Chapter 21

"Vampires? Again?" Isaac exclaimed. "I thought we were done with them and their drama for now" Isaac grimaced, clearly fed up with everything vampire-related.

They tried waking Marissa, but she was still unconscious when Isaac picked her up with a huff. "Let's get her inside."

Scott nodded. "Take her to my room"

Allison got her some water and sat down next to her, trying once again to wake her up.

"What could have happened?" Derek asked, looking at the girl on Scott's bed.

"She's Harrington's girlfriend" Isaac said, shrugging. "Maybe that's why?"

"But she didn't know about him being a vampire" Erica added. "Obviously"

"I don't know why, but we have to find out. She seemed pretty set on that whoever she saw weren't just dressing up" Stiles sighed and got his phone out of his pocket.

Derek put a hand on Stiles shoulder. "Wait with the call. She's waking up"

Seconds later, she opened her eyes and scrambled to sit upright and Allison was there, talking to her as the others kept their distance.

"What happened, sweetie? You're safe here" Allison gave Marissa a soft smile, handing her some water.

Marissa looked around and settled on Stiles. "I know you. You're a student of Dev- Harrington. I mean, Professor Harrington"

"I am. You were really scared back there, Marissa. What happened?"

"I was just walking from a friend's dorm and was going back to mine, and I took a shortcut. As I was walking there, I heard someone laugh and then someone sounded like they were pleading for them to stop and I turned the corner and saw them" She shuddered. "It was the laughter, the way it sounded.. It was so twisted and so-"

Scott leaned his elbows on his thighs. "Sure they didn't just.. dress up or something? Because you said something about fangs?"

"It's almost Christmas. Not Halloween. No one dresses up like that outside Halloween" she exclaimed, as if that explained everything. How very Lydia of her.

Allison raised her brows. "Oookay. But what did you see then?"

Marissa blinked rapidly. "I saw a man and a woman standing over someone" She looked at the people crowding the small room. "There was someone in front of them. It didn't look like the girl wanted to be there. I've never seen them before though"

"Could you describe them to us?" Isaac asked, looking almost bored. "Start with the man and the woman" He leaned against Scott's desk, crossing his feet by the ankles. "Please"

Marissa put a lock of hair behind her ear, thinking it over. "The woman was blonde, not that tall. Black jeans and a sweater of some kind. I don't remember the color." She wet her lips. "The man was tall. A lot taller than the woman. Dark hair. Or brown, I don't know. The place was fairly dark. But the third person.. It was a girl, I think. Short, brown hair." She looked at Isaac. "She was covered in glitter. She'd probably been at a party or something. I know some of the fraternities has things like glitter-nights, black and white parties, things like that"

"I'm just going to make a call" Stiles said, slipping out of the room while the others talked to Marissa. From what she said, it looked like some of Harrington's friends had been a little sloppy. They had to be careful, and they should've known better.

"Harrington? Yeah, it's Stiles. Sorry to call you so late"

The professor seemed like his normal self and not at all sleepy so Stiles didn't stress it. "What can I do you for, Stiles?"

"Marissa came running to us when we were coming back from a party. Talking about people with fangs"

"What? When?"

"It happened about 20 minutes ago. She's fine, we're taking care of her. But I don't think she'll believe it if we try to convince her that she just saw people playing dress up"

Harrington made a sound telling Stiles he was not impressed by his vampires. "I'll be there in ten minutes. Do not let her leave. She would never believe you if you tried to explain it away."

"Are you okay, professor?" The question slipped out without checking in with Stiles' brain first and he closed his eyes.

"As okay I could be after having something like that happening" Harrington said, understanding what Stiles really was asking. "It will be better. In time." He hung up and Stiles turned around in the hallway, only to jump from surprise.

"Holy mother of- Shit, you guys are so creepy!"

The woman, who Stiles recognized as Ann, laughed. "Thank you"

"It was not a compliment, believe me" Stiles blew out a harsh breath, looking at the two vampires accusingly. "God"

Ann and Frank both startled when the door to Scott's room flung open and Derek stepped out with a growl.

Erica stepped out with them, closing the door behind her.

"What are they doing here?"

Ann sneered at Erica, showing fangs.

Derek growled and let the red bleed into his eyes. "Haven't you done enough damage for one night?" he grit out.

"We have to assess the damage done" Frank drawled, but stepped back when Derek pinned him with a glare.

"You have the girl" Ann stated and Stiles nodded.

"We do. We're trying to calm her down and talk her from spreading any rumors"

Ann laughed, an extremely unpleasant sound in Stiles ears and he clenched his jaw.

Ann's smile slid off her face "She's just a human. She won't remember any of it if I can have two minutes with her"

"She's not just some human, lady. She's-"

"She was my lover" Harrington said, suddenly standing behind his fellow-vampires. "And surely you remember that the glamour don't sit as well if there's been over 30 minutes since she saw anything" he drawled, seemingly calm, but both Ann and Frank shivered and stepped back to let Harrington pass them.

