Guess Who's Legal?

The party

Stiles arrived at Lydia's house, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The moment he stepped through the door, he was met with a whirlwind of noise and colorful decorations. Lydia had gone all out for his birthday, and as he took in the lively atmosphere, he couldn't help but grin.

The music pulsed through the air, mixing with the laughter of his friends. Everywhere he looked, familiar faces lit up with joy—Scott was chatting enthusiastically with Allison, Jackson was passionately gesturing to a story, and Erica was showing off her impressive dance moves with Boyd cheering her on. Stiles felt a warm glow spread through him; these were his people, and tonight was a celebration of him.

After grabbing a drink from the kitchen, he moved deeper into the party. He spotted Lydia in the center of the room, directing the chaos like a maestro. She caught his eye and beamed at him, raising her glass in a toast. Stiles couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. He was determined to enjoy every minute of the night.

About an hour into the party, as Stiles was mingling with the group, the door swung open again. There he was—Derek Hale, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever. He stepped inside, his presence commanding attention, and Stiles felt his breath hitch. He'd been hoping Derek would come, but now that he was here, Stiles felt that familiar wave of awkwardness wash over him.

"Hey, Hale," Stiles called out, forcing himself to sound casual. Derek turned his head, catching Stiles' eye, and a small smile flickered across his face. He made his way over, and Stiles' heart raced even faster.

"Happy birthday, Stiles," Derek said, his voice low and smooth. He held out a beer, a silent offering that made Stiles' stomach flutter.

"Thanks," Stiles replied, accepting the drink, their fingers brushing briefly. He felt a jolt at the contact, and he hoped Derek hadn't noticed the heat rising to his cheeks.

"So, how's the party?" Derek asked, taking a sip of his beer. Stiles could feel the weight of Derek's gaze on him, and he fought the urge to squirm under it.

"It's great! Lydia really went all out," Stiles replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "A lot better than last week's rain, right? That storm felt like it would never end."

"Yeah, it's nice to have a break from the weather," Derek said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled faintly. "The sun really makes a difference."

They stood together, sipping their beers, surrounded by the noise of their friends celebrating. Stiles struggled to keep the conversation going. It felt surreal to be here, sharing this moment with Derek. Just ask him out! his inner voice urged him, but the words got stuck in his throat.

"So, what are your plans for your birthday tomorrow?" Derek finally asked, his tone genuinely curious.

Stiles hesitated, considering the truth but not wanting to scare Derek off. "I'm not sure yet. Maybe do something low-key," he replied, his heart pounding as he contemplated whether now was the time.

"That sounds good," Derek said, nodding. "You deserve to celebrate."

As they exchanged casual banter, Stiles found himself relaxing, his earlier nerves easing slightly. He could sense a connection between them, something warm and unspoken. But just as he was about to muster the courage to ask Derek out, he noticed the time.

An hour passed quickly, and Derek glanced at his phone. "I should probably get going," he said, his expression slightly regretful. Stiles' heart sank, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over him.

"Yeah, okay," Stiles said, trying to hide his distress. "Thanks for coming, Derek. It really means a lot."

"Of course," Derek replied, meeting Stiles' gaze, and for a moment, everything else faded away. There was a softness in Derek's eyes that made Stiles' pulse quicken. "Have a good night."

"Thanks," Stiles managed, wishing he could say more, but the moment slipped away too quickly. Derek turned to leave, and Stiles felt a tightness in his chest as he watched him go, wishing he had been brave enough to make his move.

As soon as Derek stepped out the door, Jackson appeared, clapping Stiles on the back. "Come on, we're playing beer pong!" he declared, dragging Stiles toward the makeshift game area.

"Why didn't you ask him out?" Allison wondered, frowning as she joined them. Her eyes sparkled with determination, clearly rooting for both of them. "You had the perfect chance!"

Stiles shrugged, trying to play it cool even as disappointment crept in. "I have a plan," he said, forcing a grin. "I'll see him tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Jackson raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. "What's the plan? Are you just going to follow him around like a lost puppy until he gets the hint?"

"Very funny," Stiles shot back, rolling his eyes. "It's more strategic than that. I want it to be right."

"Right?" Erica chimed in, smirking. "Stiles, if you don't ask him out soon, someone else will!"

"Yeah, dude, you can't just sit around waiting for 'perfect.' Just take a leap!" Jackson encouraged, his competitive nature shining through.

"Fine, fine!" Stiles threw his hands up in mock surrender, laughter bubbling in his chest. "I'll make a move tomorrow, okay?"

"Good," Jackson grinned, clearly satisfied with the answer. "Now let's see if you can actually beat me in beer pong."

Stiles felt the adrenaline kick in as they gathered around the table, the competitive spirit taking over. Despite the earlier disappointment, he couldn't help but feel hopeful. Tomorrow would be a new day—a new chance to take the leap and finally let Derek know how he felt. The party buzzed around him, laughter and cheers filling the air, and for the first time that night, he truly believed that maybe, just maybe, everything would work out.

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