The following day the young baker is heavily asleep in his bed, unconscious to the world around him. He had fallen asleep as soon as Derek left the night prior which had to be around two in the morning, needless to say he hadn’t gotten much rest before the day of work ahead.
Tossing to get more comfortable he was awoken by the sound of his phone ringing, he reached for it with force only to answer angrily “Scott, if this is you calling to ask about your bachelor party again I will murder you…” he mumbled almost incoherently into the phone. Stiles’ throat is dry and he’s pretty sure his eyes are suck together with sleep but he doesn’t seem to care.
“Well, good morning to you too sunshine”
He sat up on his forearm realizing that wasn’t Scott’s voice “Der?”
“Yeah. You had three glasses of wine last night I wanted to make sure you were up”
Peeking over his plushy duvet he seen his alarm wasn’t set and he was three minutes away from sleeping through the day. Derek was a god send in every way “Thank you for that” cradling the device between his shoulder and head he threw his bare feet onto the ice cold ground “I thought you weren’t working today? Why are you up so early?”
“I told my parents I’d stop by for breakfast”
“Aw, such a lovely son” Stiles joked. It came out so easily he hadn’t given it a second thought. It was officially normal to normally with Derek.
“I try” His husky voice sent a chuckle through the phone “Well, you need to get your cute butt off to work. Text me at lunch?”
“Will do. See ya Derek”
“Later Sti”
Ending the call Stiles tossed his phone to the counter before glancing up at his reflection. For someone who just woke up he sure did look alive. Rosy cheeks and a smile plastered to his face. This would be a good day “Alexa, play walking on sunshine” the tune blasted through his home and Stiles danced terribly as he got ready for the day.
Later, he was in the kitchen working on a new batch of macaroons. Mixing away at the batter before him Stiles hummed a happy tune as his hips swayed. He couldn’t find too much to be mad at that day. Only thing bugging him at the moment was the way Isaac was staring at him. Like he was some foreign species. It didn’t help that every time he stared back Isaac’s gaze would snap away making him that much more suspicious.
“Okay! What is it?” He finally asked.
Isaac pointed to himself as if he weren’t the only other person in the kitchen at the moment “Me? What?”
“You. The staring, the sneaky behavior” Stiles listed off the questionable actions of his friend.
“I should be asking what’s up with you”
Smiling, Stiles’ mouth fell open “What the hell does that mean?”
“Well, you’re happy” he scoffed.
“And?”
“You’re never happy!”
“Lies! I’m always happy…” he stated, knowing it was a bit of a stretch. Isaac’s gaze only intensified to show he wasn’t buying it “…I’m just never this happy” both men laughed, doubling over slightly “C’mon is it so bad?”
“No. It’s actually great. I’m happy to see Derek has broken through to you”
“I never said anything about Derek” Then there was the look again “…Okay it’s about Derek” he turned, hoping to get back to work, never really wiping the smile from his face.
Unaware to Stiles, Derek was stopping by the bakery that day. So undoubtedly he walked in, said hello to Isaac who was gently placing new pieces in the the display case, then waltzed to the back. Stiles wasn’t sure when Derek started doing that, just waking in because he could, but he enjoyed it. It showed that he belonged and he was familiar.
Only thing was, that meant he could catch Stiles off guard. He currently was signing off for the bulk of ingredients he ordered a week ago. The delivery man, Theo, was a decent guy. He had always flirted with Stiles, the young baker was never in a relationship and neither was the deliver man so he never really minded. Now was different though, now Stiles had someone who wanted to show him that attention. And that someone was standing in the archway, probably watching as Theo flashed a mega watt smile and and plucked flour from Stiles’ hair. As a thank you Stiles reached forward, gripping the workers arm as a thank you, his smile just as wide.
Stiles wasn’t one hundred percent sure Derek was there until he heard footsteps shuffle to a stop right outside the back entrance. The pen between his fingers slipped from his hands as he looked up and seen a very stoic Derek. His bulging arms were crossed over his chest as he shot subtle daggers at the delivery man “Derek! I didn’t know you were coming by”
“Yeah I texted. Figured your phone was put up when I didn’t get a response” he responded with his eyes trained.
“Right” Stiles nodded.
Theo watched the interaction through questioning eyes before deciding, for some reason, he needed to thrust a hand forward “Hey man. Names Theo”
“Derek” he nodded in response, leaving the tan hand to hang in limbo.
Stiles shot his eyebrows up. He was new to relationship yes, but tension? No, he knew when things were uncomfortable “Whelp, thank you. I’ll probably be ordering another shipment next month”
Eager to continue on with the man Theo stepped up onto another step “Well I can help you bring these in if you want I don’t min-“
It wasn’t unheard of for Theo to help. Isaac was usually on lunch when deliveries came in and 100 pounds of flour was just too much for Stiles to carry alone. Evidently though Derek had other plans. In an instant he hoisted the brown box in his hands before Theo could even touch it “No thanks, I’ve got it” He interrupted, turning back inside with the box. Mumbling a quiet goodbye Stiles followed Derek back to the kitchen.
