So I saw a reblog of this gif set a few weeks ago and it had a little ficlet attached to it about Derek becoming a writer, I think? Well, I saw it and BAM! Instantly I saw Derek being interviewed at a werewolf conference; the first one to ever be televised. And Stiles isn’t there so Derek’s nervous as all get out and it shows.
This is what happens when Stiles catches the interview on television later that night. Also on AO3.
The first four blocks of dialogue ‘correspond’ with the gifs from L to R
Interviewer: So, Alpha Hale, where is your mate?
Derek: Um…He’s at home actually.
Interviewer: I’m surprised. He’s a favorite amongst the conference crowd. Any particular reason he didn’t accompany you this year? This conference is an important one for you and the Hale Pack, isn’t it?
Derek: Well…
Interviewer: Is he not a proponent for your new cause?
Derek: He’s actually home taking care of our newborn.
Interviewer: A newborn? I didn’t realize your mate was pregnant.
Derek: He wasn’t. Our baby is an orphaned werewolf that we took in. He’s the reason I decided to become such an outspoken advocate for the Werewolf Foster Program.
Stiles puts the television on mute and picks up his cellphone. He presses the speed-dial for Derek’s number and brings the phone to his ear. His call is answered before the second ring is completed.
“Hey.”
“Good evening, Alpha Hale.”
Derek sighs and Stiles can almost picture him ducking his head in embarrassment.
“You saw it?”
Sitiles nods even though he knows Derek can’t see him, “I did.” He shifts against the headboard and whispers, “You looked nervous.”
“Hmm. That must be because I was.” There’s noise on the other end of the line and the Derek’s voice is muffled for a second before he’s back.
“I can let you go. If you’re busy, I mean.”
“I’m not. Just room service.”
“You didn’t eat at the conference?” Stiles looks skyward and scolds gently, “Derek, why?”
“I wasn’t hungry then.“ Derek shrugs, “Nerves, I suppose.”
Stiles shuts his eyes, “Babe, I told you to call if you got nervous. Remember?”
“I know, but I didn’t want to call and take a chance at waking the baby.”
“You big softy,” Stiles transfers the phone to his other hand and hits the vid-chat option on the screen. He angles the cellphone and smiles at the camera, “We miss you.”
A split second later, Derek’s smiling face is filling the small screen, “Feeling’s mutual, believe me.” Derek tilts his head, “He looks good there.”
“Yeah, you try holding a fussy baby for three hours straight and tell me how cute he is.” Stiles peeks down at the infant resting against his chest and rubs fingertips over his naked back when he whimpers in his sleep. “I finally thought to put on one of your shirts. He was out in like, seconds. Weirdest thing ever; fell asleep mid-cry.”
“Oh god, my scent,” Derek winces, “I’m so sorry! Stiles, I should’ve realized Cas would miss it. With everything else going on, I guess I just forgot.”
“Hey,” Stiles shifts the cellphone so that Derek can see the infant’s face, “he’s fine, babe. I finally figured it out. It might take me a while, but I think I just might get a handle on this whole raising a Pup of The Lord business.”
“Please stop calling him that.”
Stiles grins at the screen and shakes his head, “Nope. It’s his name and title. Get used to it.”
“You’re an idiot, you know that? He’s less than a month old and already he’s getting teased about his name.” Derek’s eyes flash briefly and he squints, “By his father.”
“Oh, hush, you.” Stiles sticks his tongue out at the screen and blows a tiny raspberry at Derek, “And just so you know, the eye flashy thing doesn’t work on me, Pops. So there.”
Derek rolls his eyes at the screen.
“So tell me, Alpha Hale,” Stiles grins, “How did your speech go?”
“Ugh,” Derek scowls, “It was brutal. People can be really mean when faced with change.”
“You knew that going in, Der.”
“Yeah, I know.” Derek takes a breath and blows it out slowly, “I also thought you’d be at my side during the whole thing.” Derek pauses, “It was televised, Stiles! There were so many camera crews and reporters; everyone talking at once, flashbulbs going off every few seconds. It was a madhouse and, and, and this suit you made me wear! Oh my god, Stiles it was so freaking uncomfortable. I hate you so much for buying it, I really do and-”
Stiles interrupts gently, “You looked good on tv, hon.” He smiles, “Very good, but don’t think I didn’t notice you weren’t wearing your tie.”
