#suburbanmotel

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Some of @render-me-usless' Fav Fics!

If you want to make me a list let me know in IM. You can do whatever you want, fave fics, fav tropes or even check out the pending asks page and fill one of those.

Where to Search for Snow by suburbanmotel

(1/1 I 8,954 I Mature I Sterek)

Stiles and his Gigantic Repressed Feelings accidentally affect the weather. A lot. Like. A lot.

//

  “It’s snowing, Stiles,” says Derek.

Stiles looks up. He nods. “Yeah. Yeah it is.”

Derek looks at him. “It’s snowing, Stiles. In your bedroom.”

Stiles and the Seven Wolves by SylvieW

(1/1 I 10,421 I Teen I Sterek)

Stiles is Snow White, Kate is the Evil Queen, and when Chris the Huntsman doesn't kill him, he runs off to live with seven werewolves.

Somewhere to Start by Lissadiane

(1/1 I 33,552 I Teen I Sterek)

Stiles has always known that he isn't quite human - the plant life that tends to sprout around him whenever he gets upset or excited gives it away. He's never really fit in among the regular people in Beacon Hills and is determined to wait it out, go to college, and find somewhere to belong. He's forced to abandon those plans, however, after he desperately agrees to enter into an arranged marriage to save his father's life.

An arranged marriage with an angry, sometimes furry dude with trust issues. It's all very Beauty and the Beast, without the singing candlesticks.

Waiting by isthatbloodonhisshirt (wasterella)

(2/2 I 81,018 I Teen I Sterek)

Not wanting to think on it too much, Stiles took a step forward and passed his hand between the bars, moving the bleeding side closer to Derek’s mouth.

“Not too close, he bites.”

Stiles snatched his hand away just as Derek had been about to lick at it. The snarl he got in response was not comforting.

“He what?” Stiles asked nervously, turning to Deaton.

The man looked a little amused. “Don’t worry, only if he doesn’t like you.”

“Well, he probably hates me, now!” Stiles insisted, turning back to Derek.

He looked extremely displeased.

Three Marks by sanam

(8/8 I 113,736 I Mature I Sterek)

"And then there was pain again, but this time it was in only three places—his arm, below his clavicle, and next to his heart, all on the left side. It felt like the skin was being sliced apart, ripped open, flayed off— And suddenly it was done. Derek looked across the room and saw the boy on the floor, looking about as bad as Derek felt."

Derek and Stiles learn that bonding is probably best done with ridiculous amounts of video games and maybe a little bit of time.

A Desperate Arrangement by mikkimouse

(25/25 I 115,506 I Explicit I Sterek)

"I'm sorry, I believe there's something wrong with my hearing," Stiles said. "Because I could have sworn you just told me you set up a betrothal agreement with the Hales. A betrothal agreement involving me. Me."

Scott smiled his easygoing smile and nodded, which told Stiles no, he hadn't misheard a damn thing.

After seven years of lengthy negotiations, the treaty between the Hales and the Argents has fallen apart and the two countries fell into war.

Months later, there's an uneasy truce, thanks to the intervention of King Scott McCall, but it won't last. In a desperate attempt to maintain the peace, the Hales sign a treaty with the McCalls to marry Prince Derek to Prince Stiles Stilinski, King Scott's brother.

In the history of the world, there have been many better ideas.

Black and Blue by charlotteinlace

(50/50 I 209,549 I Explicit I Sterek)

Stiles knows what he should be doing, finding a good Dom and seeing a few dozen therapists. But that shit can wait, right now he's got a gang to infiltrate and a murderer to find. A murderer who killed his father.

[kitkatpancakestack]

I would love more sterek recs if you have them <3333

xoxo

Light a spark by @raisesomehale

Seed Wolf (this one's a comic!! Really fun) by @yijitumbles (yiichi on ao3)

Darling, Dearest, Dead by standinginanicedress

Where to search for snow by suburbanmotel

Stilinski & Associates series by ebjameston

Like French vanilla ice cream by GotTheSilver

god was a dog-man by @andthepeople (spqr on ao3)

Keeping your guard up by Quixoticity

Cozy Forest Retreat! 1bed/1bath by @andavs (one of my ultimateeee comfort fics)

I.C.E by JenNova

Like lightning to the abyss by @buckttommy (evcndiaz on ao3)

Foundations by Spooks, thesuninside

Punch-drunk by @elisela

One Thread by RurouniHime

Believer and a Homecoming by lsdme

Homeland (last rec is the obligatory self plug lol)

[christinesficrecs]

Im hoping you can help find a fic thats been on my brain since i saw the post on fb looking for it. "There's a fic where Stiles magically teleports Derek to his apartment multiple times. I forgot how he could do that. First time, Derek was playing tennis or something, he appears in the empty apartment and he doesn't meet Stiles. But once they do, it's chaosAlso, I'm pretty sure there was a dom/sub thing in the fic." It's not 'In desperate times' by nokomis.

I'm sorry, my brain stopped at "derek was playing tennis" 😊 My brain is weird 'cause it went straight to that fic by suburbanmotel which probably doesn't have anything to do with anything. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Does anyone know this one?

Where to Search for Snow by suburbanmotel | 8.9K | Mature

Stiles and his Gigantic Repressed Feelings accidentally affect the weather. A lot. Like. A lot.

//

“It’s snowing, Stiles,” says Derek.

Stiles looks up. He nods. “Yeah. Yeah it is.”

Derek looks at him. “It’s snowing, Stiles. In your bedroom.”

[sugareey-makes-stuff]

It's that time of turning another year older. These days, I totally appreciate chill days. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to relax and enjoy the small things like a good cuppa, reading some comics or fic, poking at cute crochet things and having some delicious food.

Since it's become a tradition to share fic recs and my heart has been pretty gone on Stiles and Derek for a while, this year I'm sharing 14 Teen Wolf Sterek fic recs that I absolutely love reading again and again. Yes...that was very hard to narrow down out of my...who the hell knows how many bookmarks I have. 😂 Anyway, whether you need a pick-me-up, want something new to add to your TBR, or you really need your fix of our dumb boys, I've gotchu! Make sure to give these authors some kudos, comments and love! [P.S. If folks are looking for their fix of HP fics...I may swoop in a little later this month to make an HP summer reading list. Lmk if that's something y'all would like to see!] Happy reading, and enjoy!

🎈 heart-flower by hoars (T, 4.7k)- Flowers, Soul Manifestation, Flower Romance, Black Cat, mental health, allergic reactions, Suicidal Thoughts, Maiming, Car Accidents, Hallucinations, Courtship

Heart-flowers are a reflection of your heart, mind and soul, if you're a romantic. Scientists call them a reflection of mental and emotional health instead. As long as you're happy or content, the flower is healthy too. But if you're distraught the petals will close or brown. It depends person to person, emotion to emotion. When Derek tells Stiles to take care of it, he means, take care of me.

🎈 A Growl-to-English Dictionary by churkey | @churkey (T, 14.9k )- Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Miscommunication, Derek Hale Leaves Beacon Hills, Derek Hale Leaves, Stiles Stilinski Leaves Beacon Hills, Darkness Around The Heart, Derek Hale Takes Care of Stiles Stilinski, Getting Together, Getting to Know Each Other, Derek Hale is Not a Failwolf, He's a Failhuman, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Werewolf Mates, Mates, Werewolf Culture

In which Derek finds his words and Stiles learns to growl.

🎈 One Hundred Miles an Hour in Reverse by suburbanmotel (M, 24.6k)- Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt, Emotional Baggage, Insomnia, Panic Attacks, Depression, Anxiety, Friends to Lovers, Sharing a Bed, Boys Kissing, Blood, Injury, Blood and Injury, Mental Health Issues, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Anal Sex, POV Alternating, Implied/Referenced Character Death

Stiles understands that leaving is hard. He understands because Stiles always understands. Leaving is hard, got it. Check. But late at night, alone in the dark in the quiet with the shadows, alone with his thoughts and his shallow, slightly panicked breathing, he also understands that it’s always harder for the people left behind. * Five years after everything, after everyone is gone, Stiles remains, because someone has to, right? He’s become good at staying, at being ok with staying, because he’s good at what he does and so many people need him here. So, he’s stayed and he does what he’s always done best: he figures things out. He figures things out and he makes lists, lists of spells, lists of magical herbs, lists of people who have left. He also makes lists about himself. Stiles is: the fixer, the writer, the librarian, the keeper of words and memories in Beacon Hills. He’s a healer, a helper and he remembers. He remembers everything.

