Chapter Text
Is it worth it?
Stiles stared at his phone while mumbling Derek's text to him out load. “Sorry I can't make it. Pack business. Sorry. Love you.” He responded with a generic “it's fine. Do what you need to. Let me know if you need me to help. Love you too.” He knew Derek wouldn't respond and if he did need help that he wouldn’t be asking Stiles for it. His mate hadn't come him for help in years. He hadn't even been in a pack meeting in months, and that had been when he got off work early. Scott hadn't hung out with him alone in a while either. It had started while he was away for college. Everyone else in the pack had stayed closed. He had got to Portland State University. Stile had loved it.
He smiled as he saw the approaching waitress with his food. He hadn't waiting for Derek to get there to order. Truthfully Derek only made about a fourth of their dates. He always had good excuses so it wasn't like Stiles could actually be that angry. And as it became habit, Stiles became less angry each time. It became a habit to have Derek cancel dates with him. He got used to eating alone.
He looked around his favorite bar. It was perfect. A great mix between people starting the night and grabbing a drink before heading home from work. He ended up eating here way too much. It was just a couple blocks from his office. And he got to walk through a park he helped plan and finance and build. It was gratifying to get to see his hard work. As the waitress put his food down he smiled and thanked her. She patted him on the shoulder as she left. She was one of his favorites.
He took out his tablet and started returning emails for work. He had worked his ass off and gotten a masters in Urban Planning and now he worked for the city manager. He worked with groups within the city to make everything run smoothly. And he was really really good at it. He was surprised at how good he was at it. Growing up he had always felt less then his friends, with them being supernatural creatures with badass skills. He ate his dinner while finishing some research for a grant proposal for an urban renewal program. He had already done three and each time got more funds for the city. He smiled as he sent the last email of his night when a strange voice broke his concentration.
“Ahh, Mr Stilinski?” He looks at the oddly familiar man in front of him.
“Do I know you?” He can't place the guy.
The guy smiles at him. Stiles takes a minute to actually look at the man. They're about the same age, mid twenties. He's taller then Stiles but thicker. There is a hint of muscles under his button down shirt. Stiles takes him all in. He's strong but doesn't carry himself like someone who can fight. Years of helping the pack had given him some insights into that type of tells. He's also devistatingly handsome. Stiles is annoyed at how good looking the man is. “I'm the new IT guy at your office, Matt.”
“Oh yeah, I remember the email about that. Sorry, you can call me Stiles.” He holds his hand out and fights a blush as Matt shakes his hand, it's firm and warm.
Matt actually blushes. “Stiles. I hate to ask this, but can I sit with you? There aren't anymore tables in the bar area.”
Stiles looks around and realizes that while he had been working and eating the place had filled up. “Ah, sure. Sit down.”
He motions and Matt sits. “I didn't realize it would be this busy. A couple people at the office said this was a good place to grab a burger.”
Stiles nods. “Yeah. It's one of my favorites. I'm a little ashamed about how much I come here.”
Matt laughs with him. “Don't be. I'm currently staying at a friend of my family's. I can't eat there without them grilling me about everything and telling my parents. So I have a feeling I'm going to be well acquainted with all the restaurants in town.”
Stiles breaks into a huge grin at Matt's words. They exchange more small talk while waiting for Matt's food. Stiles orders another beer and let's his curiosity get to him while chatting with this handsome man. “So where are you from?”
“I grew up in Seattle but went to school back east at NYU.” Matt leans in and Stiles gets a little vibe that this might be a first date. “After school I moved home for a while but when I got this job offer I thought 'why not'. It's a big change but I like it. So I have to ask, why are you eating alone on a Friday night?”
Stiles flushes a bit. “Well, I was supposed to have dinner with my boyfriend, but he stood me up.” Matt makes a sympathetic face at Stiles' words. “So, that's my story.”
They continue talking over a couple more rounds until Stiles knows about his hobbies: hiking, camping, comics. They ended up in a DC vs Marvel debate that lasted until Stiles' tablet dings with an email. He glances down and smiles. “Hey, you have any plans for the rest of the night?”
Matt smiles and says “None at all. I'm all yours.”
