#princecharmingwrites

[princecharmingwinks]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💖

So I have had this request in my inbox for agesssss but I didn't want to do this until I finished uploading a certain fic. Thank you so much for the ask. So here we go!

(1) Not all treasure is silver and gold (10/10 | 26K | Mature | Sterek and Berica)

Captain Derek Hale is on a mission and he needs a fearless crew. His betrothed has been kidnapped, his family lives in exile and he harbours a dangerous secret. Enter Lady Erica Reyes, the perfect Quartermaster to join the crew. Erica has her own reasons for needing to escape her seaside town. An abusive father with a suggested 'arrangement' has forced her to create her own future.

A Derek and Erica friendship on the high seas, all in the name of love and family. Because not all treasure is silver and gold.

This is my pirate fic and is my longest work. Recently complete and I have to say I am really proud of it.

(2) The Power of Pumpkin Magic (1/1 | 1K | Teen | Sterek)

"If you don't want money, I'll buy you a pie. I just need you to be my boyfriend for the next five minutes."

---

Stiles just thought it was another day of working on his thesis at his favourite bookshop. What he didn’t count on was the power of pumpkin magic.

I am such a sucker for the impromptu fake dating trope so I tried my hand at it!

(3) I'll protect yours, you protect mine (1/1 | 1K | Teen | Sterek)

“How sweet, a monster and his pet. Such a pretty pair you two make.” The hunter purred, their words practically dripping with venomous intent.

Derek couldn’t suppress the threating growl. No one threatened Stiles.

“It’s alright, big guy, we all know you’re the prettiest.” Stiles teased but his heartbeat gave him away. He was nervous.

----

When Derek and Stiles are kidnapped by a group of hunters, Derek is forced to reveal some feelings he has been keeping hidden for a long time.

Dramatic feeling reveals? Yes please!

(4) When the wheels come down (1/1 | 1K | Teen | Sterek)

The pack decide to go beach camping and somehow Derek and Stiles end up trapped in a car together...which may or may not be Derek's fault.

OR

AU where everyone is alive, Derek is a softie and Stiles is a little bit of a mess but we love him anyway!

Soft Alpha Derek, my beloved. He will always be my alpha and I will always be salty that we didn't get The Pack Feels.

(5) That's when (1/1 | 1K | General | Petopher)

Chris' life always seems to change on a Thursday...and two of the most important Thursdays of his life involved Peter Hale.

No one can convince me that these two weren't ex-childhood-lovers, especially after their tension in the movie, goodness me, I needed a fan!

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I am only in the beginning journey of my writing but I am having a lot of fun and I think that's the most important part. Thanks for sharing it with me. Till next time! Thanks for popping in!

[princecharmingwinks]

The power of pumpkin magic

The Power of Pumpkin Magic (1/1 | 1,893 | Teen)

"If you don't want money, I'll buy you a pie. I just need you to be my boyfriend for the next five minutes."

Stiles just thought it was another day of working on his thesis at his favourite bookshop. What he didn’t count on was the power of pumpkin magic.

Read on Ao3

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Written for @averysterekfall​ 2022 edition. Hope you like it :)

[princecharmingwinks]

Hey! Remember the above moodboards? Remember I promised a fic? Well guess what? I did it! Chapter 1 is uploaded and while the chapters will be released on a schedule I can confirm they are all written. Hope you like it :)

Not all treasure is silver and gold (1/10 | Mature)

Can you believe it is almost exactly a year since I said I was going to write this?

-----

And there were some wonderful beans that might want to know I wrote this. Please let me know if you'd like to be added/removed from this list:

@fairytales-and-folklore @nutellarghh @tails89 @running-with-sourwolves @anaisrecsfics @radio-chatter @helloloveyes @ellsgowrite @redamancy-eunoia @jmeelee @novemberhush @teencopandthesourwolf @clotpolesonly @softranswolves @fanfics-fix @kitchenisking

[princecharmingwinks]

WIP Wednesday Saturday

Tagged by the lovely @tails89 <3

"Not the werewolf experience you were expecting?"

"Jesus, would you put a bell on." Stiles half-heartedly glared as Peter stepped around the tree into view.

"Who would have thought this excursion to the Hale Reunion would a disaster?" Peter asked with sarcasm, effectively ignoring Stiles' attempt at sourwolf eyebrows. "Can't imagine it being awkward being a member of the family who has been known to murder relatives."

