Belief is a Wise Wager
Title: Belief is a Wise Wager
Summary: Stiles accepts a new job (thanks to Mayor Laura Hale), in a new town and inadvertently starts a war, but it’s not his fault. Honestly.
Warnings: Masturbation, Vibrators
Rating: Mature
Chapters: 6/?
Notes: I swore up, down and whatever other direction that I wouldn’t post another WIP, yet here it is! I just feel like I’m more motivated to work harder once I’ve posted.
PS AO3
1| 2| 3| 4| 5|
A little view from Derek's perspective on the night of the full moon.
-
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Isaac asks, referring to himself, Boyd and Erica, “We’re going to go get Scott.”
“I’m fine,” Derek mutters as he steps out of his house, shutting the front door not bothering to lock it - because who’s going to break in? Seriously?
“Are you sure? You always come running with us,” Isaac replies with a confused look on his face.
“I’m fine,” Derek repeats with a slightly harsher tone.
Isaac rolls his eyes, gives Derek the middle finger and is running off in the direction of the forest, presumably to meet up with the rest of the group.
Derek heads in the opposite direction to where Isaac ran off to as he feels the bones in his body begin to shift turning into his beta form. He doesn’t know where Laura ran off to; she always spends the full moons on her own, or at least away from the immediate pack members. If only she knew where he was spending his night, she’d probably lock him up in the old basement cellar like he was a teenager on his first full moon. Except, they don’t go in the basement anymore, not since the fire, not since the stench of death and sorrow still lingers no matter the years that pass.
It doesn’t take him long before he’s standing outside of Stiles’ house, he knew he was going to end up here and didn’t even try and stop himself - though he should have. He stands on the outskirts of Stiles’ house and listens intently to the shuffling of movements inside the house.
He hears the crack of a beer bottle being opened, some random mutters Stiles says to himself and then the shuffling of furniture. It’s really not all that interesting; Derek doesn’t know what he was expecting though. It’s not like he spends his time on the outskirts of Stiles’ house - it’s his first time.
Derek didn’t find Stiles particularly interesting or good looking the first time he laid eyes on him at Gypsy’s. He didn’t notice the scatter of moles on Stiles’ face leading to who knows where else. He didn’t notice or care about those pale brown eyes that screamed innocence, but was probably anything but. He also didn’t notice the way he always opened and closed his mouth a few times like he really had to think before he spoke, or the way he always licks his lips as if he were deserted in the Sahara desert. He only first started noticing these things the second time he met Stiles, at his and Laura’s house, when Stiles had shown up for dinner calling him Gypsy.
He really started to notice these things though, when Stiles showed up at the bar that night with Scott. The way he tipped back his drinks, head thrown back as fully body laughs shook throughout his entire body, ringing throughout the bar - and that made Derek start to wonder if his body would react the same way when he reached orgasm.
Derek doesn’t remember what made him get up, walking through the crowded bar towards Stiles and buying him a drink. Blame it on the alcohol or maybe just blame it on the pheromones throughout the bar letting their drunken state and flirting clog up the room. The next thing he knew he was standing in front of Stiles, having a drink with him and the next minute he was wondering what it would be like to have those succulent lips wrapped around a certain part of his body, any part of his body instead of on the glass.
He was almost positive that he wasn’t being subtle in the bar, that everyone else would be able to see his interest in Stiles as clear as day, but no one gave him too much grief; only a few pointed looks from Erica, Boyd and Scott, Isaac seemed uninterested. That’s why Derek secretly likes Isaac the most; they look out for each other without getting into each other’s business.
The only person Derek knows would be concerned and actually have an impact on Derek’s decision is Laura. Sure, he knows she wants him to be happy - but not with the new resident in the village, the one that’s out of the loop on just about everything, yet has the most access to all their biggest secrets and Stiles doesn’t even realise it. Not with the man that to her is disposable, and once Stiles has done his job, and if it is indeed done thoroughly she can get rid of, tell him to find another job only keeping him around if she needs him. He’s seen it happen with other coders over the years, he just didn’t have the same interest in those as he apparently does in Stiles.
Derek doesn’t know how long he’s been standing outside of Stiles’ house before he feels the itch right done to his core with the urge to run. He only ignores it a few more minutes before he turns on his heels, sniffs the air with his eyes closed sensing where the rest of the pack is - and runs towards them, howling as he goes, only momentarily remembering what Laura said about discretion.
