Stiles is the personal cook for the Hale family. And one day he finally meets the last member of the family. He just might be his favorite.

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As a servant, Stiles was used to saying "yes ma'am" and "of course sir".  His mother had worked for the Hale's since before he could remember. Once he turned sixteen he followed in her footsteps, working mainly in the kitchen. He never minded his job too much, he'd work around the house until the day was through then head home.

The Hale's had a son and three daughters Laura, Cora, and Clara. It wasn't recommended but Stiles had become friends with them all, the girls at least, they would come in from tennis practice or piano lessons and sit on the counter rambling as he prepared their lunch. He knew everything he ever wanted to know about people based on what they'd ask to eat. Laura took scrambled eggs and toast it, was quick and would have her out of the house before her parents were up. Cora took toast and fresh squeezed OJ, she was a cheerleader who was always watching out for her weight. Clara was young, innocent, and still had the lingering taste for all things sweet, she'd always ask for bacon, scrambled eggs and pancakes loaded with maple syrup. Mr.Hale grabbed food on his way to the office and Mrs.Hale liked to cook for herself, something different every morning. Then there was the Hale's son, Derek. Stiles never got a read on him mainly because he had never met Derek, he had seen pictures and heard stories but never met him. The year Stiles started working for the Hale's Derek had started college. So he never got the chance to get a read on the young man but he was about too.

"Another one, another one" Clara was demanding pancakes just to watch him flip them, and he didn't mind he just kept making them knowing she'd only eat the one.

He finally got her down to eat when Cora came bounding into the kitchen. She propped herself up on on the counter and smiled as she bit into an apple. The boy had yet to turn around so he hadn't the slightest idea of why she was so happy "Hey chef man" she bit into the apple and spoke with a full mouth "I want you to meet someone"

"Is it your secret boyfriend?" she kicked him lightly in the butt which told him he should probably be quiet. Getting close to them also meant knowing their secret and knowing when he should and shouldn't talk about them. When he turned around he seen why. The boy from all the photos and stories was standing right before him, he was taller in person. And his features seemed to pop more, and Stiles had to admit pictures didn't do him justice. They never captured the gold flakes in his hazel eyes, or the smile that lit up his face, or the way his bunny teeth fit perfectly with said smile. His hair seemed to be darker in person and even more shiny from what Stiles could only guess was hair gel.

"Stiles this is my big brother Derek, Derek this is our amazing cook Stiles Stilinski"

"You look a little too young to be a cook" he started, as he shook the boys hand.

Stiles countered, shaking back "I didn't know there was an age requirement"

"Right"

"So I've gotta go, but I'll be back this afternoon" Cora kissed Derek's cheek goodbye then Stiles' and she was out the door. He gave the younger boy one last look before moving to sit at the counter next to Clara.

"Hi Der"

"Hey bug, whatcha got there"

"Pancakes. Sti makes the absolute best pancakes"

He looked up at the young chef smiling "Oh yeah?"

"There are extra if you'd like?"

"Next time. But that coffee looks pretty nice"

"Would you like anything in it?"

"Black is fine" black coffee, bitter, dark, and quick. Stiles stored it to memory.

The next time Stiles seen Derek he was coming in from a run. He was sporting joggers that hung low on his hips and a glistening torso. The younger cook tried to focus on the task at hand and finish unloading the groceries but kept getting distracted by everything about him.

"Are you always in the kitchen?" Derek laughed grabbing a bottled water. He brushed past Stiles and the boy held his breath afraid of what one whiff might do.

"Well it is my job Mr.Hale" he finally brought himself to say.

"Touché"

"Would you like any lunch Mr.Hale?"

"It's just Derek Stiles. And no I'm fine, but Cora said you make pretty good protein shakes"

"They are to die for" he jokes moving to get the ingredients out. Derek took a seat at the bar stool, laughing in response.

"So Stiles, how old are you?"

"Twenty-three. I started working here the year you left actually"

"Bummer. We just barely missed each other" trying not to read too much into it Stiles shrugged it off and blended the ingredients together. He poured the drink as steadily as he could but it was hard feeling the lingering gaze of Derek's eyes on him.

He cleared his throat "Is there anything else I could get you?"

"How 'bout something that will give me food poisoning" and Stiles' head shot up in surprise before Derek started laughing "I'm kidding. My mother is having this benefit dinner or party thing tonight and I was looking for any excuse not to go"

"Well-" Stiles began. He knew it wasn't the right thing to do but he didn't try to stop himself once the thought was in his head "-if you ever find yourself needing a breath of fresh air, or the need to have a conversation with common folk I'll be in here all night"

He laughed at the joke throwing his head back and letting his shoulders jump with his chuckle. Stiles blush subtly at the exposed part of Derek's neck before he turned away "I just might take you up on that"

Stiles was prepping the next meal when Derek bounded into the kitchen with a grunt. He stood extremely close leaning onto the counter "Hey. How's the dinner going?"

