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Derek wasn't big on physical touch.
Nothing wrong with that. Everyone had their own love languages. The pack had noticed quickly and adapted to the fact, as they did with all of the members' discomforts, that physical touch with Derek was a no-no.
Scott prided himself of taking thing like that in stride when it came to his friends. It took a while for Scott to get out of the habit of touching him without thinking about it. He had always been an affectionate person with his friends. Never really had a friend against it and was naturally a more touchy person himself. But with Derek it was different.
But the bigger part of the pack Derek becomes, the easier it is. For everyone. Derek's personal space is unquestionably respected.
But not by Stiles. Never by Stiles.
Stiles is all jittery legs and constant poking. His love language was touching, bordering on irritating, people. Always grabbing or poking or hugging. The touches don't necessarily last long, although one of Stiles' best traits is that his touch lasts long whenever someone needs it, but were pretty much a given when you became a part of Stiles' life.
Scott loved it. Had from the moment he met Stiles. Stiles little pokes and touches kept him feeling warmed and loved whenever he was around his best friend. He feels like something is missing when he spends too long away from the touches. A little co-dependent, but their friendship was pretty much the most valuable relationship he had in his life.
In knowing Stiles' love, Scott was always a little conscious of the way other people reacted to it. He wanted to buffer his best friend from getting hurt if anyone did not like or accept his slightly strange brand of affection. This meant anyone giving Stiles a sideways glance, had Scott sideling his way between them and offering himself up to receive the affection, while Scott would glare at the other person until they went away.
So it was fair to say that when it came to Derek and Stiles, Scott was wary. Derek was always a little standoffish. Especially early on.
So when Scott saw Stiles start his affectionate poking and touches, he keeps a close eye on it.
Derek does seem irritated by it at first. But not in a way that makes Stiles sad or uncomfortable. Not even in a way where he pulls away from the touch. More just that his face would scrunch up when Stiles would touch on him then settle again when Stiles' touch disappeared.
After a time, Scott came to the conclusion that whilst Derek may not like the touches and poking, he would not push Stiles away or make him uncomfortable for doing it. So Scott took a step back and just observed.
And from further back, as more time passed, he saw more.
More touches, less face scrunching. No lingering or different touches. Just more of them. Stiles had noticed that Derek was okay with the touches and had amped them up to the standard number of touches per interaction that he had saved for close friends.
The real shock Scott gets is from the first advancement of touch he sees. No longer just idle Stiles reaching out to poke or grab or squeeze.
It happens during the pack movie night.
At some point, they had all realised that between fighting monsters and actual life, they did not get much time to bond in peaceful times. So they had decided that they would carve out time every few weeks or so to pile into Derek's loft. Derek had the task of hosting, pulling out mattresses and plenty of blankets, because he remained the only pack member with a large space that was entirely his own. The pack brought snacks and the movie for the night.
A few years into the tradition, the turnout still remained surprisingly good. Scott, Stiles, Kira, Malia, Liam, Allison, Isaac and Derek in attendance tonight.
Food had been piled onto the coffee tower and every inch of couch and floor space around the tv was occupied. Scott had taken one couch with Kira, Liam and Theo. Kira tucked into Scott's side and Liam and Theo cuddled up on the other end of the couch. The floor at their feet had Lydia, Allison and Isaac. Malia took up the floor space in front of the smaller couch. The smaller couch was taken up by Stiles and Derek.
Usual best friend duties, Scott worried about Stiles. Stiles usually sat next to Scott and fiddled with the strings on his hoodie or something like that to keep his hands occupied so he could focus on the movie. However, Stiles had turned up a little later than everyone else and the other seats were occupied.
Derek, in the usual situation of their movie night, had the smaller couch to himself. He had his uninterrupted personal space but was still within the circle of the pack. Stiles had made his way in, kicking off his shoes and draping his jacket over a chair before making his way over to the couch setup. It was then he had discovered the issue. Scott was about to squish everyone on his couch when Derek shocked everyone by offering Stiles the seat next to him.
The rest of the pack exchanged confused glances but Stiles didn't seem to find this strange and settled into the couch without question. The couch isn't big, and Derek isn't small, so the invitation has their sides touching. They even share a blanket.
The movie is started up and everyone settles in.
Not long into the movie, Scott notices movement out of the corner of his eye. It's Stiles, bouncing his leg and through it the entire couch. Malia, who is leaning on the couch, shoots him a glare which has no effect. It's not unusual. All attention being on just one thing was a challenge for Stiles. Usually he had techniques or objects to help like Scott's hoodie or Lydia's hair (Stiles was only allowed to touch it in situations like this).
