#sterekfestsbonfire

Seeing him like that made Stiles feel like something right was happening in the world when all the darkness threatened to steal away any slice of happiness they had. But it hadn't been like that for at least a year now, even if Stiles felt like he was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. For something or someone to show up and take everything away.

He shifted when Derek came back and sat down behind him, blanket in hand.

“You know that you keep me warm enough and we have a fire, right?” Stiles asked with a chuckle.

“Well, you never know. I know you’ve been cold lately and I want to make sure you don't get sick. I still wish you’d get the bite, sometimes,” Derek replied as he scooted up behind Stiles, while Stiles settled between Derek’s legs and leaned back against him.

“Maybe someday. And you know I’ll only get it from you, right?” Stiles wouldn't have it any other way. He didn't trust anyone else to give him the bite and Stiles didn't want to be bound to anyone other than Derek, ever.

“I know. And I wouldn't want it any other way.” Derek opened the blanket and laid it over Stiles, tucking it around them. Stiles knew that soon enough he would be boiling under the blanket with Derek’s heat radiating off of him like it always did.

Stiles smiled, closing his eyes, and breathed deeply. He smoothed his hands over Derek’s arms as Derek hugged him close to his chest. He relished moments like this, feeling Derek’s love through their matebond. If they could stay locked away from the rest of the world forever, Stiles would do just that. It felt like they had over the last year.

“Beautiful night,” Derek said quietly as if he were afraid to break the fragileness of the moment.

“Not more beautiful than you,” Stiles teased as he opened his eyes and leaned sideways enough to look at Derek. He loved seeing Derek’s cheeks flush at something so simple as calling him beautiful.

“The full moon is soon,” Derek added, but Stiles wouldn't let him change the subject that easily.

“And you’ll be beautiful then too when you’re in full-shift running under the moonlight.” The tips of Derek’s ears were red and Stiles knew it wasn't from the cold. He really didn't know how to take a compliment, even if they were mated and practically married at this point.

“You really think that?” Derek asked softly.

“Of course. Why wouldn't I think that? You know I love your wolf. I love you in all of your forms.” Stiles leaned up to kiss Derek on the cheek, turning his head as Derek buried his face against Stiles’ neck with one of those happy rumbles that Stiles always teased Derek about because it sounded like he was purring.

“Thank you, for everything,” came Derek’s voice, muffled against Stiles’ neck.

They were words that Stiles had heard on more than one occasion and he kept reminding Derek he had nothing to thank him for, but he knew where Derek was coming from. And without each other, Stiles didn't think he’d have anything to be thankful for either.

“I love you.” Stiles’ hand moved out from under the blanket and threaded through Derek’s hair, scratching gently at his scalp. “Forever. You know that, right?”

“I know… and I’ll love you the same. Forever. Remember, that’s the whole point.” Derek pressed a kiss against Stiles’ mating bite and it sent warmth radiating through his chest as he felt the truth of Derek’s words there.

“Yeah, it is.” It wasn't the first time they’d made that promise, but Stiles knew they both needed the reminder sometimes. And he was more than happy to give it to Derek whenever either of them needed it.

Sometimes Stiles thought about what their lives might be like if it wasn't just the two of them. If they’d ever have kids or get married officially. He was happy with how things were now and he had no wants or needs that were being unmet, but he felt that they had so much love to share that he wanted more.

It was selfish, he knew, but Stiles couldn't help but want. “Do you ever think of having kids?”

The question would likely seem abrupt to Derek, but Stiles didn't think it would be an issue talking about it. Derek hmm’d against his neck and drew away to press a kiss to Stiles’ temple.

“I guess that was something I never thought about… after everything, I didn't think that was in the cards for me. But I never thought I’d have you either. Have this. Be happy.” Derek’s words sunk inside of Stiles and he wished more than once he could erase Derek’s past and take away all his pain. It was easier now, but he knew it was still painful.

“But now?” Stiles prompted, wondering if there was more.

“Now…” Derek was quiet as he pressed his lips against Stiles’ temple again, breathing deeply and running his nose through Stiles’ hair.

“Maybe… I think there’s a lot of stuff we’d have to do to have kids. We’d have to get a bigger house, for one,” Derek added with a chuckle. “But someday. If we’re adopting it’ll be a long process. Years.”

Years. Stiles had never thought about that. But he guessed Derek was right. They couldn't just pick up an abandoned werewolf kid somewhere and claim them as theirs. They still lived in the human world where laws ruled everything. There were legal things they’d have to do in order to have kids.

