Eyes closed, Stiles let loose a deep sigh as warm water surrounded him. The rising steam offered a literal and metaphorical therapeutic cleansing. Both his mind and body had been racing for so long, it felt nice to let go again – to just lie still and be.

He had thought the last six years of his eight married to Derek Hale had been stressful, but it seemed like nothing compared to the anger and frustration that had been the last six months following the alpha's attack.

Despite his father's urgings, Stiles had remained staunch about not pressing sexual assault charges against his now ex-husband; however, he did continue to pursue his demand that Derek seek counseling from the sexual recovery center, which Derek had agreed to with little disagreement.

Today marked Derek's second month in treatment, and while he wouldn't be telling anyone else in the Stilinski house, he was celebrating the achievement inside. It was a huge milestone for his family – whether everyone agreed with the route or not – it was a glimmer of hope that Scott might someday be able to maintain a positive relationship with his papa.

Stiles felt the muscles supporting him from behind contract, followed by a low chuckle next to his ear. He opened his eyes, taking in the dim lighting of the bathroom.

"What's going on in that big brain of yours?" Jackson asked, nipping lightly at his earlobe.

"Should I be offended that you just called my head large?" Stiles asked, pushing back against the other man.

"Scott had to get it from somewhere," Jackson said, chuckling again.

"Hey!" Stiles said, jabbing Jackson with his right elbow, "He'll grow into it… I think."

"It's cute," Jackson said, wrapping his arms around Stiles's torso, "All the other boys and girls are going to love it, too. You'll see. Just try to enjoy life until he's a horny sixteen year old."

"I thought you dragged me in here to help me relax," Stiles said, resting his head against Jackson's chest and closing his eyes again, "'Cause you're doing the opposite of that, I just thought you should know. 1/5, would not recommend."

"No," Jackson said, right hand traveling across the expanse of Stiles's torso, "I dragged you in here to get you naked and all lathered up. So far it's working."

"Hmm," Stiles said, his own muscles beginning to contract as both of Jackson's hands began to move lower.

"Remember that thing you did to me last week, baby?" Jackson asked, voice low in Stiles's ear.

"Uh…" Stiles said, voice breaking as Jackson's right hand gripped his length, "Which thing? We… We did a lot."

"That thing you did before this thing," Jackson said, voice deepening further as he slid a finger into Stiles.

"Fuck," Stiles said, body tensing and forcing his eyes open.

"Where the fuck did that come from?" Stiles thought, spotting a bottle of water-resistant lube resting on the bath's edge.

"Yep," Stiles said, resting against Jackson again, "Yes. I do – I do recall one of us doing that to the other now."

"Good," Jackson said, chuckling again, "Because I thought we could have a repeat tonight. But I thought maybe I could do the prepping."

Jackson licked the shell of Stiles's ear for extra emphasis.

"Christ!" Stiles said, pushing against Jackson as the man slid a second finger inside of him, "As good as this all sounds and – fuck, Jackson, slower – and feels, I'm not sure tonight is the best night."

"Because of the party," Jackson said, mouthing at Stiles's neck.

"Mmhmm," Stiles said, closing his eyes again as Jackson's slipped a third finger in and began a steady rhythm.

"Well, that's exactly why I thought tonight was the perfect night," Jackson said, pausing the trail of hickeys he was creating, "So everyone with a super snout knows that we belong to each other. You know, like a 'hands off' kind of thing."

Stiles rolled his eyes as Jackson's right hand moved away from his cock and down to squeeze his thigh.

"I'm pretty sure everyone already knows, Jack," Stiles said, lifting slightly up as he pushed Jackson's hands away and turned around to face the other man, "Scott's probably told half the town already. And those that didn't hear it from him have probably already smelled it on several occasions."

"You're right," Jackson said, a wide grin forming on his face, "Remember the faces we got yesterday at the grocery store?"

"I knew you enjoyed that way too much!" Stiles said, splashing water up to the other man's face.

"Hey!" Jackson said, still grinning, "It wasn't my idea – sexy as hell, yes! But my idea? No. What did you say again?"

Stiles huffed as he rested on his thighs, now straddling Jackson's lap.

