A/N: So this is the end, my darlings. The last chapter. I thank you all for sticking with me even after I disappeared for a while. Thank you for all the kind words and kudos and follows, and I hope to see you again in my next stories! Take care!

Summary: 'Derek glanced at Stiles, who's smile dissolved into a light frown. He moved his hands again, and Derek flicked his eyes back to Sheriff Stilinski, silently asking for help. The Sheriff took a few steps forwards. "Stiles is mute." He said.'

I own nothing.

Chapter 17 - Finale

Summer comes, winter fades.

Here we are just the same.

Don't need pressure, don't need change.

Let's not give the game away.

Three weeks and many arguments later, Stiles was finally recovered enough that his father allowed him to leave the house for more than an hour at a time. Of course, since the incident, nightmares and anxiety became Stiles' new best friends, but Derek and the gang were so supportive, and that was making things a little bit easier.

Scott became a permanent guest in the Stilinskis' house during those couple of weeks, even more so than before, showing up on their front porch every morning after breakfast and leaving only when Stiles started showing signs of tiredness. It was beyond annoying, and made it almost impossible for Stiles to have some alone-time with Derek... but Stiles was grateful. Scott could cheer him up like no one else could.

Well, maybe beside Derek.

On that first morning, when Stiles was finally allowed to leave the house, Derek showed up in his room, already fully dressed and awake and ready with a large, sly grin plastered on his face. Stiles climbed out of bed, rubbing his eyes as he grinned back sleepily and shuffled towards him, planting a small kiss on his unshaven cheek before making his way towards the bathroom, yawning.

When Stiles came back from the shower, now much more alert and lively, he found Derek sitting on the edge of his bed, shuffling through Stiles' CD collection. He looked up as Stiles walked in with a towel wrapped around his waist and grinned wolfishly, raising an eyebrow in appreciation as he didn't even try to hide the fact he was checking him out.

Stiles, of course, noticed that. He huffed, turning around to rummage through his closet, dropping the towel to the floor as he did. Derek let out a long, happy whistle at that, but the noise died quickly when Stiles shot him a look over his shoulder.

Okay. Not a morning person.

Dressing up quickly, Stiles was done and ready to go in a few minutes. He followed Derek downstairs, grabbing a toast on their way out to the black Camaro Stiles admired. He munched on it, sliding into the passanger seat with a big grin as Derek made a face at the crumbs that dotted the seat. Well, Derek thought in relief. At least his mood picked up.

Where are we going? Stiles asked.

Derek just smirked and said nothing while Stiles grumbled next to him, huffing in annoyance and signing something about stupid corny surprises and stupid corny boyfriends. Derek chuckled to himself. Things were going in a surprisingly familiar pace, and if his plan worked, it would hopefully continue this way.

The ride was fun, even though Stiles had no idea where Derek was taking him. They opened the windows on both sides and let the wind blow through, putting on some music - one of Stiles CDs that Derek sneaked out - and drumming together on the dashboard along with the beats as Derek sang loudly, making Stiles laugh.

Yup. This day was definitely picking up.

"Someone to squeeze!" Derek sang, shouting the words, louder than the music, as he leaned a bit to the side to nudge a laughing, drumming Stiles. "Someone to please! And I need you you you-" Stiles let out a snort, stopped his drumming and shuffled to throw his arms around Derek's neck and plant a sloppy kiss on his cheek. Which only made him sing louder. "-I need you you you, I need you you you...!"

The song almost ended when Derek finally pulled the car to a stop, turning off the music as Stiles moved to kiss his lips once more and then turned to jump out of the car, eager and happier than he felt in quite a while. He looked around for a second, confused, then his eyes widened in surprise and recognition and he turned to stare at Derek with his mouth hanging open.

"Do you like it?" Derek asked with a smirk, shoving the car keys into his leather jacket's pocket.

Are you kidding? Stiles signed, his surprise expression turning into a huge smile. It pretty much became my favorite place. He gestured around happily.

They stood in the middle of the woods, three minutes walk from the small pool Derek took Stiles to on their first official date. They didn't get the chance to go there again since that day, and Stiles honestly thought this was perfect.

It will definitely be perfect settings for his own little plan, too, he thought.

Before he knew it, Derek moved closer, sneaking an arm around Stiles' waist as the teen cooperated and did the same, letting Derek lead him where he wanted. As he expected, Derek took him to the pool in the small clearing, where a blanket was spread over a small patch of grass just like it's been on that first time they were there. He smiled, leaning into Derek's embrace as he sneaked his arm free.