“Maybe we can get someone to have a baby for us. Like a surrogate. I wouldn't care if it were you or me that were the biological father.” It was something that Stiles hadn’t really thought of before…getting someone to have a child for him, but whatever got them a child that was theirs, he would be all for it.

“Maybe…” Derek replied and nuzzled the side of Stiles’ head. “We could look into companies that facilitate those services unless you have someone in mind.”

Stiles thought about the women in his life…Lydia and Allison. He wasn't sure that either of them would want to birth a kid for them but he supposed he wouldn’t know until he asked. “We should look into the services, I think. Just so we know what we’re getting into and how much it’s going to cost.”

“Cost isn’t an issue. If that’s what you want and what we decide to do as a couple, then I’ll pay for it,” Derek replied, running his hands along Stiles’ arms as he held him.

Stiles always forgot about Derek’s inheritance, or maybe neither of them wanted to think about it because it always seemed like it was blood money. Thankfully Derek made his own money renting out space in his building.

Money was something they’d never have to worry about even without Derek’s inheritance. Stiles tried to tell himself that he shouldn't feel bad about the money. Derek had always told him whatever was his, was also Stiles’ because they were mates.

“Something to think about,” Stiles replied softly, turning his head enough to kiss Derek gently, then nuzzling against him more.

“Yeah… we have time.”

It was something that Stiles never thought they’d have. Time.

Time together, time to grow, and time to have a future.

He smiled and closed his eyes, letting the moonlight shine down upon them and the fire warm his skin as he rested in Derek’s arms.

It was after midnight, and everyone except the pack had left a little over an hour ago. The bonfire was still blazing, though, its flames licking toward the sky, where the moon hung, bloated and bright. Stiles shivered as the early autumn breeze swept through the backyard, rustling the fallen leaves underfoot. His gaze remained fixed on the undulating flames, mesmerized by its beauty as laughter echoed around him.

He loved nights like this, with the pack here. Even Jackson had returned, but it was Eli's birthday, so it wasn't that surprising. They were also a family.

Strong arms enveloped him, and Stiles sighed softly, leaning back into the warm embrace.

Derek.

After nearly two decades, he still couldn't get over the fact that Derek was his. They were married and even had a kid.

"We might have to put a stop to this," Derek said, his voice alight with laughter.

Stiles tilted his head, turning slightly and giving Derek a curious look. "Put a stop to what?"

Derek tipped his chin, his eyes directing Stiles to look across the yard to where their fifteen-year-old son, Eli, sat with the pack, listening with rapt attention to whatever Scott was telling him. Which, knowing Scott and all the shit he and Stiles had gotten up to when they were kids, could be anything. They had a history of mischief.

"Well, shit," was all Stiles could say, earning a chuckle from Derek.

"It's nothing bad. He asked how we met, so Scott's telling about that time in the preserve."

Stiles leaned back, his head on Derek's shoulder, smiling at the memory of Derek chucking Scott's inhaler at them and telling them to get lost because they were on private property. "You were all big and bad and broody. Scared the shit out of Scott."

Derek's breath was warm against the side of Stiles's neck. "Just Scott?"

"You never scared me. Not really." And it was the truth, even if Stiles had said otherwise at the time.

Just then, Eli laughed, and Stiles looked over in time to see him glance over at them. "Did you really ask Dad to cut off your arm?"

His question was directed at Derek, who groaned, and from the tone of his voice when he spoke, Stiles just knew he was glaring at Scott. "Of all things, why would tell him that?"

"And if you're telling him that," Stiles started, "then make sure you tell him why I almost had to cut off his father's arm…"

Scott held his hands up in apparent surrender. "It wasn't like I could just outright ask the Argents for the bullet."

His words launched a conversation about a time before they got along with any Argents, which clearly dumbfounded Eli by the look of confusion on his face.

Stiles chuckled and Derek shook his head, nudging him forward to get closer. The pack was spread out, sitting wherever, so Derek sat on the ground next to Boyd and Erica, leaning against a fallen log they must have dragged over. He tugged Stiles onto his lap as the pack fell into an impromptu reminiscing of their old adventures, laughing at the increasingly absurd scenarios they somehow survived back in the day.

"Oh!" Erica exclaimed, throwing a twig at Isaac. "Like the time Derek had to growl you into submission."

"Wait, what?" Eli looked delighted as he hugged his knees to his chest, a wide smile on his face.