" 'Don't help, baby,' " Jackson said, imitating Stiles's voice, " ' Just watch. ' At no point in there did I suggest that you use my own cum as a masturbation lubricant."

Stiles rolled his eyes as he moved forward to press his mouth against Jackson's – anything to shut the man up. It was probably time to get out of the bathtub anyways.

Derek frowned as he sat down on the couch in the center's community room. He had been paged for a guest, but Derek hadn't been expecting anyone. Stiles and Scott typically only visited on the weekends, unless they called ahead, and none of his family members, other than Isaac, seemed to have enough courage to visit since he first checked in.

And Isaac always called ahead.

Looking around the empty room, Derek let loose a sigh as he sat back and rested his head against the back of the couch. He closed his eyes and waited.

Legs parted and pelvis slightly lifted into the air, Stiles couldn't help but note the contrast between the cool sheets he currently rested against and the warm bath he had just pulled Jackson from.

"Fuck, Jackson," Stiles said, eyes closed because he knew it would all be over too soon if he looked down.

"Feel so good inside, baby," Jackson whispered, a finger slipping past the man's tongue, "Want to lick you like this for days."

Derek woke with a startle, bleary gaze peering up at the guest that had just knocked his foot and called out his name to rouse him.

Derek's stomach churned as he look upon the man in front of him.

"Great," Derek said dryly, "What are you doing here?"

"Is that any way to greet your guest, nephew?" Peter asked, a small smirk stretched across his face as he settled down onto the seat next to the couch.

"Sure you're a guest and not a patient?" Derek asked, raising his hands to cover his face.

Stiles opened his eyes as he felt Jackson align the shaft of his cock, just sliding against his opening. Stiles could just see the tip of Jackson's curved shaft, large head expanding as the foreskin dragged against Stiles's own skin.

There were a lot of things that Stiles loved about Jackson Whittemore, but his cock was in the top ten list. Longer than the average – well, Stiles wasn't sure that the saying, "the average bear," really applied in that comparison, but the point was the length was just right to feel. Jackson's size hadn't really been a surprise to Stiles three months ago when Jackson had first laid him down onto this same bed, but the manscaping – or lack of overt manscaping – had been. Sometimes it made Stiles's mouth water just at the thought.

Stiles lost his train of thought as he watched a trail of spit drop from Jackson's mouth, working between the two of them as Jackson continued to rut against him.

Derek glared openly at Peter across from him. So far, the program had been going surprisingly well for him, and the last thing Derek needed was for Peter to mess it all up.

He crossed his arms against his chest and waited for Peter to speak. Though he briefly considered standing up and walking back to his room. He probably should still do that. It wasn't too late–

"How are things going, nephew?" Peter asked, smirk widening.

"Jackson," Stiles said, hands clutching at the other man's shoulders as Jackson's rhythm picked up, moving inside him, "Fuck, Jackson, yes!"

Sex with Jackson was unlike any other sex Stiles had ever had – it was like everything connected, energy and thoughts blending seamlessly. He felt connected to Jackson in ways that he had only seen glimmers of with Derek. Jackson was there for Stiles, and Stiles was there for Jackson.

"Feel good, baby?" Jackson asked, "You feel fucking amazing – so warm and wet. Fuck, baby, you have no idea how sexy you are either."

Stiles shook his head as a blush started to rise across his chest and face.

"And it's really been helpful," Derek said, arms still crossed against his torso as he explained what the last two months of his treatment had involved, "I didn't see the pain I was causing before, but I'm starting to understand better here. I just hope everyone can forgive me, though I know I don't exactly deserve it. I was selfish–"

"Oh my, God," Peter said, raising a hand to clutch his temple, "Will you shut up?"

"Excuse me?" Derek said, taken aback.

" 'The pain I caused,' " Peter said, clutching his chest as he imitated Derek's voice with an insincere face of shame, " 'I just want forgiveness.' Do you have any idea how fucking pathetic you sound right now? Your family has just been ripped away from you – by some kanima – and you're just sitting here with some apologetic morons, morons saying that they're sorry for things because someone else told them to no less!"

Derek felt his claws extend as red seeped into his eyes.

"There's the alpha I came to see," Peter said, smirk shifting into a full on grin.

