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Never say that Stiles Stilinski didn't have his work cut out for him. When he first started dating Derek Hale he struggle with figuring out what to get him for Christmas. What do you get someone who has enough money to buy whatever they needed when they needed it.
Plus to add insult to injury, Derek's Birthday is also Christmas Day. When Stiles first learned of his real birthday, not the date that was listed on his fake ID, he tried to make sure and separate his birthday from Christmas day.
For a regular human that would make gift giving hard but to add being a werewolf to the equation made it impossible to keep the identity of the gift a secret. The first year they moved in together Stiles found Derek sniffing at his gift under the tree.
"Hey come on Derek," Stiles had called out. His hands full of groceries as he walked into the house, "you can't cheat at presents."
"What! We never agreed on that," Derek reacted quickly while being caught red handed.
"I didn't think I had to make rules about it. I thought it would be implied given I can't smell through the cardboard," Stiles shot back as he came back from the kitchen, the groceries left on the table.
Seeing Derek there sitting on the floor next to the tree caused him to pause a moment. No doubt, he realized, Derek's family must have done some interesting tricks to keep the were-kids from finding out what they got for Christmas and Birthday presents. "Fine...new rule from here on out. No were-powers on guessing gifts."
Derek narrowed his eyes at Stiles, "And no spark powers on guessing gifts."
Stiles looked shocked, "I would never." Derek just shot him a raised eyebrow that needled slowly under his skin, "Ok fine!"
The following year Operation: Hide and Seek was a go! Stiles decided to go about it a few different ways.
First step: Decoys. Stiles got Derek a set of new deputy uniforms and rubbed them all over with leather. There, something simple but the scent thrown completely off. Trying to hide any gifts at the station were no use given Derek worked as one of his Dad's deputies. Even before they started living together, even before Derek worked at the Sheriff's office, Stiles learned that place wasn't safe from Derek's nose. He could even tell what state the book he ordered for Derek was shipped from.
Step two: Six Feet Deep. Literally. Thanks to the Spark, Stiles began rearranging the deep root system that surrounded the rebuilt Hale house and soon enough a decent hole was created around 10 feet from the back porch. He lowered a sealed plastic container with two wrapped presents inside and watched as the roots gently wrapped around it and dragged it into the group.
Step three: Right in Plain Site. Stiles was happy to tell anyone who asked how he thought of this idea. While a shield of lead worked on Superman's Christmas presents he decided a hollowed out box made of mountain ash tree would work just the same. A few gifts were hidden with a fabric pull that allowed him to open the box without touching it. Since those had to be wrapped for Derek to handle anyway he decided his Christmas presents would go in those.
Now it was time for some magic.
Derek gently woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. He reached out feeling a cold spot in the bed next to him. Stiles must have been up for hours at this point. He knew what today was. His birthday and Christmas. He worked the night shift the day before to have today off.
He just sighed, rubbing his hand over his face, and through his hair. Today was going to be a long day no doubt. The whole pack was coming over later that day after spending the day with their immediate families.
After brushing his teeth, he made his way downstairs, not wanting to be away from Stiles longer than he needed to be now that they had the day off together. While Stiles' schedule was more flexible as a supernatural consultant, Derek was still a rookie and took on more of the graveyard shifts.
Derek made his way downstairs to a sight that wasn't there the day before. There was no Christmas decor, no tree, no lights. It almost looked like his normal living room all except for a large banner that read, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".
Stiles rushed out of the kitchen, "Happy Birthday Babe!"
Stiles ran and jumped into Derek's arms, after so many years it was instinct to catch is love. They shared a brief kiss that began to linger longer than what may have been appropriate. "What's all this," Derek asked.
"What happened to the tree that you picked out then demanded I carry in here," Derek laughed spinning them both around.
After Stiles was placed back on the ground, he responded, "Well right now its not Christmas Day. It is December 25th aka a certain Sour Wolf's birthday. And since we have to house the pack tonight, this morning is all about you babe."
Derek trailed behind Stiles into the kitchen as his boyfriend continued to ramble on, "As for the decor its just in a pocket dimension. Think Dr. Strage and Doctor Who mixed together."
Derek was amazed at the spread that Stiles had cooked him, and he knew the ring box hidden in his deputy go-bag was one of the best decisions he ever made.
Derek leaned in again to kiss Stiles, "This is one of the best birthday's ever Stiles. It's amazing." Stiles just smiled into the kiss.
"Well eat up Der-bear. I have a wolf enrichment task for you to get your Birthday presents." If Derek had a tail it would have been wagging wildly, his full wolf form dancing in excitement right under his skin.
Derek quickly kissed Stiles on the check as he began to prepare his plate. "Love you Stiles!"
"Love you too Birthday Boy."