Archive of Our Own ^beta

Stiles was tired and his heart hurt but he kept pushing through the stack of homework that Malia had brought him. He was grateful that she had done so. He didn’t want to see Derek’s gorgeous face, even if all he really wanted was to see Derek’s gorgeous face. Stiles missed the wolf and yet he never shifted to take his place on the roof or in the tree. He mostly kept to his room and when he did shift, it was only to curl up under his comforter using it as a cocoon. 

He didn’t think he was being totally unreasonable. After all, Derek didn’t text or call him. So, Stiles felt it was safe to assume that he had been right about everything. It was one time that Stiles didn't like being right. It only served to dampen his mood even more. He put up a front with his friends, but he knew they saw right through. How was he supposed to explain all that was Derek Hale?

🐾 🐺 🐾🐺 🐾

After they left, he almost shifted and crawled out onto the roof but instead, he changed into pajamas and curled up under the covers. Just as he started to fall asleep, his phone vibrated with a text. He debated ignoring it but eventually sighed and grabbed it. He unlocked his phone and read the new text.

[Pretty_Wolf]
What is a cat's way of keeping law and order? 

Stiles tilted his head but said nothing.

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Claw Enforcement.

Stiles couldn't help but groan and then laugh loudly at that. Of course, the first thing Derek would text him would be a cat pun.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
That was terrible.

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Well then, it’s a good thing I have more.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
You do not!

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Oh, but I do.
Why is it so hard for a leopard to hide?
Because he's always spotted.

Stiles rolled his eyes but hid his face in his pillow, trying to hide the giant grin on his face.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
You’re impossible.

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
You love it.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
I really do.
So not to be um ungrateful but what’s with the cat puns? Bored?

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Not bored. Just missed talking to you. I came by but you weren’t shifted so I left. I figured maybe I’d text you and see if you replied. I’m glad you did.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
Really?

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Really. I’m really glad because I need you to do me a huge favor.

Stiles worried his lip between his teeth before replying.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
Oh? Ok. What’s the favor?

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
I have a TA meeting with Professor Levi Monday morning, and I was supposed to pick something up in the Student Union Building. I was hoping beyond hope that you’d help me get it before the office decides I’m not showing up for it.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
Why me?

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Because you’re you and I trust you.

Stiles's cheeks felt hot as they twinged pink, and he smiled a private smile that was reserved only for Derek.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
I can do that. Do I just bring it to you after I pick it up?

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
There should be some instructions on the item. I am not completely sure, but I know because you’re you and you are brilliant that you’ll figure it out.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
Man, dude you’re really laying it on thick, aren’t you? I already said yes you goof.

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Just saying facts.
Hey Stiles?

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
Yes Derek?

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray for this cushy life to keep.
I pray for toys that look like mice,
And sofa cushions, soft and nice.
I pray for gourmet kitty snacks,
And someone nice to scratch my back,
For windowsills all warm and bright,
For shadows to explore at night.
I pray I'll always stay real cool.
And keep the secret feline rule.
To never tell a human that
The world is really ruled by cats!

Stiles’s eyes widened and he started giggling before chuckling to full on body wracking laughter that was accompanied by tears. It had been so long since he had laughed so hard that he cried, and he wiped his face before replying.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
You're such a dork and I love it. 

Stiles let the, ‘I love you' remain unsaid.

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
I knew you would like that. It’s late and we should probably get to sleep. See you Monday?

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
Yeah. Sleep is very important. See you Monday. 

[Pretty_Grumpy_Wolf]
Goodnight Stiles.

[Paw_Some_Stiles]
Night. ツ

🐾 🐺 🐾🐺 🐾

For once Stiles wasn’t late to school Monday morning and that had more to do with Derek’s favor than anything else. Stiles smiled to himself thinking about Derek and how he told Stiles he trusted him. Maybe they could be the best of friends even if Derek wasn’t interested in more than that.