🎈 Stiles Stilinski, Boyfriend Extraordinaire by MereLoup (G, 14.4k)- Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Human, Meet-Cute, Meet Awkward, Professor Derek Hale, Fluff and Crack, Crack Treated Seriously, Fluff, Romantic Comedy, alternate Derek Hale backstory, Stiles Wears Glasses, Derek Wears Glasses, Derek walks with a cane, Disabled Character, Fake/Pretend Relationship, With a twist!

“Beacon County Sheriff's Department, this is deputy Mahealani speaking.” “Oh thank god!” “Stiles?” “I, uh, I need some advice.” “Advice?” “Yeah. So, hypothetically, say you met your boyfriend’s mother and sister for the first time ever. Completely by accident. In the grocery store. And they convinced you to help them make a dinner to surprise aforementioned boyfriend when he got home after work. What would you do?” Danny paused, and then, “Stiles, you don’t have a boyfriend.” “That’s not the point! And I said hypothetically.” “Stiles…what are you doing right now?”

🎈 The Witching Hour by loserchildhotpants | @loserchildhotpants (T, 8.3k)- Radio, Romance, Fluff, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Falling In Love, Getting Together, Getting to Know Each Other, Alternate Universe - Human, Music, Humor

The radio host AU no one ever asked for but I have written anyway because sometimes when DJ’s play several sad songs in a row, I worry about their mental health and then this AU was born [Or: A radio show brings Stiles and Derek together, even though they've never met before]

🎈 Windows by dr_girlfriend | @drgrlfriend (E, 83.3k)- AU, Disability, Disabled Character, Misunderstandings, Angst, Fluff, Blind Character, Blind Stiles, Eventual Smut, Derek is a creeper, derek has no social skills, In Other Words Canon!Derek, Epilepsy, seizure disorder, Panic Attack, Happy Ending, Alternate Universe, Slow Build, Pack Feels, Slow Burn, Communication, Ableist Language, Demisexuality, Demisexual Derek Hale, Families of Choice, Found Families, POV Derek Hale, Friends to Lovers, Body Dysphoria, Alpha Derek, Derek Hale Deserves Nice Things, Derek is a socially awkward potato, Pack Alpha Derek Hale, Good Pack Alpha Derek Hale

Derek has a new neighbor who won't stop looking. * “You’re blind,” Derek said flatly, the anger draining from him so suddenly he felt almost woozy. His vision cleared, his claws sliding back into blunt fingernails. “Thanks for the memo, genius,” the kid said acidly. “I can still fucking defend myself, so don’t take another damn step.” “Fuck, I...I’m sorry,” Derek stuttered. “What?!” The kid’s brow crinkled. “I mean — what?! You’re fucking sorry!?” His lips thinned into a harsh line. “What, is this some kinda Hallmark movie where you’re discovering the error of your ways because you don’t want to rob a blind person?! That’s fucking condescending, man. I’ll have you know that —” “Just, wait.” Derek interrupted what was apparently the start of a convincing argument as to why he should rob the kid after all, feeling his head start to spin. “This is — it’s a misunderstanding. I’m — I’m not robbing you. You’re — you’re safe, okay? I’m taking three steps back. Just — just let me explain.” “Explain why you came busting into my apartment? Yeah, go right ahead, man, I can’t wait to hear this epic tale.”

🎈 Wolves in the Timber by adeepeningdig | @adeepeningdig (T, 17.2k)- Future Fic, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Feral Derek, Deputy Stiles Stilinski, Hurt/Comfort, Dog Fighting, Rated For Violence, Full Shift Werewolves

Stiles had always thought that Derek would understand, maybe. If Derek had been around to talk about it. He would know what it was like to think that maybe it wasn’t a fluke, maybe there’s something in you, something twisted that pulls blood and betrayal and death to you, like a remnant of your mother’s disease, her monstrous confusion, still encoded in your genes. Stiles still dreams of that day in the loft, the water lapping at his ankles and the dirty light. Derek’s stricken face. He wonders if there are days when Derek wants to tear his own hands off too. But Derek wasn’t around, and now he’s a wolf. So. He’s 28 years old, it’s been years. He’s past all that. He should be past all that. There’s a black wolf panting on the floor of his apartment like an accusation. Stiles knows that there’s nothing that Lydia can say or do. He’s not projecting, it’s the truth, it’s the kinship he’s always felt with Derek, and if he could curl into his animal self, he would, and maybe he would stay there. It would be easier that way.

🎈 Way Back Home by matildajones | @matildajones (T, 14.2k)- Alternate Universe - Human, Kidnapping, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, PTSD Derek, Anxiety Attacks, Angst with a Happy Ending, End Sterek, We like Heather though, getting better

He wasn’t ever expecting to get out of that hellhole, and he always wondered about Stiles. He wondered – even hoped – that he would move on.

🎈 Bones Straining Under the Weight by weathervaanes (E, 15.6k) deaf!derek, Food Blogger!Derek, Alternate Universe - Human, Alternate Universe

One of Stiles' favorite things about life is Derek Hale's food blog. He never expects to meet the man in person. * “Derek,” he says again, and the name feels very strange on his tongue. “You don’t mean Derek Hale.” His professor’s eyebrows reach up, eyes widening. “You read his blog?” "Uh. Worship. Would be a better more descriptive word. That is Derek Hale?" Jimmy chuckles. "Good-looking guy, huh?" "You mean to tell me the Food Network hasn't snatched him up to dethrone everyone else from daytime TV." Jimmy smiles a small private smile. "I don't think TV is his medium." Stiles raises an eyebrow. "Shy?" The man laughs heartily at that. "No, I wouldn't say that. He just has particular forms of expression, like eyebrows and chili powder."

🎈 A Healing Silence by HelloWhyTheFuckAmIHere | @insecure-neurotic-control-freak (Not Rated, 36.3k)- Depression, Derek Hale Deserves Nice Things, Stiles is Pushed Out of the Pack, Scott McCall is a Bad Friend, Sheriff Stilinski is a Good Parent, Eichen | Echo House, Lydia Martin & Stiles Stilinski Friendship, Derek Hale & Lydia Martin Friendship, Reunions

Stiles is slowly pushed out of the pack following his fight with Scott about Donovan's death. After receiving a phone number from an old friend, Stiles is surprised to find that it belongs to the one person who may be able to bring him back to himself.

🎈 36 Questions by Leslie_Knope (T, 8.1k)- POV Stiles, Alpha Derek, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Future Fic, First Kiss, Talking, like a lot of talking, Emotions

“So I’m doing my senior psych thesis on friendships,” Erica says, not-so-accidentally elbowing Derek in the ribs as she turns to face Stiles. “How they develop, how intimacy is fostered, stuff like that.” “That’s cool,” Stiles says agreeably. “What’s our part?” “Well, I can’t really tell you the point because that would influence the results. But it’s a set of 36 questions that you have to ask each other.” “Just the two of us?” Derek chimes in, finally, and Stiles sighs. “Okay, dude,” he says, making a face, “could you try not to look quite so offended? Like, my ego’s pretty strong, but come on, man.”

🎈 like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me by allyasavedtheday (T, 8.4k)- Future Fic, Derek Comes Back, Fluff, Emotional Healing, Getting Together, Friends to Lovers, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, POV Derek Hale, Rebuilding the Hale House, (kind of), Hale Family Feels

Stiles is the only one who hasn’t spoken yet and when Derek looks away from Isaac he finds him appraising him, a look on his face like he’s cataloguing Derek for invisible injuries. (Or injuries that have long since healed, maybe.) He’s older now, obviously, but he’s never lost that shrewd ability to appear as if he’s picking Derek apart with just one look. Eventually though, a slow smile spreads across his face. “Good to see you again, big guy.” Derek huffs a laugh and then promptly bites back a smile when he sees Stiles’ eyes light up at the sound. “You too,” he replies, his voice that strange mixture of resigned and fond that only ever seems to come out when he’s talking to Stiles. * Derek comes back to Beacon Hills almost four years after he left it. Alternatively titled: Derek Hale finally finds some peace.

🎈 Days Like This by rlnerdgirl | @rlnerdgirl (M, 18.8k)- Slice of Life, Slow Burn, Derek Comes Back, Post-College AU, S3/S4 Divergent

Returning to Beacon Hills is a big step for Derek. He's starting his own business, rebuilding his old family home, and enjoying the feeling of being home. When he runs into the Sheriff and finds himself invited to a Stilinski family dinner, it's not nearly as strange as he would have expected, and when Stiles starts becoming a regular part of his new life, it only feels natural. * The first thing Derek notices is that Stiles is taller. The second is that he’s more filled out. This shouldn’t be a surprise. Not living in Beacon Hills doesn’t stop the machine of social media, and it’s not like he hasn’t seen pictures, but it’s different in person. Stiles, now Derek’s height, maybe an inch taller, still has the same wide smile and loose-limbness about him that he did when he was in high school. Between the height and the muscles though, this Stiles wouldn’t make anyone second guess that he played lacrosse. The only thing people would second guess about this Stiles is the fact that he was always on the bench.