"Well I've managed to keep myself from pulling the hairs out of my head so I guess it's not too bad."

"Well that's good" Stiles chirped "What are you doing in here?"

"Just wanted to get out of there, maybe see if you needed any help"

"Well if I made you help me I wouldn't really be doing my job now would I?"

"You're not making me. I want to do it"

The boy gulped, noting how close the two were "I guess you can cut those tomatoes over there"  Derek, much his his mother's dismay, stayed in the kitchen the rest of the night.

The two went on for weeks getting to know each other until one night "Hey Stiles" Derek smiled. He couldn't help the way he felt around the younger boy and he honestly didn't care. He welcomed the feeling with open arms "What are you doing?"

"Hey Der, I just have to run to the farmers market"

"Oh. Mind if I join?"

"Sure"

They had finished strolling the market when Stiles suggested they go back, afterall he had gotten everything on his list half an hour ago. But Derek wasn't ready for the moment to end, not yet.

"Hey you want to stop for some ice cream? There's a nice spot not far from here?"

He mauled it over not sure it was the best idea, all this interaction was only fueling the feelings Stiles had for him "I don't know I've gotta get back and start dinner"

"You spend all day alone in that kitchen. Taking ten minutes to grab a frozen delicacy with an alright guy is a reward you deserve" A blind man could tell Stiles was uncertain, but he agreed nonetheless just to see where things would go.

Derek was in the middle of stealing a scoop from Stiles' bowl when he noticed it. Derek had a certain level of easiness when he was around Stiles. Anytime the family came around he was frigid and at times agitated but with Stiles it was like he wasn't trying at all, the younger boy didn't mind at all. He just let Derek keep stealing his ice cream.

"So I never asked what you went to school for"

"Business"

"Hmm. Doesn't really seem like you're line of work" the younger boy pointed out.

"That's because it isn't. I wanted to be an artist"

"What happened?"

"I did it to make everyone happy. It's what they wanted me to do" and as Stiles looked over a noticed Derek stirring harshly at the melted puddle at the bottom of the bowl "I was the problem child, I was in a bad place then. I wasn't happy and using any chance I could to just be reckless and selfish. Then one day I had a moment of clarity and realized I needed to take some time to myself, where I couldn't hurt anyone and I could get better"

"Did it work?"

"More or less yeah, but I'm always finding new things that make me happy"

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Reading, walking the beach, painting... you"

And almost incredulously he asked "Me?"

"Yeah. These past two months I've found myself feeling like I'm floating whenever you're near, and I never want to come down"

"Derek I-"

"Just don't say anything yet okay? I just- I want to try something" without another word from the younger boy Derek launched himself onto the smaller frame that was Stiles'. He was pulling at his body as he let his lips intertwine with Stiles' bow shaped ones. And as Stiles' eyes fluttered shut he suddenly understood what it felt like to be floating. The way Derek's tongue brushed against his and licked across his lip made his fingers dig deep into the meat of his shoulders. And when he bit down on Stiles' lip he let his knees buckle, but he didn't mind cause he'd knew Derek would catch him. When he finally felt like his feet were back on the ground again he opened his eyes only to see Derek smiling widely. "You were saying?"

"I uh- I better get those groceries back" he walked away regretting it but knew it was the right thing.

The next morning Derek woke up to the smell of pancakes. Well he never really fell asleep so at some point he stopped thinking about the kiss and stated thinking about the smell coming from downstairs. He made it to the kitchen in pajama bottoms and barefoot to find Stiles already at the stove, and his coffee waiting on the counter. He could barely get a word out before his mother was popping out of the pantry.

"What can I get you to eat Derek?" Stiles asked.

Derek took a seat at the bar "I'm not really hungry"

Mrs.Hale shot him a worried smile, rubbing his bare back "You sure sweetheart?"

"Yeah mom I'm sure" he offered her a fake smile that she accepted but Stiles seen right through it, and he dreaded what would come next once she left the kitchen. He watch Derek listen for the clicking of his mothers heels to echo before he spoke again "So are we just going to continue like nothing happened?"

"What are you talking about?"

"No ones around Stiles you don't have to fake it"

"Fake what?"

"Damn it Stiles. I poured out my heart to you, I told you how I felt and I thought you felt it too. You even kissed me back and then you just left me there, and now all of the sudden you don't remember?"

