The Things We Learn

6

This is literally just a fluff filler to apologize for all of the angst I'm about to throw at you <3

Derek snuffled as he slowly came to consciousness, rolling over. Well he tried to. Something heavy sat on his chest, preventing him from doing so. He squinted open his eyes, looking down at his chest. His breath caught in his throat.. again.

Stiles laid across Derek's front, his face cuddled into Derek's chest. His hands were pressed flat against Derek's chest, under his shirt, as if he were seeking out heat. Stiles snored quietly, a little bit of drool running down onto Derek's chest. Derek smiled fondly, running a hand through Stiles' hair.

They were laid out on Stiles' couch. He doesn't remember falling asleep. The movie he and Stiles were watching still played, forgotten on the TV. He doesn't even remember what it was about, nor did he remember when he and Stiles got in this position. Last he remembered, they were sitting up. Derek's arm was around Stiles' shoulders, Stiles leaned into Derek's chest. But Derek was not opposed to this new position in the slightest.

Stiles yawned, stretching out. His eyes slowly blinked open, taking in his surroundings. Finally he looked up at Derek, a soft smile on his face.

"Hey." Stiles said, his smile making Derek's heart clench.

"Hey." Derek said back, pressing a kiss to Stiles' forehead. Stiles looked over to the tv, chuckling.

"What a great movie we watched." Derek chuckled with him, nodding in agreement.

"Oh ya, goes down in the books as one of the best movies ever."

"Well we weren't that invested in it anyways. The kids picked.." Stiles sat up quickly, nearly hitting Derek in the crotch. His eyes wide in panic. He went to get off the couch, but Derek grabbed him, pulling him back down.

"Woah, woah, woah. Where are you going?"

"The kids. Where are they? Where's Jenna?" Derek pulled a frantic Stiles into his chest, holding him close.

"Hey, calm down, it's okay. I can hear them in Jenna's room. They're playing, they're fine." Stiles let out a shaky breath, and Derek could feel his muscles relax. Derek pressed another kiss to Stiles' head, rubbing a hand up and down his back comfortingly. "You're okay, they're okay."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to freak out."

"It's okay, you don't have to apologize. Just come lay back down." Stiles did so, curling back up against Derek's chest. They sat in silence for a bit, just enjoying each other's presence.

It wasn't long though before Trouble 1 and 2 came running into the room.

"Tatuś!"

"Uncle Derek!"

Both men shared a look, before sighing and sitting up. 

"Yes, children, how may we help you?" Stiles asked, his voice very deadpan. 

"Since you and Derek are getting married, does that make Daniel my family?"

Stiles' facial expression made it look like he short circuited, spluttering as he searched for words. Derek would have answered, but he was too busy doubling over with laughter. He had to grab onto his sides, them aching from how hard he was laughing. Stiles finally got it together though, sending a glare and a slap against the side Derek's way.

"Okay, first off, Derek and I are not getting married yet. We've been dating for like two weeks. Secondly, you and Daniel can already be family if you want to be. Family doesn't stop at blood or law. For instance, your Aunt Lydia, is she related to you in any way, shape or form? Or Daniel, your Aunt Erica, are you related to her?"

Both kids shook their heads no.

"Exactly! And yet, I still consider Lydia my sister, and you still call her Aunt Lydia. And the same goes for Derek and your Aunt Erica. So, if you guys want to be family, then you are. It's that easy. Family is in the heart, not on a piece of paper or in DNA." 

The kids smiled brightly, basically vibrating with excitement. They began dancing around the room, chanting repeatedly that they were cousins. Very loudly. Derek and Stiles shared looks that were both equally part fond and done. Jenna came running back over, jumping into Derek's lap.

"Derek?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"I want you to be my family too." Derek felt his chest tighten, a fond smile growing on his face. He pressed a kiss to Jenna's head, Jenna smiling back at him.

"I am, sweetie. And you are mine." Jenna wrapped her arms around Derek's neck, giving him a hug. Derek wrapped her small form up in his arms, hugging her back. She quickly squirmed out of his hold though, grabbing Daniel by the hand and running back to her room.

"Hey, you guys got half an hour! Start cleaning up!" Grumbles were heard from them, but Derek also heard them doing as they were told, so he didn't comment. He looked back over to Stiles, who was already looking at him. Derek started patting at his face, thinking something was on it.

"What?" Stiles chuckled, pulling Derek's hands away from his face, and into his own hands.

"Nothing. I just love how great you are with her." Derek smiled at their intertwined hands.

"She has me wrapped around her little pinky." Stiles chuckled, pressing a kiss to Derek's lips.

"She has that effect on people."