🎈 Blind Date With A Book by thepsychicclam (M, 30.4k)- Alternate Universe - Bookstore, Alive Hale Family, Oblivious Derek, Oblivious Stiles, Board Games, Meddling Hales, Human Hales, Slow Build

Stiles thought the Blind Date With a Book trend was a great way to drum up business for his small bookshop. He definitely thought it was a great idea after the hot guy kept returning and buying more blind dates with books. Derek didn't know how he kept getting set up on blind dates by his family, or why he kept going on them. The highlight of his night was when the date was over and he could go to the little bookshop in town and buy something to read for the rest of the night. He wanted to read, not date.

[phdmama]

I'd absolutely love some sterek fic recs because I'm trying to broaden the ships I read. I've watched the first 3 seasons of teen wolf but haven't read any fics and don't know where to start. I'm fairly open to reading any content, although I'm not the biggest fan of like the common school/coffee shop etc AUs.

Also I love how you're gotten into blogging hockey recently. Have you read any hockey rpf since getting into nhl? Personally sidgeno and mattdrai have my heart, but like I said I'm looking for new ships to read like sterek.

WOOOO LET'S GOOOO!!

As always, read the tags etc etc. Probably a lot of these will be author recs. I will say Sterek has the potential for an age gap concern but I don't read fic where that's written as a predatory thing, FWIW, but I do read some where Stiles is 17 but where I feel like it's handled at least somewhat gracefully

Gravity's Got Nothing on You by @zosofi is great - I really like all their stuff actually!

@kalpurna's Fascination and @drunktuesdays' bigger, longer and uncut are both *gems* - so funny.

We've Written Volumes (in Blood and Scars and Ink) by @notthequiettype is absolutely brilliant, one of my fav fics of all time, way up on my reread regularly list. They only have one other Sterek but I love that one too (and they write hockey rpf but I haven't really dived in there yet!).

The Moon's Gonna Follow Me Home by @turningterrific is stunning. They're SUCH a good writer, although sadly this is their only Sterek (but they have written some amazing hockey RPF as well!).

Every stumble and each misfire by @everchanginginks is fucking phenomenal. True story, I read this fic and then didn't keep track of it but it stayed in my brain, and I spent literally HOURS combing my AO3 history to find it, and when I did, I promptly downloaded it and created the "Best Ever" collection on my Kindle specifically for this fic.

Everything by @suburbanmotel. They are an incredible writer and even more incredible person and I'm so lucky to call them a friend!

I really love @lunacanislupus-22-blog writing but particular favorites are: Feel it like a fever, burning through the night , Spirit grows when love goes away and I know that you love me, even when I lose my head (and I'm not normally one for amnesia fics because they make me SO ANXIOUS but this one is SO good).

Cornerstone by Vendelin is really good too (mind the tags on this one).

By Any Other Name by @entanglednow is fucking phenomenal (and again with the amnesia fics?!?!) and so so well-written. Check out all their stuff!

I really love @devildoll's writing very much a lot! Particular favorites include: Come with Me and Walk the Longest Mile (and I don't usually gravitate to post-apocalyptic fic even though I love the genre in fiction but this one is fucking brilliant); Stand Fast in Your Enchantments (painful and so good); My Heart Comes Tumbling Down (OH MY HEART) and Love, Like a Sentence of Death.

There's Monsters at Home by @wellhalesbells | calrissian18 is a classic and really good! They've written a ton of really great fics (the Hilary Duff lyrics one is a another personal favorite!)

Not Quite Lost (Not Quite Found) by @alocalband is gorgeous. Just. beautifully written.

stuck in reverse by @crazyassmurdererwall is also really good! Definitely check the tags on this one, as it is Stiles still in HS.

Start Small, Like Oak Trees by smallbirds is really lovely. Everything of theirs that I've read, I've really liked.

Okay, just a couple more I promise!!

The Difficult Kind (series) by whiskey_in_tea is an old one but really really wonderful.

The First Date series by @halffizzbin - the whole thing is delightful but I absolutely adore the final installment!

I will note that many of these authors also have Hockey RPF fic, JUST SAYING (I really am fascinated as to what that pipeline is??). I've read a ton of hockey RPF as well (sidgeno for sure) and I'll check out mattdrai now!!

Anyway, hope this helps as a place to start!!

[definitively-different-drivel]

Ok this is damned good. Bitter sweet at parts but it's artsy and poignant and stylishly written as hell and just. Holy shit. Cannot recommend it enough.

[thebestbooksaround]

One Hundred Miles an Hour in Reverse by suburbanmotel

Sterek | 24k | Mature

Stiles understands that leaving is hard. He understands because Stiles always understands. Leaving is hard, got it. Check.

But late at night, alone in the dark in the quiet with the shadows, alone with his thoughts and his shallow, slightly panicked breathing, he also understands that it’s always harder for the people left behind.

--

Five years after everything, after everyone is gone, Stiles remains, because someone has to, right? He’s become good at staying, at being ok with staying, because he’s good at what he does and so many people need him here. So, he’s stayed and he does what he’s always done best: he figures things out.

He figures things out and he makes lists, lists of spells, lists of magical herbs, lists of people who have left.

He also makes lists about himself. Stiles is: the fixer, the writer, the librarian, the keeper of words and memories in Beacon Hills. He’s a healer, a helper and he remembers.

He remembers everything.

[suburbanmotel]

Fanfiction Trope Mash-Up

Historical and Coffee Shop: Woo hoo! Thank you nonnie! I’ve never written either one of these tropes in any fandom ever, so this is pretty cool. Since you didn’t specify a pairing, I’m going with TK/Patty. I don’t know if the 70s count as historical but that’s what I would do for these two, because they already kind of look the part? Hair wise and TK’s intermittent attempt at a moustache. I can totally picture them in polyester and big collars and cords. Patty wearing a poncho one of his sisters knit for him. No technology. No laptops or cell phones. A pay phone in the front of the shop with a big, ratty phone book.

Neither one works at the coffee shop. They just keep showing up there randomly at the same time and noticing each other. They’re both in their early 20s. TK plays rep hockey and is kind of aimless after finishing high school. Most of his close friends have gotten married and are starting families but it’s never felt right for TK. He’s had a string of girlfriends but none long term. He has a factory job but hates it, hates the routine but the pay is good. Patty is in school to be a teacher and stops at the coffee shop to study and go over his notes.

It’s Christmas season and the shop is decorated with cheap red and silver tinsel and multi-coloured lights strung kind of haphazardly around. TK hates the holidays and he keeps noticing this quiet, super cute dude sitting alone with his coffee and his notepad and pen. TK smiles at him and Patty smiles back and TK stops by the table and says hey and Patty says hey. TK ends up kind of accidentally on purpose running into him as Nolan’s leaving and asking for his phone number. Nolan gets all embarrassed and writes it down on TK’s hand and TK holds his hand so carefully all the way home on the bus and calls Nolan as soon as he gets home, begging his parents to not pick up the line in the kitchen for the next half hour or so. Nolan answers right away and yells to HIS parents and sisters to NOT pick up the phone because he’s TALKING.

One afternoon Patty walks TK to the bus stop where TK catches the bus home. Patty kind of hovers, hands shoved in his pockets, bag over his shoulder, waiting for the bus with TK so he’s not alone. TK has an early shift at the factory but he wants to keep talking all night.

Keep missing each other’s calls. Oh, someone called for you, his mom says casually. Who?

Some boy called, his sister says. She’s flipping through the TV channels, two inches from the screen. Who? Who?

A note scribbled on the pad by the olive green phone. Paddy called. TK feels his pulse kick up. There’s no number to call. Just Paddy??

I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I had to tutor someone last minute.

I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I had a late shift.

They end up talking for three hours and Nolan’s sisters and TK’s mom all pick up the phone at different times. Nolan says I CAN HEAR YOU BREATHING at his sister who immediately slams the phone down.

They agree to meet at the coffee shop the next day at 3pm and if they can’t make it to let Lisa the waitress know who has agreed to tell him personally when they come in.

It works out. They sit at the same table with their knees knocking each other’s. TK pays. They walk out. It’s snowing. TK says Hey, it’s snowing and Nolan laughs. Nolan leans in suddenly and presses his lips to TK’s. They’re both cold. Nolan tastes like coffee.

