Archive of Our Own

Theo’s late. He’d left early, giving himself what he thought was plenty of time to get to where he needed to be but he still wound up lost. The directions Peter gave him were worthless. He winds up all twisted around with no idea if he’s even in the vicinity of the building. He back tracks, trying to figure out where he went wrong when he finally sees it, the gnarled looking tree Peter had told him to turn at. He said it’d be obvious. Something tells Theo he knew it wouldn’t be and just wanted Theo to get lost. Asshole.

He stares at the rundown warehouse for a moment trying to figure out if this is the right place. It’s not exactly nice. But then again they can’t exactly have supernatural group therapy someplace out in the open where anyone could just walk in.

When Peter had first mentioned the idea of going to therapy Theo had scoffed. What did he need therapy for? Peter had been quick to remind him that he’d done some pretty awful things and it might be beneficial to talk about them, and anything else that’s been weighing on him. That it might make it easier for him to stay on the right path, and if he wasn’t going to do it for himself he should do it for other people in his life he might care about. Theo was about to say he didn’t care about anyone but he knew it would be a lie, an obvious one that Peter would have picked up on even without his supernatural hearing.

So Theo had taken the list of places that offered this so-called supernatural group therapy and agreed to at least consider going. Now that he’s here he’s nervous. He’s never really talked through everything that’s happened and now he’s supposed to do it in a room full of strangers? But he needs to. He wants to be better. If that means spilling his life story to a bunch of people he doesn’t know then he’ll do it. It might be easier that way, not having a certain set of blue eyes staring at him as he talks things through.

Theo slips into the room as quietly as he can, thankful that the meeting hasn’t actually started yet. Most of the seats are already taken, leaving him to take one towards the back. He thinks he’s good until he looks up and meets the intense stare of the one and only Derek Hale. Shit. Theo debates getting up and leaving but he’s already here, already drawn attention just by slipping in. And he needs this, no matter how much he denied it when Peter mentioned it. He’s not going to be the one to leave. He also doesn’t want Derek to feel like he has to leave either, especially if the Alpha has been coming here for a while. So he just shrugs, giving Derek a helpless smile. Derek just rolls his eyes, his shoulders only relaxing slightly as he focuses his eyes back towards the center of the room and away from Theo.

He doesn’t talk much that first night, only introducing himself when they ask if there’s anyone new with them. Derek doesn’t talk much either, at least not about himself. He’s surprised when Derek offers up some advice to a newly turned wolf who’d just lost her family. Theo supposes Derek would know a little bit about that.

Theo’s grabbing a cup of water after the meeting ends when he feels a strong arm settle on his shoulder, warm breath and fangs dangerously close to his throat as Derek growls quietly in his ear, “Who sent you?”

Theo jerks his arm back and glares at the Alpha, “No one sent me.”

Derek crosses his arms, eyes narrowed, “Oh really? Then I’m supposed to believe you found out about this place all on your own and wound up in the same group I’m in by accident?”

“Yes,” Theo says, meeting Derek’s glare with one of his own, “Well to the second part. Peter did tell me about the supernatural therapy,” when Derek growls again Theo raises up his hands, “but I swear I didn’t know you’d be here, alright? He thought it would help me to be here and after thinking on it a bit I realized he was right. After everything I’ve done I need this. This group just happened to be the closest one, but if it makes you uncomfortable I can try and find a different one.”

Derek stares at him for a long moment, looking for truth in his words before he sighs, “The next closest one is 2 hours away from Beacon Hills. I won’t make you drive that far. But if we’re both going to be here we’ll need some ground rules.”

Theo nods, relief settling in that he won’t have to find someplace else to go, “Of course.”

“No one knows I come here,” Derek admits, “and I’d like it to stay that way. At least for now. So there will be no talking about how we ran into each other here, or anything that happens here. You won’t mention anything you might hear while we’re here to anyone else and I’ll give you the same courtesy.”

Theo smiles, sticking out his hand to Derek who reluctantly takes it, giving a firm shake, “Deal.”

*

So twice a week Theo drives an hour outside of Beacon Hills and attends supernatural group therapy.  During their second week Derek had even gone so far as to offer Theo the seat next to him. Theo had been hesitant but found himself taking the seat nonetheless. Derek talks during the fourth week Theo is there. Theo can tell he’s going to even before he raises his hand signaling he wants to speak. Derek’s shoulders are slumped and his eyes look more haunted than usual. Theo only knows a little bit about what Derek has been through, most of the pack choosing to keep silent on it. When Derek starts talking Theo understands why, this isn’t something you just talk about. This is Derek’s story to tell and no one else's.

“My name’s Derek,” Derek mutters, waiting for the responses from the rest of the group to die down before carrying on, “I’ve been through a lot. Lost a lot. Some days are easier than others, but today… today is the anniversary of the fire that killed most of my family. Normally I would spend the day alone, not talking to anyone and just allowing my grief to win. But... “

Derek takes a deep breath, running a hand along the back of his neck in a way that reminds Theo of Stiles, “I woke up today to someone close to me making me breakfast, offering a subtle reminder that I’m not alone. He had to leave and I easily could have gone back to isolating myself but since I started coming here I figured I’d try not to do that this year. I’d try and do what someone very close to keeps telling me I need to do and talk about it. Or use my words as he would say,” Derek laughs brokenly at that. Theo can easily imagine just who told him that, “after the fire it was just my sister and I. Our uncle was alive but he’d been badly burned and he was locked inside his own head. He’d been in the house and barely managed to get out. What he’d been through… well it messed him up pretty bad.

“Laura and I really only had each other to depend on, but even then I never felt like I could talk to her about what happened. Not that she would have judged me or anything. I just couldn’t bear to see the look in her eyes when I told her I was the one responsible for our family being dead. Hell, I could barely stand to look at myself. I wish I’d talked to her, let her in. We’d both lost our family but rather than seeking comfort with the one person I had left I shut her out. It was selfish of me. I was so wrapped up in thinking I didn’t deserve that comfort that it didn’t even occur to me that she might need it.”

Derek takes a deep breath, studying his hands for a moment before continuing on, “I blamed myself for so long for what happened to my family. In my head it was always me that let her in, that let her manipulate and use me, that let her get close enough to get the information she needed to hurt my family.  I was only a teenager and she was older, almost 30 back then. I was so caught up in the fact that someone like her could be interested in me that I didn’t stop to ask myself why. Why would this woman be interested in a teenager?”

“You know it’s not your fault Derek,” Theo finds himself saying when Derek is silent for a while. He doesn’t know what prompts it. He just knows he needs Derek to know. Especially today, “she was essentially a pedophile. She targeted you. What happened was on her not you.”

