Note: Okay guys, so this is the last chapter- and I'm really sorry it took so long, but I came down with a sudden bout of writer's-block. Anywho- thanks to everyone who read this- It's so awesome to see that people have liked, read and even commented on something that you've made. It makes writing these things so much more fun.

So thanks, and I hope you enjoyed the ride!

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

After the pain had stopped and Stiles excuse to sleep over at Derek's became non-existent, things were seemingly back to normal. Stiles was going to school again and hanging with his friends. He was cooking for his dad, doing his homework and playing video games with Scott, Boyd and Isaac on a regular basis (they'd become closer over the week Stiles' was away apparently?).

No more burning feeling and agonised screaming, and no more feeling that crushing weight of impending fire circling around him. It was a relief to say the least.

The ghoul attack and the subsequent pain- felt like a distant memory to Stiles only showing in the jagged slowly-closing lines marked on his upper left thigh.

Something that had changed was the amount that Cora and Lydia teased him now, because someone (read as Isaac) had to tell them about the time he walked in on Stiles and Derek when they were saying their goodbyes. Not cool Isaac. Cora and Lydia together were merciless and their combined smarts and viciousness scared the living shit out of Stiles regularly.

There were comments that frequented, such as; "I knew it!" and "What's Derek like in bed? Do you call his dick the ALPHA?"

It's funny, really, because Stiles had only spent one day with Derek knowing that his affections were mutual- and then he was shipped back home and away from the lovin'. So, he didn't actually know the answers to half the questions, especially the ones about Derek's dick sizing. Though, in saying that… he'd like to find out one day.

When Stiles had returned to school everyone had leapt to him and bombarded him with questions about his health, relieved that he was back. Stiles' dad spent the first two days after he came home, closely watching him- like he was going to leave again or break or something, probably just relieved that his son was back under his own roof. Stiles kind of felt guilty when it came to his father…he hadn't really kept the man as informed, as maybe he should have.

So, the time passed with worried glances, happy reunions and lots and lots of schoolwork to catch up on.

But sadly no Derek Hale.

Derek had decided that Stiles needed some time with his father and friends…and also there was schoolwork, Scott's persistent need to come over every night since Stiles had come home, and the consistency of his father's watchful eyes. Derek actually hadn't really had a chance to see him since Stiles left the loft- the same day their feelings were outed.

It had been more than a week and since then! Think of all the awesome de-virginifying they could have done! Seriously, Stiles had made a list for when he actually got someone willing enough to date him. And so far- only kissing and maybe a bit of groping, but REALLY- Stiles had so many things on that list, it really wasn't fair that he'd basically knocked off none of them at all. He had a willing, and rather smoking hot partner dammit!

But no, all Stiles and Derek had really gotten up to in that week was a few short texts and some status-reassuring phone-calls…some of them lasting for hours and basically ending up as 'phone-dates'.

They'd had conversations over the phone, about feelings and such…It had taken four days to reach the 'are we boyfriends?' talk- and weirdly it was Derek who brought it up, sounding cutely hesitant and angry.

So yeah, the boyfriend status was confirmed, which Stiles was still in shock about even days, and many texts after the conversation had past.

Because, in all honesty, Derek Hale and Stiles Stilinski just didn't seem to mix, not logically at least.

There was a four year age gap, and one of them was underage. Stiles was bright, sarcastic and often insulting; talking a mile a minute to anyone who would listen. He was dorky, pale and only just starting to fill into his own body. Derek was tall, dark and handsome with a deeply troubled past and an obvious need to glare at anyone and anything. The mainpain in the guy alone should be enough to warn Stiles off.

They had conflicting personalities too! Stiles should not like Derek…but for some reason, the broody silent way the man acted actually calmed him down a whole lot. And it wasn't like Derek didn't have a sense of humour- because the guy could match him toe-to-toe in sarcasm and snark.

Derek was handsome, smart as proven by his reading habits and sarcastic wit. He was loyal, justified, honest and so, so brave.

Stiles could see why he loved Derek. Loved, that's right.

He just couldn't see why the Hell the man even liked him.

Friday night, about a week and a half after he last saw Derek face to face, Stiles was sitting on his bed- staring at his phone angrily.

His dad was out on a late shift…probably wouldn't be home until two am or something. This was the first late-shift since Stiles had come home, and really- the first time Stiles had been left alone in the house, no Scott, Isaac or Dad to keep him company.