By the time he reaches the rest of the group, they’re scattered about running, but he doesn’t miss the way Laura turns to face him, her eyes glowing a dangerous red that normally doesn’t bother him - but now, now there’s a lingering threat, and he can guess why but he doesn’t know exactly what that threat entails - before Laura turns her head and continues running. Derek ignores the eagerness he feels between his skin to appease Laura, assure her things aren’t as they seem, and veers off on a different path, still running with his pack while still staying a ways away from Laura.
Boyd slows his pace to keep up with Derek, punches at his arm and runs off again. Derek grabs a hold of the distraction, howls and takes after Boyd. Boyd may not know exactly what’s transpired between Derek and his sister, but on the full moon you can feel the reaction of everyone around you, heightened more so than any other day, and even more so when it’s your own pack. Boyd knows well enough to distract Derek with a chase, literally like throwing a bone to a dog. Soon enough Erica catches on, tackling Derek to the ground - caught off guard by trying to chase down Boyd.
Derek all but forgets about Laura and the threat behind her eyes and growls, and can only hope that Isaac has done enough to distract Laura on their run. What are packs for?
--
It’s gone 2 in the morning, the pack done with their run, utterly exhausted and it’s the first time that Derek actually regrets the decision to live with his sister like he’s a child and not in his thirties.
“Want to crash at ours?” Boyd asks Derek, as they’re all brushing leaves, dirt and grime from their bodies.
Derek’s about to say no, he’s not going to hide from his sister, when Erica interrupts.
“We’re closer to our place than yours, and you look exhausted,” she adds on.
They are in fact, closer to Boyd and Erica’s place and in all fairness Derek does look exhausted, but if he really wanted to he could make the short journey home to his house. But Erica and Boyd are giving him an out, an excuse to crash at theirs without having to ask. Derek nods his head and follows Erica and Boyd back to their house, hoping Laura isn’t staying up waiting for him to come home. He reminds himself, once again, that he’s not a child and he doesn’t need to inform Laura of what nights he’ll be home.
By the time they’re back to the house, they go to their respective rooms, Erica and Boyd to the master and Derek to the guestroom. He doesn’t even bother showering, falling into bed and drifting off to sleep before his head has hit the pillow. They’ll worry about laundry and dirt-covered sheets in the morning, like they always do.
Derek was content to sleep the day away, daily chores and work be damned but the smell of bacon and eggs wafted up the stairs, straight to his room and he found himself opening his eyes to peek around the room. He momentarily forgot where he is, and wonders why something smells so delicious. Laura rarely made breakfast, always running off to the town hall, caught up in her work and duties. Then, he remembers where he spent the night.
The room is still pitch black, no sunlight filtering in through the curtains, and the green flashing analogue clock on the bedside table reads 6:30 am. Boyd has to be at work soon, unlike Derek, Boyd doesn’t want to sleep the day away, or probably wouldn’t dare to dream about sleeping the day away, not when he works directly with Laura. Which means Erica is probably awake and getting ready to head to the school.
Derek reluctantly gets out of bed, his feet only hitting the floor because the lure of food. He puts his boxers on, not that Boyd or Erica would really care, but before and after the full moon he prefers to live like a human and not an animal.
“Your tea,” Erica signals, waving a Disney Grumpy mug at Derek. Derek loves the smell of coffee grounds or freshly brewed coffee, but the taste - not so much. It’s bitter going down, and leaves an after taste that he can’t chase away, even hours later. He remembers his dad used to drink coffee like it was a sport, he even begged his dad when he was around 10 to try some, his mom said no. That didn’t stop his dad from pouring some in a little cup and giving it to Derek. He couldn’t even down half of it before he was spitting it up. Talia Hale reappeared minutes later clucking her tongue saying “I told you so.”
So Derek prefers tea once in a while although he tries to avoid caffeine at all costs, but after a long night, or when he’s in the need of a pick me up, he drinks it.
