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"FBI?" He questions and Derek’s smile falls as Stiles nods. "I take it you aren’t working with them now?" 

"I’m not a hunter." Stiles snaps because sure, that’s what it sounds like. A FBI member weaseling into a preschool to get close to the alpha's child. Because of course there were crooked agents just like there were crooked cops and it would make sense... Some law enforcement knowing about the supernatural, about some working with hunters. "I failed my test because of my panic attacks. I’m not a hunter and if you accuse me of being one one more time I'll stab your eye out next." 

Peter holds his arms up in surrender. "I wasn’t accusing you. although you can forgive me for being wary. It’s not the first time my nephew was tricked by a pretty face." Stiles sees the flash of guilt pass over Derek’s face and Peter sends him a shrug. "I am not wrong." 

"You’re not going to be much of anything if you keep it up." Stiles warns and now Eli is fidgeting unhappily. 

"Is Uncle Pe-er bein mean?" 

"No E. He’s just being a potty head." Eli hums in agreement before going back to his food. "I want to like you Peter but you make it increasingly difficult." 

"I’ve been made aware." Peter says with a grin. "I’ll behave." He turns to rummage through the fridge. "I haven’t been threatened so much in my own pack house since Talia found out Derek and Laura got into my stash of wolfsbane laced whisky."

"So the bad decision making isn’t a recent problem?" Stiles asks. Peter smirks. 

"Hardly. I was only surprised to see an agent turned preschool teacher. Though I suppose it does suit you. If I may say—as one who put you in a life and death situation—the FBI are idiots for letting you go." Stiles doesn’t know what to say to that, not sure how to take a compliment from this man so he turns to Derek instead who has settled to stand at his side, one hand around his own cup of coffee and the other tracing a line gently down stiles’ neck in a soothing gesture. 

"He’s being sincere." Derek says helpfully. "Though he hasn’t told us all of the truth." Derek emphasizes, looking pointedly at Peter. 

"All in due time dear nephew. I’m enjoying myself too much to lay all my cards down." 

"I can force you." Derek reminds him bitterly. 

"And take away my body autonomy? I hardly think you would." Derek growls dangerously. "Alright, I admit that one was a low blow." Peter says, waving his hand dismissively. "Where are the three stooges by the way? If I start the eggs now they’ll get cold." 

"They stayed away so Eli would have an easier shift." Derek replies, his voice back to neutral and his hand laying heavily on Stiles’ shoulder. "I didn’t want to invite them over yet." 

"You should." Stiles says before Peter can respond. "If you think Eli can handle it that is." 

"But you—"

"I doubt any of your other betas are as extra as this guy." Stiles says, sweeping his hand over Peter. "Might as well get all the introductions out of the way since there’s no way I’m leaving E alone around this dude… No offense Peter." 

Peter grins. "None taken." 

Derek gives him a thankful look before reaching for his phone to text the betas. "I’ll tell them to come by. They were running an errand for me but that should be done by now." 

"Errand? Those three? I hope it wasn’t an important one." 

"As if you have proven any more capable?" Derek asks with a raised eyebrow. 

"You wound me nephew." 

"Tough." Derek says before shooting off a text and turning his full attention to lean down and rub his cheek against Eli’s forehead. "Can I have a bite Bug?" 

Eli lets out a pleased whine, nuzzling back and holding up a half-eaten pancake. Derek takes a bite and gently rips the whole thing out of Eli’s hand, earning a grumble of protest. 

"Animals." Peter jokes. "I’ll start the bacon first. Save some room Eli." 

"He’s like a bottomless pit. I doubt it will be a struggle." Stiles says fondly. 

"It’s expected. He’s matabolism is probably working at 3x its normal rate because he’s so late on his shift. And the moon is still out for another hour or so." 

"Do you know why his shift was so late?" And this time Peter doesn’t bother to hide the sadden look. 

"I have a theory…" 

Derek’s tilts his head curiously and Peter gives Eli a quick look before regarding Stiles. 

"I assume his body was working mistletoe out of its system." 

"What!?" Derek and Stiles asks together. 

"But mistletoe is—"

"Poisonous to us. Yes. It’s also poisonous to humans which is probably why K-A-T-E wasn’t able to judge the correct dosage to terminate the pregnancy. She was too afraid of overdosing herself. Whatever she did take was probably enough to have weekend him and surpress his powers.

" It didn’t K-I-L-L him but it’s probably only because he was using all his strength to try and work the poison through his system. We were always confused as to how he had our appetite when he didn’t seem to gain anything else. It’s because his body was working on healing himself continuously…

"Depending on how much and how often she took it, it means he could have been developing in her womb while being exposed to small doses of it for months. I'd also bet money on her continuing to feed it to him after he was born. Either to destroy any chances of him turning or testing to see if it affected him. Either way, it seems he’s been able to finally filter it fully out of himself." 

Derek’s entire body is shaking with restraint and Stiles feels the beginning of a second panic attack when Peter makes a warning gesture. "Stop it, both of you. You’ll upset him! And I’m not certain that’s what it was. It’s all speculation." 

"But if you were a betting man?" Stiles asks, already knowing what Peter would say. Because Peter thinks he’s right and Stiles thinks he’s right because it makes sense. It all makes sense. And he’s going to go find Kate and rip her throat out his goddamn self when the sound of the doorbell makes all three adults jump in surprise. 

"Are you expecting anyone?" Peter demands, eyes beginning to glow that stark electric blue. 

"Just the betas. They wouldn’t use the bell though." Derek says. "I hear 4 heartbeats…" Peter is suddenly at Stiles’ side, pulling him up to stand. Nothing is said but there is a silent look of agreement passed between both wolves as human and toddler are herded back. Peter takes a protective stance before them, growling and shielding the two from view.

Stiles can barely see Derek over Peter's shoulder as he moves to open the door. He can’t make out who's in front of the alpha but Peter does stop with his snarling and then Stiles hears a familiar voice—

"—these three hooligans claim that you’re their guardian? Is that correct?" 

Derek’s voice follows after. "Unfortunately sir. I’m sorry, have they caused you some sort of trouble?" 

"Dad?" Stiles asks, causing Peter to turn to him in surprise.

"Dad?"

"Well nothing entirely illegal, unless you call stalking a police officer on duty a crime. Which I do."

Before Derek can respond Stiles arms passed the beta, taking a few long strides until he's at Derek's side. There's a group of three older teens standing in the entryway, heads bowed and eyes guiltily looking down at the floor as Noah chastises them.

"Dad!?" Stiles repeats, cutting his father off mid lecture and causing all faces to turn to him in disbelief.

"Stiles?" Noah asks in confusion. "Wait, this is the Derek Hale from your phone call?" Stiles nods, grinning as the alpha and betas all stare at them wide-eyed.

"Is this how you justify checking up on my date?" Stiles teases with a shake of his head. "Arresting a group of teens? Really dad? It's like prom night all over again."

"Should have known any trouble I have would start with you." Noah says playfully back, laughing as he takes the group in. He's still wearing his officer's uniform, the sheriff's star shining as he steps forward to hug his son. And Stiles moves to embrace him, about to ask what all this is about when Eli sniffs at the air and his face perks up, fangs and claws dropping and eyes glowing bright yellow as he lets out an excited and giddy