"Derek I can't do this with you, it wasn't a good idea"

"And why not huh?"

"I need this job, and so does my mother I can't ruin this for my family just because I can't control my feelings. I want to be with you I do but-" Derek was quick covering his mouth with his own ceasing Stiles' rambling. He was upset that Derek wasn't getting it but he kissed him back nonetheless relishing in the feeling, he stored it to memory because he wasn't sure he'd get it again. The way Derek's lips sucked on his, or bit down all made Stiles melt forgetting for a moment why he couldn't have him.

"Nobody has to know" Derek breathed out when he finally decided to come up for air "I want you in my life in anyway I can get you. No one has to know" And just as fast as he had decided he couldn't have Derek he was nodding his head in agreeance.

So Stiles and Derek did this thing together. They'd steal glances when they seen each other around the house. Derek would spend most of his days in the kitchen with Stiles, and when the young cook was finally off the clock they'd spend their nights roaming the city finding anything they could do that brought the two closer. Derek seemed to have an insatiable appetite, and nothing the young man cooked or baked could fill it. It seemed the only thing that made him feel whole was Stiles. And Stiles felt it just as much having never been with someone who wanted him has badly as Derek.

"Happy birthday to you" the Hale family and staff sang as Stiles brought out the birthday cake. Derek was turning twenty-six and the family had thrown a neighborhood picnic party. Stiles had made him a red velvet cake with vanilla frosting because he just about begged for it the night before. "Make a wish" Stiles smiled as he sat the cake down in front of him. Derek eyed the young cook up and down like he was imagining dirty things and Stiles just cleared his throat in embarrassment and signaled Derek to look away. He blew out the candles with a deep breath and a cocky smile that left Stiles feeling a type of way inside.

Back in the house he was stacking up the hot dogs to bring out when the squeaking sound of the back door sounded and his first thought was to remind the handy man to fix it. Then the familiar scent of wolfthorn old spice filled his nose "You can't look at me like that when all of your family is around" Stiles sighed.

"I can't help it" he wrapped his arms tightly around Stiles' waist forgetting his family was just on the other side of the door as he peppered kisses along his neck.

"Derek" he moaned in a whisper then slapped his hands away "Okay we're setting ground rules. No more touching at work, and the eye-fucking has to stop, and no more whispering things in my ear, Cora almost seen you last time"

"Killjoy"

"Derek my job is in the line, so is my mother's I c-"

He released the boys hips turning him around "I know okay, I understand I promise. I was only kidding" Stiles sighed in response giving the man a pleading look before he took the opportunity to give him a quick peck then push him away " Can I see you tonight?"

"Like at my place?"

"Yeah. I mean we're going on a month and I've never even seen where you live" The look through his face was evident. Stiles knew what his loft looked like compared to the mansion Derek lived in. It wasn't a bad place by any standards, it was actually well put together for having been owned by someone like Stiles, he was just scared of what Derek would think "Yoo-hoo earth to Bambi. Is that a yes?"

"Der my place isn't anything spectacular"

"I don't care it's still yours, it's still something that tells your story and I want you to share it with me"

He picked up the tray heading for the back door. Derek got there first not letting him get the door open. Derek was relentless when it came to things he want, he got stiles after all, so he knew he'd just push until Stiles gave in. And Stiles did, not just because the tray of food was getting heavy, but because if he couldn't be comfortable showing Derek his life then why were they even together "Okay. I go home at nine today, I'll text you my address"

"Sounds good to me" Derek smiled letting the boy pass.

That night Stiles cleaned his loft six times over but nothing seemed sufficient. He was all set to tell Derek to forget it when the knock came at the door. He ran his sweaty palm down the side of his jacket before he opened the door "Der"

"Hey babe" he smiled pecking Stiles as he did. He was shifting his weight between his feet when he finally laughed again "So are you going to let me in?"

Derek made dinner that night, stating that it would be interesting to switch up the rolls. He made lasagna and was a little hurt by how surprised Stiles was when he first tasted it "I didn't think you could cook" was all he said letting the warm cheese fall from his lips.

Throughout the night Stiles had made small comments that Derek caught onto and they didn't make him happy. First he made a joke about Derek putting his hundred dollar pants on his 50 dollar couch. Then apologized for not having a dining room table and having to eat on said couch.