Stiles internally cringed. He hadn't really thought about that. This was Peter's family but for many reasons he was branded an outcast.

A brand new sterek WIP that bit me in the ass this morning and refused to not be written 😂

Tagging: @elisela @evanesdust @whenwordsmakesense (no pressure to play! And if I haven't tagged you but you wanna share your latest works, go for it! <3)

[princecharmingwinks]

WIP Wednesday

WIP Wednesday Sunday

I never seem to do these on Wednesday, sorry all haha. Tagged by superstar @tails89 (thank you my friend!)

Penelope felt her lips tug at her friend’s disapproval. How she had gotten to be so lucky as to find Eloise, she’d never known. They had been allocated a room together on a school camp and instantly connected over their love of literature and Katharine Hepburn. 

But while they had shared many secrets there was one that Penelope had never been able to reveal. The reason she wasn't a mess right now was because her heart belonged to someone else. Someone who had literally swept her off her feet the first time they had met. Which was mostly her fault but she liked to imagine that the reason he had collided into her was because of a pull of the universe and not because she had lost her grip on the neighbour's dog's lead. 

The dog had been so excited it had pulled free from Penelope and galloped towards him, managing to twist the pair up in the lead and ended with them crashing to the ground. 

Thankfully, the boy had found the whole situation hilarious instead of scolding her for landing them in a muddy patch. She had been mortified, of course, but the boy's laugh had been distracting enough that she was able to ignore her warming cheeks. That was until Eloise had found the pair and made the whole situation far more awkward by formally introducing the boy that she had attacked as a member of her family.

Yes, Penelope's biggest secret was that she had been in love with a member of the Bridgerton family for years. A Bridgerton that she had absolutely no chance with. Thankfully though, she was able to keep him in her life as one of her closest friends, outside of Eloise. Someone who made her smile no matter the circumstances, someone who made her feel heard, someone that looked a hell of a lot like the guy that just walked into the bar?

"Colin?" Penelope said in pure disbelief. Eloise followed her gaze and smiled, waving rather sporadically to get his attention.

Penelope was utterly confused. Why the heck was Colin here?

One of my Polin (Colin x Penelope) WIPs that is slowly coming together yay! Tagging: @fanfics-fix | @nutellarghh | @amatchinwater (not pressure and anyone else feel free to play.)

[princecharmingwinks]

WIP Wednesday Saturday

Tagged by another great bean - @fairytales-and-folklore <3

"You showing your face is a brave thing, uncle." Felix announced his presence, flanked by two other young wolves that Stiles couldn't remember the names of.

Stiles scrambled to his feet as Peter let out a threatening growl.

He was about to attempt to pacify the situation when Felix seemed to notice his presence. The Hale muttered something that sounded an awful lot like "no offence" and then turned away, and back to the main party.

"What the heck was that?" Stiles asked.

Peter shook his head in what appeared to be disbelief and then let out a sigh. Before Stiles could question the expression, Peter interrupted.

"Best not to be seen with me if you want to get into The Family's good graces." Stiles could hear the capitalisation clearly. The Family.

Before he could reply, Peter was slinking off into the tree line, most likely for a run. Stiles couldn't blame him. He'd hate to be so close  to his family and yet so hated. He couldn't imagine what Peter was going through.

A little more from the same sterek fic :)

Tagging: @nutellarghh @when-they-write-stuff @radio-chatter (no pressure to play!)

[princecharmingwinks]

WIP Wedneday Sunday

Am I ever going to post on a Wednesday? 😂 Thank you for the tag @tails89 ! You keep me writing and sharing, I am so grateful for that <3

---

"We'll follow your lead, Captain. To the end."

"Careful Raeken, that almost sounds like sincerity." Derek teased even as his heart expanded almost too much for his chest.

"Don't tell Tate, she'll never let me live it down. That girl has got herself a good punch."

"Who has a good punch?"

Derek and Theo jumped as Kira stepped around them to face them. 

"Huh." She tilted her head. "I've never been able to sneak up on you before, Captain." 

Tagging: anyone that wants to play! @tails89 @fairytales-and-folklore @nutellarghh @foreverthemomfriend @fairydustedtheory

[princecharmingwinks]

WIP Wednesday Tuesday

I was tagged by lovely @fairytales-and-folklore . I am slowly going through all my saved tag game mentions hehe. More pirate fic coming up:

"I need to ask you something." Allison's face was hard with determination. Derek had to wonder what horrors she had seen to have lost her youth. She was younger than him but the harshness of her eyes made her look far older than her twenty and three years.