[12daysofsterek]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Teen Wolf (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Characters: Stiles Stilinski, Derek Hale, John Stilinski, Scott McCall (Teen Wolf), Allison Argent, Lydia Martin, Isaac Lahey Additional Tags: Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Insomnia, excessive coffee consumption, Deputy Derek Hale, College Student Stiles Stilinski, Home for Christmas, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Resolved Sexual Tension, yay!, Stiles is a bad driver, Derek is a good teacher, Miscommunication, Getting Together, Getting Back Together, Boys Kissing, Boys In Love, Car Sex, Driving Lessons, Idiots in Love Summary:

//

“Driving lessons?” Stiles tries to keep his voice level but doesn’t fully succeed. “I do not need driving—”

He’s interrupted by John slamming a fistful of papers down on the coffee table between them, rattling the Santa figurine and the bowl of red and green M&Ms. Stiles glares at his father. John glares back. Stiles glares down at the table. Beneath John’s hand, sweaty and trembling with apoplectic rage, is a sizable stack containing, Stiles knows, numerous accident reports, several speeding tickets, two letters from their insurance company detailing their recently raised rates, a towing receipt, and more repair bills than Stiles cares to add up. He folds his arms and still manages to look insulted.

“While the Jeep’s in the garage you’ll be working overtime — for me — to help pay for it,” John says. “Oh. And.”

Stiles looks up. Oh. And.

Oh god.

“I’ve already hired your teacher.” John smiles. With teeth. “He’ll pick you up Monday morning at 8.”

//

Derek is a reluctant driving instructor. Stiles is a terrible driver. Christmas is coming and ‘tis the season for reunions, shenanigans, and puns. Lots of awful car puns.

//

[stereksecretsanta]

Merry Christmas, @suburbanmotel!

Read on AO3

*****

Stay With Me

"Filthy dog!"

Derek landed heavily on the concrete floor, and even though his captors' unceremonious push had jostled his already fuzzy head and knocked the wind right out of him, he refused to give them the satisfaction of hearing his pain grunt. He looked up at the three men outside his small cell from beneath hooded eyes, schooling his features into complete blankness. Out of sheer pride and stubbornness, he would not reveal any of the weakness he felt throughout his whole body.

These men were Hunters. He'd noticed that easily. It was in the tone of their voices, the arrogance of their postures ... the hatred on their faces. But why? Why him, and why after all these years? He'd thought rogue factions like these had been dealt with long ago.

He clenched his jaw and briefly squeezed his eyes shut, partly to ease the wave of dizziness that washed through him, but mainly to contain that anger at himself for being such a wide open target. Stiles was definitely going to mock how he'd gotten soft with old age once he got out of here. He blinked several times, trying to keep his mind and vision clear. It didn't work.

"How long before he's out?" a Hunter – the one with dark eyes and a deep scar along his left cheek – asked.

"He should be out already. Mutt's stronger than I thought. Just leave him until the elixir does its thing." The cell door – thick bars of reinforced metal – slammed shut. The ensuing click of the lock was abnormally loud.

Shit. He slumped tiredly against the nearby wall once the Hunters began to walk away. As much as he wanted to overpower his captors and make some daring escape, his body was not in the mood to cooperate. Whatever they'd shot him up with earlier must've contained wolfsbane or some derivative thereof because he couldn't muster the strength to stand, much less break open the door. He blinked again, his eyelids suddenly weighing more than he was willing to support. He wanted to rub the grogginess away, but his arms might as well have been tied down with ten ton weights.

Once the distant footsteps of the Hunters faded, silence settled eerily around him. There was nothing – no one. And given the losing battle he was fighting with consciousness, he begrudgingly gave in and closed his eyes.

(***)

He struggled – and failed – to wake up multiple times. The brief recollections of the light fading from his cell flittered at the edges of his memory like phantom fingers, impermanent and ephemeral. Then, at an indeterminate hour, he jolted awake, spine ramrod straight and eyes wide open. He looked around, and saw nothing but the stark, flat surface of his cell's walls, and the dark outline of the bars.

Suddenly, he heard it. He stilled, and realized what had woken him. The faint, rapid staccato tapping away nearby was unmistakable.

"Stiles?" His voice sounded raspy from the dryness.

There was the muted shuffle of limbs against concrete, and he could practically picture the other man's scrambling movements.

"Derek?" The familiar voice eased the tension in his muscles. "Fuck, I was waiting for you at the café but you never showed. Now I know why."

He grunted an affirmative response. "Was on my way to meet you for lunch when they got me. I didn't see them until it was too late." He moved over to the bars of the door, and tried to determine which cell they'd put Stiles in. He pushed at the metal – hard. The last thing he'd wanted was for the other man to be put in danger, and if he could pick out Stiles' heartbeat, then perhaps his strength had returned too.

But the bars didn't budge. He gave them a frustrated punch, and was only rewarded with stinging knuckles. He cursed silently. Whatever drug they'd used was still in his system.

"What's wrong?" Worry seeped into Stiles' tone. "You okay?"

"Nothing. I'm fine. They just gave me something, and I'm not at full strength. I can't get us out."

A mirthless chuckle escaped the other man. "Just my luck, isn't it? I finally have time for a real, legitimate date – our first one in months, might I add – and it gets sidetracked by rogue Hunters. I mean, don't they realize that going rogue is so 2011? You can bet that Chris will be getting an earful from us about this!"

A corner of Derek's mouth lifted up fondly at the righteous indignation in the younger man's words. Still, Stiles was right: they hadn't had time for each other in months, and to say he was disappointed that their lunch plans had been derailed was an understatement. Stiles had wanted to pursue his career with the FBI, and seeing as Derek could do his freelance writing anywhere, he had followed the younger man to D.C. For five years, they'd made it work – together, both professionally and personally – so much so that Derek had gone out, bought a ring, and hidden it away in their apartment while waiting for the right moment. He had thought that two days from now would've been it. After all, Stiles had finally closed the big case that had consumed his life these past four months, and clichéd as it was, a Christmas proposal, surrounded by family and friends, felt like the ideal counterpoint to their tumultuous beginning.

"Well, at least Scott and the pack should be coming in tonight. When we're not there to pick them up, I'm sure they'll figure out something's wrong. They'll track us down, and we'll have a jolly, holly Christmas, just like we planned."

Derek raised an eyebrow at his boyfriend's optimism, a small smile playing on his lips despite their dire circumstances. Not surprisingly, things didn't seem so bleak when he was with Stiles. God, how he wanted to hold the other man right now, and give him a grateful kiss. Through everything they'd been through – from supernatural possessions to near-death experiences – they'd somehow managed to find each other, and remain relatively sane. Derek knew, without a doubt, that he wouldn't be where he was today – healthy and admittedly happy – without Stiles anchoring him. "So much faith," he deadpanned jokingly.

Stiles harrumphed, and Derek could picture the side-eye that likely accompanied it. "I'm trying to determine whether you're being sarcastic or not. You know, despite evidence to the contrary, Scott's a good friend. He's grown as a person. And as an alpha. He'll find us."

Derek shifted over to the nearby wall, and leaned back against it. "I'm sure he will," he breathed out. And he believed it. The years had served Scott and his pack well.

"Besides," Stiles added after a beat. "I want my date, so we're getting out of here, come hell or high water. Though preferably not hell, since I think we've probably seen that enough times already. Figuratively speaking. Don't think the literal place would – "

Loud voices and heavy footsteps cut Stiles off, and almost instantly, Derek moved to the bars, pressing his face against them to get a glimpse of what was happening. He prayed their captors were after him, and Stiles was just there as leverage. He could take a lot, and with Stiles by his side, he could heal from almost anything. But Stiles ... as strong and as smart as he was, Stiles couldn't.

Sounds of a struggle filtered over, and he growled loudly when he realized they'd come from Stiles' cell. "Hey!" he shouted angrily. Panic and fury were a potent mix. "Leave him alone! You want me, don't you?" He hit the bars repeatedly, cursing his diminished strength, but dead set on making enough of a disturbance so they'd leave Stiles alone. "Hey, assholes, over here! You want a fight? You've got one right here, ready and willing! Or are you too chicken shit to pick on someone who can really fight back?"

They didn't react to him, didn't even acknowledge him, and before long, they'd dragged Stiles away. And even through the resistance the younger man had put up, Derek noticed that Stiles purposely ignored him, refusing to bring any attention to him. Stupid, foolish, brave Stiles, who probably didn't want to make Derek a target.

"Hey, over here!" Derek continued to shout, regardless of the futility of it now. He hated feeling so powerless, so helpless, but he needed to do something. He didn't want to even consider what they would do to Stiles, and indirectly, what they would do to him.

Then, after what felt like an eternity of constant noise on his part, the scarred hunter from earlier came into his line of sight, dark eyes gleaming with hate, and mouth slanted up in distaste. Derek quieted, and settled for a low, threatening growl that reverberated in the back of his throat.

