Work Text:
(then)
Trouble.
That was Stiles's first thought as he put down the book he was reading to look up at the guy staring down at him.
"Uh…hi?" Stiles said. It came out as more of a squeak, really, because—holy shit!—this guy was easily the most attractive alpha Stiles had ever laid eyes on. Despite his scowl, he was gorgeous—high cheekbones accentuated by a well-groomed beard. But it was his eyes that really captivated Stiles. They were a brilliant hazel with sunbursts of gold, surrounded by a deep pool of green and framed by a dark blue rim.
The guy smiled, and yeah, Stiles was definitely in so much trouble because the guy's face went from fiercely intimidating to unquantifiably beautiful with how it scrunched up, exposing his dimples. And bunny teeth.
Stiles was never one to be controlled by his omega urges or instincts. Still, there he was, about two seconds away from throwing himself over the library table, pushing his pants down past his ass, and presenting.
It would be embarrassing if he weren't so turned on.
Seriously, he'd do very bad things for that smile.
The silence was broken when the guy nodded toward Stiles's book. "I've never seen someone so invested in a book before."
Stiles couldn't mask the snort he let out. He glanced around the library, but the other tables were empty, so he didn't bother whispering when he said, "You don't come here much, do you?"
"No, I don't come here often, but now I'm thinking I should."
The smirk on the guy's face should be illegal.
Stiles tried not to blush, but he could feel heat creeping up his face, staining his cheeks pink. He cleared his throat and picked his book back up. "To pick up omegas?"
"To talk to you."
"Oof, that's a bad plan," Stiles said with a grimace, though he couldn't deny the way his heart flipped at having this guy's attention. There was something about him that made Stiles feel giddy and excited.
The guy grinned. "Maybe, but here I am."
Then he leaned down, his strong, masculine scent filling Stiles's senses, making him dizzy with desire. He was so close that the warmth of his breath fanned against Stiles's face. His lips were just inches away, and if Stiles wanted to, he could turn his head and close the distance, claiming them for his own.
Instead, Stiles grabbed the edge of the table, steadying himself. "B-But if you bother me while I'm reading—" he narrowed his eyes at the guy, willing his heart to stop racing, "no matter how hot you are—I'm going to really dislike you."
It was the truth. This was his escape from classes and work, and the last thing Stiles wanted was for some alpha to come in here and distract him.
The guy laughed, a booming sound that filled the entire room. It earned them an angry shh from somewhere in the stacks, and Stiles smiled despite himself. He was still wary, but at least this guy had a sense of humor.
"Alright, I'll take that into consideration. What are you reading, anyway?" The guy picked up the book from the table and stood back up, flipping it over in his hands. "The King's Men? Is this like that movie?"
"Movie?" Stiles scrunched his face in confusion. If the All for the Game series had been made into movies, he'd definitely know about them.
"Yeah." The guy set the book back down on the table. "The prequel to the Kingsman movies? Ralph Fiennes was in it? So was Stanley Tucci."
"Oh wait." Okay, now Stiles knew what he was talking about. "Yeah, no. This is…different than those movies."
And dear God, Stiles hoped this guy didn't ask him to elaborate. But thankfully, the guy smirked and changed the subject. "So…was I just hearing things, or did you say you thought I was hot?"
Stiles snorted again and rolled his eyes.
"Or…" The guy's voice dropped as he leaned down again, making Stiles's heart speed up as his breath fanned over the shell of his ear. His omega instincts screamed at him to bare his neck and submit, but he refused even as the guy continued, "We could get out of here."
If this guy was trying to get into Stiles's pants, he would be sorely disappointed. Stiles got it, though. They were both young and obviously physically attracted to each other. But was it too much to ask that the guy also be interested in Stiles as a person? He wanted more than just sex.
"No, thanks," Stiles replied, snatching his book from the table and pulling it back up to his face.
"Okay, fine." The guy nodded toward the stacks. "Then, pick out a book for me."
Stiles chuckled, raising a brow. "For what?"
"For me to read." The obvious duh was graciously not said. "I won't bother you anymore. I'm just going to sit over—" he made a show of looking for another seat, only to point at the one right next to Stiles— "here and enjoy a good book."
"You're relentless, aren't you?" Stiles asked, not used to someone being so persistent. Usually, if he turned someone down, they spat out something derogatory about him or omegas in general and walked away, acting as if they'd rejected Stiles instead of the other way around.
"I tend to get what I want," the guy said confidently, wearing a smile so big Stiles could see those bunny teeth again.
"If I give you my number…" Stiles heaved a heavy sigh, shaking his head. Seriously, what was it about this guy that made Stiles want to give in and let him have his way? "Will you let me finish this book?"
The guy wore a smug grin. "Gladly."
"Here," Stiles muttered, pulling out his phone as if he were reluctantly giving in. "Give me your number."
When the guy did, Stiles sent him a quick text with nothing but a link to the series he was reading.
"So what's your name?" the guy asked.
"Stiles."
"Stiles…" the guy repeated, as if he were trying it out on his tongue.
"And yours?" Stiles asked so he could stop referring to him as 'the guy.'
"Derek, your future boyfriend. No…your future husband."
Stiles laughed so loud they got another angry shh from somewhere, so he covered his mouth.
"Why are you laughing?" the guy—Derek—asked, arms crossed over his chest, making his biceps bulge.
Stiles wanted to bite them for some reason, but he managed to hold himself back. Instead, he said, "It's a bit overkill, don't you think?"