Perfect. Stiles signed. Derek grinned.

They moved to sit on the blanket, Stiles leaning against the tree trunk to relieve some of the pressure on his still-sensitive ribs, with Derek sprawled on his back, his head resting on Stiles' calf and his eyes closed in pleasure as Stiles' long fingers brushed through his hair gently. They sat there in silence for a while, enjoying the quiet sounds of the woods and the wind, until Derek felt a hand tapping on his shoulder. He opened his eyes, looking up at Stiles in question.

Do you want to do something? He asked.

"Like what?"

Stiles shrugged, his whiskey brown eyes shinning playfully.

I can think of a few.

That made Derek sit up in an instant, almost bumping his head into Stiles' chin as he did, twisting around so he could face him properly. Large, matching grins spread across their faces and they leaned in, closing their lips on each other's.

"I quite like that kind of idea," Derek breathed through the kiss.

They made out for a while after that, Derek's lips latching onto Stiles' neck as the teen threw his head back, his fingernails tracing long, sensitive lines across Derek's back under his shirt and jacket. It wasn't as intense as they usually done it, instead setting a softer, more intimate pace to their movements. It was special, warm and good, and with a fluttering heart, Stiles realized he was finally ready.

He stopped abruptly, gently pushing Derek away so he could look at him better. He scrambled to his feet and stretched out his hand, offering Derek help standing up. When he took it, Stiles pulled him up and close in a swift motion and pressed against him, kissing him gently before he grabbed at his wrist and led him into the woods, smiling widely.

Derek followed, confused and somewhat reluctant to leave the pool, but he did so anyway without question, following Stiles in silence. They stopped next to the car, and Stiles twisted him a little until Derek's back was pressed against the driver's door, with Stiles pinning him with a soft, happy and excited smile. He kissed him again, long and sweet, unaware of the fact that Derek sneaked one hand through the open window and pressed 'play' on the music player.

The soft sound of slow guitars filled the silence, and Derek's arms crawled to wrap themselves around Stiles' waist, pulling him closer as he moved away from the car and slid his fingers along the length of the teen's arm, grasping at his hand. Stiles' eyes softened as he realized what Derek was doing, and so he shifted to match his movements, letting his boyfriend lead him through the music and resting his chin on his shoulders as they pressed close together.

"Weave, weave, weave me the sunshine out of the falling rain," Derek whispered the familiar words in his ear, and Stiles shivered, closing his eyes. "Do you remember?" Derek asked quietly, his warm breath ghosting over his neck. Stiles nodded slowly, swaying to the sound of music. "It was our first dance."

Stiles stopped.

It was time.

He pulled away slowly, trembling, letting his arms fall from Derek's hold. He shook his head as Derek started to protest in confusion and just smiled at him, his eyes soft as he took two steps backwards. He opened his mouth, and took a deep breath.

"I," He said, his lips twisting in effort around the words. He raised his palm to stop Derek from doing anything, but Derek just stood there and watched, too stunned and curious and just a little bit worried. "I-ee, lou, lo-love yo-ou." He stammered, blushing furiously but still looking quite proud of his achievement.

Derek didn't move. He just kept standing there, silent and shocked. For once, he was the one without words. Stiles looked a little bit anxious.

Say something. He signed, his hands slightly shaking.

That seemed to knock Derek out of his trance-like state, and he blinked once, twice, then moved so fast that Stiles didn't realize at first what was happening. His arms wound swiftly around Stiles' shoulders, his face buried in the crook of his neck.

Stiles thought he might have heard sniffling.

"I love you," Derek's voice was muffled and thick, but the emotion in it was clear as day, and Stiles wrapped his arms around his back as they tightened their grip on one another. "I love you, I love you. Oh God, I love you so much." He repeated quietly, chokingly. And when he pulled away a little, just enough to dive back and kiss him, Stiles noticed that there were tears glistening in his eyes. Derek breathed heavily, shivering when Stiles returned the kiss with an equal amount of passion.

Eventually, they had to stop to catch their breath, breaking away from each other, panting. They stared into each other's eyes, large, happy smiles spreading on their lips.

It was perfect.

Derek laughed.

Perfect.

"You finally said it back."

Please don't say you love me,

'Cause I might not say it back.

Doesn't mean my heart stops skipping when you look at me like that.

There's no need to worry when you see just where we're at...

Just please don't say you love me,

'Cause I might not say it back.

~FIN~

A/N: Song used: "Please Don't Say You Love Me" / Gabrielle Aplin