But, it also meant that there was no Scott, Isaac or Dad to keep Derek away- and that was Stiles' dilemma.

Sitting on the bed, back arched against the headboard and knees knocking together nervously- Stiles stared down at the phone in his hand- the pixels spelling out Derek's contact details perfectly.

All he had to do was click 'call', but it wasn't that simple- not really. He really, really wanted to see Derek, but what was he going to say once the man answered the phone? "Hey, my Dad's out- Imma need you for a booty-call?"

Ugh. Stiles was seriously debating just not doing anything at all- ignoring it entirely and not calling Derek. But…this might be his only chance for a while, and he knew if he didn't take it he's hate himself in the morning.

But still- he stared at the contact name on his phone, glaring at everything. It seemed like it was staring back too, daring, mocking- and outright torturing Stiles.

"Just- get it over with Stilinski. He doesn't hate you- it's not like he's gonna say no." Stiles muttered to himself, tapping nervously on the back of his Samsung and glaring up at the ceiling, regretting his compete lack of social convention when it came to dating.

His heart was beating heavily in his chest- his throat tightening up in the familiar feeling of panic and he could feel the back of his neck start to accumulate a cold, nauseating sweat.

No- nope. He refused to have a panic attack over this. But even saying that to himself Stiles could feel the familiar mantra of oh God, oh God, oh God making its way through his mind and the feeling of heart leaping, his breath getting shorter and shorter. Tears were rushing to his eyes and he felt the need to run- to just run and never stop, but he also felt the need to curl up into a ball and scream.

Stiles breaths were coming even quicker now, as he was starting to freak out about freaking out and that was just making his freak out even more- it was like a never ending cycle of ahhhhh.

Oh Jesus he was really going to have a panic-attack over calling Derek, wasn't he?

No. Nope. That would not do. No.

Stiles calmed himself slightly, taking deep, gulping breaths and focussed on counting all the different colours in the room like the psych had told him to do- a distraction for his brain apparently. He had to do this. It would be all right. Putting it off and panicking was just going to create more anxiety.

Deep breath in.

Derek liked him, it was fine.

Deep breath out.

"Oh I'm an idiot." Stiles whispered- a tad shakily from his previous 'almost hyperventilation and outright sob fest', and before he could change his mind he tapped the call button next to Derek's name (listed under 'The D' for pure irony) and held the phone up to his ear- waiting.

The familiar sound of a ringing phone sounded through the speakers…and after every soft 'ba-riiiing' Stiles grew a bigger and bigger urge to just wuss-out and hang up before Derek could answer.

He shouldn't feel like this- he already knew Derek liked him back! It wasn't rational to feel so nervous. But then again, insecurity and anxiety weren't ever rational feelings to experience- Stiles knew that for a fact.

Before he could back out though, the phone was answered with a soft click and a breathy, "Hey Stiles."

Those two words immediately calmed Stiles down. Derek sounded excited and affectionate- Stiles could hear it in his voice that the man was smiling. He knew Derek liked him- the kissing had given away as much. He was just letting his insecurities take a hold of him- but no more!

"'Yo Derek." Stiles greeted happily, feeling for the first time that calling Derek was a good thing. That he got to hear the man's voice. His heart had even started to calm down and the dizziness was going away. Awesome.

"How are you doing?" Derek asked, as per their typical routine in conversation…not that they were still used to having conversations like these, since the phone-dates were kind of a recent development.

"I-uh, I'm doing good." Stiles was suddenly awkward again, as he was reminded about why he had called.

"Actually not just good- great. Um, so-dad's on late-shift tonight and I was kind of wondering…" He toyed with the loose string on his hoodie- already feeling the panic start to rise up again as insecurity set in. Wow, that didn't last long at all.

"If I could come over?" Derek finished Stiles' sentence, voice toned light with amusement.

"Yes!" Stiles paused, "I mean if- if you want. It's just that, like- we've really not had any chance to hang out since I left…well- we've called and texted but that's not really the same, so…" Stiles wanted to bang his head against the headboard repeatedly, but he knew Derek's advanced hearing would pick it up through the microphone.

"I guess I'm coming over then." Derek sounded like he was enjoying Stiles' awkwardness- the evil bastard. So uncalled for! Especially when, during many of their phone-sessions- Derek himself had been an awkward wolf and had actually stuttered at one point!

