Chapter 15

Keeping their relationship hidden was challenging at times but since Derek hung out with Scott and Stiles at school – or more like the two younger boys had been accepted into the folds of the popular jock group, reluctantly – it wasn't that weird for Derek to hang out with Stiles. It was hard though when Derek wasn't in school but kept home for the week during the trial of Kate Argent where he spent most of his time in a little room playing on his phone while waiting. They had talked on the phone sure, but not often because this was taking a lot out of Derek. Most of his attention went to Erica and Boyd, who were witnesses and so part of the unpleasantness.

The case in itself was not a hard one to make, despite Kate's lawyer making it out as Derek being the one to seduce her. She had been the one to bother him with texts and chats, which had been presented as evidence. She had been the one in the wrong as an adult teacher. And it didn't help Kate that she had her phone confiscated back when she was arrested where her texts to her family mentioned werewolves. It made her seem delusional in her need to eradicate a well-known family because they were werewolves. Not something her hunter family could talk her out of.

Having to go in details over and over in front of a room full of people (and his family), even having to tell about Paige and that yes, he had been virgin and didn't want sex with Kate, it was mortifying. There was press because a teacher/student relationship attracted attention. And of course the Argents had been there, the old man staring at him as if he wanted nothing more than to take him out back and put an end to him. And Allison's mom? Derek didn't know what to think of her. She had what Peter referred to as crazy eyes. Cold uncaring eyes with a dangerous glint to them. To be honest, she kind of scared him.

At the end of the week, Kate was sentenced, having to spend her years in a psychiatric facility out of state to get the help she so obviously needed. Derek’s dad had said it was a good thing, the director of Eichen House knew about werewolves and this way she would be locked up longer.

The weekend had been him sleeping long hours after all the stress, avoiding reading any kind of news and celebrating with Boyd and Erica at his house that it was over with. No Stiles, which the teen hadn't made a big deal out of when they had facetimed and Derek had admitted he needed a couple of days to get his head straight. Stiles probably had seen the news. Everybody had probably seen the news.

By the time Monday rolled around, the Hale had eaten everything in sight as he mentally prepared himself to deal with the backlash now that it was no longer a secret what happened.

He was stared at a lot, nothing new there, but it were the looks he was getting that changed. Sneers, looks of pity. The teen kept his head high and stared right back, challenging them all to say something about it to his face instead of behind his back. Nobody was stupid enough to do that. Yet. A few hours into the day a very annoying loudmouth had to start in the middle of the hallway between classes.

"I don't know why you get special treatment, Hale. You were allowed to stay at home for a week because a hot chick was horny for you."

Derek said nothing, simply raised two eyebrows to encourage Jackson to keep on running his mouth because he was going to shut it for him.

Danny, who was not comfortable with his friend at the moment, tried to shush it. "Come on Jackson, let it go."

"No, I don't think so. The big bad captain of the basketball team ditched on an important game and training because he couldn't handle a handjob. Are you still a virgin, Derek? Did it scare you? Awww, look at that face. You're totally a virgin. Hey! Anybody want to take Derek Hale's cherry so he won't get more teachers arrested for giving him a hand?"

"Hey, knock it off, Whittemore! Sexual abuse, even if it's just an attempt is no joke or something to make fun of. Even you with your empty head should know that." That was Stiles, who was on his way for their free period in the library with Scott, but the gathered crowd and what he heard Jackson say grabbed his attention. And got him very pissed. But he tried not to let it show that much on him.

Being away from Derek for that week was though for him too. Especially since he knew why Derek was missing school and how difficult this week was for him. Of course, he understood and made sure his boyfriend knew that he supported him no matter what. So instead of going over, which Stiles wanted to do badly, the younger boy stayed away and let Derek set how they communicated. After all, the Hale boy had to feel quite powerless and out of control because of the trial and having to relive those disturbing memories over and over. That's why, wisely, Stiles tried to give him some room and control.

And the second the news were out, they both knew that they were going to have to deal with some backlash. Stiles wasn't really surprised that it was Jackson who said something about it. Generally he wasn't a dumb guy, but sure as hell acted like one quite often. Stiles was kinda a bit still sore about not getting what Lydia Martin would see in someone like that asshole.

"Oh look, the spazzy nerd hurries to the rescue!" Jackson laughed, but only a few of his swimming team mates joined in. "What? You want to pop that cherry? Hey, Hale! I didn't know you have a new boyfriend too!" he chuckled.

