Mother Knows Best (Not)

While working in the library Stiles met Derek. The man exuded confidence and used his assets to his advantage.

They didn't work on Stiles though and when Derek figured that out, he seemed to be more real with Stiles. Stiles suspected that was the point of giving everyone an act so as to parse out the different people and desires.

Stiles began talking to Derek about books. They were in a library so it made sense. The thing was that Derek was much more than just a pretty face. He loved to read. He devoured knowledge and soaked up information like a sponge. Stiles was enamored and star struck, yet he didn't  let it control his actions.

Then one day he was shelving on the top shelves and a careless patron ran into the ladder, sending it toppling to the ground. Stiles desperately clung to the shelf, gasping in fear.

Derek was the one to replace the ladder. Stiles got down and ended up in the direct path of sunlight. His chest heaved from the adrenaline. His wide eyes glowed golden like liquid honey. His pink lips stood out against his pale skin that looked sun kissed with all of its beauty marks. Derek sucked in a harsh breath at the man's beauty.

Stiles looked up at Derek and his cheeks twinged pink. "Thanks."

Derek nodded. "Course. Are you all right?"

Stiles took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his heart resuming its normal rhythm. "Yeah. I'm just a bit startled and a lot rattled." He gave Derek a considering look. "I don't believe I've ever considered a knight in shining armor would be in my story."

"Oh?" Derek inquired, amused, and quirked a brow. "Well, I regret to inform you that my armor isn't shiny. I've seen far too many battles for it to be spotless."

Stiles bit his lip and smiled. "Yeah. I know. Plus, who wants a knight with no battle experience? Not me."

Derek chuckled. "Perhaps you'd consider me then? I'd like to think perhaps I stand a chance at being worthy to one day earn your affections."

Stiles felt warm all over and his face flushed. Slowly his eyes flicked to Derek's lips. "Perhaps one day could be today?"

"Yeah?" Derek asked quietly.

Stiles nodded and they kissed. It was soft and everything either of them could want. They parted slowly and Derek regretfully had to leave but promised that he would court Stiles like a true potential suitor.

The promise made Stiles flush and beam. He had never been happier but his good mood didn't keep him from hearing the icy tone of a woman's voice calling out.

"Derek Spencer Hale! Mom has been looking for you! I'm not your keeper." She sniffed and huffed haughtily. "She probably won't let you come back."

That made Stiles frown. Derek spoke with an equally icy tone. "She can't keep me from coming here."

"Oh? Well, you go ahead and continue to believe that. Once we get home you'll realize that she can." They left not long after, Derek throwing a soft smile back at Stiles which he returned but when Derek and the woman were out of sight, Stiles's smile fell as nerves overwhelmed him.

It had been a month and Derek was nowhere to be seen. Stiles didn't give up—not completely anyway—because the truth of the matter was that he loved Derek. Derek was his knight. So, he would wait.

When Derek had gone home that day his mother had sat him down and explained what would be happening now. No ifs, ands or buts would be acceptable and Derek was to court and marry a girl—"She's Just perfect Derek. Trust me."—from a founding family. Derek's mouth tasted like ash at the news. He was gay and his mom knew this but she was going to do this regardless. She went on and on about Abigail—Amelia—Angela—or something like that but Derek's mind was on Stiles and the kiss they had shared.