Derek gives a stiff nod, his eyes conveying the thanks he can’t quite give, “I know that now. It took me awhile to get to the point where I could admit that. And you’re right, what happened was on her, not me. I think it took me so long to accept that because admitting that would mean I had to admit that I was a victim and I wasn’t ready to do that. I am now. I need to. I need to let go of that guilt so I can be rid of her, be rid of whatever hold she still has over me. She’s dead. She can’t hurt me anymore. I can’t keep letting her win.  I know I’m not completely there yet but I’m getting there. And I’m here today rather than isolating myself at home so that’s...something.”

“It certainly is,” Steve, their leader of sorts, says, “any progress, no matter how small it may seem matters. You’ve been making a lot of progress Derek. Even in the short time you’ve been coming here. I know today must be hard and it had to have taken a lot just to get in the car and drive here. You’re not alone in this Derek. You have us and your pack back home. We’re all here for you. Thank you for sharing your story with us,” the rest of the group offers their thanks before Steve speaks again, “Does anyone have anything to add to that before we move on?”

A woman named Tammy raises her hand and starts speaking. Theo realizes when she starts talking about how she lost her family that it’s the same woman Derek had offered advice to before. Theo chances a glance at Derek to see him still studying his hands, his mind clearly somewhere else. For the first time he’s feeling a little out of sorts. He knew when he decided to stay in this group that he would learn some things about Derek but he hadn’t been expecting that. That’s probably why Derek said they weren’t to talk about anything they hear outside of here. Even though the rest of the pack knows what happened to Derek’s family they most likely don’t know how he’s been handling it. Except maybe Stiles. Theo is sure Stiles knows, whether that was Derek’s choice or not.

Theo’s pulled out of his thoughts when Steve dismisses the group and everyone around them starts standing up and heading towards the refreshments. Theo waits, letting the people around him go by before he makes his way over there. Derek stays sitting as well, his eyes distant. He doesn’t have to wonder where Derek is right now.

Theo hesitantly places a hand on Derek’s shoulder, pulling back when Derek’s head snaps up, red eyes staring right at him, “Sorry. They just dismissed the group. I didn’t want to leave you sitting here.”

Derek glances around the room before turning his eyes back to Derek, now returned to their normal color, “Thank you. And thank you for what you said before.”

Theo shrugs, “No problem. I wasn’t sure if I was overstepping back then. I was going to apologize…”

“No,” Derek shakes his head, “no it’s okay. It’s… sometimes I need to hear things like that from other people. Stiles says it all the time but I’m never sure if he’s just saying it because he cares about me. It helps to hear it from people that don’t necessarily know me that well.”

“Yeah well, if you ever need someone to call you on your bullshit I’m your guy,” Theo grins.

“Oh I’m sure,” Derek replies, lips twitching slightly.

*

Derek’s not sure how it happens. When he first saw Theo Raeken walk into his group therapy he’d been tempted to turn and bolt out the door. But he’d already been going for a couple weeks and felt comfortable enough with the other members of the group so like hell was he going to stop going just because Theo showed up. He could tell Theo was facing the same dilemma he had been but ultimately stays in his seat, offering Derek a helpless shrug. Derek stays quiet that first session, only offering advice to one of the newbies that had recently lost her family. At that point he’s still not sure if Theo’s there to spy on him so he doesn’t want to give too much away. But when Derek talks to him he can hear and see Theo might need to be in group as much as he does so he makes the deal.

He expects to be uncomfortable having Theo around but it’s surprisingly not. He doesn’t know Theo as well as he does other members of the pack so it’s not as hard speaking up with the chimera around as it would be with some other members of the pack here. When the anniversary for the fire comes up he’s tempted to just stay in bed and let his grief overtake him like he usually does.

Then he wakes up with a hand combing through his hair, Stiles smiling softly down at him, “Hey big guy, if you’re up for it I made breakfast.” Derek blinks up at him, scenting the air briefly. Sure enough the smell of food reaches him from the kitchen. His stomach rumbles causing Stiles to laugh, “There’s bacon.”

Derek reaches up and squeezes the hand that Stiles still has combing through his hair, “I’ll be down in a minute.”

Stiles nods before standing up and heading toward the stairs, “Do what you need to do. I’ll try not to eat it all.”

“Knowing you, you made more than enough.”

“Of course I did,” Stiles grins, “but I still have to give you motivation to get downstairs.”

“Consider me motivated,” Derek mutters, throwing his legs over the side of the bed, standing up and heading to the bathroom.

He hears Stiles make his way downstairs and listens as he moves around, humming to himself. Derek finds himself smiling. The ache in his chest, while still there, no longer feeling like a vice around his heart. After using the bathroom and brushing his teeth Derek heads downstairs to see Stiles has already filled up two plates with food and has them sitting on the table along with two mugs of coffee. Derek takes his seat next to Stiles, closing his eyes as he takes his first sip of coffee. He opens his eyes to find Stiles watching him, a soft smile on his face.

Derek finds himself smiling back, the smile coming easily the way it usually does whenever he’s around Stiles. He eats his breakfast, content to listen to Stiles talk about the plans he has for today with his Dad. Stiles stops suddenly, looking over at Derek, eyes sad, “I’m sorry I can’t stay. You know I would. But my Dad…”

“It’s fine Stiles,” Derek says, taking a bite of his eggs, “Your Dad needs you. I’ll be alright.”

“You’ll text me if you need to talk?” Stiles asks.

“I will.”

Derek doesn’t have to. Stiles texts him throughout the day, giving Derek updates on the convention his Dad dragged him to. Some of the texts are pictures of people in outrageous outfits with captions varying from “Why would someone leave the house in this?” to “Can you believe these people are all in law enforcement?” and on one particular picture of a deputy in a pair of tight shorts “I think Beacon Hills needs to get these. Your ass would look great in them.”

Derek just chuckles to himself, shaking his head as he snaps a picture of himself with a raised eyebrow, “Only if you’ll be wearing them too.”

“Don’t give me ideas big guy,” Stiles texts him a few minutes later, shortly followed by, “Dad says no on the shorts. Something about not wanting to see Deputy Turner in them. I did not need that mental image!” Derek’s about to text back when another response comes through, “Dad says it’s discrimination and objectification to say only the younger deputies can wear the shorts.”

“Well he’s not wrong,” Derek replies.

“Traitor,” Stiles sends back, “you’re supposed to be on my side.”

“Never said I wasn’t,” Derek replies, searching through his closet for something to wear.

“Yeah but you agreed with him!” Derek fondly rolls his eyes when he reads the text, throwing his phone back down on his bed so he can pull on his jeans. His phone alerts him to another message as he’s pulling his shirt over his head, “Dad says I need to start paying attention to the convention and stop texting you. I wouldn’t put it past him to take my phone away if I don’t listen. Text me if you need anything though alright? He can’t yell at me if you really need me.”

