Chapter Text
"Mama! Mama, can I go?" Derek asked, vibrating with excitement. He watched his sister, Laura, disappear into the woods and all he wanted to do was go after her. The sun beat down on his dark hair, and a cool breeze blew through the leaves around him. Derek's heart raced at the thought of running through the preserve, chasing squirrels and rabbits—whatever caught his eye.
"Please, Mama? Can I?" he begged with hopeful eyes.
His mama sighed but nodded. "Alright, but don't leave the territory. Do you understand?"
Derek nodded eagerly and ran off to catch up with Laura. She was so fast! He couldn't even see her anymore, but he could smell her, so he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to follow her scent. It would be easier if he could turn into a wolf (like his mama), but he wasn't old enough yet. Focusing, he picked up Laura's scent and darted through the woods, dodging between the trees. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and small animals, but Derek ignored them all as he tried to find his sister.
It was so much fun—it felt like time slowed down as he moved effortlessly through the familiar woods. The wind blew through his hair and the leaves made a soft crunching sound under his feet as he ran. This was what it felt like to be alive. Laura's scent got stronger, and Derek pushed himself harder, determined to catch up. His heart beat faster and adrenaline rushed through him. But as he turned a corner, he suddenly smelled something new and strong: omega. It was sweet and perfect and smelled like home and packpackpack, even though the scent wasn't like anyone from his pack. Curious, Derek followed it until he heard someone talking. Slowing down, he cautiously approached the source of the voice. It sounded like a little kid.
Peeking through the bushes, he saw a boy sitting on a tree stump, talking to himself and playing with two toy figures. The little boy seemed lost in his own world as he made his toys jump and battle each other, completely unaware of Derek's presence.
"You gotta jump!" the boy said in a deep voice.
"No, I don't wanna!" he replied in a high-pitched voice. "It's too scary!"
The boy paused for a moment before making one of the figures leap dramatically.
"See? I told you it would work!" he exclaimed, giggling at his cleverness.
Derek couldn't help but smile. He watched, fascinated by the way the boy's big brown eyes sparkled with joy as he played. They almost looked beta-gold in the sunlight, but Derek knew the boy wasn't a werewolf. As far as he could tell, he wasn't any kind of supernatural being.
Which meant he had to be human.
Derek was a little scared of humans. He'd met some who were friendly and accepting of supernatural creatures like him but knew there were others who were afraid and distrustful. Hunters. But this boy seemed different. He smelled nice and his eyes were kind, and Derek found himself unable to resist the pull of pack and home and safe.
As he stepped closer, a twig snapped under his foot, and the boy's eyes widened in surprise, quickly shifting to curiosity as he spotted Derek.
"Hi," the boy said with a big smile. "I'm Stiles. Who are you?"
Stiles.
Derek mouthed the name a few times, savoring the way it felt on his tongue. It was weird—funny—but not in a bad way. More like it just fit the boy in front of him. He opened his mouth to respond, but his words got stuck in his throat as he stared at Stiles's bright face. Stiles didn't seem afraid of him, which was strange and made Derek feel gooey-warm inside.
Stiles hopped off the log and approached Derek with a curious smile. Derek's heart skipped a beat at Stiles's proximity, his enticing scent enveloping Derek. Stiles tilted his head slightly and studied Derek with open fascination.
"Are you a werewolf?" he asked, his tone gentle and curious. "You keep sniffin' the air and your eyes keep flickering red. So you're an alpha, right?"
Derek nodded mutely, mesmerized by him.
"That's so cool! I've never met a werewolf before." Stiles bounced excitedly, inching closer. His eyes sparkled with intrigue as he asked Derek all sorts of questions. "What's your name? Do you live around here? Can you run really fast? Do you have super senses? Can you shift into a wolf? I heard not all 'wolves can do that. That'd be so awesome to see!"
Derek answered as best as he could, feeling more comfortable with Stiles than anyone he had ever met.
"I'm Derek. I live in the preserve." His voice came out softer than he intended, but Stiles's face lit up with a bright smile, making Derek's heart flutter. At that moment, it was as if his entire world shifted on its axis. He couldn't quite explain it, but he knew Stiles was special—different from anyone he'd ever met—that they had a connection. Derek needed him in his life. He wanted to keep him, unable to imagine not having Stiles around.