“Oh, shut up! You know I can’t tie a damn Windsor knot to save my life, Stiles.” Derek’s brows press together and he shakes his head, “Besides, you were supposed to be here to tie it for me, remember?”
“Yes, I remember, but hey,” Stiles waits until Derek is looking up at the camera, “Cas thinks it was great that I stayed behind. He said since he can’t quite reach the fridge yet, unless we buy him one of those feeder bowls and put it on the floor, we,” Stiles gestures between the screen and his face, “aren’t going anywhere together. So yeah, you’ll be flying solo for awhile, buddy.”
Derek licks his lips and says quietly, “You could come with me to the next one. Both of you.”
Stiles narrows his gaze, “Hmm. It would be great publicity for the cause.”
“Fuck the cause, Stiles, I want you there because you’re my husband and you’re supposed to be at my side, okay?”
“Derek Hale, watch your language!”
“Sorry, I just…”
“I know, babe.” Stiles sets the cellphone down on the bed briefly so he can shift their son up onto his shoulder, “You hate crowds.” He picks up the phone and smiles at his husband, “If Melissa says he’s okay to travel, then we’ll come with you to the next one. How’s that sound?”
Derek smiles at the screen, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, you big doofus.”
“He’s awake.” Derek leans closer, “Hey, baby boy, did we wake you?”
Stiles peers down and sure enough, Casmir is awake, pale gray eyes fixed on the screen in front of him. His tiny fist opens and closes in response to Derek’s voice and he makes a small noise in his throat. “He’s trying to call out to you.”
Derek nods, “I know. I can hear it.”
“Really?”
“Mmm hmm.” Derek leans in further and chuffs softly at the screen, a smile lighting up his whole face when Cas makes a soft little noise in response, “I’ll let you two go. I’m sure any second now he’s going to be asking to be fed.”
Stiles yawns softly, “Yeah, probably.” He brushes his lips over Cas’ head and smiles at Derek’s expression, “Call me after the press conference tomorrow?”
Derek nods, “I will. Good night, baby boy.” He waves at their son and then looks up at Stiles, “I love you.”
“I love you too, babe. Go eat your dinner and we’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
okay but actually i love this because you know their kids will be such awesome people because derek and stiles would be Great Dads and i will fight world and a half over it
they’d grow up so loved, and knowing that there are dangers out there but also knowing that they have their family with them, always at their back, that if there was any problem they would be safe, if they fucked up they would still be loved and eventually forgiven
so, of course, they grow up to be independent people who know what they want and chase after it
and of course along the way there’s the typical you’re not the boss of me! fights and a lot of frustration ‘cause teenagers are hard, trying to teach a person how to deal with life the best you know while they’re developing their individuality is hard
and it’s even harder on them when their first leaves for college and they realize they won’t have their kids there forever, so they intensely try to overparent the kids that they still have there
and when those are gone too and they’re past the holy shit we can have sex all over the house again phase they start feeling like their house is too empty, start trying to call and arrange family events as often as they can but their kids now have their own lives and their own paths and its hard arranging something when everyone is available
and that’s about when derek brings home the first stray, a miserable little thing that barely dodged a hit by a car
and it’s not the same, obviously. and ideally they should could have another kid. they’re not that old. but they also don’t want to feel like their kids are easily replaceable like this and it’s not right to adopt just because you feel like you’re house is too small
so in comes the first stray that they nurse to health and then… just never get rid of. her name is robin and she’s kind of a cuddleslut. they both love it
the second stray is brough to them by scott, and they cant say no with the force of two puppies looking at them (scott and the actual puppy)
stiles calls her darkness, ‘ness for short and shes a little troublemaker who tries to upstage robin at all times
and look it’s not the same as having kids, it’s not gonna replace having their kids home but it will fill the too big house a little more, and having cuddles whenever they please is a too good opportunity to pass
so that’s what happens, their kids leave and they get dogs just to have someone to care for
and when their kids all gather and see the pups (whom they love) one of them pawns off another stray one of their friends is trying to find a home for because it only makes sense, they have three kids, they need three strays.
and thats how they deal with their empty nest syndrom, with puppers which in my frank opinion is great because puppies fix everything
Just… whatever you do don’t think about dad!Derek who holds his newborn daughter so carefully because he’s terrified that he’ll break her, his large hands holding her head so gently because he’s so strong and she’s so small and unprotected. Don’t think about him sitting up all night in her room watching her sleep, just to make sure she keeps breathing.