He raised an eyebrow in silent invitation for her to ask her question. It was another matter entirely if he'd answer it.

"Have you seen her since that day?" 

Derek felt himself soften in his stance. Seemed like some bonds of friendship did live on.

"She's alive." 

Allison's shoulders dropped as if her puppet strings had been cut. 

"That's-" she inhaled sharply, "That's good. I honestly don't know what I'd do if it was the alternative."

"Think we can both agree that Lydia Martin is a woman of resourcefulness."

Tagging: @amatchinwater @novemberhush @tails89 @raisesomehale @elisela @radio-chatter if you'd like to and anyone else that wants to!

[princecharmingwinks]

And I said, "When can I come back?"

Heard this song and couldn’t help thinking of Petopher <3

Wrote a little something to go with the moodboard here .

[princecharmingwinks]

Derek Hale Appreciation Week Day 6: Happiness --- File 427746377: Derek Hale

After everything that has happened, Derek doesn’t do feelings. He knows he is meant to be alone forever. Why else would he be without a pack or mate or anything slightly resembling peace? He’s ok with it though. Why try and force something that just isn’t meant to be. Derek Hale will now and forever be a lone wolf.

Except…he’s not.

One morning Derek is startled awake when he finds a very familiar face staring at him. After finally being convinced she is real, Erica explains her reasons for haunting Derek’s loft. She has a mission to complete, helping Derek to find his supposed ‘happiness’. He just wasn’t prepared for all the fluorescent signs and coloured graffiti and chaotic energy that is Erica: The Guardian Angel.

Derek: Tell me again why you’re here?

Erica: Look, heaven can have moments of boring and while I love having all the time in the world to explore every inch of Boyd. I needed something else. So, they gave me their most difficult client.

Derek: Me? You’re meant to be my guardian angel?

Erica: Oh, aren’t you so lucky! I’m here to stay until you remember how to love yourself as well as recognize the love others have you too, like Stiles.

Derek: Like….Stiles?

Erica: Man, I really have my work cut out for me

Sooo I’m actually working on this as a full fic and without the context some of these images for the moodboard don’t 100% make sense. But I still wanted to put something together. I am currently on the Derek x Erica friendship train and not looking like hopping off anytime soon. This fic was meant to be cute and funny (and I’m still hoping to have moments) but it has since moved into territory of feels with Erica helping Derek to realise he does deserve happiness. Stay tuned for whenever I get to actually finish it! Thanks as always to @softranswolves​ for creating this event. 

[princecharmingwinks]

Derek Hale Appreciation Week Day 3: Lyrics --- Let me worship you

Derek doesn't believe in luck or fate or God. He doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters and storybook endings. He doesn't believe in heaven when most of his life has been a living hell.

Then he met Stiles. While he still doesn't believe there is a higher power watching over him from beyond the clouds, he does know that he cannot imagine a day without Stiles.

Stiles is his equal, his friend, his greatest love and his true purpose for being. Stiles is strong and brave and oh so warm. He is worthy of adoration and devotion. And after Stiles said yes to his proposal, Derek intended to worship Stiles for the rest of their lives...starting with tonight.

While Derek may not believe in much, he does believe in Stiles.

Am I late? Yes. Am I excited to be involved in my first ever official event? YES YES YES! I recently found this song and instantly thought of Derek. He just needs someone to love and be loved by. Ta da - Stiles appears. <3 Thanks for putting on this event @softranswolves​ !

[princecharmingwinks]

Derek Hale Appreciation Week Day 3: Complete AU --- Pirates!

The Hales were once a welcomed family of society but a curse and sinister betrayal have left them exiled. Captain Hale’s only hope is to reclaim the treasure of the Triskelion Dynasty, ending the curse and freeing his family from the hostility of isolation.

Now there are many rumours about the legendary pirate of the seas, Captain Derek Hale. And while most of those stories are folklore, one that is absolutely true is his love for the boy that managed to steal the renowned thief's heart.

So, when a rival in search of the Triskelion Dynasty captures a certain boy leaving behind only a pocket watch in the sand, Captain Hale knows he must take action. But the last battles have left many hesitant in joining his ranks and without the thirst for the impossible.

Captain Hale will not give up though. Stiles is out there waiting for him and he will not let his betrothed down. Now he just needs a fearless and somewhat reckless crew to join in his quest. There is a certain blonde he has noticed and she appears determined to break her own personal curse. Captain Hale feels a smile curve his lips; he may have just found his First Mate.