Leaning in closer, Derek whispered conspiratorially, "And I can't shift. Yet."
"Whoa! When will you be able to do that?" Stiles asked eagerly.
"My mama said when I'm older I can." As they talked, Derek couldn't help but notice how close Stiles was standing to him. It was as if some invisible force drew them together.
"You hafta show me!" Stiles exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "I bet it's super cool! Can you do anything else? Like, can you hear really good? Or smell things from far away?"
Derek answered Stiles's questions to the best of his abilities—Yes, I can hear really well and pick up scents from far away. He also told Stiles that his vision was better in the dark and that he could run really fast. Stiles listened intently, asking more questions and marveling at Derek's abilities. In return, Derek asked some of his own questions—curious as to why he'd never seen Stiles before. But apparently, Stiles had just moved to town with his parents, and his daddy was a deputy! Derek thought that was really cool.
Time flew by as they talked and talked and talked until Derek noticed how dark the sky had become and the scent of rain filling the air. He knew it was time to go home, especially with the low growl of thunder in the distance. But he couldn't leave Stiles out here all alone. He didn't want to leave Stiles at all.
"Where's your family?" he asked, trying to sniff out any other scents in the area. But there was only Stiles. "I should get you home before it rains."
Stiles scrunched up his face and looked around. "I don't know where my parents are," he said, looking up at Derek with big, worried eyes. "My dad had to go to the Sheriff's Station and my mom is busy unpacking. She told me to stay in the backyard."
Derek knew that some houses backed up to the preserve, but the closest one was still too far away—definitely outside of his territory. Still, he couldn't just leave Stiles out here all alone. It wouldn't be safe, especially with a storm coming. Plus, he didn't want to say goodbye just yet.
"Don't worry, I'll take you to my house and my mama can call your parents," Derek offered, holding out his hand to Stiles.
Stiles beamed up at him and eagerly took his hand, and Derek felt a jolt of warmth at the simple touch.
"You're not scared, are you?" he asked, wanting to make sure Stiles felt safe.
Stiles squeezed Derek's hand tightly and shook his head vigorously. "No, I know you'll keep me safe."
Derek's heart swelled at Stiles's words, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat confirming their truth.
Together, they started walking through the preserve, with Derek leading the way. He kept his senses alert for danger, though he knew the territory was safe. After a couple of minutes, it started to rain—just a drizzle, but with the thunder in the distance, Derek knew they needed to hurry. It'd be faster to run, but Stiles wouldn't be able to keep up with him, and he didn't want to leave him behind. He couldn't leave him behind. So, instead, he let go of Stiles's hand and crouched down in front of him.
"Hop on," he said. "I'll carry you."
Stiles eagerly climbed onto Derek's back, wrapping his arms around Derek's neck and his legs tightly around Derek's waist. Derek stood up straight, making sure Stiles was secure before moving quickly through the preserve.
"This is so cool!" Stiles exclaimed with excitement, his voice sounding almost breathless. "You're so strong! And we're going so fast! I bet you're even faster without me on your back."
His excitement was contagious, filling the air with a sense of adventure and thrill—Derek couldn't help but smile. The sound of Stiles's heartbeat and the warmth of his body against Derek's back made him feel strangely content and at ease.
"Just a little bit. I'll be even faster when I can shift into a wolf," Derek responded, barely out of breath.
"I can't wait to see that!" Stiles exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over.
Through the trees ahead, Derek saw the lights of his house shining in the darkness. They were close now. It made him sad to think about having to say goodbye to Stiles soon. He didn't want his mama to call Stiles's parents because then they'd come and take him away, and Derek didn't want to let him go. He wondered if he could sneak Stiles inside and up to his room without anyone knowing. Then he wouldn't have to say goodbye.
But once they reached the backyard, Derek's mama was already standing there, her arms crossed over her chest. As they approached, she lifted a perfectly groomed brow in surprise at the sight of Stiles riding on Derek's back.
"Derek Hale, what have you got there?" she asked, her tone stern yet curious.
Reluctantly, Derek let Stiles down but kept a protective hand on his shoulder. "This is Stiles. I found him in the preserve."
