it's instinct to want the good things

Derek: 'I'm fine' Stiles: 🚨🚨🚨 (honestly this goes both ways for these two)

Birthday gift art for @sparassiss who requested Stiles holding Derek after a crappy day, and you know what - a good ol' Stilinski Hug would probably fix him a lil' bit ♡

where they’re at the movies and there’s a particular scene that’s a little too close to home. where Derek’s maybe struggling to watch but cannot pull his eyes away from it either. his hand searching out for Stiles’, finding it on Stiles’ knee and just interlocking their fingers without warning. it catches Stiles off guard but he sees the discomfort in Derek’s face even as the lights from the movie dance around. Stiles doesn’t say anything, just squeezes Derek’s hand in his.

where they’re sitting in the camaro, keeping a lookout for whatever it is that’s terrorizing the town for the week. Stiles, of course, is stuffing his face with curly fries and an XL slushie, rambling in between breaths about his studies, pack drama, his dad’s health, whatever comes to mind. Derek’s happy to just sit and listen as he stares out the windshield. he’s not exactly uncomfortable, nothing is wrong, and yet, he can’t help but grab Stiles’ hand as they continue to wait. it probably takes him more than a few minutes to realize he’d been rubbing his thumb over Stiles’ knuckles ( which may have inadvertently caused Stiles to slow down when talking.. and eating )

maybe even at pack meeting/night. there’s too many voices overlapping, too many different opinions, everyone thinking they’re right and somehow no one is wrong. Derek tries closing his eyes, rubbing at his temples, trying his damndest to tune everyone out until he can find a way to get a word in. he finds himself grabbing Stiles’ free hand, already running his thumb over Stiles’ knuckles, counting quietly to himself in his head just for a moment. that seems to shut the pack up, all of their eyes locking in on Derek’s hand in Stiles’. when Derek lets go, staring back at the curious expressions, Stiles just grabs Derek’s hand again, breaking the silence by saying, “now that everyone’s quiet, can we finally let Derek speak?” Derek looks to Stiles slightly stunned, to which Stiles only nods with a smile, giving Derek’s hand a light, reassuring squeeze.

Derek ( and Stiles ) would become so used to it. Derek would be so spoiled by it. Stiles offering up his hand whenever he was in the presence of Derek. didn’t matter if Derek was in distress or not, Stiles would splay out his hand waiting for Derek to take it. and Derek would find so much comfort in how warm, firm but soft Stiles’ hands were. how Stiles’ grip was never too tight or loose. that occasionally Stiles would rub circles into Derek’s knuckles, or fidget with Derek’s fingers, or clasp both hands over Derek’s one, creating a cocoon of warmth.

one day, Stiles would walk into the loft finding Derek at his worst, emotionally. immediately, Stiles grabbed Derek by the hand, pulling him towards the couch and making him sit awfully close. he’d press his forehead against Derek’s temple, his hand still intertwined with Derek’s as he whispered reassurance and comforting words that soothed Derek. they’d share a few deep breaths, that heavy feeling on Derek’s shoulders lifting.

Derek freezes when he feels lips pressed against the back of his hand. words catch in his throat, unable to form a single thought as he stares back into Stiles’ eyes, completely lost in them ( which tends to happen more times than Derek thinks ). the only coherent thought Derek has is to kiss him back, so he does, finally getting to feel and taste Stiles’ lips against his own. Derek basks in how sweet and soft Stiles feels; how it brings him just as much comfort as their hands clasped together, as if this is how they’ve meant to be this entire time.

when their lips finally part, Derek reciprocates leaving kisses against Stiles’ knuckles. eventually he finds words to muster up, expressing to Stiles how surprised he is by how much comfort Stiles brings him, the security he feels just from being around him.

“i don’t feel this calm with anyone else,” Derek admits.

not gonna lie, i read this in a rush as i was getting ready for work the other day and realized i misread the whole thing and almost had an entire thing written.. either way, immediately yes !

it’s the pack and Stiles not knowing how much Derek actually enjoys affection and craves attention… mostly from Stiles.

like maybe Derek does give some of the pack little hints of affection. he doesn’t completely ignore them; it’s within his wolfy instincts to touch or wrestle with his betas every once in a while to let them know he’s happy to have them around and love them. he gives them little pats on their shoulders, a light grip at the back of their necks, a hug.. maybe !

but his affection or need for attention towards the betas is not at the same extent that it is with Stiles.

Derek walking into the loft, finding Stiles already comfortably curled on the couch. without hesitation, Derek kicks off his shoes, rushing to the couch and giving a low, content purr as he crawls into Stiles’ lap, giving a little nip at whatever piece of skin he can reach. Stiles giving a stunned, “ouch” even if it didn’t hurt, staring down at Derek who’s staring back before rubbing his nose into Stiles’ tummy. Stiles giggles and just begins lightly scratching his fingers through Derek’s hair. another low purr escapes Derek and Stiles figures this is what Derek was asking for.

despite not being a jealous person, Derek still likes to make his presence known when Stiles is locked in on a conversation with anyone else. he nips at Stiles’ ear, a kiss at his neck or shoulder, pressing his own body against Stiles’ back, wrapping an arm around his waist — all just to remind Stiles that he’s here. it’s not necessarily that Derek cares who Stiles is talking to or what he’s giving his attention to, Derek just wants a little bit of that attention maybe.

“you’re just a giant puppy, you know that?” Stiles tells Derek one day.

Derek only grunts in response, giving a gentle enough headbutt to his mate. he probably would never admit it out loud, but he loves when Stiles calls him a puppy. he loves that he doesn’t have to outwardly ask, Stiles just knows when Derek is hungry for his attention and affection.

Derek gets it all when they finally have their moments alone. where Derek can kiss, nip, butt Stiles as much as he wants because he knows Stiles will hold him for hours on end, providing just as much kisses, rubs, and light nips back.