Malia also looked interested as she glanced at Isaac. "He had to growl you into submission?"

Stiles bit back a grin as Isaac rolled his eyes.

"You weren't even there," Isaac muttered. "Besides, Derek only did it to impress Stiles."

Derek scoffed, his arms tightening around Stiles's waist. "I did not!"

Stiles raised a brow because he remembered the way Derek had dramatically turned toward him after he'd asked how Derek subdued an out-of-control Isaac that night at the sheriff's station. Derek had swooped in and saved Stiles by letting out a ferocious growl that had both impressed and turned Stiles on.

"I'm the alpha," Stiles said in his best Derek-impression. Then he yelped when Derek jabbed him in the side. "Ow!"

"I don't sound like that!" Derek didn't quite pout, but it was close enough, so Stiles petted his cheek, his stubble rough under Stiles's palm.

"Sure you don't, big guy. Sure."

Derek snapped his teeth, though there wasn't any ill intent behind it. Stiles knew Derek would never hurt him. At least not intentionally. In fact, Derek would sacrifice himself in order to keep Stiles safe.

Erica must have been thinking the same thing because she immediately launched into the time when Derek had shoved Stiles away from harm when the kanima had them trapped at the high school by the pool.

Jackson scowled, his jaw clenching. "I just want to remind everyone that I was being controlled at the time."

"We know," Lydia said, patting his thigh. She threw her fiery-red hair over her shoulder before recounting what Stiles had once told her about that night. About holding a paralyzed Derek up in the pool for hours.

At the time, he and Derek definitely had a love-hate relationship, but Stiles would be remiss if he didn't admit that it was definitely sliding more toward the love end of the spectrum. On his part, at least. Why else would Stiles have committed to keeping Derek alive and safe when he could have easily saved himself?

And apparently, Eli could tell because he looked at them then, brows furrowed. "You really loved him. Even back then. So why did it take so long for you guys to get together?"

Before Stiles could answer, not that he really had one, Jackson cut in. "Yeah, why didn't you? I mean, we could all see it. Hell, even Matt saw it."

"Who's Matt?" Eli asked, no longer looking at Stiles or Derek.

Jackson explained, and in great detail, about Matt Daehler and how he'd controlled the kanima. How he'd proclaimed that Stiles and Derek had made a pretty good pair when they were paralyzed and helpless one night.

As the pack continued to discuss their past, Stiles found himself laughing as he watched Eli's wide-eyed fascination grow. He marveled at how much their son resembled both of them. Eli had his quick wit and Derek's solemn curiosity, especially when he continued to ask more questions about how Derek and Stiles had figured out they were in love. Eli had always known about the danger, the magic, and the supernatural part of his parents' life before things had finally settled down, but Stiles didn't think they'd ever really talked about it.

It was a story that wove through years of friendship, of struggles until they ultimately accepted their feelings for one another.

"When did you know? Like for sure?" Eli asked, glancing between them.

"When he broke the curse." Derek's voice was quiet when he spoke, and Stiles laid his hand over Derek's arm that was across his waist, just holding him. He knew Derek hated talking about Jennifer and the love spell she'd put on him.

Scott finished the story, telling Eli about how he and Stiles had burst into Derek's loft, accusing Jennifer of being the Darach they'd been looking for and demanding to know where she'd taken the sheriff. At first, it hadn't seemed like Derek believed them, but then he'd taken one look at Stiles and—

"It was like the veil had been lifted. If I hadn't already loved him, I would have stayed under her spell. That's also when I realized you were my anchor," Derek said, kissing the side of Stiles's head.

Stiles turned his head, nuzzling against Derek as best he could at the weird angle.

"You didn't tell me that," he whispered. "Not that you knew then. I thought you hadn't realized until after Kate took you to La Iglesia."

Derek had only told Stiles about dreaming of him, how that had kept him grounded when Kate had come back.

"Ugh, can we not talk about La Iglesia?" Malia groaned. "No offense or anything. We weren't even dating anymore, but you never looked at me like that. And I almost died too, y'know. In your arms."

The difference was that Stiles hadn't loved Malia. He'd cared about her in the same way he cared about all his friends, but Derek…

When Derek had been stabbed by the berserker, Stiles had been frozen in fear. Derek hadn't had his werewolf powers, leaving him vulnerable in a way Stiles had never seen. But even as Derek had laid propped up against a rock, struggling to fight through the pain, he'd yelled for them to go, but Stiles couldn't. All Stiles wanted to do was run over to him. He'd wanted to fall to his knees and tell Derek to fight and live. For him.