"God damn that blush, too," Jackson said, pelvis increasing speed and right hand reaching down to grasp Stile's own shaft, matching their speeds.

"I almost lost it in the kitchen this morning, baby," Jackson said, staring down at Stiles, "I almost came across the table from your father just from watching you eat fucking cheerios at the kitchen sink. I've wanted you laid out like this since seven this morning, god damn."

Stiles felt his orgasm building as Jackson's rhythm continued to gain speed. He started to close his eyes again.

"Nuh ugh," Jackson said, hand moving away from Stiles's shaft and up to his chin, "Eyes open, always open, baby."

Stiles opened his eyes fully and watched as Jackson bent down, moving toward the scar on his shoulder left by Derek's attack.

Stiles had accepted a few weeks ago that the scar wasn't going to fade. It was still a pretty sensitive matter for Stiles, one that made him feel entirely unappealing. On the worst days, the scar was a reminder of how damaged he was.

Which is why it never failed to amaze Stiles how much Jackson didn't shy away from the scar. He would gaze at it, touch it, even lick it. Like he was doing then.

"Derek, I need you to think longterm, because everything you've done recently has shown me that you keep thinking small. I need you to reach for the larger picture, what does that look like to you right now?" Peter asked.

"Hopefully less of you," Derek said, glaring back at the beta.

"Witty," Peter said, chuckling dryly, "But I'm serious right now. Where do you go once this program is over – where does our family, our pack, go, Derek?"

"I don't understand what you're asking," Derek said, brow furrowing in confusion.

"Think Derek," Peter said, rolling his eyes, "Talia won't be the Hale family alpha forever, and you're already an alpha. You should be preparing to take her place in our family's lineage. And more importantly, you should be securing the continuation of that lineage beyond you."

Derek raised an eyebrow at his uncle.

"I'm half hard every time I just fucking look at you, Stiles," Jackson said, pulling back, "You have no idea how fucking embarrassing it is that most days I feel like I'm thirteen again."

Stiles reached a hand up to grasp the back of Jackson's neck, pulling the other man down to him. He licked into Jackson's mouth as his orgasm released.

"Fuck, Jackson," Stiles said, pulling back but bumping their foreheads together, "You can't just say things like that. I don't know what to do with that kind of information. You put me on overload every time. Jesus."

Jackson rolled his eyes but chuckled, pressing a kiss against Stiles's mouth before lifting up and continuing his rhythm.

"So you're saying–" Derek said.

"Where Stiles goes, Scott goes," Peter said, nodding, "And while I'm usually the first to point out that your decision making skills are shit, you did make one fantastic decision the day that you married Stiles Stilinski. Not only is he exactly what this family needs to rebuild its name since the damage your mother caused in her unfortunate decision to fuck and then bear a child for a kanima, but he's your only guarantee to keeping Scott – a true alpha in the family."

"We don't know that Scott's going to be an alpha," Derek said, shaking his head, "And–"

"Jesus, Lord, today," Peter said, shaking his head before looking back at Derek, "Look bud, I know all of this is making the wheels in your tiny brain work extra hard today, but the point is – you need Stiles. Understand?"

"I don't disagree with that statement," Derek said, "But he doesn't want me–"

"Derek, what were you babbling about before I almost fell asleep earlier?" Peter asked, waving his hand about, "Something about this program teaching you the power of forgiveness?"

Derek nodded his head.

"You need to start fucking apologizing, nephew," Peter said, "Before your ex-husband remains your ex-husband, and he changes both his and Scott's last name to Stilinski. Or worse, Whittemore."

"Stiles wouldn't do that," Derek said, shaking his head.

"Funny, I never thought Stiles would cheat on you either, but he clearly did. Once he got tired of you acting like a fool. Isn't that how we both ended up here?" Peter said, shaking his head, "I would hate for us to both be wrong."

"I want your cum," Stiles said, pushing the man down once Jackson had pulled out, sliding the condom off and sinking down onto the shaft.

"Fuck!" Jackson said, "Just like that, baby."

Stiles slid both hands down, one to grasp Jackson's sack, and the other to stroke the area behind the sack.

"Yeah, baby," Jackson said, thrusting up into Stiles's mouth, "I'm gonna cum, just like that, baby! Fuck!"

