The Hale Orphanage

Ch. 13

I apologize about the absence, I've recently been sick and in and out of the hospital. I am beginning to feel better and will hopefully be getting some stories finished.

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-Derek

I'm not sure how to say this. These type of things are never easy. Letters I mean, I get my point across so much better in person, but something about this seems so much more romantic and personal and so much more you.

And that was it as he dug the vibrating phone from his pocket with sweaty palms trying to make sense of it all "Hi baby" Derek found his self grinning, solely because he could always hear the smile in Stiles' own voice. And that in itself made him feel much better about the situation.

"What is going on?"

"I know you think I forget out anniversary, it was really hard to play the part but I know you bought it"

"Any particular reason why you were trying to get yourself in the doghouse?"

"Well, I had something planned already, and I didn't want to spoil the surprise"

"So instead you wanted to make me upset?"

"But you're not anymore, you're smiling right now aren't you?"

Derek hid his ever growing grin behind his palm despite the fact he was home alone and ignored the question "Alright, where's this surprise?"

"Not that easy Hale. I'm guessing you didn't see the paper on the table" Derek looked down to find there had been another slip of paper that went unnoticed. It had more of Stiles' chicken scratch on it "Good luck baby, I'll see you soon... Hopefully"

The line went dead and Derek further inspected the slip. He flipped it over to find a photo. It was him and Stiles their first day on campus. Then it hit him; Stiles was sending him on a scavenger hunt.

Thirty minutes later he was outside that very building. If he'd been moving any faster he would have missed it, but the worn piece of paper stood out stopping him in his tracks. Taped to the wall was a receipt from the first restaurant they'd shared a date at once they started their lives in California.

The building was empty, but the door was unlocked revealing a glowing light from inside. It peaked his interested. This was either apart of the scavenger hunt or he was going to be arrested.

There was a table that had been sprinkled with stars. The same stars Derek helped install in Stiles' bedroom the first night they met all those years ago.

"I'm glad you were able to figure things out" Derek jumped at the sound of Stiels' voice. He followed the sound as his boyfriend emerged from the shadows.

"That was a terrible scavenger hunt"

"Well, we haven't been here long there are only so many memorable places. Maybe I'll add to it every year"

They exchanged laughs before Stiles squared his shoulders and was suddenly sporting a very serious gaze "We've been through a lot over the last seven months and even more during the last year. Like a lot. And we've moved very fast, from rekindling our relationship, to moving states together, and living together. But we've lasted, and as corny as it sounds I've got nothing but love to thank for this success. I love you so very much, I always have, I don't think I can remember a moment where I didn't. There's nothing else I could say but thank you, for everything you've given me, a life and a family, and a love I never thought I'd get to experience . Thank you Derek Hale. Thank you."

"Anytime" was all Derek could manage as he pulled him in for a hug.