To be continued 09/12/21 in Ericaweek21...

Bloody hell! I’ve been talking about this week and so excited for it and I’m late haha! Anyway! I have a love of Sterek Pirate AUs and thought what better way to show that than have a moodboard and mini summary. Hope you like it! Thank you for putting on an awesome event @softranswolves​ <3

[princecharmingwinks]

Erica Reyes Appreciation Week Day 4: Complete AU --- Pirates!

Lady Erica comes from the well-respected, Reyes family but a father with secret troubles of the bottle and coin, land the family in unsafe territory. A foreign lord, Ennis, offers his assistance in exchange for a young wife. Erica has heard rumours of Ennis and his cruel ways. She will not be another’s punching bag but she also knows she will be disowned if she does not accept the marriage like a ‘proper lady’.

When a pirate ship sails into port, captained by the infamous Derek Hale, Erica is intrigued.  She has always been drawn to the thrill and dangers of the sea. Captain Hale is on a quest to rescue his betrothed along with the stolen treasures of the Triskelion Dynasty. He is in need of a crew and will pay handsomely for any brave enough to face the mission with him.

Erica knows this is her only real chance to make a new life for herself. And if she silently vows to return victorious and sweep a certain local boy named Boyd off his feet, well that's only for her to know.

So this is both a bit more backstory and a continuation from my Derek Hale Appreciation Week --- Pirates! I have to admit I fell in love with pirates and sterek but now I have a berica element too so ...yeah ok I’m probably going to try and actually write this in full ;) Stay tuned for whenever that will be haha! Let me know your thoughts on these. I have had such fun making them!

Event run by @softranswolves​ :) 

[princecharmingwinks]

it feels like a perfect night // for breakfast at midnight // to fall in love with strangers

[22 by Taylor Swift]

this is the first of many!!! crack this prompt however you want for Sterek 😉❤

Hi!! Oh a lyrics prompt - amazing! And it's swifty too, excellent choice. I had lots of fun putting this together so hope you enjoy it too! <3

Stiles is floating on cloud nine. He is absolutely living his best life. It's a Saturday night. He's out with his friends and he's dancing like it's his birthday. Because it is! (Or it will be in 20mins once midnight ticks around). And what better way to celebrate the respectful age of 22 than a night out?

"I'm gonna get another!" Stiles calls out between drum beats, raising his empty glass for emphasis. Scott and Kira nod, or appear to, they could just be jamming to the awesome tones of Justin Timberlake.

Stiles makes his way through the crowded dancefloor of sweaty bodies. His forehead is damp and he's pretty sure multiple drinks have been spilt on his jeans and shoes but that's all part of the experience. He's loving it all.

Finally arriving at the bar, he nestles himself in a gap, waiting for his turn.

"What are you thirsty for?" The bartender asks, making his way down the bar to Stiles, a cloth thrown absentmindedly over the shoulder of a tight black v-neck.

Stiles feels his mouth dry and it has nothing to do with the last hour of dancing. He swallows slowly.

"Something special." He grins.

The bartender smirks, "Special occasion, huh?"

Stiles falls a little more in love in that moment.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Stiles says. He leans across the bar and ushers the bartender closer. The gorgeous man does so, ignoring the other patrons waiting for their orders to he taken.

"It's my birthday!"

The bartender feigns what appears to be shock, "You don't say."

He proceeds to point at the birthday pin attached to Stiles' shirt. It's big and colourful and was part of the gift Kira had given him earlier in the evening.

Stiles laughs, "That's fair. So now that we've established the occasion, do I get any special treatment?"

Stiles wiggles his eyebrows in the most suggestive way he can. The bartender chuckles, glancing at the clock on the wall above the more exotic bottles of spirits.

"How about I take you out for breakfast?"

It would seem the stars are aligning in Stiles' favour tonight!

"When do you get off?"

The bartender makes a signal at the other bartender and a silent confirmation is made.

"Now."

Stiles waits by the bar's main entrance, having told his friends about the change of plans.

The bartender appears, in all his unreasonably sexy glory.

"Come on, I know the perfect place." He says, ushering Stiles towards the door with a hand on his lower back.

##

They walk along the path that winds back towards suburban streets and away from the chaotic noise of the clubs and bars.

It's quiet and still, like what you would expect from civilised individuals not celebrating their birthday.