Stiles swallowed the head of Jackson's cock, tongue lapping the semen slipping past his lips.

"Sleep on it, nephew," Peter said, standing up, "Just remember that while you're laying down to write in your forgiveness diary, Stiles is fucking that kanima every night, and Scott's calling him, 'Papa'."

Derek sat still as he watched his uncle walk out of the community room.

"What time is it?" Stiles asked, head resting against Jackson's chest, hand tracing the light dusting of hair leading downward.

"If we put pants on now, we'll only be five minutes late for our own party," Jackson said, wrapping his arm tighter around Stiles and pressing a kiss to his head.

"Don't let Scotty hear you say that," Stiles whispered conspiratorially, "It's his party, remember?"

"How could I forget after the awesome lizard party that brought us together?" Jackson asked, "I will personally pay for that little boy to study event planning in college if he so chooses."

"I'm holding you to that," Stiles said, pushing against Jackson's arm, "All right, let's head down. I told our guests of honor to arrive fifteen minutes late, so we haven't missed much."

"I'm only doing this because it's for a good cause," Jackson said, lifting his arm up from Stiles.

Moving off the bed, Stiles reached down to the floor and picked up Jackson's jockstrap. He slipped the material on, quickly grabbing the shorts and button down he had laid out earlier before throwing a wink behind him to Jackson, who sat staring openly, mouth slightly agape.

Upon hearing Scott's laughter coming from the little boy's room, Stiles paused on the stairway.

"I'll go find your father," Jackson said, leaning forward for a quick kiss, "And I'll see if Danny's arrived. You have a kick ass office mate, you know that, right? Meanwhile, I'm across the hall from Lydia."

Stiles shook his head as Jackson continued to grumble heading down the stairs. He walked back up the few steps he had taken and stopped at Scott's bedroom door.

"Hey, you guys," Stiles said, a wide smile forming on his face as he took in the scene before him.

Erica Reyes sat on the floor in the middle of the room, while Kira and Scott sat on either side of her. Kira's fluffy tail and Scott's toothy grin telling Stiles that both children were showing off their supernatural traits to Erica.

"We're showing Auntie Erica how much we know, daddy!" Scott said, face beaming back at Stiles.

It hadn't taken quite as long as Stiles had originally guessed for that smile to return to Scott's face following his divorce from Derek, but that hadn't stopped him from appreciating it even more each time he saw it.

"Very cool, guys," Stiles said, nodding, "Will you two head down and help Jackson wait for our other guests?"

"Come on, Kira," Scott said, standing up, "Let's go find Papa J – you can ask him about that movie you don't believe exists. He's the one that told me about it, he said it was about a fox and a hound!"

Stiles rolled his eyes while Erica's blonde curls shook with laughter, the pair watching as the two small children raced out of the room.

"Stiles, I saw the Sheriff stocking up the grill tray with at least twenty steaks, you know this is all unnecessary–"

"Save it," Stiles said, shaking his head, "We're celebrating you today for several reasons, more than just your birthday, and you know it."

Erica shook her head in silence, though her smile remained.

"We want you to know that we're proud of you," Stiles said, moving to sit down next to Erica, bumping his shoulder next to hers, "And I personally wanted to say thank you again – you're an inspiration to me in several ways. You've given me both hope and friendship, two things I needed most these last few months."

"Well, thank you," Erica said, shaking her head, "And I don't mean to seem ungrateful. I just… I just don't exactly feel proud of myself. I've got all these goals for myself, and I'm nowhere near where I want to be–"

"So you haven't reached out to them, yet?" Stiles asked.

Erica shook her head again, gaze moving down to her lap.

"I'm just not sure they'll believe I've changed yet," Erica said, "I need something big, like a history of worthiness. It's still too soon since I finished the program."

"Well, I think that if you're thinking about reaching out to them," Stiles said, wrapping an arm around Erica, "You should. And I guarantee you're on their mind as much as they are on yours. If you bumped into them around town, what would you do?"

"I don't know," Erica said, shrugging her shoulders, "That's precisely why I've been shopping during the school hours only. I don't even know what I would say."