Don’t think about Stiles coming in and draping a blanket over Derek’s shoulders when he inevitably falls sleep. Don’t think about Stiles watching both of them with a small smile on his face. Don’t picture Derek waking up, blinking slowly at the tiny human in the crib with a sleepy smile on his face because she is real, it wasn’t a dream afterall.
Don’t think about Derek having a family again, something he never thought he would be lucky enough to have. Don’t think about Stiles teasing Derek for being so protective, but not so secretly loving how sweet and careful he is with little Laura.
Don’t you dare think about both of them falling asleep on the couch, Laura in Derek’s protective arms. Don’t think about a happy, trusting, and well adjusted Hale-Stilinski family. Just don’t do it.
Stiles thew his hands up in exasperation. “Why not?!”
“Stiles,” Derek huffed, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, scooting his glasses out of the way as he doid so, allowing them to drop to the tip of his nose. Stiles will always find that endearing, even when he’s trying to keep a pout on his face. “We are not decorating the nursery with wolves.”
Stiles dialed up the pout another 10%. “But we could even do it Disney themed, yanno,” he poked his husband on the nose, pushing the glasses back to sitting properly. “The old Big Bad Wolf cartoon.”
“Oh, we’re gonna go there,” Derek huffed, a growl in his voice. But Stiles had been around Derek for almost a decade now, he knew that growl wasn’t one of anger. It was one that said, “I love him but he’s an idiot”. “In that case, we might as well include Bambi.”
She smells like…She smells like hope. Like spring and brightness and life. She smells like Stiles. She smells like Derek. That’s the biggest surprise, even though it’s only common sense. To have this tiny, perfect, helpless fragile creature actually be a part of him. So indelible that it’s stamped into her very bones, woven into the very fabric of her being.
She pats at his jaw with her hands and coos at him in her baby language. He gazes into her eyes, and sees all the secrets and wonders of the universe within.
He can hear Stiles inside, humming absently as his fingers race across the keyboard. The grass is soft where it presses against the back of Derek’s neck; the wind is gentle through the trees.
“Gah!” Gloria babbles, and bats her hand harder at Derek’s jaw.
“Oooohaaa oooohaaa oooohaaa,” He breathes heavy like a gorilla and she shrieks with laughter and he’s forced to press the side of his face against hers, clamp down fiercely on the sudden surge of emotion.
He turns it into a nuzzle which then turns into messy kisses, going, “Omnomnomnom,” into her skin, although that’s really more Stiles’ gig than his. She doesn’t seem to mind if the laughter continuously burbling out of her is any indication.
She’s three months old.
Derek still has no idea what he’s doing.
Everything is terrifying; everything is confusion and bated breath and wonderment.
He kisses her again, rubs his jaw (stubble carefully maintained for soft baby skin), against her cheek. And it is, her skin is so soft.
She wiggles like a worm in his grasp and he lifts her up a little off of his chest and jiggles her gently around. Her eyes are wide and surprised. He cautiously does it again. She squeezes her eyes shut and gives a high-pitched raptor-like screech. It signifies the absolute pinnacle of her enjoyment. Stiles says it has something to do with how many times he watched Jurassic Park during his pregnancy.
Derek carefully jiggles her around some more and adds in his, “Ooohaa OOhhaaa” gorilla breathing.
She screams with glee, her face scrunching up and eyes squeezing shut with the force of her joy.
Stiles pounds out of the house and down the steps of the back porch. He flings himself to his knees beside Derek’s shoulder.
“Show me show me show me,” He demands, breathless.
Derek jiggles her some more and adds the “OOohhhaaa Oooohaa” again.
She flails, tiny body encased almost wholly in his hands, and shrieks out high-pitched sounds of joy.
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” Stiles gasps. “Camera, phone, video need!”
Derek smirks and tilts her carefully sideways, so that she catches sight of Stiles.
She squeals with her raptor-noise.
Slowly, Stiles slides down until he’s lying on his back, pressed against Derek shoulder to thigh.
He reaches up and he and Derek negotiate and adjust until both of their hands are entwined, clasped around their daughter’s body.
“Omnomnomnom,” Stiles growls.
“Ooooohaaa Oooohaaa Oooohaaaa,” Derek breathes.
The gently jiggle her together.
Gloria flails, she warbles, and her small baby body is transported with her glee.