"Yeah, uh- you, can…do that now if you like? Because Dad's already out and I'm kind of bored." Stiles chuckled and heard Derek huff a little snort of amusement back- the dude never outright laughed, but that was something Stiles hoped to fix with his amazing jesting skills.

"Okay Stiles- I'll come over now." Derek sounded like he was smiling and Stiles had just enough time to hiss a 'you better not come in through the window this time!' before the man hang up and he was left alone again.

Alone again…because Derek was coming over.

A Derek he'd recently become romantically involved with…

Shit!

Stiles jumped up and out of his bed in haste- so fast and uncoordinated that the lamp on his bedside table wobbled dangerously and he almost fell to the ground flailing.

Derek was coming over. Probably for sexy things. He wasn't prepared for this!

Stiles rushed to the bathroom- tripping over random stuff on his floor as he went and windmilling his arms as he zoomed around the corner- narrowly avoiding knocking his head into the wall on the way past.

He needed to clean his teeth! And…shower? No. No shower- he wouldn't have time knowing how quickly Derek could run in wolf form.

But teeth- he totally needed to clean his teeth.

And his junk…you know, just to be extra sure- he wasn't that optimistic- but a teen could hope, right?

Once Stiles had finished his…hygiene routine- he stumbled his way down-stairs and sat on the lounge-room couch, tapping his jittery legs and scratching his face nervously.

He had no time to clean his room- a basic habitat filled with books, crime-scene photos and dirty laundry. Oh well- at least it wouldn't be as bad as the time he invited his History partner over for a study project…the medieval books had ignited a lot of side-eyed looks.

The anxious teen sat on the couch watched the door at a slight angle, jumping nervously every few seconds- excited because seriously, he'd been waiting long enough for this!

Seconds ticked by, seconds- and before he could really start to think and freak out again- Stiles heard a knock on the door.

He snorted. Okay, so- yes this was a big moment in Stiles' life and he was kinda anxious- but seriously? Derek Hale was knocking? Really? The man who, rather than climb down the stairs like a normal person- jumps down the entire staircase like he's in a circus performance or something. The ridiculousness of a man like this knocking was just mind blowing.

Shaking his head in humour and a tad bit of admiration, Stiles got up from the couch and excitedly walked to the front door- pausing at the handle only for one anxious second before swinging the door wide and greeting himself with the sight of Derek Hale standing waiting on his porch.

Derek smiled brightly as soon as their eyes met. It was one of those rare moments where the man's smile wasn't sarcastic or mocking- and it was amazing. For such a 'dark and mysterious' person- it was forever amusing to Stiles that Derek Hale had both impressive dimples, and a set of bunny-teeth that not even the stubble could hide.

Derek was dressed in his usual unfairly tight jeans and badass boots… but for some reason his top wasn't his usual Henley/leather jacket combo. No, it was just a plain white T-shirt- not too tight around the chest but just tight enough around his shoulders and biceps to make Stiles swallow. The white fabric was also well worn-down, basically showing every shadow and dip in the man's torso.

Stiles couldn't take his eyes away- even if that meant not talking for a little while and just staring. Because seriously? How did this even happen? In what realm had this become a possibility for Stiles? Derek Hale standing at his door with a bright smile and a fucking admiring tint in his eye.

Plus the clothes. The clothes were unbelievable.

What was the dude getting at, coming there dressing like that? Was he trying to make Stiles have a premature death? Although…Maybe this was some kind of seduction technique.

Stiles stopped staring at Derek's chest and made eye contact- narrowing his eyes at Derek's obviously smug look. Oh, so it had been on purpose. What a little shit.

"Ugh- get inside." Stiles huffed- trying to sound annoyed but his grin slipped both onto his face and through into his voice.

Derek shot him a playful smirk as he stepped over the threshold and Stiles fumbled the door closed behind him- quick to get the man actually inside.

"Sooo…" hummed Stiles, looking around as they both stood around rather awkwardly in the space right in front of the door. Okay, so- yeah the feelings were out and about. But it looked like they were still at the 'I have no idea how to do this' stage in their relationship. Neither of them had a great relationship track-record; Stiles the inexperienced virgin and Derek the dude with two psycho ex-girlfriends- both dead.

Derek looked at him patiently- raising an eyebrow the way he always did.

"Wanna go to my room?" Very subtle Stilinski "'Cause to be honest the hallway's kind of boring." Stiles offered hurriedly- avoiding any kind of eye-contact, and then without looking back he turned around and started leading the way towards the stairs taking long clumsy strides.

