Flirt Responsibly

Favor

Watching Derek Hale play Basketball wasn't the worst thing Stiles could think of. However, Danny was only about three feet away watching as well and Stiles was jealous. He could admit it, he just wasn't sure he wanted to admit why he was jealous. One would have thought it was because Danny wasn't smiling at him while biting at his bottom lip. But that wasn't it. He didn't want anyone looking at Derek that way, which was stupid because Derek wasn't his to be possessive of.

"You're staring dude," Scott nudged Stiles' ribcage gently, pulling his attention away from Danny.

"He's watching Derek like a piece of meat," Stiles huffed in response.

What Stiles didn't see was that Derek was looking at him and not Danny.

"Dude, you're not paying attention, Ethan bumped Derek's shoulder to get his attention.

"Sorry," Derek drug his eyes away from Stiles. His stomach knotted in a way that made him nauseous. He had been excited for Stiles to watch one of his practices, but the younger guy was too busy staring at Danny to watch. He felt bad. Danny had made it a point to toss him a wink upon entering the gym. He secretly hoped that Stiles would realize that Danny just wasn't into him and move on. But even if he did, it didn't guarantee he would move on to Derek.

"Hale, the ball is on the other end of the court," Couch Finstock yelled.

Derek hadn't realized he'd been staring again.

"What's so interesting in the stands huh? It's not Jackson is it? I don't need him dating the head cheerleader and the captain of the basketball team again," Coach groaned as Derek jogged by him.

"What? No," Derek shook his head in disgust.

"Good, then get a move on."

"Hey Stilinski, you got a minute?" Danny asked skipping down to the step next to him.

"Uh sure," Stiles frowned.

"So I was thinking, I did you a favor by getting coach and Jackson to agree on putting you in the goal, so I was wondering if you could do me a favor in return," Danny looked hopefully at Stiles.

"Sure, what is it?" Stiles couldn't imagine what he could do for Danny, but if it helped him earn brownie points he'd do it.

"You and Hale seem pretty close, I was wondering if you'd give him my number for me, and maybe put in a good word?" Danny held out a slip of paper with his name and number scribbled on it.

Stiles' stomach dropped as he stared at the paper.

"Sure," He said quietly as he took the paper.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Danny clapped a hand on his shoulder before hopping back up to his spot next to Jackson.

Stiles turned to see Scott giving him a sympathetic smile.

"This is my life, playing cupid for the two guys I like," Stiles huffed. His shoulders slumping slightly.

"Are you gonna give it to him?" Scott glanced over where Danny was sitting.

"I can't not give it to him, if either or both of them find out, then they'll be pissed. Danny go me in goal for the first game, I owe him."

-

After practice and Mrs. Rodgers had blabbed on about the pep rally planning. Stiles found himself frozen in place on the bleachers. The paper in his pocket felt heavy, reminding him that he had a decision to make. Either 'lose' the paper or just give it to Derek and hope that he stood by his 'not willing to date Danny' claim.

"You coming, man?" Scott asked, when he realized Stiles wasn't following him.

"He felt Danny's eyes on him. Danny would want to know why he didn't give it to him right away. He couldn't get out of this.

"Derek," Stiles blurted, standing then.

Derek and Isaac, whom he'd joined after practice, stopped walking.

"Hey, what's uh...what's up?" Derek's heart thudded heavily. He was sure Stiles wouldn't be talking to him again if it could be helped at all.

"Ummm," Stiles shifted nervously before digging into his pocket. The slightly wrinkled paper was shaking between his fingers. He wasn't sure if it was from fear that Derek would accept it or anger that he'd let himself get into this mess. "Danny asked me to give this to you. He thinks we're close and that'll I'll put in a good word for him."

Derek's jaw clenched as he looked down at the paper. He didn't notice the way Stiles' hands shook.

"Stiles, I told you-"

"I'm sure he's watching so please just take the damn thing," Stiles snapped.

Derek took the paper carefully, "Why are you doing this?"

"He did me a favor and now we're even," Stiles answered curtly before stepping past Derek.

"Stiles, wait," Derek caught the younger guy's arm, "I don't like this tension between us."

"What tension?" Stiles feigned ignorance. Derek didn't buy it.

"Look, I'm sorry I told you I liked Danny, it was stupid and...selfish," Derek wanted to tell him that it was him he liked but his throat closed at the idea.

"Why are trying so hard to be friends? We weren't before, so why now?" Stiles frowned. He was aware that his tone was harsh, but he couldn't help it. He was beginning to hate Derek and not because he was a bad guy but because he wasn't a bad guy. He could just date Danny and let Stiles move on, but no, he had to act like he owed Stiles some bro code agreement.

"I like you Stiles," Derek shrugged. Panic immediately swelled in his chest at his choice of words. His eyes went wide. "I mean...like..not like that, but like...as...you know...friendly or whatever."

Stiles tensed slightly. Well he could put Cora's mind at ease.

"Great. Then 'friendly or whatever' it is," Stiles gave a nod before walking off.

Derek wanted to hang himself from the basketball goal. It would be less painful than what he'd just done.

"Dude, if I have to watch you make an idiot of yourself in front of him again, I'm gonna tell him how you feel. How have you ever managed to date anyone is beyond me," Isaac shoved Derek towards the exit.

"I've royally screwed this up, haven't I?" Derek groaned.

"You've got a better chance of becoming president than you do of digging yourself out of this hole," Isaac shook his head in shame for his friend. "And if you keep that, it better be to tell him you're not interested." He pointed at the paper Derek was shoving into his own pocket.

"I could tell him to give Stiles a chance," Derek frowned. "Would that earn me brownie points back?"

"Are you trying to get him to hate you?" Isaac scoffed.

"Right, bad idea, got it," Derek nodded, following Isaac down the hall. He would just have to think of another way to get back on Stiles' good side. 

*AN*
Sorry it's been a minute. Life's crazy!