Stiles nodded to Harrington, who looked at them all in order. First Derek, Stiles then Erica. "May I speak with her?"

"How should we explain your sudden appearance?" Stiles asked with a hand on the handle.

"Do not worry about it. I am stronger than those two combined" Harrington said, cocking his head towards the two vampires, who were now standing in the background. "You may leave. We will have a chat later" he told them before Stiles opened the door and let Harrington in.

"Devlin" The relief was clear in her voice but then Marissa looked around the room. " I mean, professor Harrington. What's-"

"Marissa, honey. How are you?"

Marissa's mascara stained cheeks lifted into a smile. "This whole night has been a nightmare, but you're here" She frowned. "Why exactly are you here? I thought you were taking a leave to over new year's?"

Harrington smiled at her before looking at Derek. "Leave us. Please"

The room emptied pretty quickly and they all found the hallway empty so Ann and Frank must have scrambled pretty fast.

Stiles opened the door to his room and Isaac took the chair while Boys leaned against the desk with Erica next to him.

Scott sat on the bed, sniffed, smiled and laid down before Allison joined him, but stayed seated.

Derek rolled his eyes at Scott's antics and leaned against the wall on his shoulder, arms crossed over his chest.

"Do you hear anything?" Stiles whispered and Erica rolled her eyes.

"You don't have to whisper. He can probably hear you either way."

"Is the walls that thin?" Stiles asked, looking at Scott. Then Allison. "I am so happy that I'm not a werewolf."

Allison blushed but smiled at Stiles' words.

"Dude" Scott looked at Stiles with a scandalized look in his eyes. "You should be so happy you can't smell this roo-"

Derek growled, adding red-eyes and everything and Stiles was the one to blush now. "What? No, I take that back"

Isaac cocked his head and reminded Stiles of a puppy. "I don't like vampires all that much, but damn that man can sweet talk like no one else" he said.

Erica nodded. "No shit"

"Maybe you could learn a thing or two then, Isaac." Stiles grinned. "Elisabeth might like it" He threw a glance at Scott and Allison. "Or someone else maybe"

Isaac stood up and Stiles cackled. "Oh man, this is priceless"

"How about the fact that none of you would win if I told you all what I believe has happened between people in this room and you both shut up?"

Stiles whistled.

Derek sighed and straightened up. "Boyd's right. As wolves, we smell things humans can't and that crosses lines of privacy as well. Grow up. It's not like the others mentions it every time Scott and Allison has sex. Or Erica and Boyd. So shut. Up." He looked at them. "Deal with it." He looked at the door. "Harrington is done talking with Marissa"

As Derek opened the door, Harrington had Marissa by his side.

"Good evening" he said, acting surprised.

"Professor Harrington" Stiles said, playing along. "I thought you were on a leave?"

"I am" Harrington confirmed. "I just have something to go over with Marissa here before I go on vacation" He smiled at her, who nodded.

"I'm doing a project in my paper and I had a few questions for Professor Harrington"

"Of course. Smart thinking. He knows a lot of things" Stiles said and the professor and Marissa left.

They closed the door and Scott frowned. "Is it just me that thinks Marissa looked a little dazed?"

"He made her forget this whole evening, I believe" Derek said. "The next time you see her, don't talk to her about it. Don't talk to her at all, she wouldn't have recognized you."

Stiles sighed. "I don't know about you, but it's the middle of the night and I am beat."

"What about Ann and the creepy guy that was with her?" Isaac asked.

"Harrington's taking care of them" Derek said, opening the door. "Now get some sleep. Stiles' will call Harrington in the morning and check if everything is okay with the vampires and the girl"

"I will?" Stiles asked, just to be a shit.

Derek simply glared at him as his pack left with various sorts of good-bye's.

When they were alone, Stiles walked over to Derek and tugged him closer by the hem of Derek's shirt. "You came with me to the party"

"I did"

"You really are in like with me, aren't you?"

"Stiles" Derek just stood there, letting Stiles tug him closer, close enough to lean against each other.

"Derek" Stiles grinned, loving that he could do this now. Stretching his neck, he nuzzled into Derek's shoulder.

"I can't believe we are doing this. Us" He bit his lip. "I like it"

Derek still didn't react and Stiles turned his head, nosed on warm skin on Derek's neck before biting down softly.

Stiles felt arms come up around him and he sighed. Before he squeaked, (but it was in a totally manly way) as he landed on the bed. He bounced on the bed and looked up at Derek who was wearing the biggest shit-eating grin Stiles had ever seen.

"Derek, you are grinning. Like, way too big. You might be sick"

Derek snorted and moved towards the bed and Stiles hoisted himself up to rest on his elbows.

"Shut up, Stiles" he crawled up over Stiles, looking at him like- yeah, like a predator assessing his prey. He'd felt like prey before, hell- he'd been hunted on by god knows how many creatures. But this time he really, really didn't mind the attention.

