itβd actually be kind of interesting in an age gap situation where people just assume Derek holds so much weighted power over Stiles, that their relationship must be abusive and toxic, poor little Stiles being groomed and taken advantage ofβ¦
but in actuality, itβs Stiles who pursued Derek. Stiles whoβs calling the shots. Stiles, who equal parts turns Derek on and intimidates him just a little. Stiles who rolls his eyes at people who have so much to say about his and Derekβs relationship but truly donβt know jack shit. they think the worst of Derek and Stiles tells them, βyou couldnβt be any further from the truth.β
if Stiles ever feels comfortable or safe enough, he doesnβt mind telling people where or how him and Derek met. unfortunately, a lot of the times Stiles ends up telling them itβs none of their business because he knows people arenβt genuinely curious, this is just scandal and gossip for them. he knows these very people would turn around and scoff with their friends about what a cliche it is for an older gay man to bed some barely legal twink, sugar baby accusations, making off comparisons of them to the characters of βcall me by your nameβ. so Stiles shuts it down, doesnβt even give them the chance or enjoyment of beating down or questioning his relationship to Derek.
and Derek doesnβt pull the βheβs mature for his age/has an old soulβ or βhe makes me feel young,β thing (and heβs not trying to make himself seem or look younger either). there simply was an attraction or instantaneous click between them before Derek even knew how old Stiles was. maybe there was even some hesitation on Derekβs part because he knew what it would look like on the outside world, knew what kind of comments heβd get from his sisters, his mom, his friends. the looks and murmurs heβd receive when he had Stiles on his arm at events. but because Stiles didnβt seem to care what others thought, Derek would try his best to do the same. not let his social anxiety and the judgement of others decide how he should love Stiles.
there may have been some awkwardness when Stiles introduced Derek to his dad. john not at all expecting an older gentleman with obvious years of experience over Stiles. itβd become clear to him that it didnβt matter; Stiles was head over heels for Derek and vice versa. john would quietly pull Stiles aside and maybe admit that he doesnβt fully understand but he supports him, βso long as you two are being safe and kind to one another.β he still pulls the old dad trick of threatening to shoot Derek with a shotgun if he hears of anything bad happening to Stiles.
Stiles would laugh, patting his dad on the shoulder and promising that Derek is sweet and gentle with him, βtrust me! he looks all mean and gruff, dad, but heβs such a teddy bear. itβs him you should be protecting from me, if anything!β
both Stiles and Derek get that itβs an odd sight for most people to see. they knew theyβd possibly be the talk of the town. and Stiles knew Derek would have some reservations about them being together, but thatβs why heβd take Derek face in his hands, and with a gentle voice tell him that outside voices do no matter as long as they know theyβd love each other.