“I will,” Derek tells him, “but I’m really doing alright Stiles. Try and enjoy yourself and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Derek sits on his couch, not sure what to do with himself now that he’s faced with the quiet. He checks his watch to see that he’d have time to get to group if he left now. He’s not sure whether he feels up for it or not, listening to other people talk about their problems. Not today. But maybe… maybe it couldn’t hurt for him to talk things through.

He’s surprised with how much he talks. He’s even more surprised when he doesn’t mind Theo interjecting with his input. Derek knows the things Theo has done. Knows what he put Stiles and the Sheriff through. He should hate the guy just for that. But even Stiles has admitted he’s seen a change in him. Theo is usually silent during group, only offering up his opinion when Steve prompts him. Steve doesn’t do that often but Derek knows he’s just trying to get Theo to open up, to contribute, to know that their group is a safe place. It had taken Derek a few sessions before he even started interacting with the other members so Derek really can’t blame Theo for wanting to feel things out.

2 months in Derek gets a call from Theo asking for a ride. Derek can’t think of any reason to say no so he agrees, picking Theo up at the park a few blocks away from the apartment he shares with Liam. The car ride is silent, but not in an awkward way. Theo seems to know that Derek doesn’t do small talk so he’s content to just let Derek be and look out the window.

After that first time, the two of them riding together becomes a regular thing. Derek says it’s because it just makes sense for them to carpool, given that they live in the same town and there’s no sense in taking separate cars to drive to the same place over an hour away. Derek still picks Theo up at the park since Liam doesn’t know he’s going to therapy and Derek picking him up would cause questions neither one of them are sure how to answer.

They slowly start talking to each other, at first about little things. Like when Theo notices Derek’s Yoda keychain and asks about it. Derek grins and explains that Stiles bought it for him, saying that Derek’s keys were too plain. That leads to them talking about Star Wars most of the drive to group, they’re still talking when they enter the room, earning a pleased smile from Steve. Steve had been trying to get Derek and Theo to interact more since they live near each other. He thought it would help to have someone close they felt comfortable talking with in case something happened and they needed someone to talk to. At first Derek wasn’t sure Theo could be that person but as time goes on that starts to change.

3 months in they start talking about Stiles and Liam. Well, more than they had before. Stiles and Liam always seemed to come up in their conversations somehow but now they’ve crossed over to admitting their feelings. Once again, Theo is the one to bring it up.

Derek is in his Deputy uniform when he picks Theo up, clearly having just gotten off shift, “So how’s Stiles?”

“Fine,” Derek says, pulling away from the curb and onto the road, “he went home to sleep like I wish I was but instead I’m going to listen to people talk about their feelings.”

“You know one of those people is you,” Theo tells him, “and no one said you have to go to group. It’s completely voluntary.”

“Yeah well… you need a ride.”

“I have a car,” Theo reminds him, “you don’t have to go just because you think I can’t get there myself. I’m not helpless.”

“I know that,” Derek says, “but I like going. It’s nice having a routine.”

“You just wish part of that routine today included falling asleep in Stiles’ arms.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Derek mutters.

“Sure you don’t,” Theo laughs, “it's obvious you’re completely in love with the guy. And he’s in the love with you. I don’t see why you’re not together.”

Derek sighs. He doesn’t know when it became normal for him to discuss his feelings for Stiles with Theo of all people. But here he is. This is his life now, “We did have a moment. We almost kissed but I didn’t let it happen.”

Theo gapes at him, “Why the hell not?”

“Because I wasn’t ready,” Derek admits, “I’m still working on being better. On being someone that deserves him. If anyone should understand that it’s you.”

Theo nods, “Yeah, you’re right. At least you know Stiles wants you. What did you tell him anyway?”

“‘Not yet.’ And he told me to take as long as I needed, that he’d still be here. I hate making him wait, but it’s nice to know he’s there. That he won’t push me into something I’m not ready for. I haven’t had the greatest track record with relationships so to know that someone like Stiles is out there, that he cares enough to wait it… I need to be enough for him. To be worthy.”

“If Stiles loves you and is willing to wait for you then you’re already worthy, at least in his eyes.” Theo tells him. Derek isn’t sure what to say to that. He knows Theo is right. That Stiles wouldn’t waste his time on someone he didn’t think was worthy of that devotion. That thought also scares the hell out of him. “Tell you what,” Theo continues, “you want to work on being worthy for Stiles then we’ll do that. We’ll get you your man.”

Derek glances over at him, eyebrow raised, “You want to help me get together with Stiles?”

Theo shrugs, “Sure, why not? I’ve caused enough pain. It’s about time I work on doing something good.”

“Okay then. But on one condition…”

“I’m helping you and there’s a condition?”

Derek grins, “You help me get Stiles but you have to let me help you with Liam.”

“What…? But that’s not… Liam doesn’t even like me!” Theo sputters out.

“And I thought Scott was the oblivious one,” Derek says, earning a glare from Theo, “One, you two are friends so he has to like you a little bit. Two, I’m pretty sure the way he looks at you isn’t the way someone looks at a friend.”

Theo stares at Derek for a moment before sighing, “Fine. I’m not exactly sure how this is going to work but I’ll help you and you can help me.”

Almost 4 months in Derek picks Theo up at the park and immediately notices something is off with the chimera. His posture is stiff, his mouth turned down in an unmistakable frown. Derek isn’t sure if he should ask about it. Sure they’ve been spending a lot of time together these past few months but are they to the point where they can just ask questions flat out like that. Derek finds he doesn’t quiet care, but still all he gets out is a simple, “Alright?”

Theo just shrugs, eyes focused outside the car, “Fine. Well not fine. I had a fight with Liam, but I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“But you will talk about it?” Derek asks.

“Yeah,” Theo sighs, briefly glancing at Derek, “it’s about time I do, right?”

“There’s no rush,” Derek reminds him, “you can talk when you’re ready.”

“I think I need to,” is all Theo says. He spends the rest of the car ride staring out his window in silence.

When Steve starts group and asks if anyone would like to share Theo hesitantly raises his hand. Steve looks surprised but pleased, “Yes Theo, what is it you would like to talk about?”

“I don’t even know where to start,” Theo admits, “I got into a fight with my friend tonight, my best friend I guess. He… he doesn’t know I’ve been coming here. I haven’t told anyone. The only one from home that knows is Derek and that was by accident. I guess I didn’t want anyone to get their hopes up or expect me to instantly be better or something. But Liam, he knows I’ve been leaving and he called me out on it. He accused me of doing something sketchy and that hurts because I have been working so hard to stay out of trouble. I’ve been coming here hoping that it could help me stay on the right path. I want to be good enough. I want to be someone the pack can trust, that Liam can trust. Turns out even by doing that I’m making him not trust me. I’ve done horrible things. I can’t blame him for doubting me. I…”

Theo takes a shuddering breath, running a hand through this hair. Derek catches his eyes and gives a small nod, silently communicating that it’s okay to go on. Theo nods back, keeping his eyes low as he continues, “I watched my sister die and did nothing to help her. I let myself be talked into this idea of power by these complete strangers,” Theo absentmindedly runs a hand over his chest, “they took her heart and put it in me. I know they didn’t care about me, not really. I was never foolish enough to believe that, not even as a child. But I still believed their promises when they said they were bringing back something powerful and I was going to be part of it. That wasn’t even true. They just used me to make help them make chimeras. I was so isolated, living away from the rest of society, kept in the dark with only the Dread Doctors around. They weren’t exactly the best influence.

