FEBRUARY ↦ derek hale / halemore

FEBRUARY.

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FEBRUARY 7th — 1 week

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' Derek,

Hi! It's me, Noel. Your boyfriend. We've met a couple times, I think.

So, it's a week until Valentine's Day, which just so happens to be one of my favorite holidays. (That and Christmas, which is a double kill, because hey, it's also your birthday! Which totally rocks.)

I know it's cheesy and sappy, and we have so much other stuff to worry about right now with the kanima and other pack things, but I'm writing you a letter because I think it's sweet and I didn't want to convey all the stuff I need to say in a text.

What I'm stalling and putting off saying is that I want to do something special together for Valentine's Day. This is the first time I've ever actually been in a relationship on Valentine's Day, and maybe it's just the romantic in me, but I feel like all couples should do something together on this holiday. All holidays, really, but this one in particular.

If you're busy or have better things to do, I'll understand. You have a lot going on in your life and it doesn't revolve around me, but I figure one day away from pack stuff won't kill us, right?

Don't think you have to write me back, this is just easier than talking. I'll probably be a nervous wreck when I actually give this letter to you, unless I send it tied to a collar around Isaac's neck or something. Like he's a puppy you get your kid when Grandma passes away as a consolation/"life goes on" message.

...That may not actually be a universal experience, I'm just now realizing. If my parents were still around I'd ask them if there was any correlation between Grandma Great's death and our acquiring of Drift the doberman.

I think the answer would surprise me a lot less now than it would have then.

Anyway, yes, Valentine's Day. You and me. Text me once you've gotten and read and processed this letter. I eagerly (but not too eagerly) await your response.

Yours,
Noel '

The letter was signed in gratuitous calligraphy, dated and time-stamped, and sealed in a pink envelope with a red heart sticker. Derek's name was written on the front of the envelope in matching calligraphy, the bottom of the "k" swirling up and coiling into a small heart above his name the way a sixth grade girl may sign her name intending to seem clever and unique.

Noel must have thought he was being clever and unique. He certainly had one of those things down pat.

While clever he was not, unique and incredibly sweet he certainly was. Derek noted this as he read through the letter a third time from where he sat in the train car unofficially designated as his bedroom, eyes scanning every line slowly and taking in the words of his beta.

"If you're busy or have better things to do, I'll understand," he read aloud, eyebrows threaded together in worry. Did Noel really think he would ignore his request in favor of pack business? Did he doubt his affections toward him that much?

It was true, Derek wasn't much of a celebratory person, but did his own boyfriend think he wouldn't care about something that was so obviously deeply important to him?