Sterek Library (a03 Edition)

A Match Unmade In Beacon Hills (part 2)

By: KouriArashi

(A little bit of steter here)

Lunch was a little awkward, because everyone was tripping over themselves trying not to mention what had happened with Stiles, or really anything about Stiles at all. Talia just said, "Stiles seems nice," and Derek made a noncommittal noise in return, and that was it.

It wasn't until Derek left the table to use the restroom that Laura said, "So Stiles is obviously perfect for Derek, right? What are the odds we can get him to dump Kate and go out with – "

"Someone who isn't his soulmate?" Talia interjected. "Come on, Laura. I know that none of us are huge fans of Kate, but let's try to be realistic."

"I am being realistic," Laura said. "There's no law that says you have to marry your soulmate."

"Which Derek already did," Aaron pointed out.

Laura sighed. "I'm just saying, in my personal opinion, if there's any way we can get Derek away from Kate, we should try. I don't care what the rest of the world would think about it. I care about my brother."

"Don't worry," Peter said. "I have a plan."

Talia eyed him suspiciously. "You do?"

"Mm hm."

"Is it a plan I'd approve of?"

"Oh, definitely not," Peter said, with a smile.

Talia opened her mouth, but at that point, Derek came back from the restroom, so they had to pretend they were talking about something else. It wasn't until, as the meal ended and they were leaving, Peter pulled Derek aside. "Can I ask you a question, Derek?"

"Sure," Derek said, although he looked wary.

"Your friend, Stiles . . . he's just a friend, right?"

"Of course," Derek said, his jaw tightening.

"Would it be all right with you if I asked him out?"

Derek's mouth opened slightly, and just hung that way for a long second before he sputtered, "Of, of course it would be, it's not, I mean, why would I have a problem with that? You can go out with anyone you want and so can he."

"All right, then text me his number, would you?" Peter said, with a sunny smile. Derek pushed his way past him, heading for the Camaro.

Talia stepped up beside Peter and the two of them watched him go, and Talia sighed. "That's your plan? Make him jealous by dating Stiles yourself?"

"From my perspective, it's win-win," Peter said, with a shrug. "Either Derek will get jealous, horn his way in, ask Stiles out himself, and give up on that bitch he married. Or, I'll get to date and probably do more with a truly attractive young man. There's literally no downside to this."

"Just do me a favor and don't say 'what could go wrong'," Talia said, shaking her head as she headed for her own car.

~ ~ ~ ~

Stiles was just getting home from his shift at the library when his phone buzzed to indicate an incoming text. He grabbed it and glanced out of the screen as he folded himself out of the Jeep and saw that it was from an unknown but local number. He pulled it up to read, 'Hello, Stiles, this is Peter. I got your number from Derek; I hope you don't mind.'

A smile came to his face, unbidden, and he replied, 'No, for the pleasure of seeing a semi-colon in a text message, it's all good. What's up?'

'Are you free tonight? I'd love to buy you a drink.'