"Holy shit" Stiles breathed. If Derek could get him so turned on from just a look he didn't dare think about what would happen when they got naked.

And holy- there went the Henley. Stiles looked up at Derek with wide eyes.

"Stiles"

"Wha'?"

"You are wearing too many clothes, don't you think?"

A slow smile erupted on Stiles' face. "I do think that." He tugged at Derek's belt-buckle. "But so do you"

-o-

Later, as their clothes were long gone, Stiles breathed in the moans and small sounds that escaped the Alpha.

Stiles loved the way Derek made him feel, the way their bodies just fit together and moved with each other. The slide of skin against skin made Stiles wanting this to last. As Stiles rolled Derek from his back and pulled him over him, Stiles threw his head back as Derek filled him once again.

"You need to- aah- do that again" he moaned and Derek grinned before repeating the rocking-grinding motion he'd just done.

"Oh my God. Derek-" Stiles gave as good as he got and hooked his legs around strong thighs.

"Stiles- fuck"

He could feel Derek's breath become more strained, and the look in his eyes made Stiles bite his lip, hard, trying not to come. But he wanted to come. He felt dizzy from the hot look he got from Derek as he rolled his hips, meeting Derek's thrusts.

As his world whited out in pleasure, he held Derek tight, feeling him pulse hot and hard inside him.

When they both got their breaths back, and Stiles managed to get his brain back to actually form words, he laughed. "Oh my God. I am so in like with you, dude"

Derek snorted from where he was resting his head on Stiles shoulder, nuzzling his neck. "You're a moron."

Stiles ran his hand down Derek's spine, feeling the sweat cool and the heavy, lovely weight on top of him shuddered. "But you are totally in like with me" He tried looking at Derek and smiled when Derek lifted his head to look down on him.

"Maybe"

"Don't be like that, Sourwolf. I know you have to be in like with me. Or else you wouldn't have done this" He looked down between them and Derek followed his eyes and smirked.

"Guess not."

Stiles slapped him on the shoulder and Derek chuckled before leaning over Stiles again. "I'm in like with you, Stiles. Okay?"

"So okay. More than okay. It's totally awesome, actually"

"Oh my God. I am already regretting this"

"Nope. No take backs, dude. I got you now and I'm not letting you go so easily"

Derek looked at him with soft eyes before kissing him even softer. "Fine by me."

Stiles decided he loved this side of Derek. It wasn't often the werewolf let it show, but Stiles would set it as his New Year's resolution to do everything to make Derek smile more, to bring Derek's soft side a little more out. Because Derek deserved to be happy. He deserved to have nice things.

"I love you"

Stiles gaped, he had not meant to let that slip. It was too soon. It was. Wasn't it?

Derek kissed his nose and Stiles blinked. When did Sourwolf Alpha Derek Hale kiss someone's nose?

"I love you too. Have for a long time I think." He shrugged, or tried to from where he was lying on top of Stiles. "It's not too soon. We've known each other for years, and I-" He found Stiles eyes and seemed more relaxed than Stiles had ever seen him. "I trust you."

Simple as that. Huh.

Stiles closed his mouth and felt a happy smile break free. "You kissed my nose" He laughed when Derek tried rolling off.

"No. Stay. I like you here" He nudged Derek's chin with his nose. "I trust you too, but you know that. And- I don't think it's too soon either, you know. It just.. took us some time to.."

"Get our shit together?" Derek asked and looked way to amused. "Erica's words, not mine"

"What? She's been talking to you about this? Us?"

"She has.. mentioned it." Derek actually looked a little embarrassed and Stiles wondered just how Erica had mentioned it. Bluntly and too frank, probably knowing Erica.

"Oh God, I'm never going to survive her gloating, am I?" Stiles groaned and slapped a hand over his face.

Derek laughed. Honest to God laughed.

It wasn't the first time Stiles had heard it, but it still made his stomach swoop.

"But promise me one thing" Derek said, kissing Stiles chest before getting up to go to the bathroom.

"What?" Stiles frowned, what was Derek thinking about.

"Next time.. maybe we can switch. I want you to mark me as I've marked you."

"Oh my- Derek, you bastard. I thought there was something wrong or something" Stiles exclaimed as he sat up on the bed.

He heard Derek laugh as the shower got turned on and Stiles grinned. "Prepare for some heavy cuddling afterwards, Alpha of mine" he shouted towards the bathroom and Derek poked his head out.

"That could be arranged. If you shower first"

As he watched Derek get into the shower, Stiles threw himself back on the bed with a happy smile. "Merry Christmas to me"

He heard Derek snort a laugh from the bathroom and he grinned.

This relationship just might work.

Spoiler: it did.

-The End-

-o-

Authors note: Ta-Daaaaaa ! I did the thing : ) Thank you for following me on this journey! I hope I made it believable. Because everybody deserves some Sterek in their life : )

So long, my friends. Take care, be kind. Always.