“I lost sight of what was important, though I’m not sure I ever really knew. I never had someone showing me what the right path should be. I did so many horrible things, hurt so many people because I was obsessed with this idea of power. Then I got sent to Hell. I was trapped in this constant nightmare of my sister ripping my- her heart out of my chest. It broke something in me, being down there, going through that over and over again. Then I got brought back, Liam brought me back. Even though I knew it was only because they needed information. It was a second chance. I could have easily left Beacon Hills after that, had a fresh start around people that didn’t hate me, that didn’t know all the horrible things I’d done, but I stayed. Even though it meant sleeping in my truck I stayed. I didn’t understand why at first. Now I know it was because of Liam. Somewhere along the way I started to actually care about him. It took me by surprise, I’m not used to caring. I was raised not to. But it’s not like that anymore. I care about Liam. I… I love him.”

Derek isn’t surprised to hear the words, he could tell there was something going on between Theo and Liam as soon as he set eyes on the two of them. Even though they argued they still gravitated towards each other. Theo himself doesn’t seem too surprised by the words either, as if it’s something he long ago accepted. He also looks resigned, like he doesn’t expect anything to come of it. His next words prove exactly that.

“I’ve loved him for years. But I’m broken. I’m a mess. I hurt him and I hurt his pack. Sometimes it’s hard enough to believe that he’s come to trust me the way that he has, that we can be friends. I could never expect him to want anything more than that. Especially not when part of him still believes I could slip so easily into my old ways.”

“I think what matters here is that you are working towards getting better Theo,” Steve tells him, “that has to show. Even if you’re not voicing what you’ve been doing it has to be showing in other ways that you’re trying.”

“It has,” Derek says, clearly surprising Theo, “I didn’t know you when all of that was happening but I heard about it from Stiles. We both know Stiles isn’t the most trusting person, and he was obviously suspicious of you when you first returned to town. For good reason it seems. But if he thinks you’re not as bad as you were then you have to have changed somewhat. I heard all about the person you were and I really don’t think that is the same person sitting next to me. I don’t think you’ve been that guy for a while.”

Derek squeezes his shoulder when Theo ducks his head, muttering out a choked “thanks.”

The rest of the time passes like it usually does but Derek can tell Theo isn’t really present. His body might be but his mind is someplace else. He knows that’s probably what he was like the first time he really talked about what he’s been through. Everyone keeps talking and sharing, leaving Theo to his thoughts. When they’re dismissed Theo stands up and immediately heads outside, bypassing the refreshments.

Steve stops Derek before he can follow him outside, “The kid has been through a lot. Look out for him.”

“I will,” Derek says, patting Steve on the back before heading outside.

Theo is leaning against Derek’s SUV when he steps outside. The air is cool, but not enough to bother him like it would a human. Theo looks up when Derek approaches but doesn’t say anything. Derek wordlessly unlocks the doors, both of them getting inside. Derek starts the car but doesn’t move.

“Maybe…” Derek begins, waiting until Theo is looking at him before speaking, “maybe you should think about telling him the truth. I know why you haven’t, believe me. No one knows I’ve been coming here either. You know that. I also know it’s a big thing to admit but maybe if he knows it could help? Show Liam that you’re trying and working on being open with him.”

“If I’m going to tell him I’ll have to tell him everything,” Theo says, then thinks that through, “okay maybe not everything. I’m not about to admit that I’m in love with him. But… I’ll have to tell him I ran into you and we’ve been riding together. I haven’t been taking my truck and this place is an hour away. He’ll be suspicious if I don’t tell him.”

Derek nods, “I know. As long as he keeps it to himself you can tell him I’ve been going as well.”

“Right,” Theo says, taking a deep breath, “how about we stop for some food before you drop me off at the apartment?”

“The apartment?” Derek asks.

“No point in hiding I was with you if I’m going to be spilling my guts.”

“Fair enough,” Derek says, putting the car in drive, “I know this place with great food a few minutes from here.”

*

Liam is waiting for Theo when he walks into the apartment. He’s sitting on the couch, a glare firmly in place. Theo has to wonder if he even moved at all since he left. He’s not sure what to do here. He knows he needs to tell Liam what’s been going on but he’s not sure how to tell him.

He sighs, sitting down on the couch next to Liam, “We need to talk.”

“Apparently so,” Liam says, “but about where you’ve been sneaking off to or why Derek Hale just dropped you off.”

“Both,” Theo says, glancing over at him, “they sort of go together.”

Liam’s brow furrows in confusion, “You’ve been sneaking around with Derek? But why? I didn’t even know you two were that close.”

“We weren’t, at least not before,” Theo admits, “but we’ve became closer these past few months because… well because I started going to supernatural group therapy and ran into Derek there. Rather than one of us leaving we both stayed and…”

“Wait hold up,” Liam says, cutting Theo off, “supernatural group therapy is a thing and you’ve been going to it?”

“That’s what I just said, isn’t it?” Theo asks.

“Yeah I just never figured you for a share my feelings with a bunch of strangers sort of person,” Liam tells him.

“I didn’t talk the first few months. In fact, I didn’t really share anything until tonight.”

“Why tonight?”

Theo looks at him intently, “Because we had a fight. Because you thought that I could somehow just turn around and go dark again, completely ignoring how much I’ve changed, how much I’ve been trying to get better. I thought we’d gotten past all that mistrust and doubt.”

“We have,” Liam whispers, scooting closer to Theo on the couch, “we have. I never should have made it seem like I didn’t trust you. You just keep disappearing with no explanation why and I got worried. I thought you were in some sort of trouble. Not that you were doing something bad but that something bad was happening and you just weren’t telling me. I was worried. We both know when I’m scared I lash out.”

“I’m sorry I worried you,” Theo mumbles, leaning his shoulder against Liam’s, needing that contact between them.

Liam is quick to wrap an arm around Theo, pulling him closer. Theo would be surprised if he hadn’t figured out early on that Liam loved to cuddle, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted to. I planned to eventually. I just wanted to be sure it was helping,” Theo says, pushing further into Liam’s space, “I didn’t want to tell you and you expect some big change in me and then be disappointed.”