"Shut the fuck up, you mangy mongrel."

Before Derek could register what was happening, his captor raised an arm, and pulled the trigger of the gun in his hands. Derek froze at the pinprick sensation on his neck, and within seconds, his body dropped, his head meeting the ground with a crack before he fell into complete darkness.

(***)

He woke next to loud shouts and gunfire. He tried to move, but the grogginess in his head and the lethargy of his limbs defied that intention. It took him a few moments before he remembered where he was, but when he did, he forced his body to move.

Stiles! He rolled over with the speed of a ninety year old man, and practically crawled to the cell door. He listened carefully for his boyfriend's distinctive heartbeat, and heard nothing. The Hunters hadn't brought him back. Worry clawed at his chest, ravaging his thoughts and tainting his rationality.

He started to call out to his captors, to curse them out, and condemn everything they were and everything they'd done, but he stopped when the shouts of a familiar voice made its way into his cell. He listened carefully for a few more seconds to be sure, but that was definitely Scott's voice intermingled between the sounds of fighting. Relief flooded through him. Not surprisingly, Stiles had been right in placing his faith with his best friend, and he looked forward to the younger man rubbing in that fact. With any luck, the alpha had already rescued Stiles, and Derek just had to wait for his turn.

Patience had never been one of his strong suits, and it certainly wasn't his friend now as he waited for the sounds to die down. The gunshots became fewer and further apart, which was a good indication that the Hunters were losing the battle, and Derek indulged himself by imagining their long, painful deaths. Of course, knowing Scott, that was likely not even close to the truth, but he could dream, especially given that those assholes had hurt Stiles.

Soon, he sensed the arrival of Scott and managed to pull himself up to stand on wobbling legs, just as the man in question appeared outside his cell, eyes still red and chest heaving as if expecting more enemies. The younger werewolf calmed when he noticed none forthcoming.

"Scott," Derek said lowly in greeting. "Nice of you to drop by."

A lopsided grin changed the other man's demeanor. He assessed the bars of the cell door. "Well, you know, I was in the neighborhood anyways," he replied with a nonchalant shrug. Then, he grabbed the metal bars, and yanked – hard. The hinges and lock buckled with a shrill, prolonged squeak, and within seconds, Derek was free.

He nodded his thanks to the younger werewolf as the broken door was tossed aside. "Did you get Stiles already?" he asked as he stepped out of the confined space. Already, he felt stronger, steadier.

"Stiles?" Scott narrowed his eyes in confusion. "No, I thought he would be here with you. His scent – "

"Scott!" A panicked voice that sounded distinctly like Malia's came from a nearby cell, startling Derek as he hadn't noticed his cousin slip by them.

Without a thought, Scott ran over to the other open cell, Derek following closely behind. But then, the younger werewolf stopped abruptly at the entrance, causing Derek to almost bowl him over.

"Scott, wha—"

There were moments in Derek's life when reality had felt suspended, where he'd watched the events unfold around him like he was watching it from afar. His family's deaths had been one of those moments. Losing his small pack had been another. But this ... this reality, where Malia was crouched down – open-mouthed and wide-eyed – over Stiles' unmoving form, was as far from being real as he could possibly fathom. There was no heartbeat. Why wasn't there a heartbeat? No one moved, as if everyone was afraid that any further progression beyond this point in time would make the situation permanent.

In the distance, Derek barely made out the thumping of additional footsteps, and absently registered that the rest of the pack was making their way here. He took a step forward. And then, he took another. He moved toward Stiles, unconsciously edging Malia out of the way, and knelt down. Stiles would be embarrassed if the others saw him like this – hot shot FBI analyst, sprawled so inelegantly on the dirty cell floor. He pulled the familiar weight of the younger man against him. Maybe he could protect Stiles' reputation if he held him close enough. He lowered his head, and nuzzled his boyfriend's temple, trying to soak up that faint, comforting scent. "I've got you," he whispered. "I've got you. Please, stay with me ... please."

His voice cracked, but he didn’t care. Stiles was in his arms, where he should be ... where he should always be.

"Derek," Scott said softly. "We should –"

"No." Derek spared the other werewolf a brief glance before focusing back on the precious weight in his arms. He tried to block out those tear-filled eyes and that grief-stricken face. "Just let me ..." He tightened his hold, at a loss for words. "Please," he said brokenly. "Just ... please ..."

(***)

Derek kicked the door closed with his heel, dropped his overnight bag where he stood, and tossed his keys onto the side table by the entrance. His shoulders slumped as he took in the darkened apartment around him, the shadowed shapes of the furniture and appliances standing as sentinels in the lifeless space. Even the little, decorated Christmas tree watched him from the corner.

The quiet was almost oppressive, a heavy weight that threatened to suffocate him. It was a marked contrast to the non-stop activity since his flight to Beacon Hills for the funeral. For the last week and a half, he'd felt as if he'd lived another man's life, being pulled like a mindless zombie from the Hunters' compound to Beacon Hills for funeral arrangements, and then returning back to D.C. to pick up the pieces of what remained of his soul. Then again, maybe it was the last five years that had been another man's life, and this was just him getting back in touch with his reality. Because, really, since when and in what fantasy world did Derek Hale ever get a happy ending?

He walked sluggishly over to the table of their – no, his – open-concept kitchen, and fell, boneless, onto a chair. He stared sightlessly down at the deep scratch in the wood grain of the table's surface, and remembered when he'd lifted Stiles onto it, body half-naked and lips kiss-swollen. They'd belatedly realized that Stiles' keys had been pinned underneath, and the gouge had been a result of that small oversight.

Derek closed his eyes, and breathed out a slow breath. He wasn’t sure why, but he couldn't bring himself to feel anything at the memory. Perhaps he was still in shock, or perhaps that part of him had died back there in that cell as well. Either way, he didn't really care.

(***)

"You okay, Derek?"

He turned to watch the Sheriff approach, his dark suit looking out of place under the bright Californian sun. He gave the older man a curt nod, and returned to staring at the overturned dirt and new gravestone. His lips thinned and he clenched his fists involuntarily. Stiles had gone somewhere Derek couldn't follow, and that knowing smile, that boundless energy, and that addictive light had gone with him. And for Derek, it felt like part of him was buried down there too, withered and dead.

"I just need a moment," he said after a pause. The rest of the funeral procession had already left the site, and he did honestly want some time alone.

The Sheriff clapped him reassuringly on the shoulder, and bowed his head. "I understand," the older man supplied softly. And if there ever was someone who did understand, it would be Stiles' father, a man who'd lost his wife, and now, his only son. Derek noticed the extra lines on the older man's face, the stoop in his posture. But he also knew that the Sheriff would recover. Stilinski men were resilient. And, he had a new lady in his life now, according to Stiles' eager gossiping last year, the new town librarian.

"We'll be at the house for the wake when you're ready to join us," the older man offered.

Derek nodded again, and the Sheriff started to walk away. Then, he remembered a question that had been hovering on the fringes of his mind since he'd landed in Beacon Hills a couple of days ago. "Noah," he called out, causing the other man to stop and turn around. "Are you happy?"

"Der –"

"Not right now, but in general. Will you ever be happy again?"

The older man's expression softened at the words. "It doesn't feel like it right now, Derek, but maybe one day, I will be. Happy, that is. I'll try. For Stiles. It's what he would've wanted."

(***)

The ring was exactly where he'd left it. He grabbed it from the back of the broom closet shelf, opened the velvet box, and pulled the simple, circular piece of metal out. The titanium sat innocently in his palm – strong, simple, and perfect – just like its intended owner had been. He wrapped his fingers around it, his throat constricting at the things that could've been. And with a quick, impulsive motion, he whipped it across the room. It clattered multiple times, once against the exposed brick wall, and several against the polished hardwood before coming to rest somewhere behind the sofa. It didn't matter where it was now. In fact, he would've preferred it fall into a vent, never to be found again.

(***)

"We're here," Scott stated as he pulled into the drop-off zone outside the Beacon Hills airport. Christmas decorations still adorned the multiple stanchions and entrances as rushed holiday travellers buzzed by, evidence that the world still went on in spite of everything that had happened.

Derek nodded, and grabbed the car's door handle. "Thanks for the ride."

"Hey, wait, Derek."

He stopped, waiting for the younger werewolf to continue.

"You going to be okay? I mean, back in D.C. Alone. You could always move – "

"I don't know, Scott." Derek watched the car in front of them drop off a passenger: a husband and a dad, if the hugs he was receiving from the woman and the little girl were any indication. Frankly, he was too numb to be moved by the heartwarming sight. "I'll figure something out."

"Alright, but you know we're here if you need anything. Me and the pack."

