Suffer Well (Sterek)

We're not friends

Derek averted his eyes as Stiles took a seat across from him and next to Cora.

"So you and Dom?" Amora asked looking at the human.

Stiles tensed glancing at Derek who suddenly looked overly interested in the stick he was holding.

"Uh, no, not...I'm still...getting over...Theo," Stiles shifted nervously. Stiles was obviously lying, but Derek couldn't understand why. 

"Good, I think you'd be better off with Derek," Amora grinned grabbing a chocolate bar from Cora's hand.

Stiles coughed, choking on the marshmallow he'd just shoved in his mouth. 

"Amora," Laura said sternly.

"What I'm just saying," Amora shrugged. 

"Just saying what?" Dominic asked, stepping outside then.

"That Derek and Stiles would be good together," Amora answered ignoring Damon and Laura's glares.

"Oh," Dominic glanced between his brother and the human. 

"I already gave Stiles the go ahead to date Dominic," Derek said before he could stop himself. He immediately regretted it. That was twice now he'd given him permission. 

"You what?" Amora snapped as if Derek had just personally offended her.

"You did?" Dominic asked with a frown. He hadn't expected Derek to be okay with the two of them.

Damon's curious head tilt didn't go unnoticed by Derek. He'd smelt the jealousy on him early, he was sure of it. Derek wished the earth would open up and swallow him whole.

"Yeah, why would I care?" Derek shrugged looking down at the stick he was still holding.

"Because he's your friend," Dominic spoke up before Amora could say something worse.

Derek frowned. "No he's not," Derek said looking up, his eyes meeting Dominic's. The scent of sadness filled Derek's nose. He'd hurt Stiles' feelings.

"I should go," Stiles stood then. Derek looked to the human who did everything he could to avoid looking back.

"Derek," Amora snapped at her brother.

"I'll walk you out," Dominic offered quietly. 

Stiles mumbled a goodnight to everyone before following Dominic back inside.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Amora barked once the door was closed.

"Nothing, we're not friends," Derek shrugged.

"How can you say that, he's over here all the time-"

"For Dominic," Derek interrupted Cora. 

"How can you possibly think that's true?" Amora gaped at the alpha.

"I don't have to explain myself to you, I'm helping him with Scott, that's it. He came over for dinner because Dominic invited him," Derek stood, he was in no mood to discuss this any further.

"Derek," Damon stood following Derek inside.

"Damon, please, don't," Derek pleaded gently.

"You don't want him to date Dominic," Damon spoke ignoring Derek's plea, "Why did you tell him he could?" 

Derek let out a sigh, "If he's with Dominic then we can never be anything, and I don't want to be. I'm better off alone," Derek shook his head before making his way towards his room.

"What did she do to you?" Damon asked causing Derek to pause at the bottom of the stairs.

"She made me realize that I can't trust anyone but family," Derek growled not looking at his brother, before stalking away.

-

Stiles allowed Dominic to open the door to his jeep for him, "I'm sorry about Derek, he's been in a weird mood today," Dominic apologized though he was sure that nothing shy of a heartfelt apology straight from Derek would give Stiles any kind of comfort.

"It's nothing I didn't already know," Stiles shrugged. Truth was he had hoped Derek was actually starting to consider him a friend, and the fact that he most definitely wasn't, hurt more than he knew it should. 

"Try not to take it personally. He likes you, especially if he gave you permission to date me. Derek never approves of anyone to date any of his siblings," Dominic gave a small smile.

Stiles shifted nervously, he hoped Dominic couldn't smell the disappointment he felt at that. He hated that Derek had given him permission to date Dominic. He didn't want to date Dominic, he wanted to date Derek. Not that Dominic wasn't gorgeous, and fun, and sweet, but Derek...Derek was stunning, and earning a smile from him was like winning the lottery for Stiles. And Stiles had made it his life mission to hear the laugh that beautiful mouth could produce. He liked that Derek was so protective of his family. He hated that he was afraid to trust anyone and so desperately wanted Derek to feel comfortable trusting someone again, anyone. He had hoped that Derek was learning to trust him, but now he wasn't so sure, and that hurt. 

"Listen, we appreciate what you're doing for him," Dominic put a hand on Stiles' shoulder gently.

"What do you mean?" Stiles frowned.

"You being there for him and trying to be his friend despite him claiming he doesn't want any, thank you," Dominic explained.

Stiles sighed, "I don't think Derek appreciates it," Stiles climbed into the jeep then.

"Not yet, but give him time," Dominic smiled.

"Have a good night, Dom," Stiles said with another sigh.

-

Derek waited for Stiles to text him, letting him know he'd gotten home okay, but it never came. Derek grew anxious. He waited the allotted ten minutes it should have taken Stiles to get home. Then an extra five minutes, maybe he hit traffic. Then another ten minutes, maybe he stopped by the station to visit his dad. Still Nothing. 

With a huff he snatched his phone from the side table where he'd been staring at it for the past half hour.

You better have a reason for not texting me and letting me know you got home okay.

Derek waited anxiously for his phone to ding with the familiar text sound.

Didn't think you'd care.

Derek stared at the words with a frown.

Kate is in town, why wouldn't I care?

Derek was a bit perturbed that Stiles would assume that he didn't care. 

We're not friends.

Derek felt his stomach drop a bit. Stiles was upset about his comment earlier.

That doesn't mean I want you getting hurt because of me.

Derek typed back furiously. 

Derek waited for Stiles to respond expecting some smart remark or an argument. Instead all he got was.

I'm home. Goodnight.

The words were like a slap to the face. It was unlike Stiles to be so short, especially when Derek was actually responding. 

Goodnight, Stiles.

Derek responded just as simply. He'd debated not responding at all, but he felt too guilty. He didn't want to feel guilty, but he couldn't help it, he cared about Stiles and that included Stiles' feelings, which he'd hurt. Damn him.

*AN*
Next chapter will have Kate drama. Hope you liked it!