“Theo, you’ve already changed so much. Whatever change you feel still needs to occur is for you not me.”

“I just want to be enough,” Theo admits, “I want to be worthy of you, of this.”

“You are,” Liam tells him, running a hand up and down his arm in a soothing motion, “you are.”

“It’s been a long day. Why don’t you get changed into something comfortable and we can just relax and watch a movie?”

“That would be great,” Theo reluctantly breaks free of Liam’s grip in order to stand up, “make some popcorn?”

Liam grins, standing up and making his way into the kitchen, “Obviously. We can’t watch a movie without snacks.”

Theo changes quickly, walking back downstairs to find Liam waiting on the couch, a bowl of popcorn on the table in front of him. He pats the seat beside him, before once again plastering himself at Theo’s side. Liam settles on the first Harry Potter movie because “You can never go wrong with Harry Potter!”

Theo just laughs, pushing Liam until he’s on his back so that Theo can settle himself between Liam and the back of the couch. It took him a while to get to the point where he could initiate affection like this. At first he always waited for Liam to come to him. Then one day Liam had come to him telling him it was okay if he wanted to be the one to hug him first. Theo had done so tentatively at first, still unsure if it was really okay. But when Liam never pushed him away he became more confident. It’s usually only ever when the two of them are alone though. Sometimes Liam will sit close to him at pack nights, their bodies touching from their legs up. But they rarely cuddle like this. This is for them. Theo never asks why, just takes whatever Liam is willing to give.

*

Derek and Theo start trying to figure out ways to help each other with Stiles and Liam. Derek’s first suggestion is Theo start trying to get close to Liam, cuddling him whenever he can. Theo abruptly shakes his head, “We already cuddle all the time. I’m guessing the same can be said for you and Stiles.”

Derek nods, “Yeah. And we sleep together, sleep. That’s it.”

“Well then we’re going to need something else,” Theo says, “the things that might work on other people won’t work here because we’re already so close to them.”

Most of their attempts are futile. Liam doesn’t seem to understand what’s going on, and Stiles mostly just looks confused. Derek can’t blame him, he had been the one to put a hold on things.

“Well we could try flirting,” Derek suggests after a month of failed wooing, “granted Stiles already knows I’m interested and I’m not sure if he’ll take me seriously.”

Theo shrugs, “Still worth a shot. We don’t have any other ideas right now.”

“I’d start with smell,” Derek suggests, “even humans know how much werewolves like smell. If you tell Liam you like his smell he’ll have to catch on.”

Theo agrees, but unfortunately for him it doesn’t go the way he wants it to.

“You smell good today,” Theo comments, “have you started using new soap?”

Liam stands abruptly, shooting Theo a glare as he walks away, “Are you trying to tell me I usually smell bad?”

Theo’s eyes widen as he starts sputtering out an apology, “What? No! Of course not!”

Liam’s grinning face peeks back around the corner, “I did switch soaps by the way, I used yours and your shampoo. You must really like the smell of yourself.”

Theo has to fight back a growl, pushing his claws into his legs to stop himself from jumping off the couch and chasing after Liam’s retreating form. Because he does like the smell. He likes the way his smell mixes so well with Liam’s scent. He can’t stop scenting the air, chasing the scent. He winds up having to leave the house before he does something stupid like pounce on Liam and kiss the hell out of him.

He calls Derek once he gets outside and is a safe distance away. Derek’s confused voice picks up on the second ring, “I take it that it didn’t go well?”

“He’s using my soap!” Theo says, still trying to regain control, “He… our smells are mixed together. That wasn’t… I wasn’t expecting that. I started shifting. I had to leave.”

“Christ,” Derek says, moving around in the background, “Where are you?”

“I’m at the park,” Theo tells him, “there’s no one else around. I should be fine. Is… did it work better for you?”

Before Derek can say anything Liam’s angry voice reaches him, “What the hell Theo? I was trying to seduce you and you just ran off!”

Theo hears Derek chuckle from the phone now hanging loosely in his grip, barely registers the Alpha’s voice saying “we can talk later,” before he hangs up.

“Seduce me?” Theo asks weakly.

Liam rolls his eyes, stopping right in front of Theo, “Yes seduce you. I’m a werewolf Theo. I know what smell means. The affect our scents mixed together would have on you. I thought it would kick you into gear, not send you running out of the house.”

“My control was slipping and I didn’t want to do something you didn’t want.”

Liam’s eyes soften as he steps even closer, bringing a hand up to Theo’s cheek, “I appreciate that. But I want this, I want you.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Theo doesn’t even hesitate before bringing their lips together in a kiss full of hunger and years of pent up emotion. When they pull back they’re both panting, their breaths mingling in the small space between them, “I love you Liam Dunbar. Even if you drive me crazy.”

“I love you too,” Liam grins, grabbing Theo’s hand, “now let’s go home and see what other ways we can find to mix our scents.”

Derek’s wearing a smug grin when Theo sees him 2 days later. It only grows when he scents the air, “Well I see it all worked out. You definitely smell like Liam even more now.”

“Probably because we’ve spent most of the last two days in bed together,” Theo says, laughing when Derek wrinkles his nose, “you’re the one that brought it up.”

“I didn’t need to know that much, “Derek says, but he’s still smiling, “I’m glad it all worked out for you though.”

“Thank you. Now we just need to work on you and Stiles. Did you try the scent thing?”

Derek sighs, “I did, but he just told me he already knows he smells good to me.”

“You could always just flat out tell him you’re ready,” Theo suggests, “if you really think you’re ready.”

“I think I am, “Derek says, “it’s just complicated.”

“Ah yes, of course it is. Maybe you should talk about your complicated feelings tonight at group.”

Derek rolls his eyes, “Maybe I will.”

Derek surprisingly does talk at group that night after Theo gives him an encouraging smile when Steve asks if there’s anything anyone would like to share, “My name’s Derek,” Derek begins for the benefit of any new members, “I know some of you have been here for a while and know what I’ve been through. Recently I’ve been working on trying to work through my feelings, mostly the ones I have for someone close to him. He’s become my best friend, my anchor. Whenever something happens he’s the first one I want to tell about it. He doesn’t look at me like I’m broken or like I’m something that needs to be fixed. He just sees me. I’ve never had that before.

“I love him and I know he loves me but I’ve been holding back. I think he thinks it’s because I’m afraid of letting someone get that close to me again but that’s not it. He’s already close, closer than I’ve ever let anyone get. I’ve spent so long holding myself back from him, at first it was because I knew I wasn’t allowed to have that, have him. He was so young and I didn’t want to be her. How can I call the person who used me when I was only fifteen a monster for taking me into her bed and then murdering my family if I have feelings for someone younger than me? He’s older now but I still have that guilt in the back of my head that I’m not allowed to feel this way about him.”