Stiles is balancing along a raised stone wall as they come to a little hidden cafe. It's tucked away in a corner, lights soft and gentle music seeping out from under the front door.

Stiles looks at the drop from the wall, contemplates jumping down but hesitates.

"Come here."

Strong arms are lifting him up effortlessly before softly placing Stiles on his own two feet on the footpath again.

"Careful of those hands, big guy. I have a boyfriend, you know." Stiles mocks.

The bartender smiles, all predator like, "Wouldn't want to upset him."

Stiles hums, leaning into the warmth of the bartender's body. "He can get pretty protective of all this."

Stiles wriggles his hips in a slow grind to emphasis his point.

"You keep doing that and I won't be able to keep my promise."

Stiles grins in delight when he sees the bartender's eyes darken with lust.

"Keep looking at me like that, Der, and I won't want you to."

Derek smirks, claiming Stiles' lips in a smoldering kiss. Stiles melts into it, happily cacooned in his boyfriend's arms.

Finally Derek is drawing back with only a small sound of protest from Stiles.

"Come on, I did promise crepes and curly fries." He spins Stiles around and opens the door for the birthday boy.

##

The warm voice of Josh Groban on the speakers greets them as they crowd into their corner booth. It's not necessarily reserved but they have managed to claim it every time they do stop in.

The cafe was unknown by most and they had even managed to keep it a secret from their friends. It was a space just for them.

They had only accidentally discovered it after one of Derek's shift had ended earlier than expected when a blackout had brought the bar's festivities to a halt. The two of them had decided a walk in the crisp evening air was just the ticket and after aimless wandering they had found it.

Now snuggled in together, Stiles couldn't agree more with the cafe's name Perfect Night.

"So, had a fun night?" Derek asks, stealing a curly fry. And it just proves Stiles' great mood that he doesn't grumble about it.

"Definitely. And I got to chat up this hot bartender." He smiles.

Derek rolls his eyes, "You're ridiculous and you could've got me fired tonight. I almost dropped a $200 bottle of vodka because I was too distracted by you dancing."

"The sex appear of these hips do not lie."

Derek draws Stiles' legs closer so they are fully draped over his lap.

"Remind me again why I'm in love with you?"

Stiles throws a piece of strawberry at him but Derek is too fast and easily catches it in his mouth with a snap.

"You're meant to be nice to me on my birthday." Stiles whines playfully.

Derek leans in close to whisper in Stiles' ear, "I'll show you how nice I can be once I get you home and into your birthday suit."

Stiles cackles, before cupping Derek's face to draw him in for another kiss.

"Best birthday ever."

##

*48 Hours Earlier*

"I know how you can make it up to me about working on my birthday!"

"Eve of your birthday, Stiles. I took your actual birthday off, remember?"

"Who wants to do anything fun on a Sunday? Anyway! That's not the point. You need to make it up to me and I've worked out what I want."

"Go on."

"I want you to flirt with me like we're strangers. Chat me up with your charismatic charms."

"Another fantasy, hey?"

"Oh! And I want curly fries."

Thanks for this fun prompt! Hope you liked my little twist on 'strangers'. Looking forward to your other prompts too. Thanks for popping in!

[princecharmingwinks]

Every night, every day; how about every lifetime? // Yeah, I know what they say, and that's fine // 'Cause I'm here to stay through the good and the bad times

[I Believe by Jonas Brothers]

This gives me Sterek vibes, but you can go with any other Teen Wolf ship you likee!! 💕

Hello! Ok so these lyrics inspired me to write and post my first ever fic on ao3. Can you believe? ;) So thanks for this fun ask. I have included the fic below but you can also access it HERE. Thank you so much for popping in!

“How sweet, a monster and his pet. Such a pretty pair you two make.” The hunter purred, their words practically dripping with venomous intent.

Derek couldn’t suppress the threating growl. No one threatened Stiles.

“It’s alright, big guy, we all know you’re the prettiest.” Stiles teased but his heartbeat gave him away. He was nervous.

Derek knew the pack would be here soon. They had to be. There was no other version of events he was willing to envision. Derek just had to buy some time. Isaac’s tracing skills were getting better and Boyd was patient enough to follow the pull of Derek’s alpha power. The pack would make it. He just had to keep Stiles safe for a little longer.

Problem was, Derek was currently bound to a chair by wolfsbane-dipped chains, trapping his four limbs from being any use. Their captors had decided against a gag but this was mostly due to the chunk Derek had taken out of one hunter’s arm when they had tried to. Derek could still faintly taste the blood he had spat out in mild satisfaction.

