Chapter Text
The rest of the week flew by. By the time Monday came, Stiles was more than ready to wake up early and get his day started. He hesitated before climbing into the front seat of his new car. By new, he meant a crappy 1990 Honda Accord that served as a replacement car until he could afford a new Jeep. Unfortunately, there was no way his old Jeep was getting back up after that one.
He wrapped his hands around the steering wheel and took a deep breath. It was his first time driving since the accident. He wasn't traumatized or anything. Yeah, his heart rate might pick up every time he sees a truck and maybe he flinches when he sees sudden flashes of light, but that wasn't a big deal. He just needed a minute. He stretched his fingers and turned the key in the ignition. It took two tries, but the car started and he was on his way to work for the first time in nearly 2 months.
When he arrived, there was a chocolate chip muffin and a sweet smelling coffee sitting on the counter with his name on it. Laura was nowhere to be seen, but Derek leaned against the wood and smiled when Stiles walked in. He looked better than he had the other night; shirt wrinkle free and hair styled the way it was before the accident. Derek seemed to notice Stiles' inspection.
"I handed in my paper on Friday," he said.
"The one about terrifying beasts who can talk people to death?" Derek grinned, remembering the conversation they had when they were first getting to know each other. It seemed so long ago now.
"That's the one." He stepped forward, offering the muffin, which Stiles gladly took. He bit into it gratefully and sipped his coffee. It was better than he remembered. "And you're better, so I won't be working double shifts anymore. I got some sleep, got a haircut, and cleaned myself up, so you can stop worrying about me now."
"I don't know about that." He leaned over and kissed Derek on the cheek. "Where's Laura?"
He pointed above them. "Last minute stuff before we open up. She was so excited that you were coming back, she forgot to do all the actual work she usually does in the morning."
"Aw, I'm flattered." Stiles moved to the room behind the counter and hung his coat up. It was his Spring jacket, as the air was starting to get warmer and the snow was melting. Time just flew by this winter. Derek would be done with school in less than a month and Stiles' year off would be coming to an end. College was not so far away anymore. He clocked in, putting all the school thoughts aside, focusing on the right now.
Laura came rushing down the stairs. "Is Stiles here yet?" she asked before he saw him. "We open in two minutes!" Stiles stepped out of the back room and Laura squealed. "Stiles!" She practically tackled him when she hugged him. "I'm so glad you're finally back. Officially."
He laughed along with her. "Me too." She backed up and handed him his old set of keys. "Your first task is to open up. Get to it!" Stiles took them eagerly.
After he left, Laura turned to her brother. "You know, Derek, now that your paper is done, you really don't have an excuse to hang around the library all day. Your semester is practically over."
Derek rolled his eyes fondly. "I don't need an excuse anymore. I'm here because I want to be around Stiles, nothing more."
"Well, that's very sweet, but I can't have you distracting Stiles."
"He's my boyfriend."
"He's my employee. Technically, I saw him first." She looked smugly at him. Derek tried to think of a response, but had none. "You can see him after his shift ends."
"I'll be back for his lunch break."
"Fine."
"All right." Derek tugged his jacket tighter and strode to the front doors where Stiles had just finished unlocking them. He waited for Stiles to greet everyone before he pulled him in a kiss. "I've been banished by your boss, so I'll see you at lunch, okay?"
Stiles looked between the siblings before chuckling. "Okay. I'll see you then."
Derek kissed him on the cheek on more time before leaving. "I love you."
"Love you, too." Stiles leaned on the door to watch him go until Derek rounded the corner. He heard Laura cooing behind him.
"I see your relationship with my baby brother is going well." She leaned forward, as if asking for details. Nosy older siblings.
"Yes, it's going quite well, but if you'll excuse me, I have work to be done. All you Hale's, trying to distract me." Laura stuck her tongue out at him, but made no objections as he hopped up the stairs and out of sight.