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“What,” Derek pauses in an attempt to take in the whole scene before him, “is happening? Stilinski, what did you do?"
Stiles jerks around and stumbles forward, almost losing grip on the gift bag in his hands. “Derek! You’re not supposed to be here!”
Derek frowns. “Is this what I think it is?”
“If you think it’s a surprise birthday party that you’re two hours early to… then yes, it is what you think it is,” Stiles says, running a hand through his hair. “I figured with your parents gone, and your sisters in New York, someone has to celebrate your birthday.”
“But—“
Except he doesn’t know what to protest. He looks around. Stiles has decorated for a birthday party. He noticed the balloons and hanging decor when he first stepped inside. Smelled the scent of sugar cookies and cake. Heard someone — Stiles — rustling with a bag in the family room. But he really didn't know what to think.
“You didn’t think we’d forget?” Stiles asks, shaking his head. “Damn, you did. Derek, you’re just as much a part of the pack as I am or Scott or Erica or Boyd or Allison or—“
“Are you going to list everyone?” Derek asks, amused. He’s sure Stiles would if he let him.
“You know what I mean.”
“So… where is everyone?”
“Finishing up their family Christmas things,” Stiles explains. “Dad and I are celebrating tomorrow. I was… I was planning on asking you if you’d like to join.”
“Oh. Wow.” Derek takes a breath and smiles. “Should I—?”
He throws a thumb over his shoulder.
Stiles laughs. “No, the surprise is spoiled. Why don’t you go change into something fresh and I’ll take the cookies out of the oven?”
Derek nods, hesitating before he walks towards the arch way. He glances back over his shoulder, and tries not to compare how similar this feels to his childhood. Before the fire took his parents on New Year's Eve. How his family used to wait until Boxing Day to put up Christmas decorations, just so they could properly celebrate his birthday. How they laughed and threw tinsel at each other when decorating the tree. How Laura was firm that this tradition never change.
His sisters are stuck in New York City this birthday, this Christmas holiday. He had tried not to let it bother him, but part of him - deep, deep down - had been disappointed.
Derek slips into a fresh outfit, one that doesn't smell like forest, and makes his way back downstairs.
When he sees Stiles in the kitchen putting down a hot tray of his favourite cookies, he can't stop the smile from spreading across his face.
♞♚♞♚
By the time people start trickling in, Derek is stuffed full of sugar cookies and hot chocolate. Stiles is rushing around, being the host, and checks in with Derek every so often. He seems nervous, but Derek brushes it off as party-planning stress.
When Lydia demands for Derek to open presents, he feels his face heat up. The pack gathers around, sprawling across the couch and chairs and floor, and watches him intently.
He laughs at Erica's joke gift, feels his heart grow three sizes bigger with Kira's heartfelt card, and eventually, pulls the last gift into his lap. It's from Isaac. He knows that Stiles did the party, so he's not upset. Maybe a little surprised. He sort of thought... but it doesn't matter. He's grateful.
"Thanks, Isaac," he says when he sets the present aside with the pile he's accumulated. He looks around at everyone. "Thank you all for coming and for Stiles-- where's Stiles?"
He looks around, surprised.
"Did we miss present time?" Laura's voice comes suddenly. Derek whips his head to the doorframe. There are Laura and Cora. They're both bundled up and standing in front of suitcases. He didn't even hear them; he must have been lost in his own panic.
Derek shoots up from his chair.
Stiles comes around to the other side of Cora. "Happy birthday, Sourwolf!"
"What-- I thought--"
"You didn't seriously think I wasn't going to get you a birthday present, did you?"
Derek ignores all the looks from the pack. He crosses the room in five quick strides and wraps his arms around Stiles. And hugs him so tight, Stiles lets out a small huff of air.
"Dude, you're crushing me."
"Thank you," Derek says, before turning to his sisters. "I can't believe you're here!"
"As if we'd miss your twenty-fifth birthday!" Cora says, hugging him.
"No fair!" Jackson says from somewhere behind them. "Stilinski totally cheated and got the best birthday present."
Derek glances back at Stiles, a lump growing in his throat.
Today... today means everything.
♞♚♞♚
So, if Derek shows up at the Stilinski household with a butternut squash puff and a bottle of wine the next day, he tries not to make a big deal about it. But he hugs Stiles and knows. Deep down, he knows he's found the one person who is always going to put him first. Always going to care. And... and maybe for right now, that's enough.
Maybe this New Year's Eve won't be so bad.
♞♚♞♚