipping possessively around his waist. until, before scott even knows it, it's all over; stiles regaining some distance and leaving him to blink rapidly as if clearing himself out of a dense fog. "huh?" it takes him another few seconds to realize that he means the creep is gone; breathes out a rush of relief. "oh. right, yeah. we did it." except his head's spinning now, and he's still standing a little too close, and his hand's still glued to stiles' hip before he finally notices and removes it. reluctantly. reluctantly? "—told you it would work. fakedating always works in the movies." he averts his gaze from stiles mouth, idly rubbing at his own in an attempt to alleviate the leftover tingles.

stiles knew damn well that scott would be able to pick up on his quickened heart rate, and the slight hitch in his breath. but, there could have been another explanation for that. stiles could have found one.. he could have come up with some elaborate explanation as to why the feeling of his best friend's mouth on his made his heart race. perhaps the built up adrenaline of the moment? but, stiles knew from the way that he hadn't wanted scott to let go of him, that it was perhaps more than that. clearing his throat, the thoughts were dismissed, shaking his head quickly as he took a step backward, teeth gnawing on the flesh of his bottom lip. "in the movies, yeah. but.. those are actors, scott." stiles scoffs, a hand running back through his hair. "they get paid to make it look convincing. i'm surprised we managed to." he chuckled. gaze slid down, settling on his best friend's mouth, unable to shake the memory of how soft his lips had been. clears his throat, averting his gaze again. "so, the investigation. what's next?" maybe a change of subject would help stiles focus.