Stiles was in a similar stake, of sorts, chained to another chair, facing opposite Derek. It was like a horrific form of high school detention when students involved in a fight were forced to death glare at each other across the room. But they weren’t in Beacon Hills High right now and Derek couldn’t remember a time he wished he could be back at school so badly.

Stiles’ bruised and puffy eye winked at him and Derek felt himself give a small yet pained smile in response. The human was keeping a brave face, it was the least Derek could do to try and keep a level head.

Unfortunately, that soon stopped being an option when a hunter started using Stiles as a punching bag again. Derek roared, pulling against his restraints until he could feel the blood dripping down his wrists. He didn’t care. They were hurting Stiles. They were hurting his Stiles.

The hunter took note of Derek’s distress and paused their attacks, hand still clasped too close to Stiles’ face for Derek’s liking.

“Oh, now that’sa bigger confirmation. Here I thought this was just a member of your stupid pack. But he’s more than that isn’t here, Alpha.” The hunter smirked, clearly satisfied with their deduction. Derek felt his throat constrict.

“Leave. Him. Alone.” Derek gritted out.

The hunter cocked their head to the side, studying Derek, “He doesn’t know, does he?”

Stiles spat out some blood onto the concrete, “Who doesn’t know what?”

Derek locked eyes with Stiles and lost himself in their depths for a moment. Would telling the truth make things easier for him? Would knowing why they had been taken lessen the burden and hurt? Or would it just make things worse? The hunter had already made their assumption and Derek worried what they were going to do with that information.

Fuck it. Derek wasn’t going to be labeled a coward. Stiles may never look at him the same way again but at least he’d be live. Right now, that was Derek’s only concern.

Derek slowly moved his eyes away from Stiles, regrettably so, and focused on the hunter’s face.

“The Mate Bond isn’t complete. Hurting him won’t kill me.” Derek closed his eyes for a moment to gather his thoughts. He hadn’t planned on this being the way he would confess to Stiles. And while it was shitty timing, Stiles did deserve to know.

He opened his eyes again and this time he didn’t look away from Stiles as he spoke, “Mate Bonds need to be offered and accepted on both ends. Hurting one party when it is a one-sided bond, won’t kill an alpha. If your hope for killing me is through him, it won’t work because he hasn’t accepted me as his mate.”

Stiles stared, his heart hammering in his chest but that could easily be from the fear of their situation, and not because Derek had just told the human his true feelings.

“Well, no matter. I can just kill you the old-fashioned way instead.” The hunter shrugged, unbothered by this turn of events. They released their hold on Stiles, thankfully, and stalked towards Derek with a gun ready in hand. While Derek wasn’t keen on a bullet to the head, he was more than happy to take one to save Stiles. His pack was coming. They’d get to Stiles in time. Derek had to believe that.

Gunfire rang out from outside the room along with shouts and the barking of orders and storming of feet. None of that mattered when Derek heard the distinct yip of Erica whenever she took down another enemy. Derek roared, signaling their position and catching the hunter off guard. The pack had made it.