Understanding suddenly hits Theo. And he realizes that Derek was right, this is complicated. Theo raises his hand slightly, needing to say something. Steve nods his head somewhere across the room but his eyes are on Derek. He waits for Derek’s recognition before he speaks, “You know you’re not Kate. She used you. She knew what she was doing was wrong and she did it anyway. She had the worse intentions when it came to you. But it’s not like that with you and Stiles. You care about each other. You didn’t try to push him into anything he wasn’t ready for and that’s the difference. You respect Stiles and his choices. Just like he respects yours. Neither one of you would be in it to hurt each other. You’re not her, and you know he would tell you the same thing.”

Theo watches as Derek nods stiffly, scooting closer in his chair until their shoulders are pressed together, trying to offer some support. Derek relaxes a bit, listening as Steve offers up his own input. Derek seems to relax even more at his words. Sometimes you just need someone to tell you that whatever those self-hating voices in your head are saying isn’t what’s true. Theo knows that, and he’s sure Derek does too.

*

A month later Derek picks Theo up at the park only to tell him he still has to stop for gas before they leave town, “I ran out of time and didn’t have a chance to stop on my way to get you.”

Theo shrugs, “We have time. We usually get there early anyway. I can run in and pay. Least I can do since you’ve been driving this whole time.”

“I prefer to drive,” Derek reminds him, “and I’d be going there anyway. You don’t have to pay.”

Theo doesn’t say anything but he jumps out of the SUV as soon as it’s stopped, running towards the building, laughing when Derek realizes he took his wallet out of the center console, “I told you I was paying,” he calls back to him.

Derek sighs, getting out of the car and walking to stand by the pump, waiting for it to signal he can start pumping. He tilts his head, catching a familiar scent in the air before an angry looking Scott appears in front of him, “What can I do for you Scott?”

“What the hell are you doing with Theo?” Scott asks, glaring at Derek.

Derek raises an eyebrow, starting to put gas into the car when the pump tells him it’s time, “Getting gas.”

Scott eyes flash red as he focuses on Derek, “You smell like him. A lot like him. Why?”

Derek glares right back, his own eyes glowing red as a reminder to Scott that he has no power over him, “It’s none of your business. You’re not my alpha so I don’t have to tell you.”

“But you know what he…”

“I know more than you probably do,” Derek tells him, “I know he did bad things, but so have a lot of people you still keep around, my uncle included. It’s been years Scott. If you’re still holding a grudge that’s your problem not mine or Theo’s.” He pulls the nozzle from the car before replacing the cap. Scott’s still standing there gaping at him. Derek pushes past him, walking towards the driver’s side when he notices Theo lingering by the entrance to the gas station, “now if you don’t mind I have somewhere to be.”

Scott narrows his eyes but takes off back towards his back, glaring at Theo when he walks up to the car. Theo gets in, glancing at Derek as he fastens his seatbelt but not saying anything. He’s silent until they’re past the town line, contemplating what he’d just witnessed. Making up his mind, he takes a deep breath before speaking, “Thank you.”

“For what?” Derek asks.

“Defending me to Scott, I guess. You didn’t need to do that but you did. So thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me, “Derek tells him, flicking his eyes in his direction, “Scott was being unfair. I know what it’s like to have his righteous anger directed at me. Sometimes he needs a reminder that his opinion isn’t the only one that matters.”

Theo nods, a grin covering his face, “You know he thinks we were on a date right?”

“He does not.”

“Oh I’m pretty sure he does,” Theo laughs, “He mentioned the scent thing and then you started defending me. He totally thinks we’re dating.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Derek says.

“I know,” Theo shrugs, “but he’s completely oblivious. It’s obvious you only have eyes for Stiles. And I for Liam.”

“I think he’s just living in a state of denial.”

“Something. How much you want to bet he goes right to the pack to tell them what happened?”

Derek groans, “He was probably already texting Stiles before he left the parking lot.”

“You’re not worried Stiles will believe him, are you?” Theo asks.

“No. If anyone will put him in his place and tell him just how wrong he is, it’s Stiles. And probably Malia. Liam too, actually.”

A minute later Theo’s phone goes off with an incoming text from Liam, “Scott just called an emergency pack meeting. Wonder what this is about.”

Theo laughs, reading off the text to Derek who chuckles, “He really didn’t waste any time.”

“I told you. He’s really concerned about you falling in with me.”

“But you’re pack,” Derek says, confused, “you’re around the pack all the time.”

“I’m Liam’s pack,” Theo clarifies, “not Scott’s. Scott just lets me hang around because of Liam.”

“Still, it’s been 5 years since that whole mess. He should be over it by now.”

“I think he’s just worried. You know, protective Alpha and all.”

“But he’s not my Alpha,” Derek says, “I hardly need his protection. Least of all from you.”

When Scott calls an emergency pack meeting Stiles expects there to be some sort of threat. He shows up, bat in his hand as he makes his way into the McCall house. He finds Scott pacing the living room, face pale, as Liam, Malia, Mason, Corey, and surprisingly Peter stare on with looks varying between confusion and amusement.

“Hey buddy,” Stiles says, stepping further into the room, “what’s going on? What are we facing?”

“Derek and Theo,” Scott says, voice strangled.

“We’re fighting Derek and Theo?” Stiles asks, confused, “Like for training purposes? Are they hiding somewhere?”

“No! Derek and Theo were together!” Scott says, clearly feeling put out, “They were laughing!”

“Okay,” Stiles says, feeling more confused, “I don’t see the problem. They’re pack.”

“But they’ve never hung out! I didn’t even know they talked outside of pack meetings but Theo’s smell was all over Derek! And now they’re…”

Stiles is tempted to laugh when Scott’s face goes all pinched, but he holds himself together, “They’re what…?”

“They’re dating!”

“They’re what now? Because I could swear you just said they were dating.”

“They are!” Scott’s voice is rising into panic levels now.

“And how do you know this?” Stiles asks, needing clarification because Scott just isn’t making any sense.

“I saw Derek at the gas station with Theo and confronted him and he… well he didn’t tell me they were on a date exactly. He told me it was none of my business. But what else could it be? They’re not friends!”

Stiles can’t help it, he starts laughing. There is no way Derek and Theo are dating. No way. Stiles woke up with Derek that very morning and while he and Derek aren’t officially dating yet he knows they’re close. Plus, Stiles knows better than to think Theo would ever be interested in Derek. The whole thing is just ridiculous. From the looks on everyone else's faces they agree.

Scott doesn’t seem to think so, “Why are you laughing? This is serious!”

“I highly doubt they’re dating Scott,” Malia tells him, “I mean it’s obvious they’re both interested in other people.”

“What?” Scott asks, “who’s Theo interested in?”

Mason snorts, “Oh come on, it’s obvious Theo’s in love with Liam.”