There was such sincerity and earnestness on Scott's face that Derek couldn't outright refuse him. "Sure, thanks." He made to get out of the car then, but paused one more time. "Hey, Scott," he said, tone neutral. "Will you be okay?"

There was sadness in the younger werewolf's eyes, a deep-seeded grief that could only be from losing someone close. "Not right now, but I will be. I've got the pack," the man noted resolutely. "And they've got me. We'll get through this, and we'll be stronger when we come out on the other side."

Derek watched his companion closely. He took in the set jaw, the determined gleam in his eyes, and he knew, without a doubt, that Scott had spoken the truth.

(***)

The apartment was a mess. What had started as a thrown ring had become an overturned table, several toppled chairs, and numerous tossed pillows. And distantly, Derek realized now that the anger had worked its course, it had sapped his energy, and left him feeling like a hollow shell.

At least everyone else would eventually be in a good place. Stiles would've made sure of it. The Sheriff had someone by his side to look after him. Scott had the pack, just as the pack had Scott. But where did that leave him? What was he supposed to do now with the empty shadow of his former life?

He froze when his eyes caught the unmistakable outline of his laptop through the open bedroom door, sitting on his nightstand. He walked toward it. Perhaps there was something still left for him.

(***)

He slipped the storage facility's business card into the envelope along with the key to the large space he'd rented two days ago. Stiles, with all his attachment issues, hadn't wanted to leave his beloved jeep behind in Beacon Hills, and had driven the thing out here years ago. It was a miracle the old car hadn't broken down on the way, but now, it sat in the storage facility, right alongside the Camaro he'd bought three years ago for nostalgia's sake. He'd tossed the car keys onto the respective drivers' seats, on top of his personal papers, right before he'd locked up the rental space a day earlier. Now, he sealed the envelope, and dropped it into the mailbox. He hoped it would make it safely to Scott.

The cab was still waiting for him when he was done, and without any further delay, he hopped in and directed the driver to the nearest regional park – Fountainhead, as the case turned out to be. It would do.

The drive took over forty minutes, but in the end, he had the driver drop him off on a secluded back road, and paid the man handsomely for it. Once he was alone, he took a deep breath, and let the forest air permeate his lungs and saturate his bloodstream. He walked off the road and into the trees. When the foliage was dense enough, he started to strip, and when he was naked, he started to run. He ran, and then he shifted, his stride never breaking. As a wolf, things were simpler, free and unconfined. And when he ran like this, his mind was empty, save for the call of the wild - no emotions, no pain or hurt. And so he did. He ran, and through the forest, he could connect to an endless number of interconnected trails, which meant that he could run forever.

(***)

"Do you need anything else?"

Scott's tinny voice echoed loudly from his phone's speaker as Stiles poured the herbal mix from the mortar onto the ritual mat. "I should be good to try again. Thanks, buddy."

"Okay, we're heading back to the hotel right now, but I'll give Deaton a call then to see if he has any other ideas, in case this doesn't work."

Stiles smiled gratefully at his best friend's offer, even though the other man couldn't see it. "Sounds good. And hey, sorry our Christmas plans got messed up. I know this wasn't what you expected when you decided to visit," he said. "But this is going to work. It has to. I'm not losing him."

"It's alright, and I know, Stiles. Call me, whatever happens, okay?"

"You got it." He partitioned the herbs into five even piles, and nodded in satisfaction with the setup. "Okay, gotta go. Doing magic I haven't done in years, and my appendages need to stay in the vehicle at all times."

" 'kay, later!"

Stiles ended the call, and looked over at the unnaturally still figure sitting upright on the edge of the bed. Unblinking hazel eyes stared blankly at him, as if there was no one home on the other side. "Just you and me now, big guy," he said softly.

When Derek hadn't shown up for lunch three days ago, Stiles hadn't thought much of it. He'd assumed that something must've come up. But when Derek hadn't called, texted, or come home in time to pick up Scott and the others from the airport, he'd known something was wrong. Between himself and the pack, they'd managed to track Derek's whereabouts to just outside D.C., but by the time they'd stormed the compound, overtaken the Hunters, and found Derek, he was already in a catatonic state. Stiles blamed himself for not finding his werewolf sooner, but he'd be damned if he didn't try everything to bring him back now.

The compound had reeked of magic – or so Scott had pointed out – and after a full day of research, Stiles was pretty sure those Hunters had somehow locked his boyfriend in his own mind. He supposed that as far as loopholes in the Code went, this was a pretty good one. They technically hadn't killed Derek, but his mind was far gone enough to be close.

"You're coming back to me, Derek." If it took years, decades even, he would get the werewolf back. Derek deserved to be happy, and he would make sure of it, even if it took him the rest of his life. With that thought in mind, he stepped around the mat, and started the memorized Latin chant.

(***)

The forest seemed very much like the Beacon Hills Preserve. Stiles did a slow three-sixty to get his bearings. The clearing in which he stood was small, but as with most dreams, the possibilities of what lay beyond the trees were endless. For what Derek's mind could've constructed as a possible prison, Stiles had expected worse.

"Now, to find you," he muttered as he tried to find the best place to start.

Then, he froze. Something – or someone – was watching him, stalking him, and he had a pretty good idea who that was.

"Derek," he called out, his voice carrying loudly through the still air. "It's me, Stiles. I'm here to bring you home."

Two points of iridescent blue shone brightly to his right, and he turned to meet the emerging form with a smile. "Hello, Sourwolf," he said fondly.

The black shape moved toward him slowly, growling lowly with teeth bared. Those blue eyes, deadly and sharp, never left him, and a frisson of apprehension ran down Stile's spine at their intensity. He reminded himself that this was Derek, his werewolf boyfriend who may have a scowling, intimidating exterior, but was honestly tender and loyal and protective on the inside.

"Derek, it's – "

Before he could get another word out, the wolf leapt at him, catching him unprepared and toppling him to the forest floor. Instinctively, he moved to protect his head, and felt the burn of sharp teeth puncturing the skin of his forearm as the heavy beast on top of him bit down.

"Derek," he breathed out through gritted teeth. He knew this was all in his head – or rather, Derek's head – but the bite still fucking hurt! Instead of trying to push his attacker away though, he pulled the mass of muscle toward him, hugging the wolf close and ignoring the searing pain that radiated from his arm. He buried his face in the wolf's fur, choosing to believe that his boyfriend, the man he'd come to love beyond all reason, was listening. "Hey, Derek, it's Stiles. Stay with me, okay? We're going home..."

(***)

Stiles woke up staring at the apartment ceiling with a heavy weight atop him – a heavy, moving, groaning weight. He shifted slightly to get a better idea of where he was. In the time he'd been travelling in Derek's mind, he must've fallen over onto the ritual mat. He sighed. The finely crushed herbs were going to be a bitch to clean.

His arm moved, and his fingers comfortingly worked their way through Derek's hair. "You with me, big guy?"

The body on him tensed, and then, just as suddenly, fell gracelessly onto him again. "Stiles?"

The mix of desperation, vulnerability, hope, and pain in that one word broke Stiles' heart. He continued to run his fingers soothingly through the other man's dark hair. "Yeah, it's me. The one and only," he confirmed quietly.

And just like that, he was enclosed in a bone-crushing hug. He let it be, and only responded by holding Derek close, even as the werewolf started to shake from frantic breaths and silent sobs.

(***)

The enticing smell of bacon and eggs greeted Derek when he opened his eyes. He stretched against the softness of his comforter, and easily picked up the sound of a familiar heartbeat in the next room. Three days, Stiles had said last night when he'd finally calmed down enough to talk. Even though it had seemed like so much longer, he'd been stuck in his head for three days, thinking his world had ended. He remembered the utter loss and devastation he'd felt with vivid clarity, and he wasn't sure how he'd survived such an experience. No, scratch that, he knew exactly how, and the answer was in the next room. He sat up, overtaken by the sudden need to simply be with Stiles.

Quickly and quietly, he padded his way out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. He hugged the startled man dancing to Christmas carols in front of the stove from behind, and bent his head to place a kiss on that freckled neck. He breathed in the comforting scent, and prayed to every deity listening that he would be able to bask in this warmth for another seventy or eighty years, at least.

"Well, good morning to you too," Stiles said as he shut off the stove burner and leaned back into the embrace, spatula flailing. "How are you feeling?"

Derek took one more fortifying lungful of his companion's warm, spicy scent before answering. "Better now."

"Good." Stiles turned around in his arms, and something in Derek's chest constricted at the sight of the other man, smiling and alive – so, so very much alive.

"I thought we could celebrate Christmas a day late since we missed it yesterday. You know, spend the day together, and then hang out with Scott and the pack tomorrow before they leave."

Derek leaned forward and gave the other man a long, lingering kiss before making a sound of agreement.