Derek glanced over at Stiles but the human appeared to not have moved a muscle. He was frozen to the spot, staring blankly back at Derek. So, things really would have to change. Derek tried to ignore the sting of hurt digging deeper into his heart. The thought of his mate rejecting him, causing more physical pain than wolfsbane chains ever could.

~~~

Four hours later and after many rounds of pack scenting, Derek was able to finally breathe again. He was safely back home and everyone was alive. Everyone’s wounds had healed, minus Stiles. His humanity would keep the swelling and bruising of his eye for a few more weeks. Under Derek’s instruction, the pack had formed a barrier around Stiles to get him out of the hunter’s dwelling.

Now Derek sat on his bed, freshly showered and clutching a new t-shirt in his hands. He’d almost lost Stiles today. He’d almost lost his mate. Derek paused. Stiles wasn’t his mate. The human hadn’t accepted the Mate Bond. Derek had to come to terms with that. He’d never force Stiles to do anything he didn’t want to. So, if the best course of action from here was to remain friendly packmates, then that’s what Derek would respect.

It would hurt like hell but there wasn’t anything Derek wouldn’t do for Stiles. Even letting the human go, if that was really what Stiles wanted.

Derek exhaled and drew the shirt over his head. There was no point dwelling on the impossible. Stiles had made his decision. Stiles was…here.

The time it had taken for Derek to secure the shirt onto his body, Stiles had somehow managed to appear in the alpha’s doorway. Derek swallowed the lump in his throat and just looked at Stiles. His perfect other half. His mate. His wolf rumbled happily at the scent of Stiles filling the room.

Stiles walked tentatively into the room, standing just before Derek. “Did you mean what you said?”

Derek lowered his eyes, his chin dipping down as well, “Yes.” He paused and shoved thoughts of pulling Stiles into his arms out of his mind. “I’m sorry.”

Stiles’ fingers hooked lightly under Derek’s chin, drawing the alpha’s gaze back up. “Are you sorry I found out this way, or sorry that you picked me as your mate?”

Helplessly, Derek searched the human’s eyes for any indication of his thoughts but Stiles wasn’t giving anything away. Derek decided that he couldn’t lie anymore. Stiles was more to him than a member of the pack.

“I will never be sorry for picking you as my mate. No matter how you feel in return.”

The fingers on his jaw shifted to rest on his cheek, Stiles’ other hand cupping the other side.

“Well thank God.” Stiles grinned. “That makes loving you a heck of a lot easier.”

“What?” Derek almost jerked away in surprise but Stiles’ touch kept him grounded to the spot. “You love me?”

“Of course, I love you. We’re inevitable. We’re as inevitable as the universal fact that you have to rotate a USB twice to get it into the port only to realise you had it the correct way the first time. So yeah, you’re stuck with me. Have me forever and ever Sourwolf because you’re the only one for me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Derek kissed him. There was no other way he could put everything he was feeling into words. The Mate Bond had been completed, solidified. They were now connected on more than an emotional level. Derek’s wolf rumbled with joy, happy in the knowledge that their mate was here and safe and theirs.

Stiles broke the kiss first smiling his perfect smile, “I guess this means you love me too?”

Derek buried his nose into the crook of Stiles’ neck and inhaled deeply. All his senses were overloaded with warmth and happiness and mate.

“I’ll love you forever.” Derek whispered just beside the human’s ear, hearing the way Stiles’ breathing faltered momentarily.

Derek drew Stiles gently in and lay him against the pillow, cocooning himself around like a shield. Stiles was his mate and he would ensure nothing happened to him. With a tentative hand, Derek pulled the pain from Stiles in small black lines and watched in complete awe as his mate melted in his arms.

“Oh, that’s the good shit right there.”

Derek smirked and his wolf preened at the praise.

“While I’d like nothing more than to find out all about the wonderfully sinful things you could do to me in this bed, I’m wrecked. Nap time first?” Stiles peered at Derek from under heavy lashes.

Derek smiled and kissed his mate’s temple, “We have all the time in the world. There’s no rush. Get some sleep Stiles, I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Stiles nodded and snuggled in closer, looking like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

Just as Stiles was about to drift off, he mumbled a final question, “When you told the hunter that hurting me would kill you. Was that true too?”

Derek hugged his mate closer, as if he could protect the human from the evils of the world outside their door.

“Hurting an alpha’s mate is worse than any torture in the world. It breaks the wolf from the inside out. Some call it shattering the wolf’s heart. Many don’t survive.”

Stiles nodded, his eyes still closed but reached out a hand and draped it against Derek’s cheek again, soft fingers gently rubbing back and forth. Derek snuffled into the warmth, placing a kiss to the palm.

“You protect my heart, and I’ll protect yours.” Stiles breathed.

Derek rested their foreheads together and nodded, “You protect my heart, and I’ll protect yours.”

[princecharmingwinks]

i threw my phone across the room at you // i was expecting some dramatic turn away // but you said // this morning i said we should talk about it // 'cause i read you should never leave a fight unresolved

[Stay, Stay, Stay by Taylor Swift]

Erica took another deep breath and glared down her opponent. It wasn't some big bad of the week nor was it her unfinished design assignment. The fabric was still thrown haphazardly around the lounge room in her usual chaotic flair. No, the enemy Erica currently faced was the mince-stained pot from last night that she had forgotten to soak.