Derek was standing at the sink, sitting the box of ingredients down on the counter. Stiles had a feeling he knew what the problem was but maybe he just needed to ask anyways “You okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” There was subtle hostility in his response. Stiles glanced around before continuing and was thankful Isaac, and everyone else for that matter, had left.
“Well you got kind of weird back there”
He was exhaling aggressively before turning on Stiles “Maybe, I just don’t like you being hit on”
“Pfff that!?” Stiles managed to swat at the air as if it were no big deal “He’s harmless. Theo is just… friendly. I’ve known him a while”
“Hmm”
“You’re not… Wait you’re not jealous are you?”
“I have no shame–In fact I feel like I have the right to be jealous. I mean he was clearly flirting and touching you. I’m your soul mate and you still have a hard time just kissing me”
“Hey that is not true!” Stiles found himself shouting back with an accusing finger. They had literally just made out not twenty-four hours ago.
Derek ducked away “I should probably just go”
“Hey-no you stop” Stiles order sternly and latched on to Derek’s forearm “I—I’m sorry okay I didn’t think you cared about me laughing at someone else’s joke”
“It’s not that Stiles it’s that fact that with everyone else it’s so easy for you. And with me your brain-your entire body for christ’s sake-seems to shut down”
“Der I…We were making progress. Good progress. I-I don’t want you to feel that way”
“Well I do. And I’m happy with the progress but it’s been months and I just barely got you to smile like that at me” In the most gentle way possible he pried Stiles’ hand from his body and turned for the exit “Look I’m sorry I better just go”
What the fuck just happened?
Another fact.
7. If warranted, Derek can become very jealous.
The rest of his day sort of went to shit. He tried not to let it affect his mood too much, but he couldn’t help but sulk. Derek was mad at him. Mad. At him.
He was on his drive home in silence, when he realized the feeling would keep eating at him until something changed. It was one of the craziest ideas the man had ever had but in the past couple moments he’s realized for Derek it was worth it. Frightening a few drivers Stiles skidded to the side of the road. He put his car in park and pulled up google. Time for some good old fashioned stalking.
“Hello?” Derek’s low voice came through the speaker.
“Derek. Hey it’s Stiles” an hour later he was standing in snow staring up at a building.
“Yes. I do have caller ID” Stiles could tell by the lack of laughing, Derek was still not in a good mood. But his voice did peek in interest as he hear tapping on the other end “Why are your teeth chattering?”
“I’m outside” Stiles stated simply.
“What the hell! Why?”
“I was too embarrassed that I didn’t know where you lived, my pride wouldn’t let me ask anyone. And I thought you’d be too upset to tell me so I did some research and narrowed it down and I am standing in front of one of my three options” He was cold, his lips were for sure blue but he continued to explain anyways. Not giving any thought to the tone of Derek’s voice Stiles tried to explain as if it were nothing “My dad’s a cop. I just used your job and parents restaurant as a reference. That, and your penthouse has valet, and there are only three buildings on this strip with valet’s and penthouses”
“Are you crazy?”
“I think so” he laughed wetly into the phone “Okay so there is a 33.3% chance that my first building was the right choice. I like to think I’ve learned your taste. There’s a gym right around the corner from this one, twenty minutes from your current site, and not too much night life around so I’m assuming it stays quiet”
Stiles scanned the building until he thankfully saw a flight flicker on. Then Derek’s head was peaking from behind the blinds. His gaze instantly went straight down “I-I don’t see you” Stiles heard the defeat in his voice.
“I’m across the street” He couldn’t see his eyes but by the motion of his head Stiles could see Derek snap his focus right to him.
“Penthouse D. Just punch in the code 9939 and it’ll let you right in. Maybe you can tell me why you decided it was a good idea to play in the snow “
“I don’t need to come up. I just need to apologize”
“Stiles-“
“No Derek just listen to me” he started to pace, watching his anxious footsteps create voids in the blanket of snow. The movement actually created some much needed heat for him “The thing is, I’m a different person with you. That’s why things seem so off. I’m different… and I like who I am with you. I’m just trying to get use to it is all. At this point it’s not that I’m not comfortable or that I don’t want this with you-because I really really do-it’s just that…I’ve never met this side of myself before. I’m trying so hard to not fuck things up with you while simultaneously getting to know this version of Stiles. I’m not too good with words but that’s all I’ve got for you” he finished his speech into the phone.
“Please come up” Derek’s voice was soft and pleading.
“Is angry Derek still waiting for me up there? Because he is not my favorite, no matter how cute he may be”
“Just come on you dork”
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