The Der-Bear-Est of Them All

Park Adventure

"Der, wook!!" Stiles cries out, pointing to the swings. "Do you fink that I cud make a fwend here?" He looks up at Derek with a hopeful expression.

Derek smiles and nods. "I have no doubt that you can and will make a friend. I'll be right here. Okay? Remember the rules?"

Stiles nods with a smile as he bounces on the balls of his feet. "No talkin to stwangers. No goin too high. Be good. Don't get dirty." He searches Derek's face for approval and once he gets it, he bounds over to the slide.

Derek watches his mate playing and it fills his chest with warmth. He loves taking Stiles to the park. It's just a couple blocks from home and just hearing Stiles giggle makes his day. He takes a seat on one of the swings and slowly moves back and forth.

A little while later he hears Stiles's excited tone and looks to see him talking to a girl by the monkey bars. "It's okay. Just a widdle hurt. I can help." He takes her hand and looks for Derek. When he spots him, he guides the girl over to the swings. "Um, Der? Can you help my fwend?"

Derek smiles at the girl and nods. "Sure. Can you tell me what happened?"

The girl sniffles. "It was a ack-si-dent. I hit my knee on da wadder. It hurts."

Stiles hugs her and places a kiss on her knee. "You'll be okay. Der is da best, and he will make it all better."

Derek melts at Stiles's faith in him and kneels down to examine her knee. "Hm. It looks like it'll be a bit sore and maybe a tiny bruise but otherwise you'll be okay."

"I will?" Derek nods and she hugs him before taking Stiles's hand. "Wanna go back and play some more?"

Stiles nods and kisses Derek's cheek before whispering in his ear. "Fank you, my mate. You're da vewy bestest fwend in da whole world!"

The two kids run back to the playground and Derek looks around wondering where the little girl's parents are. He is pleased to see that Stiles made a friend.

Less than two hours later it's time to head home and Derek goes to collect Stiles. He gets introduced to the girl's mother who thanks him for making sure she was okay and thanks Stiles.

Stiles looks at her as Derek settles Stiles on his hip. "Um do you fink dat she can come to see me? We can play together. Der is a weally good person and he will keep us safe."

The woman smiles. "Let me give you my number and after you talk to your mom you can call so we can set up a playdate. Does that sound okay?" Stiles nods and giggles. The woman takes her daughter's hand. "All right, Lucy Lu. Ready to head home?"

Lucy looks at Stiles. "Okay. Bye, Stiles! See you water!"

Stiles watches as his new friend leaves and then lays his head on Derek's shoulder. "Der?"

"Hm?"

"You were right. I made a fwend but guess what?"

Derek kisses his temple. "What?"

Stiles squishes Derek's cheeks together. "No fwend will ever take your place. Cause–Cause guess why?"

"Hm why?"

"Cause you are my bestest fwend in da whole universe a-and cebause of dat you will have my whole heart forever and ever and ever! Okay? So don't be sad dat I made a fwend. Okay?"

Derek beams his heart overflowing with adoration for his mate. "That makes me feel really special, Stiles. Thank you."

"You welcome. I wuv you, Der. Wike a whole lot. Wike lots and lots."

"I love you too. Let's go home."