She had forgotten to soak it because she had been far too mad to even contemplate household chores and that universal rule about the cook not having to clean up. Which was certainly biting her on the ass now. Boyd, being the incredible chef he was, had brought over the dish for date night and normally she would happily be on washing up.

Erica put down the scouger in defeat. She filled up the pot with fresh water and moved it to the side for round two later that day. She looked to her left to see her battered phone lying in it's helpless state on the bench courtesy of her anger last night. Guilt welled in the pit of her stomach. Derek had bought her that phone for her birthday last week and she had already managed to dint it. Samsung needed come out with some sort of werewolf-proof phone case real soon.

She reached out for the phone to assess it's damage further when she heard the heavy footsteps of Boyd. Contrary to his solid and muscular build, Boyd was actually extremely light on his feet. It was one of the reasons he was their alpha's second. The ability to go undetected was irreplaceable in the supernatural world.

The fact that she could hear him moving around right then was testament to the obvious. Boyd was giving her warning of his approach. Providing her time to avoid him if that's what she wanted to do following last night's...incident.

But they both knew better than that. Erica hadn't backed down from their fight last night and she wasn't about to be labelled a coward in the harsh light of day.

She steeled herself for the inevitable, Boyd was about to leave. How many of her other boyfriends or hookups had left when things got just a little too Erica? She wasn't perfect by any means but she had really hoped things would be different with Boyd.

Her biggest concern now was what this would do for pack dynamics? Derek had told her that packs were like families and the breakdown of relationships wouldn't impact a wolf's standing in the pack. She took a small comfort in knowing that Derek would be true to his word and continue to accept, lead and protect them both as betas. It would just be Erica's problem to see the man she had finally started opening herself up to everyday.

She couldn't even remember the exact thing that had lead to the arguement. One minute she had been working on her assignment and the next she was throwing her phone at Boyd who stood across the room. Werewolf reflexes meant he had (annoyingly) easily dodged and the phone had embedded itself nicely in the wall. She was going to have to fix that too.

If she was really honest with herself, she knew why she had gotten upset. Boyd was getting too close. Things were getting real, like a certain four-letter-word real and Erica was terrified. What if Boyd didn't like the real her underneath when she really let down her guard? She couldn't bare for him to reject her for who she was so it was easier to push him away with superficial nonsense. At least then she could lie to herself that she wasn't the real reason he was walking out the door-

"Hey."

She swung around to find Boyd leaning again the archway, dressed in his tank and sweatpants. He looked delectable and she had to resist licking her lips because she had affirmative evidence that he did indeed taste as good as he looked.

"Hey." She rested her palms against the bench behind her and waited for the line he would feed her about things not working out. But instead there was just silence. He was looking at her, his expression unreadable but patient as always.

Most of the time she liked his quiet communication style. Now was not one of those times. She threw her hands up in defeat.

"Look, we need to talk about last night."

He nodded, held up a hand in the universal gesture of 'hang on' and ducked back out of the kitchen. She had no idea what he was thinking but she also didn't have to wait long to find out. Boyd strutted back in with his motorcycle helmet securely on his head. He tapped it twice with a palm.

"Ok, let's talk."

Erica blinked. Her boyfriend was an idiot and a dork and perfect. She barked out a laugh, tears almost threatened to fall.

She pushed off the counter to stand before him and grinned. "You better take that off."

"Should I be worried?" He asked but still took the helmet off his head.

"Because I can't kiss you with it on."

His pleased grinned made her melt a little inside.

"I guess that means you've worked out what you want."

She felt herself nod as she pulled the straps of his tank down towards her.

"I want you to stay," She whispered against his lips.

"I'll stay around for as long as you'll let me, baby girl." He closed the distance between them. The helmet dropped to the floor but neither noticed or cared. Boyd snaked his arms around Erica and hoisted her up. She quickly wrapped her legs around and deepened the kiss.

All those doubts she had floated away as he moved them through the lounge room. Which may not have been the best idea because within a few steps Boyd's foot snagged a piece of fabric and the two of them went tumbling to the floor.

She laughed in utter delight. Maybe things really could be different with Boyd. As she looked down into his gorgeous eyes that stared back at her in what she could only describe as awe, maybe he already did see the real Erica. Maybe she could trust that Boyd was a man of his word. All she had to do was let him in.

She leaned down to kiss him again and realised that she wasn't afraid to try. She thought maybe it would be best if they both stayed right where they were.

Hi!!! 👋 So this has been in my ask box for a while now but I knew as soon as I heard the song that it was Berica's. Sorry it took me forever !! Not that it has much bearing on the actual story but in this headcanon, Erica is currently studying fashion design at the local college with dreams of designing for all body shapes and sizes. Her future label will be "Beautiful Everything" ;) Hope you liked this! Thanks for popping in!