Stiles tries to not let that make him smile even bigger. “Well, I just got an email a realtor/developer group that is showing some amazing lofts tonight. Want to go see them? You'll get to see what I helped do.”
Matt nods his head and agrees. They pay their bills and start to walk from the restaurant. Stiles takes them through the park. Matt looks at him with an odd expression. “So what do you actually do? I'm not sure I really know what a city manager does.”
Stiles laughs. “Well, I'm not a city manager but I do work with him. My job is to basically work with city organizations, business groups, charities, government groups, every aspect of the city to bring more resources and prosperity. It's kinda awesome. I actually worked with three charities and multiple groups to make this park. We got a grant. Helped the homeless population that was here get services. Brought in local workers. After a year all the other shops and restaurants followed.”
Matt gives him a soft smile. “You sound proud. It's nice to feel like you accomplished something.”
Stiles blushes and they keep walking a couple more blocks into an section of town that he has started working on in an urban revitalization grant. It had turned a bunch of older building into new lofts with a wide range of prices. Stiles was happy to have gotten this project done. It brought new life to an area that was dangerous and run down. They chat more as they get to the main building. Lots of late twenties and early thirty year old's are heading in. They head up to the open house. There is trendy music playing and the loft is staged with modern furniture. He takes a minute to really appreciate the loft. It has huge open space with light brown wood floors and kitchen with light stone counter tops. It reminds him of Derek's loft in high school but fixed up. He smiles at the memory of Derek's old loft. He missed it. He loves Derek but the man remade his childhood home. Stiles had made a comment about updating it and Derek had bit his head off. He wasn't allowed anymore input ideas for the rebuild after that. He just got used to living in smaller rooms and an outdated kitchen. He glanced into the kitchen and saw stainless steel appliances. He didn't mind the white ones at the house but he did like how the stainless steel ones looked.
“Stiles!” A voice cuts through the loft. A beautiful blond women walked confidently over to him.
“Emily. It's good to see you.” He opens her arms and she leans in for a hug.
“And who is this handsome man? Do I finally get to meet the elusive Derek?” She laughs and leaves a hand on his forearm. He fights the urge to move closer. He hasn't gotten any pack cuddles in a very long time.
“Actually, I'm Matt. I just started working with Stiles this week. He was kind enough to let me highjack his night since I don't know anyone yet.” Matt holds his hand out to Emily and she gives him an appraising look.
“It's nice to meet you, Matt. So are you in Urban Planning like Stiles?” She moves away from Stiles and stays just out of Matt's personal space a little closer then most would stand but he knew Emily was single and looking for a boyfriend.
Matt blushes and leans a little back. “No, I'm in IT. Just a computer geek.”
Matt laughs at his comment and she smiles at him. “Oh that's great. I'm hopeless with computers which is why I became a real estate agent. It's mostly talking with people.”
They all laugh and Stiles glances around. “This place looks amazing. How many units are done?”
She makes a surprised face for a second then turns professional. “There are eighteen units done so far. Depending on the materials they range from $190,000 to the top two floors with high end finishes at $320,000. The Home owners association fees are only $325 a month but they cover electricity, water, garbage, and building wide wi-fi. It also includes a neighborhood patrolman from a private security firm. As you know Stiles, it was your idea.”
He smiles at her comment. It had been his idea. It increased safety and took some pressure off the police department. “And this unit, how much would this one go for?”
Matt is now giving him an odd look. Emily continues doing her real estate agent voice. “Well, this is a two bedroom two bath with quartz counter tops, which were manufactured here in Beacon Hills, which you also know about Stiles, hardwood floors and the stainless steel kitchen. This one is going for $210,000.”
Stiles hmm's appreciatively. He did bring in the company that manufactured the quartz, it had made almost twenty full time jobs for the locals. With his salary this would be easy to afford. He'd still get to put money way each month for his retirement. He almost shakes himself realizing that he's actually thinking about living in a place like this. He turns and smiles at Matt. “It looks like a great place.”
Matt agrees and Emily motions from them to look around. “Come find me if you have any questions but look around. Have a beer and relax.”
They walk over to a dining table with two bins with ice and beer. They each take one and start to walk around. Matt breaks the tension. “So I thought you lived with your boyfriend?”