Stiles saw red and his lips pressed into a thin line. And that's when he got fed up with everything. The weeks of lying, sneaking around and keeping who they are and what they have a secret. It was so not fair to either of them. Especially to Derek, who couldn't even properly defend himself without having to lie if he wanted to honor Stiles' request of keeping their relationship a secret. But it wasn't something Stiles was ashamed of. Never for a moment. And now... now it was finally time to respect Derek's wishes too.

"Jealous, Jackson?" Stiles raised a brow and stepped next to Derek, sliding his hand into the warm bigger one, their fingers lacing together. "Because yeah, I've been his boyfriend for a while now and not that it's any of your business, but I'm hoping someone will pop a cherry soon," Stiles grinned at the jock, challenge burning in his eyes while excited murmurs went around from his revelation. "Now why don't you leave my boyfriend alone and mind your own business?" he shooed him away with his free hand while the other started pulling Derek away from the crowd and towards the parking lot, not the library, a grinning Scott following them.

Usually Derek had no problem using his mouth, he was the one with the big mouth, throwing wit and snark and smart ass comments around wherever he went. Except when he really should have said something while standing in the hallway with a crowd gathered. Jackson saw a weakness and went for it like a pit bull smelling blood. That in itself didn't even surprise him, the other boy was known for it. It did surprise him how silent he became, mind drawing a blank as he stood there, balling his fists, wanting to hit the other teen so badly. Stiles' first comment didn't help, if anything he visibly flinched at the whole 'just an attempt' and 'sexual abuse'. And the time he needed to gather his control, feeling more anchored with his boyfriend around to stop himself from ripping into Jackson, was time the other boys used to talk more.

Jackson had sniffed out more weaknesses to exploit and Stiles... he actually didn't cower. He outed them right then and there as Derek was still busy staring at their entwined hands, trying to get his brain to catch up on the events while it was stuck on them holding hands for all to see. Gaping, he let himself be pulled along, never saying a word while Scott excitedly babbled about how amazing that was.

"Oh my god, Stiles... what did you do?!" Derek finally found his voice when they were in the parking lot and it was only the three of them.

"Dude, he totally outed you two in front of the entire school!"

A look was shot to Scott because yeah, Derek hadn't missed that part. But he also remembered how his boyfriend hadn't been ready for that, so sure, Derek didn't mind being out, he had been out for a while now. He was more worried about what it meant for Stiles. They hadn't seen one another for an entire week and now everybody knew. "You're so insane!"

Stiles' confidence and cocky behavior eased up once they were out in the open, pun intended. Back on that corridor it felt so good to say it out loud that they were together. It's been bugging him for a while now, because despite the thrill of sneaking around, he also wanted to be able to hold hands and kiss in public too. More and more. So in the end that outweighed the need to keep it a secret and it felt natural to tell the truth.

But Derek's reaction kinda made Stiles unsure.

"He's always been quite insane, if you ask me," Scott chirped then glimpsing at his best friend's face, he noticed that something was off in his look. Yeah, he knew Stiles better than most and, as a good friend, realized that the other two boy needed some time alone to talk. "Alright, lovebirds. I'll go to the library to finish some homework. See ya later!" he announced and took off even before the other two could say anything.

Stiles closed his mouth and looked back at Derek, still holding his hand while he tucked the other into his jeans' pocket and looked a bit worried and shy at the Hale.

"I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have done that. You have already enough on your plate and I just added to that. I'm so stupid... and apparently insane," he mumbled under his nose, dropping his gaze to the asphalt. Maybe Derek didn't even want him to out them. Or at least not like this.

"What? No, you didn't add to it. I came out last year, I don't care." Especially not about Whittemore. The other boy had caught him off guard, kicking him as soon as he was down but he did honestly not care what Jackson thought of him. There had always been a rivalry between the basketball team and the lacrosse team, mostly due to funding or more the lack of it. Beacon Hills High was a public school, it didn't have a lot of money for sports, relying mostly on the gifts of the richer families. Whittemore's donated yearly, as did the Martins and the Hales but the latter did it anonymously. They kept to themselves mostly and didn't want to attract too much attention.

