The opposite of creepy mansion | Saturday Evening

[robinonadderall]

Stiles really had no idea what he was doing with this whole formal wear thing. Usually he got somebody to help him and this time it was Derek's turn. Wasn't he lucky? Stiles had taken over his room to get dressed and was about done save for the whole tie thing. If only he could actually find the tie.

For some reason he got the feeling Puppy Joe was running around the house with it in his mouth.

[For Derek and anybody else living there/wants to stop by]

Comments

[justlurkinghere]

"Least of your worries if they serve food at the dance," Derek countered.

[robinonadderall]

"Oh you're hilarious," he said. "You gonna help me or what?"

[justlurkinghere]

"Sure," Derek said, draping the tie over his own neck to start on it. Because someone didn't know how to do it on others.

[robinonadderall]

"One day I'll learn to do it myself," Stiles said, crossing his arms over his chest and trying to ignore how weirdly hot this was. "Maybe by the time my own wedding comes along."

[justlurkinghere]

"I won't hold my breath," Derek drawled, making sure one side wasn't longer than the other. Once satisfied, he loosened it and slipped it over his head.

Odds were Stiles would put it on backwards if given no direction.

[robinonadderall]

You were right about that, Derek. "Okay so now what?"

[justlurkinghere]

Derek rolled his eyes, looping it over Stiles' head and adjusting his collar. "You're hopeless."

[robinonadderall]

"Shut up," Stiles said, tensing up slightly because he didn't sign up for this. Not that he was complaining but still...unexpected all-up-in-his-grill type things. "I may put on a tie like once a year."

[justlurkinghere]

It was about the tie! All about the tie!

Derek glanced up once quickly as he tightened the loop. "Last time I wore a tie was to a funeral."

Several funerals. So. There was that.

[robinonadderall]

Well, Derek, you knew how to kill a good mood. Stiles' face turned a little red, feeling a little ashamed at being responsible for that being brought up. "Sorry."

[justlurkinghere]

"I think you were ten then," Derek replied dryly. "Mom--"

He took a breath, smoothing the tie with his thumb. "--made sure I knew how to do a tie. Because my dad was hopeless at it, she said."

Congrats on getting happy memories too, Stiles.

[robinonadderall]

It still made him feel bad!

"First time I remember wearing a tie was to my mom's funeral." Because Stiles just had to add to the mood. "Scott's mom had to tie it for me."

[justlurkinghere]

Derek sighed softly, squeezing Stiles' shoulder in a manly fashion. It was his version of a hug, okay?

[robinonadderall]

"It was a long time ago." Because stating that would cover up how affected Stiles still was by it. "Does the tie look okay?"

[justlurkinghere]

Say something nice!

"Yeah, almost makes up for your face."

Awwww yeah.

[robinonadderall]

"Very mature," he said, rolling his eyes. "Thanks."

[justlurkinghere]

Hey, it totally worked!

Derek brushed off Stiles' shoulders, frowning for a moment as he realized that Stiles was getting slightly taller than him. This wasn't okay. Stop growing, Stiles. Stop it now. "It's the company I keep."

[robinonadderall]

"I'd say get better friends but then I'd be deprived of your sunshiney face." He punctuated that with a pat to Derek's cheek.

[justlurkinghere]

"And we can't have that," Derek replied, giving him a light push to the chest.

[robinonadderall]

"And you'd miss me too much," Stiles told him. "I guess I better go to the dance soon before somebody else takes the spot next to the food table reserved for the socially awkward."

[justlurkinghere]

"Stay away from the punch. I'm not dealing with you drunk." Meaning he'd drag you to Denny's to sober up.

[robinonadderall]

"I'll do what I want," he said. "Don't you worry about it."

[justlurkinghere]

"I guess I'll just have to watch those horror movies in my queue without you then."

How was that even a threat?

[robinonadderall]

Stiles lifted an eyebrow. "You trying to bribe me into coming here after the dance?"

[justlurkinghere]

"No." Yes. "I'm telling you not to drink."

Bribing you not to drink, Stiles. Bribing. With Derek's reactions to Silver Bullet.

[robinonadderall]

"Uh huh." No way he was believing that. "Would I get food out of this arrangement?"

[justlurkinghere]

"Could I stop you from eating out of the fridge?"

[robinonadderall]

"I mean like Denny's food," he said. "I'm dressed nice, I should get to go to a classy place."

Like Denny's, yes.

[justlurkinghere]

"Unless you want me to drive your beloved jeep, don't drink."

[robinonadderall]

Stiles sighed. "Fine, I won't drink. Happy?"

[justlurkinghere]

"Thrilled." Derek 'Buzzkill' Hale had won this round.

[robinonadderall]

"You better be," Stiles said. "Okay, I'm going for real now. I'll see you later tonight, completely sober."

And nobody mention how strange it was that Stiles was spending his Homecoming night with rugged older man.