Scott considers going over to him to check on him or tossing his hoodie over to fidget with, when Derek offers his hand to Stiles. Derek isn't even looking, and the hand isn't pushed onto him, more of an offering. Stiles, also not actually looking, takes Derek's hand in both of his and pulls it onto his lap. As soon as it is settle, Stiles is fidgeting with it. It's then Scott notices that, for the first time he has ever seen, Derek is wearing two rings on his hand. Stiles is already twirling them. They're just simple bands stacked on his middle finger, and Scott is sure he has never seen them before.
Is sure Derek hadn't been wearing them before Stiles arrived.
It strikes Scott then that Derek had put the rings on his finger when he invited Stiles to sit with him, knowing he would need something for his idle fingers. Derek had not only gone out of his way to make accommodations for Stiles, he has also reached out for a type of contact he is usually uncomfortable with.
It's the first time Scott notices that Stiles has successfully poked his way into Derek's heart.
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Following the movie night, the touch Stiles offers Derek seems to linger half a moment longer than it does with anyone else, even Scott.
But as time passes, that lingering too becomes normal.
The next time Scott actually notices a difference in the poking and touch Stiles' offers Derek is after a fight.
It had been a successful one against another supernatural creature but the pack was a little worse for wear. Bruises and cuts slowly healing.
Derek in particular had a few nasty injuries that were taking time to heal.
The pack had reconvened in Stiles' living room. All were sprawled out on the couches or the carpet next to the couches, resting and recovering. A few looking on the edge of sleep.
Scott snagged a couch and is cuddling with a half asleep Kira. Theo and Liam are sprawled out on the floor next to his couch, both fast asleep wrapped in each-others arms. Lydia and Malia have the other couch with Malia tucked into Lydia's side, both are asleep. Isaac and Allison have the floor next to this couch, leaned back against it. Allison has her head leaned back against Lydia's leg. Mason and Corey have claimed an armchair and are talking quietly.
Derek sitting away from the others in the dining room on a chair, hunched over waiting for his injuries to close. He seems as weary as the rest of them and has his head buried in his hands, probably not far from sleep if it weren't for the injuries.
Scott is about to check on him when he sees Stiles approaching.
He's tempted to stop his best friend. Since being turned, he had noticed that when he was hurt or vulnerable, it was hard to have anyone close. The wolf instinct tended to want to protect itself and didn't want people coming closer without permission. Vulnerable wolves are not big fans of their space being invaded.
But Scott resolves to wait, knowing that no matter what happens, Derek won't hurt Stiles.
Stiles' approach is purposeful. He does not stop until he is standing right next to Derek's chair.
Derek must know he is there. The enhanced senses means it is almost impossible for him to not. And yet he does not move, does not even raise his head from his hands.
Stiles lifts a hand and stroked it through Derek's hair, the hand coming to rest on the back of Derek's neck.
It's a classic sign of affection for Stiles. Something he had done the entire time Scott has known him. A very specific, very purposeful, hair to neck stroke. It was something Stiles' mother had done to him when he was young. After her death, Stiles seemed to adopt this comforting behaviour as his own.
Scott knew that touch. It was one of the most reassuring touches he had ever felt. The world somehow felt right again when Stiles' hand passed through this hair and came to rest on his neck. A rare treat and a centring affection.
So it should come as no shock when Scott sees the affect it has on Derek. It was a tension relieving one for Scott himself.
And yet he is shocked to see the tension seep from Derek's previously wound tight shoulders. It's even more amazing to see that Derek both accepts this affection and leans his head into Stiles' touch, resting his head against Stiles' stomach. His hands drop but his eyes remain closed. Stiles' other hand comes to cup Derek's jaw and they both rest there. It lasts a long while, neither person moves. It is the most still Scott has ever seen Stiles.
Eventually, it seems that Derek's wounds have healed. Because slowly, and what looks like reluctantly, Derek moves first. He stands up and looks down at Stiles, a soft smile on his face. Derek raises a hand and runs a hand over Stiles' head and lets it rest on the back of his neck, just as Stiles had done before. Stiles grins back at him then they separate and come to join the rest of the pack.
Stiles' poking has certainly landed him in Derek's heart. And Derek has noticed that Stiles has set up camp in there, seeming to accept it.
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The next time Scott notices an advancement in physical affection between Derek and Stiles comes during an impromptu pack sleep-over.
And by sleep-over, they mean that their pack meeting had run late and everyone had made themselves far too comfortable on Derek's couches and floor to bother going home.