"Exactly what you told me when we first met," Stiles said, "That you're sorry, and you go from there. It won't solve everything immediately, obviously, but you're clearly a determined woman, and you have a history with the program to prove that. You are worthy of love, Erica."

"Ugh," Erica said, wiping a tear from her cheek, "It's really sad when you're the best person and the worst person in my life. Stop making me fucking cry every time I see you, asshole."

"It's a Stilinski gift," Stiles said, grinning back at the blonde, "And you're an honorary Stilinski, so get used to it–"

Stiles paused at the sound of the doorbell.

"I think that's for you, we should head downstairs," Stiles said, pulling Erica up as he stood.

"For me?" Erica asked, brow furrowing in confusion, "Why would someone be at the door of your house for me?"

"Maybe I got you a birthday stripper," Stiles said, laughing as he walked out of the room.

"You would never!" Erica said, following Stiles down the stairs, "Wait… Would you?"

Stiles grinned back at Jackson as the other man rested against the wall opposite the stairway, arm open and waiting for Stiles to sidle up next to him. He turned to watch as Erica moved to open the front door, heartbeat starting to race. This would either be the best idea ever, or the worst one he had ever had.

Stiles was hoping for the former.

"Boyd?" Erica asked, body tense as the blonde stood in front of the open door.

"Hi," Stiles heard more than saw Vernon Boyd offer, "We uh… We were told that there was a party here today at this address that we might be interested in."

Erica remained silent as she stared back at Boyd.

Stiles would have a better grasp on how she was reacting to the situation if Jackson would let him move forward a little bit, but the other man had been adamant that they only be present in the background as hosts. Something about being there to cleanup spilled milk if it all went to Hell, but being far away enough that it still remained private for Erica and her family.

Stiles understood, as much as it pained him right now to not know immediately based on a facial reaction.

"So, I asked Braeden if she felt like some birthday cake," Boyd continued, "Which was kind of silly, because she's a kid. In her own words, 'I'm always ready for birthday cake.' Do you want to say hi, Braeden?"

Stiles spotted a tear roll down the side of Erica's cheek as a smaller female voice offered a shy hello from beyond the door.

"You're really here," Erica finally offered, "For me? You're here to see me?"

"Yeah," Boyd said, clearing his throat, "I have been getting some pretty frequent calls from a persistent guy with the weirdest name. He's the one that gave me this address. He said you might have some things to say to us. Like an apology. And maybe more."

"Definitely more," Erica said, nodding her head, suddenly stepping back away from the door, "Uh… Come in."

"Let's go," Stiles mouthed to Jackson, pulling the other man toward the backyard where Kira and Scott were playing with the Sheriff and the other guests.

Gaze turning away from the two small children playing on the slide and swing set combo that he and Stiles had put together in the backyard last month, Jackson looked down at the pile of steaks sitting on a platter next to the grill, shaking his head slightly.

"You have enough time to cook all of those, Sheriff?" Jackson asked.

"I have as long as Stiles is busy not noticing how many steaks I'm cooking," the Sheriff said, shrugging his shoulders and turning his head toward Stiles talking to Danny next to the playground area, "Speaking of which, it would be a great help to me if you were distracting him so he doesn't notice all my steaks."

"I'm on it, sir," Jackson said, chuckling, "Anything for you, though I think you're safe. Without supernatural vision, it's a little dark out here to see the outline of steaks."

"I like you," the Sheriff said, using his tongs to indicate Jackson and then moving them toward Stiles, "Now get."

Stiles felt two arms wrap around his torso and pull him back onto a familiar muscled chest.

"You're not trying to steal my man, are you, Danny?" Jackson asked.

"Never again," Danny said, offering a large smile to the pair, "We ended that in high school about the time Derek shoved my face into a locker for smiling at Stiles."

Stiles winced internally inside, not doubting the truth behind Danny's words, but he laughed along with Danny and Jackson.

"I'm going to go see if the Sheriff needs help," Danny said, stepping away, "Never hurts to get brownie points with the boss."

"Looks like Scott's birthday barbecue for Erica is a success," Jackson resting his chin on Stile's shoulder.

"Awesome," Stiles said, nodding his head at Erica and Boyd exiting the house onto the backyard's deck.