“Can babies pass out from happiness,” Derek whispers to Stiles.
“I have no idea.”
“I might be about to pass out from happiness,” Derek whispers again after a pause.
“In self defense right? Because the human body was not made to contain such feelings of joy?”
Derek snorts. “Something like that.”
Stiles ‘hmmmms’ thoughtfully and then Gloria sneezes.
“Naptime!” They both chorus together.
Gloria scrunches her face and gives a decided air of non-cooperation.
Derek gives her about 35 more kisses before he relinquishes her to Stiles and they both pry themselves off the grass and back inside for naptime.
“Egggghhhhhh,” Gloria voices her displeasure as they climb their stairs.
It’s her alien noise of supreme disapproval.
That one may be Derek’s fault.
“Our baby is awesommeeee,” Stiles gloats as they reach the top of the stairs.
Gloria’s head is resting comfortable against Stiles’ neck, and Derek tilts his head down and just breathes in.
Okay, so, that whole babysitter Derek Hale thing that got a hundred times bigger than I expected made me think of something else today.
Derek Hale choosing his career: Stay At Home Dad. Like, sure, he works for a while in various child-care jobs, but once his own start arriving? Yeah, no, he has enough money to not work, so there’s literally no force on earth that could keep him from spending every waking moment with his kids.
But the funny thing is, as his kids grow up, slightly spoiled and privileged, but pretty decent people all around, most of them really just think their dad is the most uncool person alive. He wears tennis socks with his sandals, for fuck’s sake, and he thinks charades is literally the best time you can have. What a loser, omg. Like, other kids’ dads have cool jobs or cool hobbies. But not the Hale kids, nooo, they get stuck with this doofus who has hippie man-bun and kind of a hobo beard these days, and doesn’t seem to be really great at anything much outside of being a dad.
Like, sure, he’s a fiend at every kids’ game/song/activity known to man, and he’s totally loving and supporting. But cool? Error, not found.
And then one day they stumble on some old stuff and what the hell is this?! First of all, Dad was a babe, how did it go from that to this weird, hairy yeti?! And he was super smart, went to college, graduated with insanely high scores and could have had his pick of any number of awesome and cool jobs. But he chose to just… have kids.
It takes quite some time for them to understand. Because they’re kids, and all kids are assholes from time to time, because they’re works in progress. But eventually they realize that their dad went and did exactly what he keeps saying they should do.
Whatever makes them happy. ❤
*slams fists on desk* y E S.
(and yeah, lets be real, he’s totally married to Stiles)(and there’s lots of kids)(who take care of Stiles’ health)(I blame Minna and Rita)
but you know what I need? This, and then Stiles beating sense into their kids, because their Dad? Derek Hale? Best you could ever imagine
Stiles will probably sit them all down on a rug and pull out a whiteboard and just start firing off points, waving his arms and giving them pointed looks the entire time, and;
“Derek could’ve just gotten a job as a modeler,” *insert pointed look directed at kids* “and I’d have to raise you all myself.”
*cue collective cringing*
“He could’ve decided to take any job, seriously, and I’d have my job, then who’d raise you? My dad? Hah. No.”
“Steph, remember when you were four and nearly drowned? Derek ran – ran – from his job at the time, do you have any idea how far away he worked at that time? It took him as long as it takes us to get to Grandpa’s house.”
*collective gasps of awe and guilt*
“Tell me, who cooks?”
*mumbles of ‘Dad does’*
“Right. We all know what happens when I cook-” *collective shuddering* “-so can you imagine what would happen if Derek decided to not stay at home? NONE OF US WOULD EAT ANYTHING HEALTHY AND THEN I’D DIE BECAUSE I’M HUMAN.”
*terrified looks all around*
“And when Mike – Michael sit down – broke Tammy’s hand-”
“It was an accident!”
“-I wasn’t at home, was I? Derek was. What would happen if he hadn’t been? If he’d been ‘cooler’-”
“Papa, I did not use that word-”
“-or if he’s shaved and looking presentable and was off making millions- what would’ve happened then? TAMMY’S HAND WOULD’VE BEEN DOOMED. FOR ETERNITY.”
“And he wears those socks because Gabe freaking knitted them for him.”
“He wears those ugly-ass sweaters because Grandpa sends them and Dad’s the best son-in-law.”
*whining* “But there’s no harm in looking human!”
“But then someone might fall for him and try to spell him away for themselves, is that what you want?”