“Hello. My name is Stiles. My TA asked me to pick something up for him,” he said when he reached the desk.

“Just a second,” a voice called from the back. Stiles waited patiently and stared down at his shoes while he waited. “Here you go Stiles,” said a very familiar voice followed by a small thunk as something was placed on the desk in front of him.

His eyes snapped up and his brows knit together in confusion. “Malia? What are you doing here?”

She gestured to the small object. “Making sure you get started in the right direction.”

Still confused, Stiles wanted to question her more, but his eyes fell on the object, and he carefully picked it up. When he opened the small box, his eyes went doe like at the leather bracelet with paw prints on it followed by another one that had the phases of the moon imprinted on it. “W-What in the…” he trailed off.

Malia smiled and held out a note. “Read this.”

Stiles took the note and began to read.

🐾

𝚂𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚜, 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚌𝚊𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚒𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕. 𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚜𝚘. 𝙲𝚊𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚞𝚛𝚛-𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚏 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚖𝚙𝚞𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚛𝚢.

🐾

Stiles turned the note over but there was no signature and he looked at Malia. “Who’s this from?” he asked, not voicing his guess because that would only result in crushed hope.

Malia raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. “You’re smart Stiles. I mean you had the good sense to know who the gem was that day at orientation didn’t you? So surely you know,” she teased before leaving the desk and heading to the back.

After reading the note again Stiles fastened the bracelets on his wrists and made his way to the library. He wasn’t sure where to go once he arrived and figured any sane person would go to the circulation desk if they needed help. When he got to the desk he was met with Lydia. What?

“H-Hey Lyds. What are you doing here?” he asked, glancing around to see if someone was going to pop out and call a prank. When no one did he looked back at Lydia to find her tapping her fingers on the desk. 

“I’m here because I promised I’d always be there for you even when you don’t take me up on it. Why are you here?” 

“Oh, um I got a note that t-told me to,” he said quietly. They were in a library. Don’t judge.

“Good. Then let me see,” she said as she held out her hand. Stiles handed her the note and blushed when she saw the bracelets. He shifted from foot to foot while he waited. “Perfect.” Lydia handed him the note before handing him a book.

Stiles took the book and then waited but when she simply stared at him, he dropped his gaze to the book. His eyes widened because he recognized it. It was the book he had ordered for–Stiles turned it over and blinked before clearing his throat. “Well, the library is the place to go to get books. Thank you Lyds.”

Lydia rolled her eyes and held out another note. “Read this.”

Stiles took it and began to read.

🐾

𝙿𝚘𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚋𝚛𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚙𝚘𝚎𝚖 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔 𝚒𝚝 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚜. 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚕𝚢. 𝙿𝚕𝚞𝚜, 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝙿𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚘 𝙽𝚎𝚛𝚞𝚍𝚊 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘... 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚂𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚜? 𝙿𝚞𝚛𝚛-𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚌𝚔 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚎𝚕𝚜𝚎 𝚏𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚖𝚙𝚞𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚙.

🐾

Once again Stiles searched for a signature but found none. His heart sped up with excitement because it was Derek, right? It had to be but why not just–

“Stiles?”

He jumped startled out of his thoughts. “Huh?”

Lydia grinned and gestured to the doors. “Go with the flow. Don’t think so much.”

Stiles blushed but nodded and put the book into his bag before fiddling with the bracelets as he clutched the notes and headed to the campus coffee shop. Just like the Student Union and the campus library Stiles went to the counter.

Erica and Stiles had only interacted once, but she left an impression for sure. So, when Stiles saw her walking over to him, he began to wring his hands. 

“Hey cutie!” she greeted warmly. 

Stiles felt his cheeks flush and gave a shy wave. “H-Hi,” he said quietly.

Erica giggled and tilted her head. “I know I’m supposed to wait for you to show me the note but I’m impatient. So here.” 

Stiles watched as she set two drinks in front of him, and he smiled when he smelled the tea and mocha in turn. “My favorite. Well and Derek’s favorite.”