Braeden had a hand clasped in Erica's, and Erica looked happier than Stiles had ever seen her before. Stiles was sure that everything wasn't perfect for the family right now, but they had taken steps in moving forward, and that was something to celebrate.

"While I've got you here alone," Jackson said, moving his arms to twist Stiles around to face Jackson, "I have something I would like to ask you."

"All right," Stiles said, offering a smile.

Stiles felt like his smile immediately froze when Jackson got down on one knee.

"I know it's only been a couple of months since we officially began seeing each other," Jackson said, "But everything was such a mess – it all seems like it was in some sort of haze. It's hard to remember over all the other emotions."

Stiles's stomach churned as he waited for Jackson's question. He definitely could not handle a proposal right now – he'd just survived his first marriage, and he wasn't even sure he wanted another. Not yet at least, not so soon.

"So, I wanted to ask you this when things were calmer and going our way," Jackson said.

Stiles felt like every supernatural guest in the backyard had to be able to hear his heartbeat. This was awful. He loved Jackson, but he couldn't commit like this right then, maybe not ever–

"Stiles Stilinski, will you be my boyfriend?" Jackson asked, face ernest.

"What?" Stiles asked, staring down in disbelief at Jackson.

"Will you be my boyfriend?" Jackson asked, "I want to know when there's not a terrible situation – or Scotty – pushing us together. I don't just want to be a comforting shoulder or protector to you. Without all that, do you still want a real relationship with me?"

"Yes!" Stiles said, nodding, swiping Jackson's head with his hand, "Yes, you dork. Get up!"

Relief coursed throughout Stiles's body. He had been expecting a proposal much more terrifying than the stupid but sweet one offered.

Jackson pulled Stiles into a kiss, hand wrapped gently around the back of Stiles's neck.

Jackson could be such a goof. He had almost caused Stiles a heart attack just to confirm that they were still dating only an hour after Stiles had been on his knees swallowing the man down. Of course they were still dating, Jackson was one of the reasons Stiles actually felt like getting up most days. Both his father and Scott loved the man, and everything Jackson had said previously about Stiles turning him on by really menial tasks was true in reverse. Jackson made Stiles feel like a teenager again, too.

More than that, Stiles felt needed and wanted again – fully supported in every area of his life in a way unlike ever before. It was intoxicating, and Stiles wasn't about to give that up unless he was forced to. Not when he could continue waking up to stretched Reptar sleeping pants and that goofy half smile every morning, Jackson's usually perfect hair sticking out in all directions. The thought alone made Stiles smile like a loon–

Oh. Stiles loved Jackson.

Stiles had openly admitted to loving things about Jackson before, and he had even said that he loved Jackson for certain things in his head, but he had never really said it out loud. Not with the meaning that Stiles was only just beginning to realize.

"I love you, Jackson," Stiles said, pulling back from the kiss and clutching onto Jackson's arms.

"I love you, too, boyfriend," Jackson said, offering a wide grin back.

Stiles rolled his eyes as he pulled Jackson in for another kiss.

Isaac couldn't help but grin as a small boy with gleaming claws and furry cheeks bumped into his legs, followed by a startled expression thrown his way.

A few months back, Isaac had apologized to his nephew for… Well for a lot. But the little boy had seemed unaware of his uncle's own faults.

It was a relief to Isaac at the time, but he still felt guilt for the role he played in how things occurred. Not only had he not been there to protect Stiles from Derek's attack, Isaac had a suspicion that had he been more supportive of Derek in the first place, they might not have even had an attack.

"Hey Scotty," Isaac said, crouching down to meet the boy's gaze.

"Sorry, Uncle Isaac," Scott said, now looking around Isaac, claws and facial hair retracting, "I was chasing Kira – have you seen her?"

"Nope," Isaac said, shaking his head, hand reaching out grasp the little boy's shoulder, "But I was looking for you."

"What for?" Scott asked, dark eyebrow raising in suspicion.

"Well," Isaac said, grinning back at Scott, "I just wanted to say thank you for all the protection you've been providing me these last few months. It's really meant a lot to me."

"Oh!" Scott said, dark face splitting into a bright one.