“I do, it's just nice thinking about having a house with stuff I planned. His family's house burned down when he was in high school and he basically rebuilt the original house without really any input from me.” He tells Matt. They move to the kitchen and he runs his hand over the island that opens up to the dining room area and the living room. “When I cook, I'm cut off from everyone else and it's annoying. I feel like the party goes on and I don't get to be a part of it.”
Not that he had had many parties. He usually stumbled upon pack nights when he got home. The less he was invited to pack events the less comfortable he felt with them so he exiled himself to the kitchen a lot. If the kitchen was open to the living room or dining room he could do that and and least feel he was a little bit involved with the pack. He was not a good Alpha's mate. He blamed Derek. When he moved back to Beacon Hills Derek had slowly phased him out of all the pack activities. He came to the shocking realization that while Derek might love him, he wasn't an active partnership with the man three months ago. He had come home early from a trip out of town to find more then the usual cars at his house. He had busted his ass to finish and get back to spend more time with Derek only to find the pack in negotiations with another pack. The foreign Alpha had been a beautiful leggy blond who acted shocked that Derek had a mate. She had done passive aggressive comments all night until she left after scent marking Derek while grinning like a bitch at Stiles. Derek had apologized that night for not shutting her up but he didn't want to offend a foreign pack. A week later Stiles learned from Deaton that the other pack wasn't bigger or more dangerous then their back had been in high school. There had been no valid reason not to stand up to her. That was when Stiles started working sixty hour work weeks.
He heard Matt clear his throat. “Oh god, sorry. Lost in some thoughts. It's been a long day.”
Matt smiles gently and they continue to walk around the loft. They talk about their colleges and what they like about their work. They don't talk about anything serious and Stiles wants to hug the man because really doesn't want to think about anything too serious again tonight. Cause that would lead to a deep hard look at his relationship and he really doesn't want to do that tonight. They finish the night with exchanging numbers and promises to grab a beer some night after work.
He drives home and plans his work tomorrow than smiles as he realizes it's Friday and he can sleep in tomorrow. Maybe he'll stay home all day with Derek. Really work on fixing them cause the thought of not being with Derek makes the pit drop out of his stomach. He drives the rest of the way planning on things they can do tomorrow together. Derek had mentioned that his mom use to have a garden in the front of the house. They could work on that, maybe go get some plants that Derek would like. He knew it would be worth it to work at fixing them.
Parking next to Derek's car he glances at the rest of the packs cars and is happy they left a spot for him. He grabs his bag and heads into the house. Walking into the front hall he can hear a movie playing in the living room and the place smells like pizza. He sighs at the signs of another pack night he wasn't invited to and was actually stood up for. Fuck his life. He heads back to say hi to the pack. Turning a corner into the living room he sees the pack laying all over the furniture. He aches a little to be in the middle of it like he used to be. Derek is laying on the couch with Erica sitting on his legs and Issac's head is sitting on the floor with his head on Derek's stomach. They all look like they fit together. A happy family. Derek gives him a guilty look. “Hey Stiles, sorry I missed dinner. There was a meeting.”
“Apparently. How was it? Any big baddies I should be worried about?” He jokingly asks since he knows none of them would actually tell him.
Jackson decides to pour salt in his wounds. “Like you could do anything about it even if there was, Stilinski.”
Everyone giggles a little and Stiles doesn't bother to look at Scott. He hasn't expected Scott to stand up for him in years. But Derek should, he looks at Derek and his mate is giving him a passive face and then a shrug. He is done. Derek decides to move on. “How was work and the rest of your night? You're home kinda late.”
“Work was good. I got a lot done at dinner. Ended up having dinner with a new guy from work and then we went to one of the buildings I signed off on for renovations. It was pretty awesome. I like seeing my work when it's almost finished.” He lets of the excitement from his work into his voice.
Jackson again decides to say something. “Yeah, like you're job is actually important. You work for a small city.”
He keeps his eyes on Derek and the man doesn't do a fucking thing, he just shrugs again. Stiles actually thinks he sees red for a second. “Jackson, you're a paralegal at your daddy's law office because you flunked out of your first year of law school. So don't talk down to me at my own fucking house.”