He could hear Derek's almost silent footsteps behind him- a constant presence following him all the way up the stairs and into his bedroom- Stiles never once looking back or starting any kind of conversation, he was just to anxious to do so.

When they got to the bedroom, Stiles had no clue what to do next. His plan had simply been to get them both somewhere comfortable to avoid any more awkwardness- he really hadn't thought ahead any further than that. So he shut the door behind both of them- confining them to the smaller space, and just…waited. Waited for Derek to make a move, say something or do something to ease the tension.

Stiles didn't have to wait long though, because as they stood there Derek let his eyes wander; scrolling blatantly up and down over Stiles' frame in the obvious 'checkin' you out' way that the teen never thought would be directed at him.

And then Derek just , after a moment of hesitation swept over his face…took a frantic step forward, curled his arms around Stiles and hugged? Yep it was definitely hugging; Derek's strong arms wrapped tightly around his waist and his nose buried in the crook of Stiles' neck. Derek was taking deep, slow breaths and gently running his hands back and forth over Stiles' spine.

Now considering all the weird shit Derek did- you wouldn't thing that a little bit of hugging would confuse Stiles, but like, since when has anyone ever seen Derek 'I'm emotionally constipated' Hale- hug someone?

"You right there buddy?" Stiles asked- patting Derek on the back awkwardly. After a moment of silence in which Derek still kept embracing him- Stiles relaxed enough to tentatively return the hug back.

Hugging was something boyfriends did…right? So it was a good thing.

Actually, now that Stiles thought about it- it kind of was good .Just- being embraced by a wall of warmth and comfort, just standing there and basically without words getting across the message that, yes they both were in this, and that they both could just do things like this.

Derek smelled nice too- like pine and salt and that awesome earthy smell that comes after rain hits warm dirt in the spring.

So they stood just inside the door of Stiles' ratty bedroom hugging for what was definitely a long period of time, and Stiles was enjoying it.

He obviously wasn't enjoying it as much as Derek though. Not with the way the man clinged impossibly tighter after a minute- shoving his nose further into Stiles' neck and breathing – like one does when they can smell delicious food in the air. Was Stiles a delicious food? God he hoped not- getting eaten by your boyfriend (and not in a fun way) was totally not a nice way to go.

Still- Derek didn't seem to be trying to chew on Stiles- he was just snuffling a bit- breathing in.

Dude totally wasn't acting like himself, but then again Derek did seem to have a weird way of conflicting against his own personality.

Was this a scenting thing? It had to be a scenting thing.

"Is this a scenting thing?" Stiles asked, narrowing his eyes.

Derek just hummed into his neck (which- wow vibrations) and moved his nose slightly and slowly up Stiles' neck and to the soft flesh under his jaw.

Stiles could feel the drag of stubble and the warmth of hot breath. It sent small shivers down his spine.

"Missed you." Was all Derek said as he pressed his nose and entire body even closer to Stiles- like he was trying to get even more of a scent. Stiles tipped up his chin to accommodate the path Derek's nose was making towards his jugular.

And…actually now that he thinks about it he probably just offered up his neck to a werewolf. Derek seemed to like it though, the whole neck baring thing. Because as soon as Stiles' head tilted- the man drew in a surprised gasp and then just…went to town. He started rubbing at first- scrapping his stubbled jaw up the column of Stiles' neck and towards the back of his left ear. Stiles was totally getting stubble-burn, there was no doubt now. How the hell was he gonna explain that to his dad? Or, oh God- Scott. Derek's hands were clutching tightly at Stiles' waist- like he was afraid the teen might stop him from his little sniffy-rubby session.

Stiles let him do what he wanted though, it seemed to be making Derek happy after all and it wasn't like getting embraced by a hot guy was a bad thing.

The first slight, dry peck to his jaw made Stiles freeze for a moment, but he relaxed as Derek kept going- pecking small kisses up and down Stiles' throat in random patterns.

It was good, but in a way also made Stiles frustrated with the need for more. The little kisses weren't nearly enough. Closed mouthed and dry- just hinting at something else really.

"Can't believe-," Derek said in between his numerous pecks, "I get to do this." He sounded so wistful- but also a tad bit doped-out. Huh. Stiles has now made a man high off of his scent- achievement accomplished.

Derek's small kisses were turning from the dry, quick pecks – to longer, slightly dragging ones- his lips getting caught on Stiles' skin. The alpha moved- using his hands at Stiles' waist to navigate them- Stiles stumbling backwards as Derek pushed him towards the bed- still not taking his face out of Stiles' neck, even to see where he was going.