“Thanks,” Derek mutters sitting down at the breakfast table. A few minutes later Erica is pushing a plate full of eggs, brown toast and bacon in front of Derek. For all her past bitchiness when she was younger, Erica has definitely settled down. He remembers hearing about how she used to act out, cries for attention for whatever reason. Most put it down to Erica getting older and maturing as to why she’s not the way she used to be. Derek puts it down to Boyd. He’s settled her down without even realising or actively trying. Having someone that loves you unconditionally, someone to vent your anger out to who won’t judge you and yes even someone to have sex with, sex that isn’t a one night stand or casual it really helps change a person.
“I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about last night,” Erica says as she and Boyd take their place at the kitchen table. It’s not a question, but a statement.
Derek’s answer is to shove a mouthful of eggs and a bite of toast in his mouth.
“How long?” Erica continues.
“Since the bar,” Derek shrugs the sooner they start this conversation, the sooner it can end.
“Is Laura the problem or are you using that as a cover up for Stiles being the problem?”
“Both, he doesn’t seem interested and you know full well Laura wouldn’t want me getting involved even if Stiles wanted to. He’s ‘disposable,’” and Derek scrunches his face as if in agony at the words Laura always repeats. She’s hired and fired a number of coders once they’ve done their job, so that they don’t get too used to the system, get bribed and blab all of the village secrets. If it weren’t such a taxing and complicating job, she would do it herself or get someone to do it from Wulfstan.
“Is that how you see him, like the rest of the guys who were coders?” And there goes Erica the therapist; she is the school’s guidance counsellor after all.
“Obviously not,” Derek rolls his eyes.
“Then, she’s your sister Derek. Talk.”
“How much do you get paid a year again for that kind of advice?” Derek deflects, “Not that it matters, it doesn’t seem like Stiles is interested does it?”
“Aww poor Derek a little butt hurt someone hasn’t fallen for his charm?” Erica smirks grabbing the plates off of the table and dumping them in the sink.
Boyd, who’d been quietly observing the conversation unfold in front of him let out a snort of a laugh, trying to cover it up by drinking from his already empty coffee cup. Derek gives him a dirty look, but then a little smile takes over before saying his thanks and he better get going.
By the time he got home Laura was already gone, having left for work. He doesn’t know whether he was relieved or not though - eventually he’d have to face her. They do live under the same roof after all.
7|
Summary: Stiles accepts a new job (thanks to Mayor Laura Hale), in a new town and inadvertently starts a war, but it’s not his fault. Honestly.
Warnings: Masturbation, Vibrators
Rating: Mature
Chapters: 6/?
Notes: I swore up, down and whatever other direction that I wouldn’t post another WIP, yet here it is! I just feel like I’m more motivated to work harder once I’ve posted.
PS AO3
1| 2| 3| 4| 5|
A little view from Derek's perspective on the night of the full moon.
-
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Isaac asks, referring to himself, Boyd and Erica, “We’re going to go get Scott.”
“I’m fine,” Derek mutters as he steps out of his house, shutting the front door not bothering to lock it - because who’s going to break in? Seriously?
“Are you sure? You always come running with us,” Isaac replies with a confused look on his face.
“I’m fine,” Derek repeats with a slightly harsher tone.
Isaac rolls his eyes, gives Derek the middle finger and is running off in the direction of the forest, presumably to meet up with the rest of the group.
Derek heads in the opposite direction to where Isaac ran off to as he feels the bones in his body begin to shift turning into his beta form. He doesn’t know where Laura ran off to; she always spends the full moons on her own, or at least away from the immediate pack members. If only she knew where he was spending his night, she’d probably lock him up in the old basement cellar like he was a teenager on his first full moon. Except, they don’t go in the basement anymore, not since the fire, not since the stench of death and sorrow still lingers no matter the years that pass.
It doesn’t take him long before he’s standing outside of Stiles’ house, he knew he was going to end up here and didn’t even try and stop himself - though he should have. He stands on the outskirts of Stiles’ house and listens intently to the shuffling of movements inside the house.
He hears the crack of a beer bottle being opened, some random mutters Stiles says to himself and then the shuffling of furniture. It’s really not all that interesting; Derek doesn’t know what he was expecting though. It’s not like he spends his time on the outskirts of Stiles’ house - it’s his first time.