Everyone turns to Liam, gauging his reaction. Liam just shrugs, a grin on his face, “Well I should hope so considering he’s my boyfriend.”

Scott’s mouth falls open in shock, while Stiles starts laughing so hard he has to lean on Malia to stay standing. Peter is smirking from his place in the corner. Corey looks unsurprised by the news.

Mason’s expression is flickering from happy to shocked to disappointed, “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“Or any of us, “Scott says, pout firmly in place.

“Sorry,” Liam says, only feeling a little sorry, “we just wanted some time to ourselves before we told anyone.”

“How long has this been going on?” Scott asks.

“About a month.”

“You two have been together a month but didn’t say anything?!”

“Uhh yes?”

Stiles starts laughing even harder, earning a glare from Scott, “I really don’t see how this is funny!”

“I’m sorry,” Stiles says, taking a few deep breaths as he tries to calm himself down, “it’s just… you thought Derek and Theo could be dating when it’s obvious, and has been obvious for years, that Theo only has eyes for Liam. Now they’re dating and you’re actually shocked by that.”

“Am I the only one that didn’t see this coming?” Scott asks, glancing at the others.

They all offer up their agreement, that yes Scott is the only one oblivious enough to not see what was happening between Theo and Liam.

“Next you’re going to tell me you don’t know that Stiles and Derek are clearly in love with each other,” Malia jokes.

“WHAT?!”

Stiles groans, “Scotty buddy, I really worry about your observation skills sometimes.”

Stiles walks into the kitchen after a while, under the guise that he’s getting something to drink. He shoots Derek a text letting him know what just went down, but doesn’t receive one back right away. Stiles knows there’s nothing going on between Derek and Theo. He would know that even if Theo and Liam weren’t dating. But he’s still a little suspicious about what the two of them could be doing together. He knows Derek goes somewhere twice a week, he just assumed it was alone. Now that he knows Theo is most likely with him his attention has peaked. He needs to know what’s going on.

Liam walks in a few minutes later and Stiles grins at the younger werewolf, “So Liam, how do you feel about a little detective work?”

A few days later Stiles picks Liam up at his apartment, prepared to follow Derek and Theo to wherever it is they’re going. Liam doesn’t look all that happy to be there. When Stiles points that out, he glares, “I’m sorry if I don’t like the idea of spying on my boyfriend.”

“It’s not spying,” Stiles tells him, amending his statement when Liam gives him a look that says he knows that’s bullshit, “Okay maybe it is a little bit spying. But it’s not going to harm anyone. Aren’t you the least bit curious what they’re doing?”

Liam isn’t curious, he knows where Theo and Derek go twice a week. He can’t just tell Stiles that though. He still doesn’t like the idea of following them around. They have their safe space. It’s not his place, or Stiles’, to intrude on that. Fortunately it seems Derek catches sight of them following behind and quickly slips their tail. Stiles curses, trying and failing to find them again but to no avail.

“Maybe next time you should take a less recognizable car,” Liam suggests, earning a glare from Stiles.

Then Stiles grins, “That’s a great idea. I know just the car.”

Liam’s eyes widen when Stiles shows up a few days later in his cruiser for the Sheriff’s department, “This isn’t what I meant.”

“It’ll blend in though,” Stiles says, “well maybe not blend in. But they’re less likely to be suspicious about a deputy driving a few cars behind than Roscoe.”

Except Derek must realize it’s Stiles driving because he quickly evades Stiles again, slipping away into the night.

“He’s in an SUV!” Stiles says, “He should not be able to slip me that quickly.”

Stiles is about to give up when he runs into Peter at the grocery store on one of the nights Derek usually disappears. He takes a chance, approaching the man, “So, you don’t happen to know where Derek goes off to twice a week do you?”

“If I did what makes you think I’d tell you?” Peter asks, amused smirk in place.

“Because you want to help me out of the kindness of your heart?” Stiles tries, earning a snort from Peter, “Fine maybe not the kindness of your heart. If you tell me I’ll get Malia to have dinner with you.”

Peter tilts his head, staring at Stiles for a moment before he takes out a piece of paper and starts writing something down, “If you really want to know, go here. But I really don’t think it’ll be what you’re expecting.”

He walks away, leaving Stiles staring down at the address in his hand, “Thank you!”

Peter waves him off, “Remember what you agreed to!”

Stiles shoots a quick text to Malia, “May have just said you’d go to dinner with Peter. Sorry. Needed information.”

“I hate you,” Malia replies, “whatever what information is better be worth it.”

Stiles drives to Liam’s apartment, banging excitedly on the door. Liam answers the door with a frown, “Stiles?”

“Get your shoes on,” Stiles says, “I got an address form Peter. I know where they are.”

Liam’s eyes widen. He runs inside to find his shoes, quickly texting Theo to let him know what Stiles found. He doesn’t want either of them to be blindsided by them showing up, and now that they know it can give them the opportunity to not be there if they don’t want to be.

Theo responds a few minutes later, “Derek’s not surprised. We’re still going. Thanks for the heads up Little Wolf.”

Stiles glances over at him, “Who are you texting?”

“Mason,” Liam lies, putting his phone away, “he wanted to talk about something cute Corey did.”

Stiles nods, seeming to buy it. They wind up at a rundown looking warehouse in the middle of nowhere. Theo had mentioned before how hard it was to find. Liam supposes it’s a good thing it doesn’t stand out. Derek’s SUV is parked outside along with about 10 or so other cars. Liam is a little surprised. He didn’t know supernatural group therapy would be so popular. Then again, if they all faced what the pack in Beacon Hills has he can’t blame them for wanting a place to talk.

“If Derek’s SUV wasn’t here I’d wonder if this was the right place,” Stiles eyes the cars curiously along with the building, before getting out of the car and motioning for Liam to do the same, “come on. Let’s go inside.”

Liam slowly follows Stiles into the building. They walk down a hallway, following the sound of voices, before they enter a big room with chairs all in a circle. The people in the room are instantly on the alert. Liam can hear them muttering to themselves. One of the wolves near the back starts inching away from them, turning the person closest to them, “Human. That’s a human. We’ve been discovered.”

“It’s alright,” Derek says, standing up and walking towards Stiles and Liam. Theo follows behind him along with another unfamiliar were, “these two are part of my pack.”

The werewolf that followed Derek steps forward, a smile on his face as he looks right at Stiles, “This is Stiles, isn’t it?”

Stiles looks from the man to Derek, confusion clear on his face, “Uh yeah, I’m Stiles. But how do you know that? And who are you?”

“I’m Steve, I’m the leader of sorts of this group here,” Steve says, gesturing behind him, “I know about you because I’ve heard a lot about you from Derek.”

“You’ve talked about me?” Stiles asks Derek.