It wasn't until Derek had said, 'Hey. Hey. Save him,' that Stiles finally moved, knowing there was nothing he could do for Derek—but not before casting Derek one last glance, his face full of regret. He'd wanted to say something then. To tell Derek that he loved him, but that would have broken him, so he kept it inside as he made himself walk away.

"I'm okay." Derek's voice broke through his reverie, stirring Stiles back to the present. His gaze shifted to meet Derek's, their eyes locking in a silent language all their own.

"I know." Stiles leaned back against him, needing that reassurance that he was here. Even after so long, it pained him to think that he could have lost Derek then.

The space around them hung heavy with unspoken emotions as they shared one of those moments where they understood each other perfectly despite not uttering a single word. Derek's arms tightened around him, a gesture of comfort and support, signifying that he was there for him, just like he always had been.

"Well that got heavy," Malia chimed in suddenly, breaking the silence. She looked between Stiles and Derek apologetically. "Sorry, didn't mean to bring that up."

"What just happened? Why does you guys smell so…" Eli wrinkled his nose. "Sour?"

Lydia put an arm around his shoulder, leaning in and whispering something Stiles couldn't hear. After that, Eli's expression morphed into a mixture of understanding and sympathy. He nodded, then turned to look at his dads, his eyes brimming with compassion. This opened the floodgates for another series of questions that revolved around their complex history. The unique combination of curiosity and fascination in Eli's voice perfectly matched the shimmering love in his shining eyes.

"Did you really have to save dad from the FBI?" Eli asked after hearing about the manhunt on Derek. "How did you get them to let you join a raid?"

Now that was a story Stiles loved to tell.

"Okay, so get this. Literally, on day one of my internship, I learned that the FBI has cornered this feral mass-murdering unsub..." He leaned forward, about to recount how he'd found a severely injured Derek and ushered him to safety, but just like the last time Stiles had tried to tell his story, Derek cut him off.

"I found a group of hunters gathering in a meeting place. I was trying to get information."

"Anyway—" Stiles continued, sticking his tongue out at Derek. "Long story short, I basically, you know, had to save his life."

Derek's responding sigh was expected. "You know that's not how it happened. You couldn't walk. I had to carry you out."

"They shot my toe!" Stiles threw his hands up in exasperation. In reality, it had been a graze, but he loved this banter. Loved the way their son stared at them, wide-eyed with a huge smile, as he and Derek bickered lightheartedly over the details.

"Yeah, my dad, the badass FBI intern, taken down by a bullet to his toe." Eli laughed while motioning the supposed size of the wound with his hands.

"Oh, he was as white as a sheet," Derek added, like an asshole (affectionately). "Seeing blood was not a strong suit."

"Hey, I've gotten better!" Stiles retorted, only to earn more laughter from the group.

Despite the teasing, the memories, and the raw emotions of this evening, everything was perfect. Stiles loved the shared glances, laughter, tales of old times, and incredulous looks as everyone revealed how they (not just Derek and Stiles, but all of them) had become the family they were today.

Looking back at everything they'd gone through together, Stiles realized that it all led them to this moment. Together, they had faced the darkness and emerged stronger on the other side. The understanding they had of each other was more profound than words could ever express, and it was all thanks to these experiences.

"Can we...can we do this more often?" Eli asked tentatively. "Talk about...you know, the past. You guys usually avoid all this stuff like a plague."

"Only because we wanted to protect you from the harshness of our past," Derek replied.

Stiles nodded because things were better now, and they just wanted Eli to be a normal kid. Still, he shared a knowing look with Derek and added, "But you have a right to know. So we'll tell you anything you want to know."

Eli nodded approvingly at his dads. His gaze was serious as he said, "I'd like that."

Their past might have been wracked with hardship, but it was also dotted with moments of happiness and growth. Stiles knew they needed to wholeheartedly embrace the truth of their journey, blisters and all.

By the time Derek arrived at the frat house, the party was in full effect. A few people tried talking to him as he passed through the house, but the music was too loud he had no chance of making out actual words, so he just nodded and kept moving. Besides, he wanted to find Stiles. So he headed to the backyard where they had a bonfire going, knowing that was where Stiles would likely be.

The moon was full and bright as Derek stepped outside. It filtered through the trees, casting shadows over Derek's face when he glanced up at it, taking in its beauty. Though nothing was more beautiful than Stiles, with his infectious enthusiasm—who could make any simple task a memorable event.

