STEREK: Finding Your Love

Love Lost, Love Found

"Stiles, we've been looking through these books for over an hour now," Derek complained as he leaned against the bookshelf. "Did you find one that you can use?"

"Um," Stiles sucked in his lip. "I'm leaning towards this one." Stiles raised his hand and pointed the front of the book towards Derek.

"Hmm, 'Heart of Darkness'," Derek murmured. "Sounds interesting. What is it about?"

"Well, the narrator's name is Charles Marlow, and it takes place on the Congo River during the European colonization. His job is a ferry boat captain to transport ivory downriver, when he develops an interest in investing an ivory procurement agent, named Mr. Kurtz. When Kurtz establishes himself as a god among the natives, Marlow thinks he has gone mad," Stiles smiled. "It was first published in 1899, but it's still the right time period."

"Huh, doesn't sound too bad. Do you want to go to your place or mine to start this book report?" Derek inquired, a smile formed on his lips.

"Mine, but I have other homework to finish too," Stiles shrugged and walked to the counter.

Derek followed Stiles as he checked out the book. He watched him with curious eyes. The freckled boy smiled at the front desk lady and thanked her. He grabbed the book and they walked out together.

The loud purr of the engine drowned Derek's thoughts. Maybe it was for the best that they weren't together right now. Stiles needed to get his grades up and Derek needed to focus on his pack leader responsibilities. But damn was it hard to be away from Stiles.

Derek glanced over at Stiles sitting in the passenger seat. The sun was low in the sky, golden sunlight spread like a blanket over the town. The light hit Stiles brown eyes, illuminating them showing off small hints of gold flakes in his irises. His brows furrowed as he concentrated on reading the book they had just got. He bit his bottom lip in concentration. Derek smiled to himself as they pulled in front of the Stilinski residence.

"You can come in if you want," Stiles stated as his eyes never left the book. "Dad is working overtime and probably won't be home until after midnight."

"Are you sure?" Derek tentatively asked. "I don't want to bother you."

"No, I don't mind. I might need help with my calculus homework," Stiles looked over his shoulder and smiled at Derek. "But we can't do anything other than my days worth of homework first."

"Gotcha," Derek smiled back. "Do you want me to help?"

"Why else would I invite you in?"

Derek followed Stiles inside. Stiles plopped his book bag down onto his bed. He opened his bag, grabbed his homework, and sat down at his desk.

Derek let Stiles work as he laid on his bed. His eyes became heavy, sleep called his name. As Stiles continued to work, Derek drifted off to sleep.

Stiles sighed as he stretched out his arms. "I'm finally done and it's only six."

He looked over at Derek who was fast asleep on his bed. His face was so peaceful, he looked like he needed the sleep. Stiles smiled as he walked over to the sleeping man. He sat down next to him, letting his fingertips trace Derek's jawline.

'He's probably going to be hungry when he wakes up,' Stiles thought, getting an idea.

He ran out of the room, down the stairs, and into the kitchen. He didn't know how long Derek has been asleep, but he wanted to cook something before he woke up. Stiles searched the pantry, looking for anything he could cook and not mess up. He came across a box of pancake mix and grabbed it.

'What do werewolves eat?' The thought crossed Stiles' mind. Obviously he ate meat, and he could eat a lot of it. He did eat pasta with him, and he came over for many dinners, but when it was anything besides meat he didn't eat much.

He went into the garage and looked in the freezer. There was some elk meat left from a few weeks ago when his dad went hunting. Grabbing a pack, he went inside and got to work.

Derek awoke to the smell of something delicious. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but his mouth was watering as his eyes pried open. The soft pillows and blankets consumed him, the feeling of comfort and relief spread throughout his body. Remembering where he was, he glanced over to the desk that Stiles' had occupied before he fell asleep. The seat was empty.

Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, Derek rubbed his eyes before standing up. He reached his arms above his head, stretching out his body before he dared to walk out the door. Grabbing his phone out of his pocket, he checked the time. 

'It's only seven thirty?'

Walking down the stairs, he was greeted with the smell of cooking meat. A smile formed on his lips. He leaned against the door frame to the kitchen, watching Stiles cook. Stiles had discarded his shirt on the back of the chair, it was coated in some liquid he had been trying to cook with. His pale skin glowed in the sunlight shinning through the window. His brow lowered, his face stern as he was concentrating on cooking. 

"I could get used to this sight," Derek teased.

Stiles jumped from the sound of Derek's voice, looking up from the pan. A big, goofy grin spread across his face, his eyes softening. He put the utensil down and made his way to the bigger man. His arms wrapped around his waist, his face against Derek's chest. Derek wrapped his arms around the boys shoulders, leaning his cheek onto his head. 

"It's almost done," Stiles smiled. "I hope you like it."

He walked back to the stove as Derek sat down in the seat next to the one with Stiles' worn shirt draped on the back of it. Derek smiled to himself as he watched Stiles cook. He knew this could only mean that Stiles wasn't completely angry with him. It could even mean that Stiles has forgiven him. 

Stiles finally put the steaks onto two plates and pulled out some diced potatoes out of the oven. He put some onto both plates, one with more potatoes, and put them onto the table. The one with less potatoes was placed in front of Derek. Derek smiled as he knew Stiles finally caught on that he wasn't fond of anything other than meat. 

"Enjoy," Stiles smiled as he took his seat across from Derek. 

Derek began with the potatoes first since he knew he wasn't going to eat them after he finished the steak. The potatoes were good, for a potato. But the steak, the steak was amazing. Derek couldn't hide the content look that spread across his face. A slight moan slipped from his throat as he put another peace into his mouth. His eyes were closed as a smile formed on his lips when he began to chew. 

"I'm guessing I did a good job?"

"This is absolutely wonderful," Derek exclaimed as he put the last bite in his mouth. 

"Thank you," Stiles smiled. He barely touched his food, his fork slowly pushing the potatoes around his plate. "You can have mine, too, if you want. I'm not really hungry."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I think I'm just stressing out right now. I just hope I pass my classes," Stiles' smile faded from his face. "I also want you to know that I'm not mad at you, Derek. I forgot that Isaac is taken. I'm sorry for freaking out on you the other day and basically breaking my own heart."

"Stiles, I would never do anything to try and make you upset, let alone try and make you jealous. I know better than that. I just want to make you happy," Derek smiled as he reached across the table and took Stiles' hand into his own. "I love you, babyboy." 

Stiles lips turned up at the pet name that rolled off Derek's tongue. He tightened his grip on Derek's hand as he pushed his plate towards Derek. "Please eat it. I don't think I can."

Derek grabbed the plate as he released Stiles' hand. "Don't mind if I do. Also, how did you know the easiest way to my heart is through my stomach?"

A/N: Y'all sorry for the late update. Things have been difficult lately, but I really appreciate those who are still reading. I really appreciate those voting as well. It really makes my heart happy. Stay tuned! Next update will be faster, I promise.