"Yeah," Isaac said, nodding, "And I wanted to check in with you to see how everything is going with your daddy. I know you still keep an eye on him, even if I'm your main responsibility now."

"I think he's really happy," Scott whispered, leaning forward with a large grin on his face, "He only smells sad a little bit some days, not all the time anymore. I think Papa J fixed the bad hurt."

"That's awesome," Isaac said, "And how is Papa J? Things are good between the two of you, you like him still?"

"Yeah," Scott said, nodding frantically, "He's the best! He's trying to learn more about wolves, too, so I've been teaching him. Since he shared so much about lizards with me."

"Very cool," Isaac said, chuckling.

Isaac had a suspicion that Jackson's curiosity about werewolves was more likely an encouragement for Scott to learn more, too. Isaac had noticed that while Scott's left shoe sported its usual array of lizard stickers, the right one had a few wolves intermingled with the lizard ones. It was progress.

Isaac's gaze shifted toward Stiles swatting Jackson's head in the back corner of the yard, frantically pulling Jackson up from the ground and locking onto the other man's lips.

"Well," Isaac said, turning back toward Scott, "I think it's really great how happy you and your daddy are with Papa J right now, but I also wanted to talk about us. You and me."

"Okay," Scott said, grin still present.

"You know I love Papa J, too," Isaac said, nodding toward Stiles and Jackson, "And I couldn't be happier that he's part of our family, but I wanted you to also know that no matter what happens between him and your daddy, or your daddy and your papa, I will always be here for you."

"Yeah, I know!" Scott said, nodding, "You live here, Uncle Isaac!"

"No, Scotty," Isaac said, shaking his head, "That's not what I mean. I will always be near you, but I mean…"

Isaac huffed as he started to change gears in his mind, thinking of a way to express himself to Scott so that the little boy could understand.

"If you ever had a bad hurt," Isaac said, tapping a finger on Scott's chest, "I will always be around for you to help fix it. No matter where your daddy, your papa, your grandpa, or Papa J are, or what they're going through, you can always come to me for help. Understand?"

Scott's brow furrowed slightly in confusion, but the little boy seemed happy enough as he nodded.

"You and your daddy are my family, Scotty," Isaac said, clasping his hand with Scott's, "And no matter what the rest of our family looks like, or how it changes, we fit together. I belong to you, and you belong to me. Always."

Scott beamed back at Isaac as the little boy rushed forward to pull Isaac into a tight hug.

"I love you, too, bud," Isaac said, patting Scott's back, "I love you, too. What do you say we go get a hot dog already?"

"You're funny, Uncle Isaac," Scott said, pulling away and clasping his hand around Isaac's again, dragging Isaac toward John.

Derek stared silently at the wall opposite his bed. He hadn't been able to do much more than that since his uncle had left the center.

As much as he hated to admit it, some of his uncle's words had resonated within him.

Stiles did belong with Derek, and so did Scott. They were both his, and they were both meant to be Hales. Derek had known that in his bones since the day he noticed Parrish paying too much attention to Stiles in their high school chemistry lab class.

And Derek had started to see where some of his mistakes had been, but people made mistakes. Besides, Derek wasn't entirely at fault there, Peter was right that Stiles had played a helping hand of his own. Running around with that kanima had been some sort of show to get Derek's attention, which it did.

Derek regretted the force he had used in following up on that matter, but the other people at the center had been teaching him about the power of forgiveness. All he needed to do was to get Stiles to forgive him, everything else would fall in line after that.

Derek's face shifted into a dark grin as red seeped into his eyes for the second time that night.

That was exactly what he needed: Stiles's forgiveness. He would go through the rest of the program like a good boy, just the way that Stiles had asked him to, but this time he would do it with a new goal in mind.

Before he had only been able to dream what his future might look like, but Peter had drawn the picture for him tonight. And it was within reach.

Especially now that he had a half-brother eager to help him heal in any way possible. He had a direct line inside Stiles's house, which could only help him get rid of Jackson Whittemore that much more quickly.

Derek released a breath as he laid down onto the bed, back relaxing against the soft cushion of the mattress.

Stiles was a poison in his heart, and there was simply no life without him. Derek would get him back. He would get all of them back.

The Hale family was not finished. It had only just begun.