Everyone goes silent except Jackson. “It's not your house, it's Derek's.”
No one, not even Derek, contradicts him.
“Fuck it, I'm going to bed.” He turns and goes upstairs.
He's showered and climbing into bed when Derek comes into the room. “Did you yell at Jackson because I canceled dinner?”
“No Derek, I yelled at Jackson because he was a dick to me in my house. Or your house since you didn't actually disagree with him.” He mutters and settles into bed. He's had a long week. He rolls over and looks at the wall.
“Of course it's your house. But I want the pack to feel comfortable when they're here. They don't need their Alpha's mate attacking them when they're here.” Derek sounds like Stiles is the asshole.
He rolls back. “He was insulting me. I have a right to defend myself in my own house, Derek. Especially when no one else there was.”
He doesn't want to smile at Derek's sad face but he's human. He's just happy to get a reaction. “I don't have to defend you because there is nothing wrong. Jackson is an ass, you know that. You're my mate Stiles. You're the most important to me.”
“Well, it would be nice if you treated me like that in front of anyone, ever.” He sighs. “I had already ordered dinner when you canceled because I already knew you weren't showing up. It would be nice if you kept at least half of our dates. Just saying.”
Derek looks gutted. Than shakes himself. “I have to keep my pack happy Stiles. As my mate you should want that too.”
Stiles doesn't have the energy for this fight. It's not worth it after as long a week as he's had. He just gives in. “Whatever Derek. I'm tired. I'm going to sleep.”
Derek looks like he's gotten his way and smiles. He strips and Stiles hates how he still feels like a horny teenage looking at a naked Derek. The well muscled wolf always makes his heart beat faster as the blood flows south. Derek smirks at him probably smelling his arousal. Derek crawls up the bed and Stiles' mouth goes dry. He feels a bit like a caged animal as Derek moves his arms to hold himself up over Stiles, he does half push up down to bury his face in Stiles neck. He makes a happy noise. “Mate.” He pushed back up and there is a look of wonder on his face. It always makes Stiles embarrassed. Like Derek is looking at something amazing. He smiles and closes his eyes. He always looks younger when he smiles. Stiles reaches up and caresses Derek's cheek feeling a couple days of stubble. He always loves Derek with stubble.
“I love you Stiles.” Derek moves his legs between Stiles' and Stiles moans as he feels Derek's hard length against his own. Stiles opens he legs and wraps them around Derek's waist.
He looks Derek in the eye and says “I love you too Derek.”
Derek breaks into an even bigger smile and the kiss. Their tongues battling each other making gasping moans come from both of them. Derek pulls away and grabs lube from the bedside table. Derek's smile turns dirty and he pours it onto his dick. Stiles stares hungrily at Derek while he preps his cock. “You ready for me, Stiles? Ready for your mate?”
Derek reaches between Stiles legs with his lubed fingers and slicks Stiles making him moan. “Yes, Derek. Yes. Please.”
Derek moves them until he's at Stiles' entrance. Stiles closes his eyes in anticipation. “No, baby. Look at me. Let me see you as I take you.”
Stiles eyes flutter open as he looks at Derek's face. He looks so vulnerable and yet so fucking sexy as he pushes into Stiles. “Fuck so full.”
Stiles loses the ability to talk as Derek starts to thrust faster and faster. Hitting the spot inside that makes him see stars. After Derek reduces Stiles to a whimpering mess the wolf wraps his hand around Stiles' cock and starts thrusting faster and faster. By the time he's on the verge of cumming Derek is slamming into him and looking desperate. “Please Derek.”
Derek shoves deep and Stiles can feel him start to shoot inside him. This sends Stiles over the edge and he shoots all over his stomach and chest. He fades into a happy warm head space and feels Derek moving them around. He opens his eyes enough to see Derek moving closer with a rag to wipe them both down. He smiles lazily at Derek who returns the smile. Derek crawls back in bed and moves Stiles until he is falling asleep on the wolfs chest to the sound of his mates heartbeat with Derek's arms around him. Feeling sexually satisfied he snuggles closer and makes the decision to stay home tomorrow and work on spending time with Derek.