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*For Listening Purposes ONLY. Please do not heart, reblog or repost *
(He Fit)
“Alright guys, I have to go and meet with Chris and Sheriff so I’ll let Derek take it from here. Good meeting!” Scott highfives the pack and exits the loft leaving Derek to manage. It was his first meeting as second and he was excited to be in this position, it was a long time coming.
After the business with the alpha pack, Derek left briefly to take Cora away from the veritable time bomb that was Beacon Hills. When he came back, he was glad he’d made the decision as he found himself lumped into a tropical storm sized amount of supernatural bullshit. Nogitsunes and dread doctors, fucking Kate^2 and a nazi werewolf? There was even a point where he was turned into his younger self that he doesn’t fully remember, but knows he definitely doesn’t want to.
After the latest business with the nazi werewolf, Derek needed a break. He was supposed to only be gone for a few weeks, but found himself transported to another, less hectic time as he roamed the Brazilian wilderness with his South American pack. He checked in occasionally to make sure he wasn’t needed back in Beacon Hills, but for the most part he roamed the countryside and surfed the sand dunes in his wolf skin. It was heavenly, but something was missing.
Home was calling him, though he wasn’t entirely sure why. He packed up and went back to Beacon Hills after being gone for just over a year. When he returned, he talked to Scott who asked him to be second in his pack. Derek asked about why Stiles didn’t hold that position and Scott informed him that he was, but he wanted to train under Deaton to become the pack emissary.
“That leaves an opening and I think you’d be great to fill it, dude! Welcome back!” Scott exclaimed excitedly. Derek couldn’t help his grin. It actually felt good to be back and he was glad he had a place in the new pack.
He attended a couple of meetings as a lay member at first, simply remeeting the old members and being introduced to new ones. Their pack was growing and required a lot of training where Derek felt he could use his skills. After the announcement of him as the new second, Derek began to implement study sessions as well as pack bonding exercises. School was out for the summer and Derek’s part in the current meeting was to start planning for the extra time the pack would have.
“You guys have been really great with donating your time to learn and grow the pack. I appreciate that and expect the same over the break. I know some of you will be traveling so I’d like to get an idea of where you’ll have room in your plans to train.”
“I’m going back to France with Argent the last two weeks of August, but other than that I should be available.” Isaac says. Derek nods. He’s happy that Chris took Isaac under his wing and their relationship has allowed Isaac to regain some much needed confidence.
“Yeah, we can’t do Thursdays, Fridays or every other Saturday because of the show, but other than that most of us are free this summer, right guys?” Jackson adds. He’d arrived back from London during senior year and graduated with his friends. He’s become a strong enforcer in the pack and makes Derek proud as one of his original betas.
“Show?” Derek asks, feeling like he’s missed something. Lydia nods.
“Stiles, Jackson and Isaac all perform at The Jungle twice a month for drag night!” She explains brightly, swooping Jackson’s hair out of his eyes. He nips at her fingers causing her to giggle. Derek… is confused.
“Wait, what? Drag night? Stiles?” Derek asks, drawing the wide eyed attention of the boy in question. He’s back to a buzzed head and currently wearing a Wonder Woman tee under a red plaid overshirt. He looks at Derek sheepishly.
“Uhh, yeah dude. I’ve been performing for close to a year now? Started in highschool, it’s no big deal.” Stiles tries to shoulder off casually. Isaac huffs.
“No big deal!? You came out in the most dramatic way possible and then started doing drag and then begged Jackson and me to do it with you! Admittedly we love it, but there was nothing ‘no big deal’ about it!” The boy snorts as he pokes at Stiles’ thigh with his toes, blatantly ignoring the pleading in Stiles’ eyes.
“When you came out? You’re gay? When did… I mean, I’m sorry, that’s not right. What else have I missed?” Derek wonders aloud. Stiles grins and shrugs.
“Yeah dude, senior year, though I’ve always been gay of course… for fucking ever. With as long as I was in love with Lydia, I discovered I wanted to be her more than be with her. Then Danny started taking me to the clubs and I saw a show and fell in love. It’s a great outlet and it’s fun and really it’s not a big deal. Maybe Wednesdays would be good?”
“Good for what?” Derek asks, still processing the information.
“For training, Derek!” Stiles prods, trying foolishly to control the blush that’s creeping from under his neckline.
“Oh! Uhh yeah! If it won’t interfere, Wednesdays and Sundays for uhh- training! And pack bonding! How does that sound to everyone?” Derek looks around the room as everyone titters in agreement. “Okay, well… I’ll see you guys next week, I guess. Now get the hell out of my loft!” He says with an fake air of menace. Jackson laughs.
“There he is!” The boy yells out, jumping up to pat Derek on the back, “Missed ya, buddy.” He gives Derek a hug on his way out and Derek makes sure to say goodbye to everyone as they leave. He goes back to his living room and notices that Stiles has lingered.
“So… the drag thing is kind of a surprise, huh?” He starts, fiddling with his fingers as he sits in a ball on the couch. Derek sits on the ottoman across from him and grabs his hand to keep him from fidgeting.
“It just shocked me, that’s all. I.. can’t really imagine you in drag?” And he couldn’t. Stiles was too gangly, too awkward and too uncoordinated. At least the Stiles that Derek used to know was. Stiles was always too unkempt with all the khakis and plaid. He had no finesse. There was a developing grace there, sure, but it was riddled in clumsiness. This Stiles was a drag queen? “I hope that didn’t come off as rude.”
Stiles grins, “I’ll just chalk your opinions up to being outdated, but really, it’s okay. I know a year isn’t a lot of time, but a lot has changed, Derek. I’m not exactly the ugly duckling anymore, and drag has helped me with that.”
“You were never the ugly duckling, Stiles, just… an oblivious swan.” Derek insists a moment before crinkling his own brow in confusion over the statement. Stiles laughs brightly and though the phrase made no sense, Derek could see it fit Stiles perfectly. The buzzcut was back, but in the last year Stiles has changed a lot. He’s taller now, and he’s seemed to have grown into his own limbs. He’s not skinny, but instead smooth and lean. Derek has seen him walk with more confidence lately, with a sure step and his head held high. He’s stunning.
“I mean, I know you can do anything that you put your mind to, I’ve never doubted that. I’m sure you’re great.” Derek says as Stiles beams, yet rubs the back of his neck nervously.
“Yeah, well… hey-” he says, suddenly perking up and looking excitedly at Derek with his sparkling brown eyes, “-why don’t you come to the club for a show? It’s Saturday night and I can get you comped at the door. I think you might like it, I mean… if you want.” Stiles begins losing steam near the end, so Derek jumps in quickly.
“Yeah! I mean, if it’s okay?” Derek asks quickly. Stiles nods, a bit of confidence seeping back into his eyes.
“Yeah, that way you can see what I do, etcetera.” He adds with a hand flourish. Derek chuckles.
“Yes, I’d like that. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
Stiles stands and makes his way to the door. Derek follows and leans against the frame watching Stiles as he makes his way down the stairs. At the bottom he turns back briefly and throws Derek a little wave. Derek throws it right back.
Saturday is gonna be interesting.