Derek looked around for him then, inhaling deeply to try and catch his scent. His lungs filled with fresh air and that alluring, unmistakable aroma of StilesStilesStiles. Though it was slightly sullied by the smell of sweat, cheap beer, and foreign pheromones from everyone else at the party.

Still, it was only a moment before Derek finally spotted Stiles by the bonfire with Isaac, the firelight dancing over his beautiful face. He wore a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with joy and warmth. It was a sight Derek cherished deeply. Especially when Stiles started animatedly describing their plan for a weekend getaway at the lake house to Isaac. It would probably only be hiking and fishing—if they even left the bed—but Stiles's excitement was damn near palpable, and Derek couldn't help but match his smile. His heart fluttered with anticipation at spending the weekend alone with Stiles. It was something he relished. Cherished.

Stiles laughed and the sound echoed through the night, weaving a beautiful melody. Before Derek could go over, a guy walked over, a flirty smile on his face as he stood next to Stiles. Derek didn't recognize him, not that he'd met all of Stiles's friends on campus, but something about this guy irked him. His laugh was too loud, his touch too intimate as he leaned into Stiles's space.

Derek stepped forward, a protective edge creeping into his demeanor, not liking how this stranger was invading Stiles's comfort zone. It brought out a fiercely possessiveness nature he wanted to deny having but clearly did. Especially when it came to Stiles.

As Derek moved closer, Stiles turned toward the stranger, but his eyes didn't show any invitation. In fact, he courteously sidestepped the intrusion, offering only a polite smile. The stranger tried again, leaning in and whispering something Derek couldn't hear over the pounding music and loud laughter from everyone around them. Stiles moved back while Isaac quickly stepped between them, creating a barrier.

Then Stiles stilled. His face broke out into the most beautiful smile, and it was as if he were overwhelmed by a tangible magnetic pull, his eyes immediately snapping to Derek's. He rushed over, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

"Hey," Stiles said, practically throwing himself into Derek's arms, the stranger clearly forgotten.

Not to Derek, though. He growled as he drew Stiles in by the back of his neck, kissing him greedily and possessively. His lips were strong and demanding as he traced his tongue over Stiles's bottom lip. And then Stiles opened for him, moaning as Derek gently cradled his face, deepening the kiss. It was a claim. It was a message to everyone around them that Stiles was his.

"What's gotten into you?" Stiles asked when he broke the kiss, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Not that I'm complaining at all. I love when you get all growly and possessive."

Derek rolled his eyes, though his face warmed in embarrassment. "No reason."

Stiles snorted. "Yeah, right. It was that guy, wasn't it?"

"No," Derek said incredulously. But then Stiles raised a brow, and Derek frowned. "He touched you."

"And what? Are you jealous?" he asked, although he had to know the answer. "No. No, you aren’t jealous. You know I'm yours."

"And I'm yours," Derek replied, his voice rough but his expression soft with his eyes crinkling around the edges, a testament to his fondness for the man in his arms.

In response, Stiles only smiled wider, laughter glittering in his eyes. "Damn right you are."

His eyes softened as he held Derek's gaze. The bonfire, the loud music, the faceless crowd all faded away, leaving just the two of them lost in each other's eyes.

"You ready for tomorrow?" Stiles asked, a hint of excitement tinging his words.

Derek nodded, heart pounding in his chest as Stiles leaned in, rubbing their cheeks together—his sweet scent wrapping around Derek like a comforting warm blanket. When he pulled back, Derek asked, "You?"

Stiles laughed, his eyes twinkling. "I've been ready since we talked about it last week. I can't wait to get away from all this." He indicated the party around them with a sweep of his hand. "Not that this isn't fun. But the idea of just you, me, alone…"

His tone was teasing, but Derek knew exactly what he meant.

No alarms or classes. Or responsibilities since they both made sure to clear their schedules completely. This weekend was officially slated as time for them to simply enjoy each other's company with no distractions. No interruptions. Just as they had this past summer. It would just be the two of them at the lake house, enjoying the silence—save for their own conversation which never failed to fill the empty spaces with joy and warmth.

"It's going to be perfect," Stiles finished, simply, but with such confidence that Derek couldn't help but smile.

"Absolutely."

Stiles grinned. "I packed everything for us already, by the way. Even threw in some snacks, so we can hit the road as soon as we get up."

"Thank you," Derek replied, his gaze fond and voice full of gratitude.

The party continued around them but all Derek was aware of was Stiles. Always Stiles.