Derek didn’t find Stiles particularly interesting or good looking the first time he laid eyes on him at Gypsy’s. He didn’t notice the scatter of moles on Stiles’ face leading to who knows where else. He didn’t notice or care about those pale brown eyes that screamed innocence, but was probably anything but. He also didn’t notice the way he always opened and closed his mouth a few times like he really had to think before he spoke, or the way he always licks his lips as if he were deserted in the Sahara desert. He only first started noticing these things the second time he met Stiles, at his and Laura’s house, when Stiles had shown up for dinner calling him Gypsy.
He really started to notice these things though, when Stiles showed up at the bar that night with Scott. The way he tipped back his drinks, head thrown back as fully body laughs shook throughout his entire body, ringing throughout the bar - and that made Derek start to wonder if his body would react the same way when he reached orgasm.
Derek doesn’t remember what made him get up, walking through the crowded bar towards Stiles and buying him a drink. Blame it on the alcohol or maybe just blame it on the pheromones throughout the bar letting their drunken state and flirting clog up the room. The next thing he knew he was standing in front of Stiles, having a drink with him and the next minute he was wondering what it would be like to have those succulent lips wrapped around a certain part of his body, any part of his body instead of on the glass.
He was almost positive that he wasn’t being subtle in the bar, that everyone else would be able to see his interest in Stiles as clear as day, but no one gave him too much grief; only a few pointed looks from Erica, Boyd and Scott, Isaac seemed uninterested. That’s why Derek secretly likes Isaac the most; they look out for each other without getting into each other’s business.
The only person Derek knows would be concerned and actually have an impact on Derek’s decision is Laura. Sure, he knows she wants him to be happy - but not with the new resident in the village, the one that’s out of the loop on just about everything, yet has the most access to all their biggest secrets and Stiles doesn’t even realise it. Not with the man that to her is disposable, and once Stiles has done his job, and if it is indeed done thoroughly she can get rid of, tell him to find another job only keeping him around if she needs him. He’s seen it happen with other coders over the years, he just didn’t have the same interest in those as he apparently does in Stiles.
Derek doesn’t know how long he’s been standing outside of Stiles’ house before he feels the itch right done to his core with the urge to run. He only ignores it a few more minutes before he turns on his heels, sniffs the air with his eyes closed sensing where the rest of the pack is - and runs towards them, howling as he goes, only momentarily remembering what Laura said about discretion.
By the time he reaches the rest of the group, they’re scattered about running, but he doesn’t miss the way Laura turns to face him, her eyes glowing a dangerous red that normally doesn’t bother him - but now, now there’s a lingering threat, and he can guess why but he doesn’t know exactly what that threat entails - before Laura turns her head and continues running. Derek ignores the eagerness he feels between his skin to appease Laura, assure her things aren’t as they seem, and veers off on a different path, still running with his pack while still staying a ways away from Laura.
Boyd slows his pace to keep up with Derek, punches at his arm and runs off again. Derek grabs a hold of the distraction, howls and takes after Boyd. Boyd may not know exactly what’s transpired between Derek and his sister, but on the full moon you can feel the reaction of everyone around you, heightened more so than any other day, and even more so when it’s your own pack. Boyd knows well enough to distract Derek with a chase, literally like throwing a bone to a dog. Soon enough Erica catches on, tackling Derek to the ground - caught off guard by trying to chase down Boyd.
Derek all but forgets about Laura and the threat behind her eyes and growls, and can only hope that Isaac has done enough to distract Laura on their run. What are packs for?
--
It’s gone 2 in the morning, the pack done with their run, utterly exhausted and it’s the first time that Derek actually regrets the decision to live with his sister like he’s a child and not in his thirties.
“Want to crash at ours?” Boyd asks Derek, as they’re all brushing leaves, dirt and grime from their bodies.
Derek’s about to say no, he’s not going to hide from his sister, when Erica interrupts.
“We’re closer to our place than yours, and you look exhausted,” she adds on.
They are in fact, closer to Boyd and Erica’s place and in all fairness Derek does look exhausted, but if he really wanted to he could make the short journey home to his house. But Erica and Boyd are giving him an out, an excuse to crash at theirs without having to ask. Derek nods his head and follows Erica and Boyd back to their house, hoping Laura isn’t staying up waiting for him to come home. He reminds himself, once again, that he’s not a child and he doesn’t need to inform Laura of what nights he’ll be home.
