A Denny's On the Mainland | Thursday Evening

[robinonadderall]

It'd been awhile since he and Derek had been on a Denny's trip. Especially one that had no trauma attached to it. Sure, it had the risk of being slightly awkward if anybody misconstrued this as a date but it was a risk Stiles was willing to take. He was even willing to pay for his own meal just to further prove that this wasn't a date.

"Oh god there's a peanut butter cup pancake breakfast."

[For Derek! And I want that breakfast]

Comments

[justlurkinghere]

PHRASING WOULD NOT BE CHANGED.

"When have I been polite?"

[robinonadderall]

"You could be turning over a new polite leaf!" Yeah he doubted that would be happening.

[justlurkinghere]

"Like you would?"

[robinonadderall]

"Are you suggesting I'm not polite?" Because you'd be correct there.

[justlurkinghere]

"I think I'm flat out saying it," Derek replied.

Weirdest flirting ever.

[robinonadderall]

"Wow, some date you are." It was a joke. He was joking. See? He was smiling!

Granted that smile faltered a little when he realized what he said.

[justlurkinghere]

Derek cleared his throat, looking down at the food before shoving it over at Stiles. Like Lady and the Tramp.

How romantic!

[robinonadderall]

"Aw, thanks," Stiles said, reaching for one. "So how are things with you?"

[justlurkinghere]

"Fine. Went to therapy."

Didn't fall into a guilt spiral.

[robinonadderall]

"How'd it go?" he asked. "I mean, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I was just...yeah."

[justlurkinghere]

"I'm going again." Which meant something at least.

[robinonadderall]

"Well that's good," he said. "That's good, right?"

[justlurkinghere]

"I think so?"

Totally a yes, let's be real.

[robinonadderall]

"Good," he said. "I hope it helps. With whatever you want to accomplish with this."

He didn't want to presume that Derek was going because of him.

[justlurkinghere]

"We'll see." Oh god, be more melodramatic. "It's just talking."

And sulking.

[robinonadderall]

"Well yeah," he said. "You're supposed to talk about stuff that you're not comfortable talking about with anybody else."

[justlurkinghere]

"So, everything."

Another joke! Two in one night. Whoa now.

[robinonadderall]

"Exactly!" he said. "And then they say some stuff and you feel better."

[justlurkinghere]

"Did you go?"

[robinonadderall]

"I've been on and off," Stiles said. "For awhile after my mom died, and you've got to see an educational therapist after you've been diagnosed with a learning disorder. This last time was after the whole police station massacre. My dad insisted."

[justlurkinghere]

"And did it help?"

[robinonadderall]

"Depends on which therapist we're talking about," Stiles said. "The one after my mom didn't really do anything other than teach me how to deal with panic attacks. The educational one helped some, yeah."

Didn't stop him from writing Econ papers on circumcision though.

"And I guess this last one offered some good advice too. Like I said before though, she was an emissary, not a therapist."

[justlurkinghere]

"Helpful," Derek replied dryly before turning his attention back to the table for some more awkward silence.

This had been so much easier before.

[robinonadderall]

"Are you okay?" Stiles asked. He didn't think he had been too awkward.

[justlurkinghere]

Excuse you, they were both the most awkward things in existence.

"Yes." Oh god, what should he say next? Say something! "This coffee here is bad."

So smooth.