Derek finally had it when Stiles came from the kitchen with wine and two mugs "It isn't Hermitage but I'm sure if you pretend it is you won't really notice the difference"

"Stiles!" he shouted scaring the boy "I don't care about any of that, if i wanted someone for their money I'd go to one of my mother's snazzy dinners and pick up someone there. But I want you, I love you and nothing's going to change that. I don't care where you live, or what brand you've got on your back. So long as I can call you mine at the end of the day, I don't care about your wallet. What we've got babe... it's priceless"

"I-I'm sorry" And like Derek had done a thousand times before he surprised Stiles "I love you to you know" was what he managed to get out. And that cocky smile, that Derek just could seem to help, spread across his face as he pulled Stiles in for a kiss "I uh, I never got to show you the bedroom" they hadn't had sex yet, they had done other things but not all the way, and Stiles was worried Derek didn't want to. That was until he picked him up and Stiles kissed Derek, wrapping his legs around his waist as he lead him to the bedroom.

They were laying in an after sex glow that night. Derek cuddle Stiles in his arms making him laugh every so often when he blew raspberries on the back of his neck until Stiles jumped up from the bed.

"Where are you going?" Derek laughed.

"To get your present"

"I thought you just gave it to me"

Stiles blushed pulling a box from his closet "You're other present" he laid the box across Derek lap. As he pulled the wrapping paper apart he saw a box of new painting utensils, and a ticket to a expensive looking year round art class "I figured it isn't too late to still do something you love"

Derek kissed Stiles silly. No one had believed in Derek the way he had, no one wanted him to be happy and himself. And for that Derek knew he'd never let the boy go.

Derek was at the table a few days later doing it again. He was watching as Stiles danced around the kitchen getting dinner ready. He loved watching him work, it was like an art and no matter what he picked up it became his utensil. Dere's heart thumped a little louder when he watched those bow shaped lips turn up in a smile, he knew Derek was watching him.

"Stiles that smells delicious as usual" Laura grinned as she walked into the kitchen. Her brother signed redirecting his attention from the boy in the corner to his phone "Whatcha doin there baby bro?"

"God you're so nosy" he said shielding the screen from her view.

"You love it"

"Don't remind me why I left" he laughed

"Don't try blaming this on me" she started, and Derek's eyes widened seemingly knowing what she was going to say next "Oh no Derek you slept with the grocery girl, and she quit as soon as she got the chance. And you were gone not long after so let's not blame this on me"

"Shut up Laura" Derek hissed, but it didn't matter. It was out there Stiles knew, and he felt sick. But he stirred the pot nonetheless in attempts to keep himself from thinking about it.

That night Stiles was sitting in his apartment watching tv, looking for anything to drown out all of the noise in his head. Derek had fooled around with another staff member, and though it was years ago it still happened. He found someone like Stiles, got their hopes up then let them go. He was willing himself to not fall apart when there was a knock at the door. He didn't even look through the peephole and wished he did once he saw Derek and his morose face on the other side of the door. He walked in and for a moment it was nothing but silence between the two "Will you at least hear me out?"

And Stiles just exploded "I don't need to. None of this was real. This was all a game to you, and I'm just the sucker who got played"

"No Stiles that's not true-"

"But it is Derek. I'm not the first one you've done this too"

"No okay, you weren't. I admit I was stupid and young and looking for anything that would make me feel something and I thought I'd find it in Kate but I didn't. I sent myself away and yeah it made me better but I was still numb I was still empty, until I met you. You gave me a reason to smile you make me want to be better, you taught me how to laugh" Stiles was so lost in thought he hadn't notice how close Derek was until he was cupping the boys cheeks "-you, Stiles, have shown me how to love someone and I mean love them deeply and truly and with everything you have. In such a short time you've quickly become my everything, and I can't same the same for Kate"

And he stood holding Stiles' head waiting for a response. He was holding his breath like it would hurt to much to breath until Stiles forgave him "I don't believe you" was what came next, and Derek never would have believed it if he hadn't heard it himself. And just then he realized the damage he had done "I want to Der, I really do, but I ju-"

"I told my parents about us"

"You what?"

"I told them about us. It hit me how I couldn't talk about our first date, or about how I loved you, or who I'm gonna tell when I choose to marry you. It wasn't fair we had to hide so I told them"

"What did they say?"

"You and your mother still have your job if that's what you're worried about"

"Well what did they say about us?"

"Well they'd like to have you over for dinner. One that you're not cooking" they laughed for the first time that night finding humor somewhere in it all "Sti I love you, so much. I know right now that I'll have to work for some of your trust back but if there's one thing I know you can always hold onto it's the fact that I love you"

"I love you"

Stiles wasn't the least bit shocked when he came in for work the next day and the Hale sisters made kissy noises at him throughout his shift. Derek caught them once and kissed Stiles silly in front of them. Stiles blushed scarlet red but grinned nonetheless at the shocked girls.