Deafening Silence

Ch. 3

Bullied into actually coming to work, Stiles hadn't looked Isaac in the eye all morning for obvious fear of confrontation. He didn't want to explain himself again, he just didn't. Luckily Isaac had deemed the day "bring your boyfriend to work day" because he had Scott propped in the back to entertain him from the moment they opened, they'd been flirty and giggly, it made Stiles sick. Or so he made it seem, he always found they were actually so cute together, but couldn't admit it or they'd always be in his face with their love. So Stiles offered a simple and playful eye roll, shrugged off his coat and got to work.

He made it halfway through the day, finished four orders, and actually rearranged the stockroom like he had been planning to when Derek showed up. The so-called "pull" Isaac spoke of was witnessed then. Derek hadn't bothered to even glance at the empty lobby or even the menu, it was like the doors opened and his eyes went straight to the back. And because the universe likes to push his buttons the first thing Derek inevitably saw was Stiles, carrying an armful of ingredients back to the pantry. Stiles met the mans eyes, if by anything, complete accident, and his honey brown eyes grew wide, his pink lips parted causing his mouth to hang open leaving him speechless. Derek smiled widely and threw up a hand to beckon Stiles over as he approached the counter. And once again he blanked, letting his instinct take over. His arms went limp and everything in them fell to the floor, a small bag of flour coating the ground beneath his feet. Stiles watched, almost in slow motion as Derek got closer and closer and as his mouth opened to speak Stiles was darting away, his footsteps creating voids in the powder.

There wasn't anywhere in particular he was running too. A place where Derek wasn't was good enough. The only other exit was tucked away in the back where they would accept shipment drop offs. Stiles hadn't been thinking about how he'd have to past the set of boys on his way out, he just ran and slid to a stop at the back door. Scott was quick, throwing up his hands in attempt to get his friend to slow down "Woah woah, what's going on?" Scott rushed out.

"Uh.. um " he stuttered, his eyes switching from Scott, to his Isaac then to the front of the store. He had agreed with himself that he would keep the whole soul mate thing from everyone until he just died. It was a good plan to him. But at the moment everything was boiling to the top, and the look on Isaac's face told him he'd be the one to set it all off.

"Oh no! You're not running from him again!" Isaac exclaimed once he realized what was happening. This earned him a shove from Stiles that clearly told him to keep it down.

Now, Scott looked genuinely worried. His eyes grew wide as he geared up always ready to kick some ass "Who! Stiles is someone stalking you?"

"Yes!" Stiles shouted at the exact same time "no" had left Isaac's own lips. Isaac hesitated before running his dirty hands down his apron and turning towards Scott to face him, not wanting him swayed by Stiles and his puppy dog eyes. Stiles watched with panic as he continued to try and inch toward the door "Scott, the 'someone' that is 'stalking' him is his soul mate"

And once again he was busted, and stopped in his tracks. Scott wasn't angry, more intrigued as he stared fondly. The softness took over quickly leaving Scott less on edge "You found them?"

"Him. His names Derek and he's been trying to talk to Stiles but every time they come face to face he runs away" he really wanted to flick him in his stupid curls "He hasn't said a word to him"

"Scott you know how I feel about all this I'm just not ready" He pled. Scott, more than anyone, just had to know. This wasn't something he was ready to face. He wasn't sure when he'd be ready, but he did know one thing; above all else, it should really be his choice.

"Stiles. You don't even want to try to talk to him? Just once?"

"No. So either you guys can help me. Or I'm bolting out the back" Isaac stood firm, crossing his arms over his chest. Scott, who still had his eyes on his friend, trying to analyze him, soon gave up and walked towards the front. Both men watched him march through the archway towards the entrance of the store. The next five minutes passed with utter silence, Isaac boring holes into Stiles. A few times Stiles heard laughing coming from the front but nothing more than that. Then his friend was walking back to meet them once again.

Stiles was actually interested to know the cuase of the smirk Scott was sporting "Derek Hale?" he asked.

Stiles shrugged to show Scott he wasn't even aware of the man's last name. Isaac suddenly became intrigued as well, wondering why Scott was so aware of the man "You know him?"

"He's a friend of Erica and Boyd. I think he and Erica met at college or something, but I met him once. He wants to know if you're okay" Scott admitted. Stiles scratched guiltily at the back of his neck. Here this man was, not knowing a single thing about him yet worried "Well, I told him you were just overworked and not very social. He understood, but I don't think that's the last time you'll see him" He eyed the men and their judging glances as he sulked back to clean up the flour.

The next time he sees Derek it was because Erica had dragged Stiles to Boyd's birthday party. Boyd didn't even want to be there so he didn't get why he had to go. But after several threats then very polite begging he sucked it up and went.

Stiles was half way through his third ginger ale-seeing as though he planned on driving himself home at the end of the night- when he seen Derek smiling and carrying on with Erica. This was different than all the other times, this wasn't his shop where he could hide in the sanctuary of his own kitchen. No this was a public place, one that he could probably maneuver out of if he really tried. But getting to the door meant bypassing Erica which inevitably meant passing Derek. He felt good about his plan, he'd wished Boyd a happy birthday and after all that was why he was there. He bit his lip before deciding it was worth it if it meant coming out on the other side of freedom. Stiles ducked his head looking more suspicious than he meant to. He kept his eyes on his feet watching them weave through the crowd. There was an estimated thirty feet before he was home free. For a moment he thought to scold himself for not abandoning his drink since his focus on not spilling it slowed him down. But alas his victory was premature, and he could hear a voice call his name, a mans voice. He was almost positive he could keep going, just pretend he hadn't heard him over the loud music. But suddenly Erica's voice was incorporated into the mix and there was no way he could play off not hearing her loud overbearing voice. When he stopped in his tracks he looked up and sure enough there Derek was halting Erica's ramblings, on his tip toes looking over the crowd trying to flag Stiles down.

The drunk blonde excitedly took Derek's wrist dragging him to where the young man stood, sweating bullets and tapping his foot nervously "Stiles! Hi this-this is Derek. We went to college together. And he-he's just so*hick* awesome and was trying to get your attention. So I thought I'd introduce you"

"Actually we've already met" Derek spoke, cutting off her off. Erica raised her eyebrows as if to say 'really?' and Derek just nodded back. He scratched nervously at his shoulder, his hand lingering there a little longer than normal, leaving Stiles to wonder if perhaps that's where his words were "Yeah. The bakery place he works at made the cake for Cora's birthday"

"You mean the place he owns. Our Stiles is a very successful businessman you know?" Then they were turning, waiting for Stiles' contribution to the conversation. He had managed this far without speaking a single word until Derek's eyes fell on him. His eyes never left Stiles' it was like he knew. Without him even speaking a word Derek knew and he was telling Stiles he wasn't getting away with anything. In the heat of the moment Stiles figured it was okay to talk around Derek just as long as his words weren't too him.

He pulled Erica close, eyes on her to ensure his words hit no one but her "Actually Erica, speaking of the bakery I've got a big order to start tomorrow so I'm gonna head out" Stiles glanced at Derek to see if the words meant anything to him but he didn't even falter. Stiles was grateful. He could see Derek's mouth prying apart as if he were going to speak to him but the man was already walking away. Not daring to look back.