Chapter Text
“Derek! Get down here, the babysitter’s here!” Groaning, the teen wolf sluggishly righted himself out of his usual afternoon nap and listened to his older sister’s instruction. Squealing was what awaited his ears as he watched a lanky brunette pick up his little sister with ease while she struggled to escape the boy’s hold.
A growl forcefully made its way out of Derek’s throat, about to head over to rip the hands away from his pack member, his steps faltering when a burst of laughter slipped out of Steph’s mouth, clinging to the hands that tickled her sides. “Sti! S-Stop!!” The person in question chuckled, “Now why would I do that munchkin?” Amber eyes lilt up as the seven year old giggled over the nickname.
It's his mother that pulled the boy’s attention back to her, “Stiles, come over here for a second and meet my oldest son.” Stiles let go of Stephanie in return to step in line with his mother, hand stretched out in front of him.
“Stiles Stilinski, son of Sheriff Stilinski. Derek right? We share a science class together.” Stiles said with a boyish smile painted on his face, his eyebrows rose when the other boy brushed by him, completely ignoring him. “Derek!” Talia scolded her son. “It's fine Mrs Hale, I’m used to that reaction.” Stiles shrugged, used to others pushing him aside like nothing. Anxiety slid in his eyes when he noticed the sad glance Talia gave him.
After Derek’s stunt, Stiles was told about his hours and that he was to take care of her two youngest, Stephanie and Josh, as well as her nephew and niece, Gregory and Veronica every now and then. He was later introduced to Peter and his wife Oliva, as well as her husband Eric and her eldest daughter, Laura. He was confused as to why her older children couldn’t care for the little ones, but remained quiet since he was getting paid.
“The kitchen is at your disposal when you're here, I’m sure I won’t have to worry about you burning my house down?” The playful tone in her voice settled the seventeen year old easily. “Of course not Mrs Hale, dad can’t cook for the life of him.” Her hand landed on his shoulder and gave it a gentle but strong squeeze, “Call me Talia, my youngest has only met you and she already loves you.” The blush that crept on his face burned as Talia smiled fondly at him and brushed her fingers against his cheek as she stepped back.
Looking at the time, Talia sighed “Josh’s soccer practice ends in five minutes. I should get ready to pick him up. I’m sure your father has told you, but I have a meeting tonight, so I will need you to stay a little later than normal. Say, eleven?” Stiles nodded his head, “All good, dad won't be back until eleven thirty.” Another pat on the shoulder, and Stiles was left in the living room with Stephanie once again.
“Alright Munchkin, what do you want to do before your brother gets here?” “Dress up!” Sighing, Stiles allowed the surprisingly strong little girl to drag him to her room without much of a fuss.
An hour later, Stephanie’s door slid open. Stiles faced the door, face full of makeup to the youngest son of Talia Hale trying and failing to conceal his laughter. “Laugh it up Joshy boy, just wait til the gremlin drags you into this mess.” While Stiles isn’t familiar with most Hales, Josh and Stiles have met beforehand. See, the senior used to tutor the fourteen year old when they were in middle school. The two remained in contact even when Stiles went to high school.
“I told you not to call me that Sti.” All Josh received back was a grin back, rolling his eyes, the freshman settled next to the older teen. “How was practice?” That set the boy off as he excitedly explained his soccer practice. While Josh usually was the quietest out of the Hale family, Stiles managed to bring out the bubbly and loud spoken boy whenever the two hung out. Talia, who happened to be walking past, paused and leaned against the doorframe as she listened to her son’s excited rambles. She watched as Stiles focused his attention on Josh while allowing Stephanie to continue painting his face with makeup.
With one last glance, the alpha left quietly with Josh’s voice drifting away with every step she took. Her husband met her at the front door, one eyebrow raised at the soft smile on her face, “I believe having Stiles around will do us all some good.” Not saying anymore, Talia made her way out of the house with that smile remaining on her face.
Stiles had finally gotten Stephanie to sleep just a minute before her bedtime which meant he and Josh were allowed to play video games until his parents got back. Just as the teenager turned the corner towards the younger’s room, his back was up against the wall not even a second later. Groaning from the spike of pain running down his back from the collision, Stiles opened his mouth to snap at the person before him only to freeze at the glowing blue eyes that were staring straight at him.
“Listen up, you're going to tell my mother that you can’t continue babysitting my siblings, understand? I don’t give a damn about what excuse you give her, make sure it happens or I swear you will be unrecognised once I’m done with you.” Derek’s wolf made its way to the surface, amber eyes widened as fear raked through him as he stared at the form the older teen took . “What? Fine! Whatever, just get the hell off me!” Shoving the other away, Stiles didn’t give Derek another glance as his feet were quick to carry him to Josh’s bedroom.
Derek hummed, satisfied that his threat worked. Making his way downstairs, Derek made himself comfy on the couch just as his parents walked in laughing lightly with the sheriff in tow. “Derek, where’s Stiles? Noah had followed us to pick him up.” Footsteps are heard frantically. Stiles appeared before them with his bag and Josh behind him with a frown on his face.
Talia noticed her son’s face and Stiles's heartbeat, she reached out her hand to ask if the boy was alright. Stiles’s body flinched harshly and took a few steps closer to the door to keep the distance between the Hales large. “I apologise, Mrs Hale but I won’t be able to babysit anymore.Something has come up, since I have given you notice late on the matter, you don’t need to pay me for tonight. I’ll just take my leave. Have a good night.” The family stood still as the boy’s rushed steps were all that were heard as he left quickly, tugging his frowning father with him as he hurried out the door.
Talia’s eyes flashed as she swirled around to face her children who have all made their way down during the one sided conversation. “What happened tonight? Stiles was perfectly fine when we left.” Silence rang through the room for a moment until someone finally spoke up.
“I heard Derek threatening Stiles to quit, he even shifted in front of him!” Eyes immediately landed on said boy as Josh finished speaking. Derek scratched his neck nervously as he locked eyes with his alpha sheepishly. “My bad?”
The woman continued to stare at her son, giving him the opportunity to give his reason before she lectured him on the mistake he made. “ Seeing him interact with Steph, my wolf came out. I guess I wasn’t too happy with the idea of a stranger hanging around my little sister…”
His mother’s eyes softened, making her way over to sit beside him, Talia wrapped her arms around him and scented him. “I understand sweetie, it's hard to take in change and I know how protective you are over your siblings. But, that doesn’t give you a right to not only scare the poor boy but expose our secret.” Talia smacked her son’s head softly, “Stiles hasn’t done anything wrong and now you’ve made him scared off you as well as possibly us.”
He tried his hardest, but the smug smirk clearly made its way on his face if Talia’s glare was anything to go by.
Standing up, Talia headed to the phone. “I’ll call Noah and inform him of what has happened tonight, and hope that he will help in convincing Stiles to allow you to apologise and take his job back.” Derek groaned into the couch pillow as he face planted. ‘Fuck.’ Was his last thought as sleep overtook him.