Derek sighs, “It’s group therapy Stiles. I talk about a lot of things.”

“But your name has come up more than a few times,” Steve winks, “it’s nice to finally put a face to a name. Now I’ll leave you. We’re about to get started. You’re welcome to stay if you’d like. This is a safe place. No judgment here.”

Stiles barely registers Theo leading Liam away to where he was sitting, his eyes focused on Derek, “You’ve been coming to therapy? That’s where you’ve been slipping off to this whole time?”

Derek shrugs, “Peter mentioned it to me. I thought it was worth a shot. Then I ran into Theo. Apparently Peter mentioned the same thing to him. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“No it’s okay,” Stiles says, offering Derek a small smile, “I’m just glad you’ve found a place you feel comfortable talking about things.”

“I feel comfortable talking to you,” Derek tells him, “This is just… different I guess.”

“Yeah because you can talk about me,” Stiles jokes.

Derek’s eyes are serious when they meet his, “I’ve had a lot to work through. Some of that concerns my feelings for you. I needed to be sure I was ready, that I was worthy of you before I even thought of pursuing something with you.”

“And what have you found out?” Stiles asks, feeling a little bit of hope bloom in his chest.

“That I am ready. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to tell you.”

“I can think of a couple ways,” Stiles says, “one you can use your words and actually just tell me how you feel. Then after that you can finally kiss me.”

Derek smiles, bringing a hand to Stiles’ hip, “I’m in love with you Mieczyslaw Stilinski. I have been for years. And I’d really like it if you would be my boyfriend.”

Stiles grins, “There we go. That wasn’t hard at all.”

Derek rolls his eyes, “That’s all you have to say.”

“Oh no,” Stiles laughs, bringing a hand up to Derek’s neck, “I’m truly madly deeply hopelessly in love with you too Derek Hale. And you’re damn right I’ll be your boyfriend. Now get over here and kiss me already.”

Derek kisses the smile right off Stiles’ face, keeping the kiss soft and chaste, fully aware of the room full of supernatural creatures they’re standing in. They pull apart when there are loud cheers from across the room. Glancing over, they see Liam, Theo, and Steve wearing happy smiles. Liam and Theo high five each other before Theo gives Derek a thumbs up.

Stiles turns back to Derek, “So you and Theo are friends now?”

“Yeah,” Derek says, shooting Theo a grin, “I guess we are.”

Stiles shrugs, “As long as he doesn’t go all murderous again.”

Derek hooks an arm around Stiles’ shoulders, “I don’t think you need to worry about that. He’s a changed man. Now, would you like to stay?”

“You’re okay with that?” Stiles looks up at him, “because this is your space and I don’t want…”

“It’s fine Stiles,” Derek says, leading Stiles towards where Liam and Theo are sitting, “you’ve been through a lot too. You never know, it could be something you like.”

The quartet sit there most of the night just observing. Stiles and Liam are both surprised when Derek and Theo offer up their input when other people share. This seems to be a regular thing, something they’re used to. Stiles remembers what Steve said about this being a safe place and he realizes the man was right. All of these people are so different, have had so many different experiences, come from all over the country yet they all wound up here. They found a place where they feel comfortable sharing their stories. Stiles is glad Derek found this place.

Towards the end of the night Derek raises his hand, giving Stiles’ hand a squeeze with his other hand, “My name is Derek and this is my boyfriend Stiles…”

Stiles starts going to therapy with Derek after that, though only a few times a month. He still wants Derek to feel like he has a place to go that’s just his own. Sometimes Liam comes too. After a while they tell the rest of the pack and they attend one of the meetings.

Afterwards when they’re all at dinner, Derek gets a thoughtful look on his place, “You know I like coming up here but maybe it would be beneficial to others in Beacon Hills if we had a support group there.”

“That’s a great idea,” Stiles agrees, “supernatural or not, that place has seen a lot.”

“I think you should lead it,” Theo suggests.

“Me?” Derek asks, “I hardly think I’m the best person to lead a support group.”

“Actually I think you are,” Theo argues, “I even heard Steve talking about how he thought you’d be a great leader. He’s right. You have your own experiences, and you know how to listen and offer up input to the others without being judgmental.”

“I can hardly run it by myself…”

“Maybe you should do it together then,” Stiles says, taking a drink of his milkshake, “You two do work surprisingly well together. I think it would be great.”

“Are we going to do this?” Theo asks with a grin as he sticks his hand out to Derek.

Derek takes it with his own matching grin as he gives it a firm shake, reminded of their first time at group together, “Looks like we are.”

A few months later they have their own support group up and running. At first the turnout is low, but as people start showing up and telling people they know they quickly start getting a decent sized group of about 15 people. It’s nice and he feels like he’s doing something good. From the way Theo glances around the room Derek knows he feels the same.

“Five years ago I never thought I’d be here doing something like this,” Theo tells Liam, “you know helping people rather than causing harm.”

Liam hooks an arm around his waist, tucking his face against Theo’s chest, “I know. But you’ve changed. I’m so proud of you, you know that?”

“Thanks Liam,” Theo kisses the top of his head, “but I really wouldn’t be here without you. You bring out the best in me.”

“Yeah well, that goes both ways.”

Stiles watches the scene with a small smile on his face before turning to face Derek, “Do you think we’re that cute?”

“No. Because we’re not cute,” Derek says, earning an eye roll from Stiles.

“Uh huh, whatever you say big guy. Your big tough Alpha thing doesn’t work anymore. Not when I, and almost everyone else, know you’re a secret softie. And we’re totally cute. You wear thumbhole sweaters and drink tea while we cuddle. If that’s not cute I don’t know what is.”

“Fine,” Derek sighs, “maybe we’re a little cute.”

Stiles leans up to kiss him, a pleased smile on his face, “I love you, whether you're glowering or wearing your cute thumbhole sweaters.”

Derek pulls Stile close, burying his face in his neck, “I love you too.”

Scott looks between the two couples, still confused by the fact that he missed how obviously in love they were.

When he says as much the Sheriff laughs, patting him on the back, “You should consider yourself lucky. I love those kids but watching them all pine after each other was torture.”

“Hey!” Stiles shouts from across the room.

“You can’t deny it’s true son,” John says, “I had to listen to you pine for Derek for years. I’m just happy something came of it.”

Stiles grins at Derek, “Me too.”

Derek gives Stiles one more quick kiss before breaking away and heading towards the group of people waiting in center of the room. Theo soon joins him and together they call the meeting to order. Theo was right though, five years ago something like this wouldn’t have seemed possible. But it just shows how far Derek and Theo have come, how far all of them have come, that they’re able to use the pain they’ve dealt with and transform it into something positive. They could have let that harden them but instead they’ve pushed on and let it make them stronger instead. It gave them the strength to allow love into their lives, and with that happiness.