Suffer Well (Sterek)

Try harder

Derek knocked on his brother's door gently after sending Stiles a quick text to let him know he got home okay.

"Derek, hey, you alright?" Dominic asked with a confused look. He could smell the anxiety rolling off his younger brother.

"Yeah, I'm good, I just wanted to talk to you real quick, about Stiles," Derek ran a hand along the back of his neck.

"You want me to back off," Dominic guessed dropping his head.

"What? No, I want you to try harder," Derek shook his head.

Dominic blinked at his brother, "Try harder?"

"Yes, I know Stiles likes you, but I think he got upset because Amora said she preferred he and I. Don't let her change how you feel about him," Derek spoke quickly.

"Wait, you want me to date Stiles?" Dominic didn't understand what Derek was getting at.

"Yes," Derek smiled at his brother.

Dominic frowned, he had been sure Derek had developed feelings for the human, and yet here he was trying to convince Dominic to date him. "Why?"

"Because, Amora was right, he would be perfect, just not for me, but I know he likes you, and you like him." Derek hoped his brother would take the bait. If his brother dated Stiles he wouldn't be able to, there was a strict no sibling sharing rule and Derek's loyalty to his brother would outweigh any feelings he had for Stiles. And just maybe it would help him get over the human.

"I'm gonna invite him over for dinner tomorrow night, sound good?" Derek asked pulling out his phone.

"Uh, I guess," Dominic frowned.

"Don't tell Stiles about this, he'll kill me," Derek gave his brother a large grin.

Dominic only nodded. He wasn't sure what Derek was up to, but he was too tired from his fight with Amora earlier. They hadn't fought like that in years, it frustrated Dominic that she was so harsh with Derek. Though he seemed fine.

"Great, have a good night," Derek turned then and walked to his room.

He opened his phone to see a text from Stiles.

Glad you made it home, I did too, but...would you maybe care to explain what that was about?

Derek thought about how to answer Stiles' question.

Why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow night, be here at 6:30.

Derek ignored the follow up text that said Stiles would be there but asked why. He would have to wait and see.

-

Derek made sure everything was set up for dinner and ready when Dominic got home, he'd been out all day.

"It smells good in here," Dominic said walking into the kitchen.

"Go shower, Stiles will be here in twenty minutes," Derek responded quickly.

"Okay, I'm going, bossy," Dominic mumbled as he did as Derek said.

Derek finished setting the table and called up the stairs to Cora, "Cora, you about ready?"

The youngest Hale sister peered around the corner, "Yeah, I'm ready," She smiled as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Dominic stepped into the eerily quiet kitchen to see a note on the table with two place settings.

Dom,
Have a nice dinner with Stiles, you have the house to yourself for a few hours. Laura and Damon are on alpha business locally, Amora is out with friends, I took Cora to a movie. Enjoy your date. -Derek

"Damn it, Derek," Dominic let out a frustrated huff just as the doorbell rang.

Dominic groaned as he made his way to the front door.

"Hey, Dom," Stiles smiled at the werewolf.

"Hey, Stiles," Dominic forced a smile, but Stiles saw right through it.

"Is everything okay?" Stiles asked stepping into the house.

"Umm, yeah, I mean..." Dominic trailed off. No wonder Derek told Stiles not to say anything, he'd set them up on a date without telling either of them.

"Are you hungry?" Dominic asked.

"I'm here for dinner, so yeah," Stiles chuckled.

"Right, of course," Dominic felt stupid. How was he going to explain this to Stiles? And why was Derek pushing for him and Stiles to date all of a sudden. Damon had specifically told Dominic and Amora yesterday, that Derek was fighting feelings for Stiles.

"Where is everyone?" Stiles asked, stepping into the kitchen.

"About that..." Dominic cleared his throat, "I think we were set up."

"Set up?" Stiles frowned before glancing around the room. He saw the table set for two.

"I came downstairs to this," Dominic handed Stiles the note Derek had left.

Stiles' scent changed from confusion, to hurt, to anger.

"Why would he do this?" Stiles demanded holding up the letter.

"Last night, he came up to my room telling me that I needed to try harder with you, I don't know why, I know you aren't into me like that. But Derek was insistent that you were," Dominic shrugged.

Stiles frowned, "I specifically told him I didn't. Not that you aren't great, cause you are, and I totally had small crush when I first met you, but I was with Theo and then Derek and I started to talk more and I just-"

"Stiles, it's okay, you don't have to explain yourself. I could tell you were developing feelings for Derek and we were all sure he had developing feelings for you," Dominic frowned glancing at the freshly cooked meal.

"He does, but he says he'll never agree to be with me." Stiles spoke quietly, his eyes dropping to the floor.

Dominic was suddenly overwhelmed with anger towards his brother. He knew what he was doing.

"Let's eat, Derek cooked and we're both hungry. It doesn't have to be a date." Dominic gestured towards the table.

"Yeah, I'd like that," Stiles nodded dropping the note from Derek onto the counter.

Dominic smelled the hurt Stiles was feeling. It only angered Dominic more. What was Derek thinking, pulling a stunt like this?

*AN*
Here you are, lovelies. Enjoy!