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Derek Hale had never been one for crowds. His heightened senses made every interaction feel like a bombardment of sound, smell, and sight. But it wasn’t about him anymore. It was about Eli, his young son, who was growing up with the same struggles, if not worse. Eli was only eight, and already his senses were a tangled mess that made public places, loud noises, and even school a challenge.
The small clearing outside the Hale house was their sanctuary. Far from the bustle of Beacon Hills, it was quiet enough for Derek to teach Eli how to manage his abilities without the world overwhelming him.
“Okay, buddy, take a deep breath,” Derek instructed, sitting across from his son on the grass. His eyes were gentle, though his voice carried the firmness of experience. “I know it’s hard, but we’re going to work on blocking out the sounds you don’t need. Focus on just one thing.”
Eli squirmed on the spot, his little legs crisscrossed and his hands resting tensely on his knees. “But it’s so loud, Dad. I can hear everything!”
“I know,” Derek nodded, understanding the frustration. “But you can control it. You’re stronger than the noise.”
Eli closed his eyes, brows furrowing as he tried to listen to Derek’s calm heartbeat, just as he’d been taught. The wind rustled the trees gently, but beyond that, it was quiet. Or at least it should have been.
From behind the tree line, there was a sudden, unmistakable crack. It wasn’t loud, but to werewolf ears, it was enough to draw Eli’s attention, his head snapping toward the sound.
“Stiles!” Derek growled without even needing to look.
A laugh echoed from the trees, and Stiles emerged, holding a handful of sticks and looking thoroughly unbothered. “What? I’m gathering firewood! It’s not my fault you wolves have hyper-hearing!”
Derek sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We’re trying to focus here. Eli’s learning.”
Stiles’ face softened immediately as he glanced at Eli, whose focus had been broken, his concentration slipping away. Stiles dropped the sticks to the ground and crouched next to them, his expression shifting into something more serious but still playful, the way he always was with Eli.
“Hey, kid,” Stiles greeted with a wink. “Wanna see a magic trick?”
Eli’s eyes lit up. “A real one?”
“Of course! Only the best for you,” Stiles assured him. He turned his attention to Derek, his face a little more mischievous now. “And for your dad, too.”
Derek raised an eyebrow, knowing Stiles well enough to know that this “trick” wasn’t entirely for Eli’s benefit. But before Derek could voice any objections, Stiles was already pulling something out of his pocket — a small pouch filled with herbs and a tiny crystal.
Stiles had been experimenting with magic lately, something he picked up from Deaton and his endless curiosity about all things supernatural. Derek hadn’t minded too much, especially since Stiles had proven to be surprisingly adept. Still, magic had its quirks, and sometimes those quirks ended up with things on fire.
But this time, Stiles was careful. He sprinkled some of the herbs in a small circle on the ground between him and Eli, muttering a few words under his breath that Derek couldn’t quite catch. The air shimmered faintly like heat rising off the pavement, and then it was still again.
Eli blinked, his sharp ears perking up as if he were trying to pick up on something. “What happened?” he asked, his small face scrunching in confusion.
Stiles grinned, gesturing around them. “I just made the noise disappear. Well, kind of. It’s still there, but it won’t bother you. It’s like putting the world on mute for a while.”
Eli’s eyes widened. “You can do that?”
“I can do a lot of things,” Stiles replied proudly, earning an eye roll from Derek. “But for now, you should use this as a chance to practice. See if you can focus on just the important stuff.”
Eli hesitated, then closed his eyes again. The quiet surrounding them was different now, not the natural quiet of the woods, but something deeper. The ambient sounds had been dampened, almost like they were wrapped in cotton. Eli’s small face relaxed as he began to focus on the only sound that mattered — his dad’s heartbeat.
Derek watched with quiet pride as Eli’s breathing steadied. Stiles’ magic trick had worked, giving Eli the space to learn without being overwhelmed. For a moment, Derek considered how much easier his own childhood might have been with someone like Stiles around — someone who could make the world just a little quieter, a little more manageable.
Stiles watched them both, leaning back on his hands with a contented smile. “He’s doing good,” he murmured, his voice low enough that only Derek could hear. “He’s got your focus.”
“He’s still struggling,” Derek replied, though there was a hint of fondness in his voice. “But he’ll get there.”
“And I’ll be here to help him cheat a little,” Stiles added, shrugging. “It’s what I do.”
Derek huffed a quiet laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing. Stiles had always had a way of lightening the mood, of taking the weight off his shoulders without him even realizing it. And now, with Eli, it was no different. Stiles had stepped into their lives, filling the gaps Derek hadn’t even known were there.
As Eli continued his exercises, Derek leaned over toward Stiles, lowering his voice. “You didn’t just mute the world for Eli, did you?”
Stiles shot him a cheeky grin. “What gave it away?”
“Your heart’s beating too quietly,” Derek remarked dryly. “And you’re not usually this good at sneaking up on me.”
Stiles shrugged, clearly pleased with himself. “I thought I’d give you a little break too. I know you won’t admit it, but sometimes the world gets a little loud for you, too.”
Derek didn’t respond right away, but he didn’t need to. The grateful look he gave Stiles was answered enough.
Eli opened his eyes just then, a wide smile breaking across his face. “I did it, Dad! I focused on just your heartbeat!”
Derek smiled back, his chest swelling with pride. “That’s great, buddy. You’re getting better every day.”
Stiles clapped his hands, standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. “Alright, Hale boys, who’s up for dinner? I’m starving.”
Derek chuckled and stood as well, lifting Eli easily onto his shoulders. “Let’s go, then.”
As they headed back toward the house, Stiles walked beside them, his hand brushing lightly against Derek’s. The world was still loud, and it always would be. But with Stiles and Eli by his side, it was a noise Derek didn’t mind facing.
Sometimes, it was good to have a little magic in their lives.