Derek and Scott had worked together to drape blankets over all of the pack members and prop pillows under the heads of those who had fallen asleep on the floor. Scott settles himself on his couch, Kira shuffles into his arms and they toss a blanket over themselves and settle down. Scott looks around a last time to check everyone is comfortable and sees Stiles and Derek standing in the kitchen.
Derek seems to be getting Stiles a glass of water and Stiles is keeping up a quiet conversation as he waits. Derek hands Stiles the glass and the two of them remain talking quietly in the kitchen. Scott notices nothing more of their interaction as his eyes close and sleep overtakes him.
Scott is the first to wake. He carefully unwinds himself from Kira and stands up, stretching his arms wide.
He takes a look around and smiles to himself to see all his pack fast asleep, all in reaching distance of where he had been sleeping. He took great delight in the fact that his pack took so much comfort from proximity to each-other and to himself.
Not all of the pack are close though. Two exceptions.
Further from the others, Scott sees Derek and Stiles.
By the look of it after their conversation in the kitchen, they had decided to share the only actual bed in the loft. It is not clear how they fell asleep but their proximity now they are asleep is obvious. They're fast asleep in Derek's bed. Derek laid out on his back and Stiles asleep pretty much on top of him, the blanket secured around Stiles' back. Derek's arms are secure around Stiles' waist over the blanket and Stiles' face is tucked into Derek's neck with Stiles' hands tucked under the pillow on either side of Derek's head. Derek's face is turned into Stiles' hair.
They seem peaceful. They seem close, not just physically. Like they're connecting on far more complex levels than Scott had previously realised. It's not a bad surprise at all. Both of them seem relaxed encircled in each-other's arms. Both warmed by the embrace.
Derek's face is as calm as Scott has ever seen it. He looks almost happy. He must hear Scott moving because his eyes open slowly.
He doesn't actually look at Scott at first. He's looking at Stiles. His face soft. A small smile on his lips when he sees Stiles drooling on his chest. He looks at Stiles as if he could stay looking at him forever, content to observe the sleeping human.
Only when he tears his eyes away from Stiles, does he notice Scott. They catch each-other's eyes and Derek freezes, seemingly uncomfortable with an outsider observing their peaceful bubble.
Scott offers him a small smile. He enjoys seeing his best friend so comfortable with someone else. So cared for. He hopes the smile conveys that.
It seems to because Derek smiles back softly and relaxes back into Stiles' embrace.
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It all makes sense the next time Scott sees them.
Or maybe more accurately, catches them.
The pack had decided to throw a party at the loft. This time, somehow, with Derek's permission.
It was a great turnout, music pumping and plenty of drinks and snacks. The pack members are scattered around and seeming to enjoy themselves.
Scott had just finished dancing with Kira and is heading to find himself a drink when we catches sight of Stiles and Derek disappearing out onto the balcony hand in hand.
Scott follows from a distance out of curiosity and finds the two resting against the handrail looking out on Beacon Hills. Scott doesn't risk standing at the door to the balcony. He watches through the window.
He watches as the two inch closer, seemingly lost in their conversation. Then turn and seem to get lost in each-other's eyes.
In a rare event, it is Derek who reaches out for contact first. His hands come to cup Stiles' face. Stiles hands come to rest on Derek's waist, pulling him closer. Derek comes willingly, Scott can make out a smile on his face even from here. Stiles is grinning back at him.
Then in the next moment they are kissing.
A part of Scott is shocked. Derek had always been a little withdrawn from the group, partially being that he is older and partially because of his quieter and sterner demeanour. Scott had always considered Derek an important member of his pack. At times it seemed Derek didn't really believe himself part of it. The idea of him finding romantic feelings within the pack then was strange in a way.
The majority of Scott is not surprised. It had seemed like such a natural progression. The light touches to the constant ones to the emotionally charged ones. It felt a little inevitable. After all, this was the way his friendship with Stiles had started in a way. Stiles was excellent at weaseling his way into your heart. It's gradual, and you don't notice he's there until he has set up camp. And once he's there, he is there to stay.
When the pair pulled apart, Derek looked at Stiles' so softly that Scott felt his own heart warm.
Feeling like he was intruding on a moment, Scott turned and joined his other pack members at the party once again, joyful with the knowledge that two people he cared a great deal for had found a deeper connection. One filled with softness and comfort.
One that feels as natural over their time as anything.
Scott has watched this progression between Stiles and Derek. Watched the initial annoyance. The eventual acceptance. The inevitable craving. Stiles had introduced the drug of his touch to Derek and now Derek was addicted.