High Infidelity [Midnights #2]

chapter 11

Derek sat waiting on the living room couch of the Stilinski home, rather impatiently, he might add, for a wild Stiles to appear. He kept twirling his phone absentmindedly for something to do, but he was ready to go. He had finally been invited to the annual 'Break into Beacon Hills High and Exchange Presents' soirée, and he wouldn't deny he was a little excited to attend. Granted, he hadn't actually known about it until a few months ago when he'd been thrust directly into Stiles and Scott's path when the latter had been bitten by a werewolf of unknown origins, but he was excited nonetheless. And he wouldn't deny that he felt pretty damn cool to be included.

Honestly, Derek found the whole thing adorable.

There was a routine too. They broke into the library, exchanged presents in a game of Dirty Santa, drank enough hot chocolate to throw up, according to Stiles, complete with mini marshmallows, and played some Truth or Dare until the wee hours of the morning.

And the mini marshmallows thing Derek only knew about because Stiles had demanded them. And, of course, that meant Derek had been forced to go another town over to get them since every place here was sold out. And yes, it had to be mini marshmallows. Derek had asked. Multiple times. Stiles would not be swayed, damnit.

Noah walked into the room suddenly and motioned for him to follow. "Can you come in here for a second?"

Derek nodded, even though Noah couldn't see as his back was already turned, and jumped right up. When they were both in the kitchen, Noah crossed his arms menacingly, lowering his voice even further.

"I turned off the alarm, but can you please make sure they don't burn the place down? I know they got some fondue thing for this year and it makes me nervous. I know it's small, but it's technically an open flame. Something I rarely allow Stiles around."

"What?"

"The library," Noah elaborated. "Can you just keep an eye on them? I know you're not that much older, and you're not their babysitter, but it would make me feel better."

"I, uh... sure?"

Noah laughed, shaking his head as he let one of his arms fall. "Do you really think that I didn't know that my son and his idiot friends sneak into the library of their school every winter break and exchange presents?"

Derek shook his own head, realizing very quickly how foolish it was to believe that exact thing, despite the fact that Stiles had insisted it was the truth. No way his dad hadn't always known. The man had raised Stiles. Hell, if he hadn't been paying pretty close attention all his life, Stiles would probably be in jail or dead at this point.

"Yeah, I got it," Derek agreed with a light chuckle.

"Good. We're going out."

Derek's eyebrows perked in surprise when he noticed Melissa McCall standing a few feet away in the formal dining room no one ever used. "You're both going out. Like... together?"

God, this was not Derek's business. But clearly Stiles had rubbed off on him or something.

"Yes, on a date," Noah answered decisively. "Hence why I'm asking you to keep an eye on them. I'd like very much not to be interrupted."

"Ah."

"A date?" Stiles screeched from somewhere upstairs, causing Derek to roll his eyes. "You guys have a date? Like a date date? Where?"

Derek said his name like a warning next. Which it usually was.

"Stiles. Time to go."

"No," Stiles whined. "I wanna hear more about this date."