"No," Derek replied, looking offended. Then he leaned in and changed Stiles's perception of everything when his expression turned serious, and he whispered, "I don't normally do this. I don't talk to people or hit on random omegas in libraries. I don't even like to start conversations, but I would do all of that just to get to know you. I would do anything to get to know you. That's not overkill. That's fate."
Stiles could only blink, shocked at those words, at the sincerity behind them.
Derek slowly stood back up, a knowing smile on his face. "Have a good day, Stiles. I'll see you around."
Stiles watched until Derek made it down the aisle and out of sight, then sucked in a breath and dropped his head, wondering what the hell had just happened. That was…something.
He had no idea what Derek was going to be in his life, but he knew he wanted to find out.
(now)
Stiles connected his phone to the Bluetooth speaker in the kitchen and opened the Spotify app on his phone, pulling up his favorite playlist. Once the music started, he grabbed two pans from the cabinet, swinging his hips to Taylor Swift's vocals, encouraging him to Shake it off. Every few sways, he'd have to tug his (read: Derek's) shirt back down where it stretched taut over his protruding belly.
At thirty-six weeks pregnant, none of his shirts fit anymore, so Stiles was always stealing Derek's. Not that Derek minded at all. In fact, he loved seeing Stiles in his clothes if the way his eyes flashed crimson or the low growl that always escaped were any indication.
Stiles turned on the stove to warm the pans and wondered if Derek would be home soon. He should have been home hours ago, but a call came into the firehouse right before his shift ended. Derek's twenty-four–hour rotation was nearing twenty-eight hours now, and Stiles just wanted him home.
It always made him antsy when Derek was gone, mostly because he couldn't sleep well. He missed Derek's head on his chest and hand on his stomach, rubbing as Ollie kicked against his palm. He missed the feeling of simply knowing Derek was beside him, keeping him safe.
Their kids, Eli and Ellie, missed him, too. Despite his schedule, Derek was usually home in time to get them ready for school, but not this morning, and they were extra crabby about it. Even Ollie seemed irritable, considering he kicked extra hard while Stiles was bustling the other two out the door that morning.
Joy.
But thankfully, they calmed down when Stiles assured them that Derek would be there to pick them up in the afternoon. Of course, he also promised them they'd get ice cream afterward.
A+ parenting, for sure, but he needed all the help he could get when dealing with ornery seven-year-old twins who missed their daddy.
Stiles opened the fridge to get the eggs and bacon, letting the air cool his overly warm body. One thing no one ever mentioned about pregnancy was how unbelievably hot he'd be almost all the time. Seriously, Stiles slept with a fan on and the bedroom window open because of how warm he'd get, even during winter. It was almost worse than being in heat. Even now, he had the kitchen and living room windows open to let in the cool morning breeze.
He danced in front of the stove, letting the world disappear as he lost himself in the music and familiarity of cooking. Bacon sizzled in the pan while Stiles flipped the eggs—punching the air in success when the yolk didn't break. Kelly Clarkson came on, singing of heartbreak, and Stiles couldn't help but use the spatula as a microphone, belting along.
His heart leapt into his throat at the soft chuckle and applause that came from behind him when he was done.
Stiles spun around, hand over his chest, glaring at Derek, who stood in the doorway, looking far too delicious in his uniform—even though there were dark circles under his eyes. Derek had to be exhausted right now.
Not uncommon after such a long shift.
"You're such an ass," Stiles said, putting the spatula down and turning the stove off. His heart was still in his throat, but he walked over to Derek with a smile and wrapped his arms around him. "I'm buying you a fucking bell."
Derek's chuckle shook them both. Stiles loved how the rumble vibrated against his chest, grounding and settling him.
"Didn't mean to scare you," Derek said, his sleep-rough voice sending a rush of warmth throughout Stiles's body.
Stiles basked in Derek's embrace for a moment before pulling back a little and reaching up to trail a finger down the side of Derek's face. "I know. I just didn't hear you come in."
"Well, you were mid-performa—ow!" Derek rubbed his side where Stiles poked him, a smile lighting up his face when he chuckled again.
Stiles stuck his tongue out at him, feeling lighter and infinitely more relieved now that Derek was home. "Welcome home, asshole."
"You're lucky the kids got rid of the swear jar," Derek said, kissing the tip of his nose. He rubbed his hands over Stiles's belly, smiling when Ollie kicked in response. "How's he been today?"
"Very active," Stiles said with a sigh. It was as if Ollie was trying out for The World Cup Championship.
Derek pressed their foreheads together, swaying to the music coming through the speaker.
Stiles looped his arms around Derek's neck as Derek gazed deep into his eyes while Christina Perri sang about loving someone for a thousand years.
"And I'll love you for a thousand more," Derek whispered before kissing him.
It was so soft, so tender, that Stiles's heart tripped over itself. He let the love and contentment wash through him as he melted against Derek, never wanting to let go. But as much as he didn't want the moment to end, reality took hold. Derek's stomach grumbled, breaking the moment.
Pulling back with a laugh, Stiles smiled up at Derek. "Alright, that's enough sappiness, let's get you fed."
"Okay, baby." Derek kissed the top of Stiles's head, and Stiles damn near swooned at the affectionate gesture.
As he dished up breakfast for both of them, Stiles let out a long, contented sigh—letting the happiness and love settle around him like a warm, cozy blanket.
He thought back to that day in the library and smiled at the memory of their meeting. God, he was so lucky to have found the man of his dreams. Over the years, their love had only grown stronger, fiercer, deeper, and his heart fluttered as he thought about all the years they had ahead of them.
Life was pretty damn good.