Deafening Silence

Ch. 18

"Okay dad, one more time, what are the rules?"

"Stiles. I am your father and a grown man. I don't need rules" the man was fondly shaking his head as he set the table. Stiles couldn't help it, his father was not a kind man when it came to his only son. In the fourth grade he had half his deputies scare a young boy for stealing his sons grape juice and making him cry. Derek's words had caused his son a lot of pain in the past, and though Stiles had grown to care deeply for the other man, he couldn't see his father doing the same anytime soon.

"Dad, I just...I really really like him. Like a lot, so so much and-"

"I get it okay. It's just--god, son I was there. Watching you suffer like that, especially with something that was supposed to be a joyful and enlightening experience. It wasn't fun"

"I get it dad. B-But the circumstances...I didn't want to accept it at first but Derek he's--he's good to me. I promise"

"I believe you, but it doesn't mean I can't give him a hard time-" sudden release came in the form of a doorbell ringing "Speak of the devil"

Heading for the door Stiles grit his teeth together "Be. Nice."

The baker couldn't exactly say he had been necessarily excited, but he was definitely on the anxious side. He didn't think that Derek would leave him because of his father but he was sure the man just might shy away for a few days. Hopefully his soul mate would lean into his more understanding side.

The couple hadn't even a second to greet each other once the entrance was swung open. The sheriff was to his sons side and Derek's eyes went wide. Stiles had seen Derek internally freak out before but that was when it was towards him, watching him lose it with someone else was somewhat cute "Mr. Stilinski. H-Hi sir" No one spoke, and an uncomfortable air floated around the three men. Noah gave Derek a once over, as if he hadn't even noticed he was there "I uh I picked this up for you. Stiles mentioned you liked it" Derek thrusted forward a bottle of expensive bourbon.

"Hm" he grunted. The sheriff took the bottle, looking at it as if he disapproved. But Stiles knew deep down the man was impressed, the drink was his favorite "Son, I just came to tell you the oven beeped" then he was gone, whisking back off to the kitchen, no doubt trying to get a taste of his gift.

"Oh. Thanks dad" Stiles waited a long while before turning back to his boyfriend and what he ended up being met with was Derek, red and sweating. It probably wouldn't help but Stiles drug him inside and cracked a joke "Are you breathing?"

"I don't think so. He's so intimidating, he really does hate me doesn't he?" The way he quickly peered around the corner then back at Stiles caused him to jump slightly "Seriously, he just might shoot me if I say the wrong thing. Did you tell him how we met? Does he know it was all an accident?"

"You know what? Now that I think about it, I don't think I ever went through the full story with him"

"Oh god"

Seeing him so distraught almost made Stiles want to call the entire thing off. Derek was a good guy, Stiles realized he's known that from the beginning and he's willing to admit it now. So in an instant he was on Derek, throwing his arms around his broad shoulders, carding his fingers through the hair along his nape. He noticed Derek wasn't meeting his eye, his freak out too far along. So the young man just pressed kisses gently along his cheek, trying a small attempt at calming him down "C'mon. Let's just take things slow, you'll be just fine. I made him promise to be good"

Reluctantly he managed to drag his terrified partner to the other room, both men secretly praying the night went well.

You know when you're third wheeling and the couple starts to argue, Stiles knew that feeling, he had experienced it with Scott and Isaac a few times before. Well that feeling was not as awkward as the current situation.