Chasing The Sun Vol II: Citizen Soldier

Chapter 11: Smoke & Mirrors

Stiles felt his breath catch, as Derek's heat seemed to touch his skin. The not-so-casual lick had awoken every nerve ending from his Brain to his Big Toe.

The gesture may have been a sudden whim, but there was no lie that they hadn't got closer.

Before they reached the end of the hallway, Stiles stopped walking and turned to Derek, "Laura would have been proud of you, Der", he whispered softly.

Derek looked startled but then he smiled softly, "Thank You Stiles", he said warmly, "And if we don't go down now, Marie will murder us, according to Jackson", he added amused.

Faint laughter echoed on cue.

Stiles smirked, "Well best not to piss of blondes, I hear they have nasty tempers!" he grinned.

Derek chuckled and followed him down the stairs.

Stiles hadn't quite appreciated the decorations before, so as soon as Derek ushered him into the living room, he paused, "Oh. Wow", he breathed in awe.

Everything from the stockings to the Tree, looked beautiful, "Whoa guys everything looks amazing", he exclaimed.

Spying familiar doves, he walked to the tree, and traced a wing, "Merry Christmas, Mom", he wished before letting go.

Exhaling he turned and faced the populace.

Stiles grinned at the two twins;

"I do believe I was told I am in line to be married, do I not get to meet The Princess?" he called out carelessly.

A young woman, definitely Danny's older sister 'awwed' and pushed Elina gently forward, "Go. Go on say hello", she ushered.

The tiny cherub, with a dimple on her left side, pulled on his jean leg, shyly instructing him to pick her up.

Having picked her up, Elina traced the moles on his face asking quietly, "Are you Little Red?" she asked.

Shooting Jackson a glare over her head, he smiled, "Yup. That's me", he answered, "I do prefer the name Stiles, though", he greeted her formally none-the-less, "Hello Elina", he held out his hand.

"Why do you call the other Prince, the big bad wolf? Is he bad?" she asked softly.

Instinctively he knew she was talking about Derek.

"No. He's not bad, and I don't really call him Big Bad Wolf. I used to", Stiles confessed.

"What do you call him now?" She asked.

"Derek Hale", he answered.

"And a nickname?"

Danny stepped forward, "That's enough Elina, you're being a snoop", he scolded.

Elina pouted, lips quivering faintly.

The werewolves winced at her distress.

"No. Its okay", Stiles instinctively shielded the kid, unaware of the significance in Derek's, Chris', Melissa's, John's, Peter's, Melanie's and Lydia's sharp gazes.

"You'll tell me? And I won't be called a snoop?" A fat tear rolled down her cheek, and Danny tried to step forward, only to be blocked by Derek.

The wolf's eyes flashed violet-blue, "You're not a snoop Kiddo", he huffed shooting Danny a sharp glare.

Stiles soothed the beast, one hand on his arm. Derek's sub-sonic growl petered off.

"And I call him Sourwolf", he answered letting Melanie take her back so Danny could apologize to his sister.