“Indeed. Oh, and a note,” she trilled as she handed it to him. 

Stiles took the note and began to read.

🐾

𝚂𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝. 𝙱𝚒𝚐 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎'𝚜 𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚓𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎. 𝚂𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕. 𝚂𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚛-𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚢𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚋𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐.

🐾

Stiles felt his stomach flipping and glanced at Erica who was grinning. “Well go on then,” she urged. “What are you waiting for?”

Stiles grabbed the drinks after tucking the notes into his bag and hurried to his house. He wondered who would be there to give him a note. He was shocked when his dad met him by the porch.

“Hey kiddo!”

“Dad? You knew about this?” he asked incredulously.

Noah gave a sheepish grin and nodded. “Hey, listen. I’m on your side. You know that but this is my house, and someone was needed here. So here,” he explained as he thrust the note at Stiles before handing him the collar.

Stiles took the note and the collar, passing the drinks off to his dad. Yes, he drank both and he had to admit Derek’s tea tasted really good. He then began to read the note.

🐾

𝚂𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚟𝚞𝚕𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚛 𝚠𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎'𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎. 𝚆𝚎'𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚞𝚙 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚞𝚛𝚝 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚓𝚞𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚞𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚒𝚝. 𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎. 𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚗. 𝙿𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚛-𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚘𝚔. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚊𝚝. 𝙶𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚎𝚎.

🐾

Noah watched his son’s emotions flitting across his face and smiled. “Son?”

Stiles looked up with tears falling down his cheeks. “I want to go see the park but as a cat I–” his dad cut him off.

“If you shift, I'll help you put the collar on and drive you there.”

Stiles’s eyes widened. “Really? What about school?”

Noah raised an eyebrow. “Did you forget it’s a holiday today, Stiles?” he teased.

“A holiday? Wait–” he processed that before letting out a groan. “Derek got me to go to school on a day there was no school?!” he huffed in frustration and shifted.

“I gotta hand it to him, that was pretty legit kid,” Noah said as he started laughing. 

Stiles wasn’t amused and gave a half-hearted hiss until his dad knelt down and fastened the collar around his neck. “Looks good on my black fur. That’s sleek and pretty and I’m beautiful despite missing out on a huge amount of beauty sleep.”

“So, you ready?” Noah asked. Stiles's ears drooped but then he jumped up into his dad’s open arms, puffed out his chest and gave a nod.

🐾 🐺 🐾🐺 🐾

When the sheriff pulled up to the park Stiles had his paws on the window and was scanning the area for Derek but couldn’t find him. He turned his head to look at his dad with a 'now what’ look.

“Well maybe you should go find him. I’ll be around if you need me, but I think you’ll be just fine,” he assured his son as he gently petted him. 

Stiles began to purr and hopped out through the open window waiting until his dad drove away before glancing around. When he still didn’t see Derek, he decided to wander a bit further into the park. There had always been a grove of trees he loved to play in, and he began to weave in that direction.

Stiles was careful to avoid people as he was only there to socialize with one person. When he reached the grove of trees and found a sunny spot, he laid down in the grass to wait. His eyes scanned the park and when he still didn’t see Derek his ears drooped, his head going to rest on his paws.

“You came,” he heard as a shadow blocked the sun.

Stiles didn’t look up but before he could go on offense the smell hit and he looked up to see the wolf. His eyes widened and he sat up straight. “I-I um yeah. I mean you wanted me to come right?”

“Yes, Stiles. I wanted you to come. I just wasn’t sure if you would, but I hoped you would,” Derek said before moving out of the sunlight and laying down next to Stiles.

Stiles waited a moment allowing his eyes to close and stretched purring at the feeling of the sun hot on his fur. When he opened his eyes, Derek was watching him, and he would’ve been blushing if he’d been human. “Well, I’m here. If nothing else, I’m here to scratch you for making me show up to campus on a holiday.”