Stiles eventually pulled away, looking thoroughly debauched with his eyes glazed and his lips swollen. "Yup, good decision to spend the day together."

Then, he straightened, a wicked glint overtaking that bright, brown gaze. "So, when Scott and I were trying to track you down, I may have used some agency resources to re-trace your steps," he started. He looked away guiltily. "I may have seen some transactions on your credit card that I shouldn't have ..."

Derek furrowed his brow, not immediately processing what the younger man was getting at. And then, realization set in. "Oh," he said simply.

"The answer is 'yes', by the way."

"Stiles." His exasperation sounded forced, even to his own ears. Trust Stiles to throw a wrench in his carefully laid plans. Who else but Stiles would do things in reverse, and answer the question before the question was even asked? Then again, he couldn't imagine it happening any other way.

With a resigned sigh, he gave the younger man a quick kiss on his forehead before walking over to retrieve the ring.

"Really?" Stiles asked as he followed Derek's progress. "The broom closet? Is that your passive aggressive way of asking me to pull my own weight with the cleaning around here?"

Derek smiled at Stiles' spot-on observation. "No comment," he threw back stoically, even though he was seconds away from a full-on grin. He returned to Stiles, ring in hand. He had to remind himself that the last time he'd held the thing, nothing had been real, that everything had just been a manifestation of his own fears.

And the reminder worked to a certain extent. The very solid piece of metal in his hand now represented the very real hopes and dreams he had for them. Stiles belonged to him, just as much as he belonged to Stiles, and nothing or no one would ever take that from him. Resolved by the promise, and warmed by the love reflected in the man before him, he held out the ring with a steady hand. "Stiles Stilinski, will you marry me?"

[sirrobertsmom]

suburbanmotel

Fine—Derek’s reckless behavior and lack of self-preservation puts him into harm’s way one too many times and he spirals into a depression after being nearly killed by a witch.  The pack rallies around him and Stiles make it his prerogative to be there to lend support—even when Derek tells him he wants to be left alone.  The werewolf definitely is NOT fine and finally seeks therapy with the support and encouragement from Stiles.  As time goes by, Derek begins to heal emotionally and mentally; he is able to regain his life and open his heart to the possibility of love—and to Stiles.  

The romance is a slow progression because Derek is suffering from depression and cannot cope with everyday life let alone a relationship.  This is to be expected considering the subject matter and it was a joy to watch Derek regain mental clarity and a renewed interest in life as he continued with therapy and taking the antidepressant medication.  It felt like a realistic portrayal of depression and mental health issues and I was glad the author did not shy away from the use of medication to treat depression because it often times has a stigma.

[ziamficexchange-blog1]

Now to our next author: @suburbanmotel

@suburbanmotel is seriously talented, you guys. They even wrote two fics for our exchange when we needed it! What are you even doing if you haven’t read their work? 

This Unbearable Lightness by @suburbanmotel | zayn/liam | mature

It’s hotel rooms and tour bus bunks and the backseats of cars and it’s fun and games and it’s all so easy until it’s not anymore.

Zayn and Liam are both struggling through their solo careers after One Direction and they find themselves going back to old habits. Or, the one where Zayn and Liam used to be together but it got complicated and now it's a whole new level of complicated.

A Little Mess by @suburbanmotel | zayn/liam | not rated

On the coldest, potentially happiest night of the year, two heartbroken boys find their way back to each other.

Eventually.

Thank you @suburbanmotel from all of us @ziamficexchange2k17

Here’s some of @suburbanmotel ‘s other work on AO3

[christinesficrecs]

Any smitten Stiles fic recs? I just love when Stiles is completely gone on Derek and I’m craving some good ones.

Sure! Here are a few. ❤️

Operation: Chick Flick by Inell | 7.3K

Stiles knows agreeing to be Derek’s fake date for Cora’s wedding is the stupidest thing he’s ever done, but it’s a little difficult to say no to the man he’s been in love with for seven years.

I Just Want You For My Own (More Than You Could Ever Know) by yodasyoyo | 16K

“What is with that sweater, dude?”

Derek ducks his head to look at it, abashed. “Uh- Mrs Hernandez knitted it for me. It’s an early Christmas gift.” He smooths it down self-consciously.

Stiles cocks an eyebrow.

“What? She’s my neighbor and sometimes I-” Derek trails off. Stiles’ other eyebrow rises to join the first, and Derek sighs. “Sometimes I help her carry her groceries."

Of course he does. One day maybe Stiles will stop being in love with Derek Hale, but today is not that day.

Reason For Call by 74days | 58.9K | Explicit

Stiles has been working in his call-centre booth for nearly 5 years when he first hears the voice of the new IT guy. Surely anyone who sounds like that has got to be H.O.T Stiles takes it upon himself to get to know him better. The only problem is, he's got no idea what he looks like...

Stay in Your Lane by mikkimouse | 5.3K

Stiles works at a bowling alley and has a crush on Derek Hale, a frequent customer. He deals with this in the most mature way possible: by giving Derek dumb nicknames for every game he plays.

Pick Me Up by Omni | 4.7K

Growing more and more confident as he grew older, Stiles started the ridiculous pick-up lines and joke-flirting with Derek back when he was still in college. After college, it just got worse. Not that Derek minds. Sometimes Derek will play along, because Stiles is funny, and those bad pun innuendo pick-up lines are ridiculously hilarious, and he likes it when Stiles tosses his head back and laughs like that. He loves it when he’s able to catch Stiles off guard with his own brand of humor, loves the way his eyes light up as he smiles at Derek. Pretty much, he’s just kind of hopelessly gone on Stiles, but doesn’t fully realize it.

Then one day…he does.

Coming Home by sheafrotherdon | 9.9K | Explicit

When Stiles comes home from college for Thanksgiving break, the last thing he expects to develop is a sudden, overwhelming attraction to Derek Hale.

Where to Search for Snow by suburbanmotel | 8.9K | Mature

Stiles and his Gigantic Repressed Feelings accidentally affect the weather. A lot. Like. A lot.

A Blossoming Romance by Trelkez | 7.5K

Stiles will just have to try harder next time. No one can ignore him forever.

You've Got Notes by the_gramophone | 14.8K | Mature

Stiles Stilinski has wanted star basketball player Derek Hale forever, but what are the odds of that ever happening? A love story of letters, prom, and the healing power of milkshakes.

Smooth Like Your Face by Cobrilee | 2.5K

Derek is so used to Stiles hitting on him with horribly cheesy pick-up lines, he doesn't realize that maybe Stiles means them. Luckily, Boyd does.

Worth the Wait by Dexterous_Sinistrous | 13.3K | Explicit

Stiles always had a thing for Derek, but then again, so did everyone else. Stiles just wanted to be seen as different, which was why he waited.

But maybe he waited a little too long.

Binomial Coefficients by DevilDoll | 20.7K

In which brainy freshman Stiles Stilinski wants star quarterback Derek Hale to join the math team, AKA math nerds in love.

Breaking Bad Habits by Inell | 3.7K

Stiles has a bad habit of falling for unattainable higher beings that would never so much as look at a mere mortal like him. The latest focus of his unrequited affection is his personal trainer, Derek Hale, who is a Greek God come to life.

Go For The Gold (And A Few Other Things) by SpiritsFlame | 14.7K | Mature

Stiles came to the Olympics with one goal- get a gold medal. By Opening Ceremonies, he has two goals. Win a gold medal, and sleep with Derek Hale. Unfortunately for him, those two goals are equally difficult.

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

hello beautiful people! hope you're fine. I wanted to know if you have any fic where stiles and derek love each other but derek (or stiles, but preferably Derek) is just too stubborn to admit it and there is a lot of angst and pining.

thank you!

Hi anon. @kevaaronday found this for you!

Trust me by madsmeetsmisha (23/23 | 43882 | Explicit | Sterek) Derek Hale needed a nanny for his kids. Someone who knew about werewolves, someone who was persistent enough not to throw in the sponge as soon as the kids wouldn't behave, someone trustworthy. Could a young, very talkative man like Stiles Stilinski be what Derek was looking for?

Summerblink by Thomaddicted (7/7 | 33,193 | Not Rated | Sterek) Young Derek Hale first met Little Stiles Stilinski 15 years ago on the beach, at the Hale family resort. For five summers, they were friends. Then one day, they weren't.

Ten years later, The Stilisnkis have returned, and with it, an entire host of unanswered questions and unresolved (If not a bit uncomfortable) feelings that seemed inappropriate then, but are resolvable now. 

Love isn’t Linear by CaitliNation (7/7 | 26,882 | Explicit | Sterek) “If I had a hypothetical boyfriend, uh… would that hypothetical boyfriend be allowed to stay with us hypothetically this Christmas? You know, if you wanted to meet my hypothetical boyfriend hypothetically?”