*mutterings of ‘no’*
@ladydrace yes, Stiles defending Derek against everyone, even their kids, who quick as hell learn to appreciate Derek for who he is, yes, good, more.
you kow what i need? i need derek to have this one kid who wants to fight their bigger siblings. they’re like four or something and they love pappa derek so much
and they want to fight all their siblings for not thinking pappa derek is the shit because look pappa derek has long hair because steph went through a phase where she wanted to be a hairdresser so he grew his hair out just so she could braid it and mess with it. the only reason he didn’t cut it is because she sometimes sitll likes doing it (also hair pulling during sexy times *coughs* i mean what)
pappa derek only has a big beard because it is so soft and they love running their hands through it. ALL OF THEM. its like petting a smol kitty except its pappa dereks face
if you’re sad pappa derek will carry you everywhere all day and not even get a little bit tired. he is the best at piggy back rides so obviously he wins at life
pappa derek knows how to make shapped pancakes because he’s the best
and look this tiny little kid cries when their older siblings start talking about how uncool pappa derek is and how the other dads are probably cooler and why cant he be more like the other dads?? with cool jobs like jimmy’s dad is a firefighter and mary’s dad is a scientist that’s cool.
staying at home and looking after them isn’t cool
this lil tiny child probably hugs pappa derek and tells him they’ll love him forever and that their siblings are just poopy heads and derek laughs and tells him that they aren’t and he loves all his children the same, that they just dont understand
because you know he could be a little hurt that his kids seem to think having a dad that worked a “real job” would be better but he would still love them all fiercely
and look alSO LOOK i want to know what happens after stiles schools his children. like??? do they start realizing how mean they were to pappa derek, do they think pappa derek hates them now?? does derek have to hug them all and reassure them nothing they could do could make him hate them???
do these kids become weirdly protective of their pappa when they finally realize how important he is??
do they beat up other kids for bathmouthing their father?? these are questions i need answered
Okay, so, that whole babysitter Derek Hale thing that got a hundred times bigger than I expected made me think of something else today.
Derek Hale choosing his career: Stay At Home Dad. Like, sure, he works for a while in various child-care jobs, but once his own start arriving? Yeah, no, he has enough money to not work, so there’s literally no force on earth that could keep him from spending every waking moment with his kids.
But the funny thing is, as his kids grow up, slightly spoiled and privileged, but pretty decent people all around, most of them really just think their dad is the most uncool person alive. He wears tennis socks with his sandals, for fuck’s sake, and he thinks charades is literally the best time you can have. What a loser, omg. Like, other kids’ dads have cool jobs or cool hobbies. But not the Hale kids, nooo, they get stuck with this doofus who has hippie man-bun and kind of a hobo beard these days, and doesn’t seem to be really great at anything much outside of being a dad.
Like, sure, he’s a fiend at every kids’ game/song/activity known to man, and he’s totally loving and supporting. But cool? Error, not found.
And then one day they stumble on some old stuff and what the hell is this?! First of all, Dad was a babe, how did it go from that to this weird, hairy yeti?! And he was super smart, went to college, graduated with insanely high scores and could have had his pick of any number of awesome and cool jobs. But he chose to just… have kids.
It takes quite some time for them to understand. Because they’re kids, and all kids are assholes from time to time, because they’re works in progress. But eventually they realize that their dad went and did exactly what he keeps saying they should do.
Whatever makes them happy. ❤
*slams fists on desk* y E S.
(and yeah, lets be real, he’s totally married to Stiles)(and there’s lots of kids)(who take care of Stiles’ health)(I blame Minna and Rita)
but you know what I need? This, and then Stiles beating sense into their kids, because their Dad? Derek Hale? Best you could ever imagine
Stiles will probably sit them all down on a rug and pull out a whiteboard and just start firing off points, waving his arms and giving them pointed looks the entire time, and;
“Derek could’ve just gotten a job as a modeler,” *insert pointed look directed at kids* “and I’d have to raise you all myself.”
*cue collective cringing*
“He could’ve decided to take any job, seriously, and I’d have my job, then who’d raise you? My dad? Hah. No.”
“Steph, remember when you were four and nearly drowned? Derek ran – ran – from his job at the time, do you have any idea how far away he worked at that time? It took him as long as it takes us to get to Grandpa’s house.”
*collective gasps of awe and guilt*
“Tell me, who cooks?”