By the time they’re back to the house, they go to their respective rooms, Erica and Boyd to the master and Derek to the guestroom. He doesn’t even bother showering, falling into bed and drifting off to sleep before his head has hit the pillow. They’ll worry about laundry and dirt-covered sheets in the morning, like they always do.
Derek was content to sleep the day away, daily chores and work be damned but the smell of bacon and eggs wafted up the stairs, straight to his room and he found himself opening his eyes to peek around the room. He momentarily forgot where he is, and wonders why something smells so delicious. Laura rarely made breakfast, always running off to the town hall, caught up in her work and duties. Then, he remembers where he spent the night.
The room is still pitch black, no sunlight filtering in through the curtains, and the green flashing analogue clock on the bedside table reads 6:30 am. Boyd has to be at work soon, unlike Derek, Boyd doesn’t want to sleep the day away, or probably wouldn’t dare to dream about sleeping the day away, not when he works directly with Laura. Which means Erica is probably awake and getting ready to head to the school.
Derek reluctantly gets out of bed, his feet only hitting the floor because the lure of food. He puts his boxers on, not that Boyd or Erica would really care, but before and after the full moon he prefers to live like a human and not an animal.
“Your tea,” Erica signals, waving a Disney Grumpy mug at Derek. Derek loves the smell of coffee grounds or freshly brewed coffee, but the taste - not so much. It’s bitter going down, and leaves an after taste that he can’t chase away, even hours later. He remembers his dad used to drink coffee like it was a sport, he even begged his dad when he was around 10 to try some, his mom said no. That didn’t stop his dad from pouring some in a little cup and giving it to Derek. He couldn’t even down half of it before he was spitting it up. Talia Hale reappeared minutes later clucking her tongue saying “I told you so.”
So Derek prefers tea once in a while although he tries to avoid caffeine at all costs, but after a long night, or when he’s in the need of a pick me up, he drinks it.
“Thanks,” Derek mutters sitting down at the breakfast table. A few minutes later Erica is pushing a plate full of eggs, brown toast and bacon in front of Derek. For all her past bitchiness when she was younger, Erica has definitely settled down. He remembers hearing about how she used to act out, cries for attention for whatever reason. Most put it down to Erica getting older and maturing as to why she’s not the way she used to be. Derek puts it down to Boyd. He’s settled her down without even realising or actively trying. Having someone that loves you unconditionally, someone to vent your anger out to who won’t judge you and yes even someone to have sex with, sex that isn’t a one night stand or casual it really helps change a person.
“I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about last night,” Erica says as she and Boyd take their place at the kitchen table. It’s not a question, but a statement.
Derek’s answer is to shove a mouthful of eggs and a bite of toast in his mouth.
“How long?” Erica continues.
“Since the bar,” Derek shrugs the sooner they start this conversation, the sooner it can end.
“Is Laura the problem or are you using that as a cover up for Stiles being the problem?”
“Both, he doesn’t seem interested and you know full well Laura wouldn’t want me getting involved even if Stiles wanted to. He’s ‘disposable,’” and Derek scrunches his face as if in agony at the words Laura always repeats. She’s hired and fired a number of coders once they’ve done their job, so that they don’t get too used to the system, get bribed and blab all of the village secrets. If it weren’t such a taxing and complicating job, she would do it herself or get someone to do it from Wulfstan.
“Is that how you see him, like the rest of the guys who were coders?” And there goes Erica the therapist; she is the school’s guidance counsellor after all.
“Obviously not,” Derek rolls his eyes.
“Then, she’s your sister Derek. Talk.”
“How much do you get paid a year again for that kind of advice?” Derek deflects, “Not that it matters, it doesn’t seem like Stiles is interested does it?”
“Aww poor Derek a little butt hurt someone hasn’t fallen for his charm?” Erica smirks grabbing the plates off of the table and dumping them in the sink.
Boyd, who’d been quietly observing the conversation unfold in front of him let out a snort of a laugh, trying to cover it up by drinking from his already empty coffee cup. Derek gives him a dirty look, but then a little smile takes over before saying his thanks and he better get going.
By the time he got home Laura was already gone, having left for work. He doesn’t know whether he was relieved or not though - eventually he’d have to face her. They do live under the same roof after all.
7|