Same Old Song and Dance(Sterek)

Reckless

A gentle tap on the balcony door alerted Stiles and Allison to Derek's presence.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" He asked, poking his head out.

"Not at all," Allison stood up, "I was just going to bed," She winked at Stiles.

Stiles rolled his eyes but said nothing as she squeezed his shoulder.

"Goodnight," she said before slipping past Derek and inside.

"Everything okay?" Stiles asked, as he packed his cleaning kit away.

"Yes."

"There was a lot of tension back there," Stiles pointed out, not looking up.

Derek let out a sigh, "You told them the truth."

Stiles snapped the lid to the cleaning case closed before looking up at Derek.

"Your need to keep me safe is only going to push them away."

Derek took in a deep breath "It's not only to keep you safe. I don't want them doubting me."

Stiles scoffed, "And you think lying to them is the way to do that?"

Derek leaned his elbows on the edge of the metal railing of the balcony. He bowed his head and closed his eyes. "Being alpha is harder than I ever could have imagined. I was never supposed to be alpha. It was my mother's role, and it would eventually be passed on to my sister but...it was never meant to be mine. Laura was trained for it. She sat in all the boring meetings and listened to my mother's moral lectures. I was thrust into this with a target on my back so big I swear it's crushing me."

Stiles frowned as he listened intently. He never considered how difficult being an alpha could be. It was just something that you were.

"Packs are family. Hale, Satomi, Briarwood...I only had Cora left and that wasn't a pack. I took these people in because they didn't have family either. I knew how dangerous it was to be a lone wolf. I took in anyone who needed somewhere to go. It's an eclectic crowd, I know that. But they're my family and they trust me to look after them, to do right by them. I don't always know what that is. Boyd saw my struggle early on. Rather than question me, he stepped up to help. He's my number two and without him I'd have lost this pack long ago."

Stiles had known Boyd was Derek's second in command but now he understood why. It was interesting to him to learn about pack dynamics in such a way. He'd always learned their hunting patterns and attacking movements.

"When I found out you were hunting me. I did my research. Found out who you really were. I talked to Boyd about trying to show you the truth. He had his concerns but he's the one who helped me convince the others. It was rough and I was sure I'd lose them if things didn't work out right. That was a risk I had to make. I could have just killed you. You were reckless enough at first."

Stiles recalled the time he shouted for Derek at the old Hale house. He rubbed his side, where Cora's mark still remained.

"Sometimes lying to them kept them safe. Sometimes being honest kept them safe," Derek lifted his head, glancing over his shoulder to Stiles.

"Do you remember the night you were hunting a rogue with Allison? I told you to kill me if there wasn't any doubt that I was telling you the truth. You thought about it. I could see it on your face, and I could smell the conflict."

"That was stupid," Stiles remembered that night well.

"That was the night I knew there was hope. I lied to the pack that night. I told them that I encountered you and that you admitted doubt. I didn't tell them I tested you by offering to let you kill me. They would have seen it as reckless."

"It was," Stiles snapped, "What if I had killed you?"

"I wouldn't have let you. You forget the moon was full that night. My senses were heightened, I knew I could outmaneuver you," Derek's lips pulled into a smirk.

"Still stupid," Stiles shook his head.

"Speaking of..." Derek pushed off of the railing, turning to face Stiles. "I came here to let you know that I am doing a perimeter. Cora suggested I make you privy to the fact."

"Alone?" Stiles' tone pitched.

"The pack needs to rest and since you refused to let them do a perimeter while I was out-"

"There it is," Stiles cut in, throwing his hands up.

Derek frowned.

"You're pissed at me for undermining you and for giving orders to your pack. Well news flash, Derek, because you were being reckless once again, you and Boyd weren't in a place to make decisions, so I did it for you. Next time don't do something as stupid as go after hunters alone."

Derek's expression morphed into a fond smile.

"What?" Stiles frowned at the lack of reaction from Derek.

"I'm not pissed at you for undermining me. I appreciate your honesty. And as for giving my pack orders...There are few others I'd trust to do right by them."

Stiles' defensive tone dropped, "Oh."

"But I am doing perimeter alone."

"Have you learned nothing?" Stiles threw his hands up in exasperation.

"Have you?" Derek countered.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"As alpha, I have to do things like this. Risk comes with the job. Protecting you all is my number one priority."

"It doesn't have to be a suicide mission every time," Stiles' tone was almost pleading now.

"What would you have me do?" Derek crossed his arms over his chest.

"Take me with you."

"You're hurt," Derek objected.

"So are you," Stiles countered.

The two stared at one another, neither one wanting to give in. It reminded Derek of a previous stand off between the two. There had been more animosity and pride then. Now, concern and determination swirled between them.

Stiles' tongue slid along his bottom lip as the familiar sandy smell hit Derek's nose. He'd smelled it before on Stiles and yet he was unable to place it. It reminded him of patchouli.

"Please," Stiles begged, taking a half step forward, "put my mind at ease."

Derek was fairly certain that if he was capable of melting, he would be a puddle at Stiles' feet. The pleading tone, the puppy dog brown eyes.

Derek sighed, his arms dropping to his sides, "Fine. But please for the love of everything, do as I say."

The satisfied smile on Stiles' mouth sent a warmth coursing through Derek. He was so gone on the hunter. 

*AN*
Hey guys! I tried to get this up before Christmas but holidays just be like that...anyway, enjoy a little filler chapter!