*mumbles of ‘Dad does’*
“Right. We all know what happens when I cook-” *collective shuddering* “-so can you imagine what would happen if Derek decided to not stay at home? NONE OF US WOULD EAT ANYTHING HEALTHY AND THEN I’D DIE BECAUSE I’M HUMAN.”
*terrified looks all around*
“And when Mike – Michael sit down – broke Tammy’s hand-”
“It was an accident!”
“-I wasn’t at home, was I? Derek was. What would happen if he hadn’t been? If he’d been ‘cooler’-”
“Papa, I did not use that word-”
“-or if he’s shaved and looking presentable and was off making millions- what would’ve happened then? TAMMY’S HAND WOULD’VE BEEN DOOMED. FOR ETERNITY.”
“And he wears those socks because Gabe freaking knitted them for him.”
“He wears those ugly-ass sweaters because Grandpa sends them and Dad’s the best son-in-law.”
*whining* “But there’s no harm in looking human!”
“But then someone might fall for him and try to spell him away for themselves, is that what you want?”
*mutterings of ‘no’*
@ladydrace yes, Stiles defending Derek against everyone, even their kids, who quick as hell learn to appreciate Derek for who he is, yes, good, more.
i am so for this so for this, and i’ve talked about derek doing it, but the idea of it being their kids doing it, makes everything at least 54432% times better
because imagine these kids being raised with a lot of fast food and look of course healthy food is part of their meal as well of course but daddy REALLY loves his curly fries and so they really love curly fries too and anything greasy and bad for you
imagine their kids being kind of clueless about the real difference between humans and werewolves and asking for fast food on the regular, and stiles, because he’s a cool dad, and his kids are woofs, there’s not much to actually WORRY about, just indulges them
meanwhile derek is in the background frowning at stiles’ fast food intake, only not saying a thing because his fam looks happy and he doesn’t really want to be a downer.
but then the UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS!
the kids’ teacher gets to the part of the lesson about eating healthy and how an unhealthy diet can cause a lot of health problems and sometimes even death
and they love their daddy okay they dont want him to DIE of TOO MANY CURLY FRIES. the littlest ones probably start crying when the bigger ones say daddy can die of too many curly fries
and before stiles knows he has a handful of children crying on him because they dont want him to die and how they need to eat vegetables FOREVER and stiles is just looking confused and lost at his husband with a armful of children
and of course derek is all smug about this because NOW he can fuss over stiles openingly without their kids pouting at him (he’s weak against their puppy dog eyes okay stop judging him)
stiles even tries to ask derek for help because this is insane but derek already has his car keys and a grin on his face proclaiming he’s going shopping for healthy stuff
stiles probably calls him traitor while trying to shush their kids
derek probably winks at him on his way calling out to the kids to see if any of them want to go shopping with him. (they do cause papa derek always buys them at least one toy and lets them ride on his shoulders so they can see over the aisles and trusts them to get stuff)
stiles probably calls his dad to tell him am dinner must be canceled because his children are trying to poison him with VEGGIES
the sheriff probably laughs so hard he falls off his chair and comes over to family dinner and eats all his veggies just so he can see stiles’ misery, looking smug as punch and talking about how karma is a wonderful wonderful thing.
Stiles stood in the doorway of his new favourite room in the house, fully prepared to fight to protect two of the most important men in his life when he stopped short at the sight in front of him.
/
With a crying baby and a missing husband, Stiles goes to investigate…
Ben pops open the car door and says, “Please don’t embarrass me, Dad.”
Stiles flaps a hand, still staring at the magnificent sight before him. There are glistening arm muscles and a sweaty tank top and then the vision bends over and holy god. He has to look away; it’s too much to take in all at once, he might swoon.
In which Stiles Stilinski attempts to finish his first draft of his new novel while being utterly distracted by the shenanigans happening next door – which generally involve his hot new neighbour engaging in physical labour. Whether it’s a hoe, a trowel, a hammer or a nail gun, watching Derek get dirty and sweaty is a thousand times more interesting than meeting a deadline.
Stiles has a crush and a dog, Derek has baggage and a little girl, and together, they just might make it work.
After Stiles spills his coffee all over coffee-machine-cutie Derek, they meet for nightly coffee breaks while their kids undergo treatment in the cancer ward. The relationship they weren’t looking for deepens into a source of strength and hope.
shealwaysreads 