Derek huffed and his ears perked. “So, you got all the notes then I take it?” Stiles nodded and watched as Derek inched a bit closer. “And?” he asked as his nose bumped against Stiles’s.

Stiles wiggled his nose and pawed at Derek’s snout. “And I think perhaps I shouldn’t have left the coffee shop so quickly?”

“Purrr-haps.”

Stiles rolled his eyes and flicked his tail. “I’m rubbing off on you dude. Better be careful or you’ll never get rid of me.”

Derek inched closer, draping a paw over Stiles’s lower half and tilted his head. “What if I want to keep you? What if never getting rid of you is exactly what I want?”

Stiles’s ears twitched and he started purring loudly. “I could be purrr-suaded. I mean cuddles for sure.” He let out a squeak when Derek used his paw to pull Stiles closer and nuzzled him. “Yeah. Cuddles dude. So good,” he said approvingly as his purrs became continuous.

“Good. You can have all the cuddles you want but Stiles?”

“Hmm?” he asked looking up at Derek.

“Our talks like this made me fall for you. You have to know how much I like you. You have to know that I want you. That it killed me when you ran out because if anything I thought I was being painfully obvious but when I realized you didn’t think I wanted you I had to prove it to you. Lydia, Malia, Erica and Allison all chipped in to help,” he explained before playfully biting at Stiles paw.

“I knew you must’ve gotten their help. I didn’t see Ally, but I have no doubt she was part of it,” he answered before swatting at Derek and rolling onto his back using his back feet to press against Derek’s paw.

“Well actually Allison and Isaac are putting together something else for later this week.”

Stiles froze, his eyes widening. “IZZY is here?!?!?!”

Derek huffed a laugh and nodded. “Yes. He flew in and Malia convinced him to stay. She may have used what happened as a reason, but he was actually hoping to spend time with you I guess." A growl escaped at that, and Stiles tilted his head.

“Are you jealous Der?”

“No. Maybe. Yes,” he admitted.

Stiles used his paw to turn Derek’s snout and gave a kitten lick to his nose before smiling his purrs the loudest they’d ever been. “Don’t be. I’m all yours wolfy.”

“All mine? You mean that?”

Stiles nodded and gave another kitten lick to Derek’s snout.

Derek let a pleased purr rumble in his chest. “What greater gift is there than the love of a cat?”

“Charles Dickens.” Stiles nuzzled his head against Derek’s paw and smiled.

Derek huffed another laugh. “Nerd.”

“Guilty as charged and you love it.”

“I love you,” he said with a whine and pulled Stiles closer to settle between his paws before resting his head on him.

Stiles felt his heart race and felt his entire body vibrating with a purr. “I love you too Derek.”

“Really?”

“Really really. Could you say it again when we’re together as humans?”

Derek felt his tail begin to wag. “Absolutely. It’ll be just as true then as it is now like this.”

“Good. I can’t wait but can we stay like this for a while longer please?” Stiles asked hopefully.

“I’d love that. Plus cuddling you is my new favorite thing to do. I didn’t get nearly enough of it the other night in the backyard.”

“Plus here we have the sun,” Stiles supplied.

Derek smiled. “Yeah but your smile made up for the darkness.”

“Oh, alright then big guy. You super sweet talker," he teased.

“Only for you Stiles. After all, you're you.”

Stiles melted and went pliant against Derek, his purrs the loudest he could make them. “Well, you are lu-pining for my purrr-fection.”

Derek grinned and licked a stripe up Stiles’s head laughing at the disgruntled look Stiles gave him followed by a glare. “What, I'm just being wolfy. Not your cup of tea anymore?”

Stiles swatted at Derek’s face with a clawed paw. “Ha. Ha. I’ll let you have that but do it again and you can find another cuddle buddy,” he warned him before licking his own paw using it to smooth down the fur Derek had messed up. Then he settled between Derek’s front paws and rested his head on the left one, his eyes closing as they basked in the warm sun.

🐾 🐺 🐾🐺 🐾