There’s a long pause from his dad as if he’s trying to process his son’s jargon but is failing wholeheartedly.

“What,” he finally replies flatly. Stiles lets out a groan.

“Don’t make me say it again!”

I found you hidden in plain sight (why’d I take so long?) by Goergeousgreymatter (7/7 | 25,419 | Explicit | Sterek) Stiles is pretty sure he’s hallucinating. He’s got to be. There’s no other plausible explanation, he thinks, as he sits on the sidelines of the lacrosse field and feels the cold, hard bench underneath him, the roar of the crowd at his back like the worst white noise machine in the world.

There’s no other reason why he sees it, the hulking, black figure of a wolf peering at him from the treeline behind the bleachers. Its eyes flare in the glaring glow of the stadium lights, but they’re the wrong color, he thinks: blood-moon red instead of cobalt blue, but the familiarity of it all makes his stomach roll and clench.

The Stilinski Pack by TheRealDanniX (10/10 | 18,449 | Mature | Sterek) The Hales didn't go far after the fire and they took Peter with them. Ten years later they come back to Beacon Hills and find a new pack. The Stilinski pack lead by their human Alpha.

What did you just call me? By Written_prose_things (7/7 | 16,077 | Gen | Sterek) When an unknown hunter walks into Beacon Hills, Derek goes into Over Protective Alpha mode. Everyone gets puts into groups, which they're supposed to stick with at all times.

Stiles gets stuck with Derek. Ya know, The Alpha He Has A Crush On.

Over the next three days, they both realise exactly how much fun their normal life can be as well.

Nine Kinds of Silence by suburbanmotel (1/1 | 8,443 | Mature | Sterek) This was how it usually went — Stiles talking, Derek not talking.

Derek was used to it, the endless spill of words pooling between them, filling the cracks and chasms of silence. He told everyone it drove him crazy, but that was mostly a lie. If you asked him on a good day, he might even say he liked it. It was the quiet that unnerved him, the gaping Stiles’ shaped holes of space where the words were supposed to go, that he didn’t know how to handle.

But If I Know You (I Know What You’ll Do) by notahousebutatomb (1/1 | 7,339 | Teen | Sterek) The two intermingled packs approached the gym doors with caution, Scott and Derek in the lead for safety. In the middle of the basketball court stood a tall, slender woman draped in a long black cloak. Two dark horns protruded from the top of her head, partially obscured by her wild black hair. Her lips curled into a smug grin when she saw their expressions of obvious dismay. 

“You poor, simple fools, thinking you could defeat me, the Mistress of All Evil! Well…” The witch swept her sleeve aside to reveal Stiles. The pale teen was sprawled across the ground, his face partially obscured where it rested against his elbow. His other arm was tucked snugly against his chest, supporting his slumped torso. The witch smirked when she added, “Here’s your precious human.” 

A Promise Like This by whentheywrite (1/1 | 6,037 | Gen | Sterek) “Oh my god,” Stiles said, taking the offered bag Derek had brought that night. The moment he opened it, the best smell in the world came wafting out and Stiles moaned. “Curly fries. Oh my god, Sourwolf, I want to marry you.”

In a split second, Derek’s face had gone from neutrally blank to bright red. Except Stiles was much too busy digging the container of fries out to really notice.

He might have been a little intrigued if he had.

OR

Five times Stiles sort of accidentally proposed and the one time he might have meant it.

Stormy Nights Make The Best Hot Chocolate by FogDog1738 (1/1 | 4,070 | Mature | Sterek) Stiles gets anxiety from a storm during the night and Derek comes to check on him. Things are worse than they both wanted them to be, but eventually turn into a night of mutually coming out.

heart/beats by Galaxy_Collector (1/1 | 2,568 | Gen | Sterek) Character A [Stiles] gets the flu while the rest of the gang are away fighting supernatural enemies. Character B [Derek] comes to check on him. Oh, and he's failed to mention that Character A is his mate. But don't worry, Character C [Melissa McCall] totally (and unintentionally!) rats him out.

[phdmama]

May 31, 2022

May We Lift Each Other Up 2022 Wrap-Up!

Instead of an individual lift-up, today I just wanted to lift up the experience of fandom in general, and reflect on what it’s given me.

Fandom has given me the joy of witnessing other people’s creativity. As I said elsewhere, I want to lift you all up because you’ve already lifted me up. I’ve gotten to see people in all stages of their journeys. I’ve gotten to see people blossom and grow and that is so beautiful to me.

I’ve also gotten to enjoy (FOR FREE) the results of those labors and that work. I’m not sure I can adequately articulate the impact fic and art have had on my life. Of course, it’s entertained me. But it’s also challenged me. It’s helped me learn new things about myself and people and the world. Fic has given me tools and wisdom for managing my own trauma/C-PTSD and pain. Fic and fandom have helped me understand myself and my own neurodivergence in SO many crucial ways, ways that are allowing me to be happier, healthier. A better partner and parent. Fic has been with me through some of the hardest experiences I’ve had, and it’s brought me comfort and healing.

Fandom and fic have brought me some of the best people I’ve ever known, and some of the closest friends I’ve ever had. It’s given me a place to be wholly myself. I think like a lot of people, I’ve had a hard time in the real world finding people and places where I felt like I could bring all of me and be, not only tolerated but genuinely embraced. I’m legit tearing up writing this, at how grateful I feel.

So many people commented how this was something they really needed in the moment they received it, and I was really struck by that. Things are hard in the world right now. So hard and scary and heartbreaking. And it feels daunting and overwhelming to know where to begin. I guess a thing I take from this is, that any kind impulse we have, it matters to express it, if we can. 

Our words matter. I really believe in energy, and I believe that what we put out into the universe stays there. This is not to say that anyone should feel guilty if they can’t, of course not! But if you’re having that impulse, and you wonder, does it matter? Does it make a difference? It does matter. It does make a difference.

I cannot tell you how hard it was to limit myself to 30 days and 32 people. I think I could have written ten times the number of posts that I did. As I said before, I wish I had the spoons to lift every single on of you who’s touched my life, but whether or not I wrote a post highlighting any particular person, please know that I *am* lifting you up in my heart. Because you matter. Your presence here matters, and I say that confidently, whether or not we’ve ever interacted.

So thank you all, so much, for going on this journey with me! Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep it up for the whole month, and I’m sort of astonished that I did. Thank you to everyone who gave me ideas and recommendations, I’ve read things that have moved me and given me so much. Thank you to everyone who supported this project. 

Tl;dr - Just… thank you.

Below the cut is the list of all the amazing people I’ve got to lift up this month! Check them out!

May 1 - @kingsofeverything 

May 2 - @phoebe-delia

May 3 - @louandhazaf

May 4 - @sweet-s0rr0w & @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm

May 5 - @sitp-recs

May 6 - @tackytigerfic

May 7 - @londonfoginacup

May 8 - @teacup-tai

May 9 - @lululawrence

May 10 - @lqtraintracks

May 11 - @crinkle-eyed-boo

May 12 - @m4g0rtz & @julcheninred

May 13 - @justalittlelouislove

May 14 - @softlystarstruck / @celestialbee

May 15 - @clottedcreamfudge

May 16 - @onbeinganangel

May 17 - @nv-md

May 18 - @thebooktopus

May 19 - @becomeawendybird

May 20 - @lettersbyelise

May 21 - @laynefaire

May 22 - @wolfpants

May 23 - @allwaswell16

May 24 - @veelawings​

May 25 - @helloamhere​

May 26 - @fallinglikethis​

May 27 - @the-starryknight​

May 28 - @suburbanmotel​

May 29 - @academicdisasterfic​

May 30 - @pineau-noir​

[suburbanmotel]

It was quiet in the car. Derek liked to take Stiles on drives late at night when he could. He could do that because he was aging slower than Stiles. They knew that would happen. It was expected. Derek had explained to him years ago the life cycle of the wolf, how he could likely live to 125, maybe longer if he took care of himself, if he wasn’t taken out by hunters or any number of other predators first. Stiles made sure Derek didn’t get taken out by predators. Stiles made sure Derek took care of himself. Stiles took care of Derek until he was too old to take care of anyone anymore.

Six Sentence Sunday

Writers: post (approximately) six sentences from something you’re working on. If you aren’t ready to do that, add six sentences to your WIP.

Readers: challenge yourselves to leave a six sentence comment or give a writer a six sentence prompt. (or a total of six sentences for the day)

Fans and creators alike: reblog a fandom post and add some love in the tags. Aim for 6 posts - or 6 tags. Whatever you can manage!

Feel free to repost this banner!