A shiver of anticipation ran down Derek's spine when Stiles leaned in, his lips brushing Derek's ear as he whispered, "In fact, if we wanna be up early…we should head home now."

While it was dark, it wasn't late, so Derek knew sleep was the last thing on Stiles's mind. Especially when Stiles wiggled his brows suggestively.

"You're right. Let's go." Derek responded, not bothering to stifle the eagerness in his voice. All he wanted to do was roll around in that deliciously spicy-sweet scent that he loved so much.

Thankfully it was only a ten-minute walk back to their apartment.

As soon as they were through their front door, Stiles was on him and Derek pushed him back against the wall, grinding their hips together and kissing him deeply. He threaded his fingers through Stiles's hair and tugged gently, urging Stiles's head back as he trailed his lips down Stiles's neck, sucking possessive marks on him that he knew Stiles loved. Stiles tasted like a dream come true—like Derek’s happiness was stitched into his skin.

With his other hand down, Derek rubbed over the bulge in Stiles's pants, earning a strangled moan—the most amazing noise he'd ever had the pleasure of hearing. They made out for seconds, minutes, hours. Time lost all meaning when he was with Stiles.

Derek pulled away to catch his breath, taking the moment to look at Stiles. His eyes were half-mast. Lust-filled with his pupils dilated, his gaze heated as he stroked Derek's cheek, fingers brushing over Derek's stubble. Derek bucked his hips rhythmically, smirking when Stiles threw his head back against the door.

His voice was a low growl when he asked, "Like that?"

"Fuck," Stiles groaned, his chest heaving. "Yes. Do it again."

Derek did. Again and again, dragging out those greedy little moans that drove him crazy. Swallowing them when he slammed their lips together again. As much as he wanted to haul Stiles to the bedroom, to bury himself inside Stiles, he wanted to savor this moment here and now. Their clothes were still on but it felt incredible, his body humming with a delicious tension that was as intoxicating as it was arousing.

"Stiles…" Derek gasped against his lips, his name a plea.

"Nngh, Derek," Stiles whimpered in return, his voice rough and laced with anticipation. His hands traveled down Derek's back, pulling him impossibly closer. "Need more. Touch me. Please."

And who was Derek to deny him that? So he unbuttoned and unzipped Stiles's pants, pushing them down along with his boxers. He wrapped a fist around Stiles's cock, jerking him off—rutting against him until Stiles whined into his mouth. He was so captivating like this, and it was times like this that Derek didn’t know what Stiles was doing with him when he could be with anyone. Especially when Stiles begged for release, his desperate pleas filling the air like the most beautiful song. And Derek wanted it. Needed it. He encouraged it, grinning when Stiles's entire body went taut, coming hard.

"Stiles…" It was way too soon, but Derek embraced the tingles down his spine, groaning as he surrendered to the waves of pleasure coursing through his body. Crashing over him.

Stiles blew out a breath, a fucked-out look on his face, his chest rising and falling erratically. "Oh fuck. That was—"

Derek nodded in agreement. "Yeah. It was."

No matter how they came together, it was always amazing. Even if Derek came in his pants like a horny teenager. It was becoming a habit with Stiles.

"You don't even know what I was going to say," Stiles chuckled as he pressed kisses along Derek's jawline, making Derek's heart soar. Then he grabbed Derek's cum-drenched hand, bringing it to his mouth and licking his palm clean.

Derek groaned, his cock twitching in a valiant effort to get hard again, making Stiles smirk.

"Let's clean up and get some sleep," Stiles said, his voice softer now but still heavy with satisfaction.

Exchanging soft kisses, they navigated their way to the bedroom, shedding their clothes along the way—a trail of fabric in their wake, evidence of their unquenchable desire for each other.

They shared a shower, the warm water coursing down their bodies as Stiles pressed Derek against the shower wall, picking up the soap. His hands worked over every inch of Derek's body, rubbing, massaging, and washing the come off. Only then, once the remnants of their activities were washed away, did they crawl into bed.

Derek spooned Stiles from behind, wrapping an arm snugly around Stiles's waist as he always did. They lay in comfortable silence, bodies exhausted but their hearts beating in sync. Derek pressed a gentle kiss to the back of Stiles's neck, causing him to shiver delightedly.

"Goodnight," Derek murmured into his ear. Even in the dim light of the room, Stiles's smile was bright enough to light up the entire space.

"Night," Stiles responded, his voice laced with happiness. The only sounds were their steady breathing and the low hum of the city outside.