Stiles let out a small huff as he was pushed onto the bouncy mattress- but he really didn't have long to contemplate 'we've moved this to the bed' , before Derek was latching onto his neck in much filthier kisses- meanwhile using his hands to push Stiles up the bed until they were at the head.

Derek was straddling Stiles' thighs- seemingly content to just keep going at his throat like a man on a mission. Stiles was happy to let him too- laying back and bracing his hands on Derek's shoulders as the man did his work.

Derek started talking again in between his now very slow and wet kisses to the teen's neck.

"It's been more than a week." He complained- sounding angry as he started nipping under Stiles jaw- pressing their chests closer together and moving to lie on top of Stiles rather than straddle him.

"I know." Was all Stiles could say in response, sounding a bit choked because he was under some serious torture right here- he was even starting to get a bit 'happy' in his jeans and he could feel Derek was too.

"I've been going crazy- not being able to see you." Derek nipped at his jugular- making Stiles' breath hitch and his heart rate skyrocket, "Not being able to smell you-" Derek took a deep breath, "God. Love the way you smell."

Okay yeah- it sounded creepy and if anyone else had said that to Stiles, well…But at that moment- it was kinda hot, knowing he was turning the tough Alpha into a blissed out little puppy.

"Love the way you feel too." Derek murmured against Stiles' collarbone- grinding his hips down lightly as to make a point. Too lightly though- lightly enough to drive Stiles absolutely freaking insane.

This was like- wow. Stiles didn't even…Jesus he was so proud of his choice in men.

"Love the way you look." Derek said- now moving lips to Stiles' cheek- pecking away at all the skin he could find.

Wow- was Derek gonna keep just listing all the things he loved about him? Because Stiles could get used to that.

"Missed you." Derek repeated- sounding absolutely drugged. Stiles actually wasn't sure if Derek even realised what he was saying- what he was doing. He just seemed to be going off of instinct as far as Stiles could tell.

Stiles let him keep breathing in- keep kissing at his neck, because…well- if his boyfriend was in a weird scent-crazed neck frenzy then… Stiles' would just have to wait it out or something.

Then Derek whispered a soft "I love you." Into Stiles' neck- and all his thoughts suddenly just went asdfghjkl.

His heart just zoomed and his mind seemed to explode.

"L-Love?" Stiles choked out- barely above a whisper. This was- this had never happened to Stiles before- the 'L' word- not in a romantic sense at least.

Derek stiffened against him and immediately sat up- his eyes looking a little dazed and his whole face shocked. Oh, okay- guess he was out of his weird phase now.

"I-I didn't mean-" Derek stuttered quietly, and Stiles felt his heart drop. Of course Derek didn't mean it. He was just high with his sniffing extravaganza- he didn't love Stiles- who would.

"Oh Hell- yes I did." Derek muttered- sitting back on his knees and away from Stiles. He looked so self-deprecating, so afraid- nothing like the strong arrogance the man usually portrayed.

Stiles was just- wait. What? Yes he did?

"You…love me?" Stiles asked shakily- just to be sure.

Derek nodded, "I-yeah I really do Stiles." He said and looked sad about it. Why should he be sad?

"I love you too you know." Stiles declared in what was a surprisingly confident voice, "Just putting it out there."

Derek looked up at him- the sadness gone and replaced with shock and disbelief.

"I- really?" he asked- his voice cracking and his eyes widening hugely.

Stiles would have laughed at how taken-aback Derek looked if the situation wasn't so important.

"Yes I do. Now can we please go back to the kissing- hopefully with some reciprocation this time- I love that you seem to have a neck fetish- but I want to touch you too." Stiles smiled widely at Derek but the man just kept staring at him- mouth gaping slightly.

"Derek I swear to God if you don't kiss me right this second I'm gonna-" in true cliché style- Stiles was cut off with Derek's lips pressed to his. It was pretty much open-mouthed and wet straight away- lips massaging and tongues twining.

"You realise you're stuck with me now, right?" Stiles asked when they pulled away- lips shiny and breathing hard.

"Totally." Derek replied with a wolfish grin.

"And probably Scott by association." Stiles smirked.

"I think I'll live." Derek huffed- looking so damn happy that Stiles couldn't help but grin at him like a dope.

"You sure?" Stiles asked

He was answered with a kiss.