His mama's gaze shifted between the two boys, her expression softening slightly. "And did you ask his parents if it was okay before bringing him here?"
Derek's protective instincts flared up at the thought of someone taking Stiles away from him.
"No, I found him. He's mine now," he said firmly, tucking Stiles behind him as if he could shield him from his mother's disapproval.
His mama's eyebrows rose at his possessive tone, but she didn't push any further. "Derek, you can't just bring home a stray child. Now come inside and dry off. We need to call his parents and make sure he gets home safely."
Feeling defeated, Derek's shoulders slumped and he reluctantly followed his mother inside, never loosening his grip on Stiles. As much as he didn't want to let go of his new friend, his mother was right—they needed to make sure Stiles got back home safely.
Stiles tugged on Derek's shirt as they walked down the hallway.
"Are we in trouble?" he whispered.
"No, we're not in trouble," Derek assured him, gently squeezing his shoulder. "My mama just wants to make sure you get home safe. She's going to call your parents."
As they entered the bathroom, Derek's mama led them to the closet, pulled out two fluffy towels, and handed one to each of them.
"Use these to dry off," she said with a warm smile. "I'll grab you both some dry clothes, then we'll call your parents, Stiles."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you," Stiles replied, beginning to dry himself off while Derek watched him anxiously, not wanting to let his new friend out of his sight.
After a few minutes, Derek's mama returned with fresh clothes and set them on the counter.
"Alright, Stiles," she said kindly, "do you know your phone number?"
Stiles nodded eagerly and recited it for her without hesitation.
"You boys get changed while I make the call. Come out to the living room when you're done."
"Okay, mama," Derek replied obediently, handing Stiles the smaller clothes.
Once they were changed, they made their way to the living room. Derek's mama wasn't there but Derek could hear her talking on the phone in the kitchen. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as they waited for her return.
"Wanna see my cars?" Derek asked, wanting to show Stiles his favorite toys.
Stiles's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Yes, please!" he replied eagerly, following Derek.
Derek grabbed Stiles's hand and led him to a corner of the room, where his toy chest sat. With a wide grin and bright eyes, he opened it up and pulled out a few of his favorite toy cars, showing them off to Stiles, who asked questions about each one. Derek happily answered. This was much more fun than playing with his sisters, who never seemed interested in his toys—at least not like Stiles did. Stiles listened intently, his eyes wide with wonder, and Derek loved sharing his favorite toys with someone who actually liked them. They played together happily, their laughter filling the room, until the doorbell rang.
Derek looked up to see his mom opening the door. A deputy stood on the other side with a worried-looking woman behind him.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Stiles exclaimed, jumping up and running into their arms. The woman embraced him tightly, relief evident on her face.
"Oh, Stiles, I was so worried!" she cried, peppering his forehead with kisses. The deputy nodded to Derek's mom, thanking her for calling and keeping Stiles safe.
Derek watched the reunion with a twinge of sadness in his chest. He didn't want Stiles to leave. He wanted to keep him here forever. At that moment, he imagined pulling Stiles behind him, sticking out his tongue and saying, 'Finders keepers!' But deep down, he knew that wouldn't work.
"I was okay, mommy," Stiles assured her, hugging her tightly, "Derek found me and he's a werewolf! He's my bestest friend!"
Derek couldn't help but beam at those words. Best friends? Yes, Stiles was definitely his best friend.
Stiles ran back over to Derek, grabbing his hand and tugging him towards his parents.
"Can Derek come over and play? Please, please, please?" Stiles begged, looking up at his mom with large puppy-dog eyes.
Derek's heart raced with hope as he anxiously waited for her response.
Stiles's mom smiled warmly at Derek. "Of course, honey. We'd love for Derek to come over and play sometime." She turned to Derek's mom. "Thank you so much for keeping him safe. We were so worried when he wandered off."
Derek's mama nodded with a kind smile. "It was no trouble at all."
Stiles beamed with excitement, tugging on Derek's hand again. "Did you hear that, Derek? You can come over and play!"
As their parents talked, Derek couldn't stop grinning. He was thrilled at the thought of spending more time with his new friend—his best friend. And somehow, deep down, he just knew that they would be best friends forever.