The sun had long set and Derek was still lying motionless in his bed.

In the exact same position he had started in.

Even his books and TV felt unappealing.

Laura had come to check on him when she got home from school, her brow furrowed in concern, but even she knew when to leave well enough alone.

She just kissed his forehead and left him to his thoughts.

His parents were both working late that night and Derek was all too happy to miss family dinner and questioning eyes.

The plate of spaghetti Laura had made for him sat undisturbed on his night stand right beside his cell phone.

It had buzzed a few times but he ignored it.

Thank God it was Friday and he had all weekend to avoid life.

Wishful thinking.

Along with the annoyingly bright sun creeping through his bedroom window came a loud knock on his door.

"What?…" Derek growled out in his sleep confused state at the unwelcome intrusion. He sat up in his bed, comforter pooling around his waist uncovering his naked torso as he turned towards the noise.

"Derek?" he heard through the wooden door as it slowly creaked open.

Derek felt his heart clench at the sight of Stiles' honey colored eyes peeking around his door.

"Whoa sorry dude! I thought you'd be awake, it's like 10, sorry, um, you're mom told me to come up. Shit sorry, I'll uh wait outside while you….yeah, outside."

If Derek weren't so angry with the boy, he'd almost laugh at the word jumble that flew out of his mouth or the way his eyes had comically widened as they landed on his chest, or even the way he flailed around and fled the room.

No. You're angry Damn it.

Derek took his time grabbing a clean shirt and throwing on some sweat pants, let the boy worry in the hall for a few minutes. He deserved it.

When Derek opened the door to his bedroom Stiles almost fell to the ground, having been clearing leaning against the wood.

"Oops.." Stiles nervously chuckled to himself.

"Why are you here?" Derek asked sternly, eying the boy.

"Um uh...right. Well you didn't come to class yesterday which is so unlike you, and you weren't anywhere after school, and I tried texting you and you didn't answer and um well, I was worried." The boy took a sharp breath as he paused to lick his lips and fidget.

"I mean, I thought we had a great time the other night." Stiles' brown eyes seemed to shine with concern and Derek had to hold back a bitter laugh.

"Funny, I thought we had a great time too. But let's not kid ourselves. We aren't friends or anything. But, don't worry I agreed to be civil for this project and I will."

Stiles looked shocked by the words and Derek was almost satisfied but just couldn't help but get in one more little jab.

"I know you need to pass History and that really isn't going to happen if your grumpy partner hates your guts."

The last thing he saw before turning away and slamming his bedroom door was a pale look of realization on the young man's face.

"Fuck…Derek!" Stiles all but yelled through the door.

"I didn't…I never….Let me explain."

"Explain what?" Derek snarled back as he opened the door to his room a bit too harshly.

Abort.

Close the door.

Whiskey colored eyes too disarming.

"Explain that you think that the idea of us being friends is ridiculous?" Derek forged passed the obstacle that was Stiles' glimmering eyes.

"Or even more so that the idea of us dating is something to scoff at?" Derek continued, killing every chance Stiles attempted to take to cut in.

Derek needed to shut up, but it seemed that his brain and mouth were currently playing for different teams.

"You know we both had an amazing time yesterday, and it was a fucking date, I don't care what you told Scott."

Derek heard the words leave his mouth and he felt his cheeks instantly heat up in response.

"Just leave please. I'm humiliated enough." Derek's eyes were landing everywhere but Stiles.

"Derek please just let me…" Stiles reached his hand out to touch Derek and he couldn't help but flinch.

The look of hurt on Stiles face was almost enough to crumble his resolve and reach out.

Almost.

Stiles held his hands up in a gesture indicating he wouldn't touch him.

There was a brief pause where Stiles looked deep in thought before he spoke.

"I'm sorry. I should have never said those things. I don't know why I said them to be honest, because I really didn't mean them."

Derek looked skeptical but allowed Stiles to continue speaking.

"Well I guess they would have been true a few days ago, but the other night. Wow. It was…you're amazing." A small smiled appeared on the corner of Stiles gorgeous lips as they walked over to the bed, taking a seat on the edge before continuing their conversation more comfortably.

Derek tried to hold on to his anger and frustration but could feel it seeping out of him despite himself.

"I mean I've always had a crush on you, I mean, look at you, you've starred in many Special-Stiles-alone-time fantasies. But I always saw you in the 'forbidden fruit' kind of way since you hate people and to be honest, you're kind of an asshole."

Derek blushed at Stiles bluntness and accepted the asshole part, not like he could deny it.

Stiles didn't even seem shy as he continued. "I embarrassed you, so I might as well be totally honest and embarrass myself too." He laughed as he ran his fingers over the unmade blankets on Derek's bed.

Damn those fingers touching everything but Derek.

"And it really wasn't until the other night that I thought just maybe you weren't so forbidden after all." Both boys smiled shyly at each other.

But Derek still needed answers.

"But why did you say that to Scott?"

Stiles sighed as he thought of how to answer.

"I was afraid." The words came out as almost a whisper as he edged closer to Derek on the bed, knees touching sending a spark through them both.

"Afraid of what?" Derek dared to ask as his eyes flicked to Stiles lips.

"Admitting to myself that maybe I could finally have everything I've always wanted." Stiles leaned closer as his tongue darted out to wet his sinfully captivating mouth.

They were so close that Derek could feel the warmth against his face with each breath Stiles took.

"Are you still afraid?" Derek asked inching forward.

"No."

The word came out as barely as whisper against Derek's lips as they finally connected in a gentle but all consuming kiss.