"I mean you're insane for outing yourself like that. Jackson isn't going to keep his freaky little mouth shut and your dad will find out at some point. Even though it was amazing what you did back there. Are you sure you're ready for that?" Derek frantically waved his hand back to the school building because ready or not, it wasn't like they could undo it. Of course Derek was really happy with it, because it meant they could hold hands and kiss and not have to sneak around. No longer will they have to steal glances and rely on only their phone calls during the week to get by.

Sure, Derek had a full plate dealing with the backlash but the load was lightened considerably with having a boyfriend who could openly support him.

"Oh, good... For a sec I thought you were mad at me for what I said inside," Stiles sighed relieved and his whole body relaxed, the tension bleeding out of his muscles. "I wanted to do this for a while, but I wasn't sure when and how. And I've got fed up with hiding our relationship, from not being able to be there for you when you needed me," he confessed and shrugged. "I don't care if Jackson broadcasts it through the school," he said, lifting their linked hands a bit so he could caress the back of Derek's with his other hand, stealing shy glimpses while his cheeks colored a bit.

"Maybe we should tell dad after school. He'll be at home until six. That gives us some time to talk to him and maybe we could cook something for dinner, if you want. I mean... I've missed you so much last week. We could see how that talk goes with dad and we could do homework and make out and stuff, if you want. I just... want to spend some time with you. What do you think?" Stiles looked at Derek hopefully.

There was so much what Derek was thinking that he didn't know where to even start. Stiles came out for him, in the hallway of the school when a crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle of Whittemore versus Hale. And now he wanted to come out to his dad today too, because of last week and not being there for him since they had to keep it a secret. It was a huge gesture, all of this was.

"I think I'm in love with you," the teen settled on that as he pulled Stiles closer to wrap his arms around his boyfriend, not even subtly inhaling his scent as he pressed his face against the warm inviting neck. And he knew he was getting into dangerous territory with the way his feelings developed rapidly and deeply for the other teen boy. Maybe in a few weeks he was going to have to talk to his mom again, about telling Stiles about what he really was. Before he'd accidentally tie himself to the boy without the other even knowing it.

"I think I want to be with you as much as I can because I've missed you too the past week."

As his neck was sniffled – which tickled a bit, but he was getting used to such 'dog-like' gestures from Derek – Stiles' eyes widened and his arms tightened around his boyfriend. Who just confessed his love for Stiles. Kinda.

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! Stiles' mind suddenly started reeling and his heart skipped a beat before starting to beat like crazy. Derek Hale was in love with him! It was something he's been daydreaming about for quite a while now. Ever since he had realized that what he felt for the other boy was more than just physical attraction and wanting to be fucked by the basketball team captain. Because yes, it probably has been always more than that. And now... now Stiles was over the moon happy!

"Alright then... good!" he mumbled a bit lamely and even giggled a bit in his embarrassment, not really knowing how to handle such a love confession. It was the first time he's ever gotten one and it made him all shy and giddy and giggly all of a sudden.

But taking a deep breath, the scrawny teen calmed down somewhat then took Derek's face between his hands to be able to look into his eyes. "I think... no, I'm pretty sure that I'm in love with you too, Derek Hale..." he whispered with a sweet smile then leaned in for a kiss, his arms going around his boyfriend's neck as he pushed his body against him too.

The slight giddy panicky feelings were noticed by Derek. Like, he wasn't as good as picking up on chemo-signals yet but his nose was against the human's skin and nothing about Stiles was subtle, not even his emotions. They were deep and huge, impossible not to pick up on. Like Scott who didn't shield anything even though he wasn't as talkative as Stiles. But with Stiles, Derek could pick them up, he was starting to get pretty in tune with his boyfriend. So when there was silence at first to his admission, he was fine with it.

It didn't need to be said, if it was too early. It was very early in their relationship but Derek didn't do anything halfway, like having feelings for somebody. He'd know early on if it was serious and would bask in his emotions and go all the way. So the teen smiled at the giggles and was fine with it.

The admission that did come hadn't been expected at all, nor the grabbing of his face as he was forced to look at Stiles and watch him confess just as awkwardly as it had come from Derek. It worked for them, like everything worked for them. Grinning, he kissed Stiles back, knowing he was missing out on his class but he didn't care. He didn't want to go back into the school but he also didn't want to leave Stiles dealing with his own admission so they had to get back.

"We should get back inside and hide in the library. I'm way too late for class now."

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