Deafening Silence

Ch. 24

"Is it supposed to be this empty in here?" Stiles held on to Derek's hand tight and tried his hardest not to be fearful for going with Derek's company. It seemed to be a hard task as his boyfriend led him through the gutted remains of his bakery.

"You do know I've done this for years right? Like it's literally my job" Stiles threw his free hand up in defense and continued to follow his boyfriend through the new layout. Isaac had been right and walked around with a smug look for weeks, they did need a new lobby and Stiles ended up loving the redesign.

There were plastic sheet's taped up like walls, the beams in the building exposed allowing him to see straight through some places. The project had been underway for almost a month, and no Stiles didn't know how long reconstruction took but he wondered why it wasn't going as fast as it did on HGTV.

"Der, baby, what are we even doing here? Isn't this like a hard hat area or something? Plus, you said you were getting me food"

Scoffing, Derek just continued to lead the man through the maze "Will you relax and pay attention" So Stiles closed his mouth, and kept his gaze on his feet. He couldn't help but worry he might step on a nail or a power tool accidentally left sitting around. But all that meant was that his attention was else where when Derek finally stopped walking.

Stiles was never one to dream of being wined and dined, but as his eyes rose upon the surprise waiting for him he couldn't help but think he'd want this kind of treatment more.

It was a dinner, set up much like the first one Stiles had surprised Derek with. Except Stiles was sure his boyfriend hadn't cooked any of it. And the flowers laid across the table were fresh sunflowers, which happened to be Stiles' favorite "Ooh Derek" Stiles managed in a whisper "What's all this for?"

"Happy tenmonthaversary"

Stiles' voice let out a crack as he smiled with glossy eyes "You just made that up"

"I did. But it made you smile"

Derek kept burning eyes on Stiles as he approached the average circled table. Long finger grazed over the thick table cloth, stopping only to run flower petals through his hands "How'd you know my favorite flower?"

"You always have a fresh vase when I come into the shop, and they were your phone background before you put up that stupid picture of me" he scratched at the back of his neck "And I've kind of been building a list"

"A list?"

"Yeah, just of small facts. Things I've noticed about you since we've started dating. Quirks, likes and dislikes and I-" Derek's rambling was cut short when Stiles let out a small snicker, that came at the exact wrong time "Wh-What's funny?"

"Nothing nothing...It's just that-well I've kind of been putting together a list of my own" Derek quirked an eyebrow as if to ask 'really' to which Stiles just nodded. A blush crossed his face as he took another look at the table then back at the man before him.

"I'd love to see it sometime"

Stiles' smile grew wider thinking about every thing on it "Of course"

10. I love Derek Hale

"Wait. What's this part?" Stiles asked, suddenly becoming aware of the fact that he hadn't been sure what part they were in. They were rooted in the middle of the room and Stiles looked around from his placed pressed against

Derek's body as he couldn't figure out what it had been before it was torn to bits.

"A new and improved office" Derek answered with a smile so big.

Unfortunately his joy wasn't reciprocated. Stiles' eyebrows shot up as he started looking around frantically "Wha-Derek. I can't afford that, it's why I didn't put it on the list of renovations. Now I'm going to have to-"

"Hey hey hey calm down. I threw it in as a present. A being my boyfriend present"

"This is too much, I can only imagine how much this cos-"

"Stop it, okay. Just let me do something nice for you. Now you don't have that dark cramped closet of an office, it was like doing yoga trying to make out in there" Stiles knew he wanted that to be the end of it since he had led him to the chair to unwind and perhaps enjoy their meal.

"Why can't you just get me chocolates like a regular boyfriend? Or literally anything else cheap-"

"Think of it as a lifetime supply of chocolate" Stiles rolled his eyes clearly not buying into the compromise. Derek trudged on though, firm in not taking back the gift "Everything is priceless when it comes to you"

"Stop cutting me off"

"Then stop complaining and just say thank you"

"Thank you, but-"

"No buts. I've got one more thing planned for the night and I won't let you dwell on this"

As if he were a child pouting, Stiles sat back in his chair with his arms crossed firmly over his chest and his bottom lip just about poking out "What is it? Because I don't think I can take anymore of your 'surprises' Mr. Hale"

Nestled in his seat Derek just shook his head, his grin wide and genuine "Well it's more of a question than a surprise but uh..." his voice trailed off as he straightened out his tie and tried to find the words again.

"You need a kidney don't you?" Stiles joked. Then a thought popped in his head, the only time Stiles had seen Derek so worked up was when he was with Kate. Derek had been flushed and on edge, maybe she was back? Maybe he wanted to see her, and just thought he'd ask? Stiles was going over the edge so quickly he hadn't even a second to stop himself before the words were draining out "Is it Kate?" he asked, his voice suddenly serious.

"What? N-No! No, of course not. No--never!" Stiles exhaled inwardly, letting the breath burning in his lungs go. Derek had sighed roughly, quickly getting angry with himself "No it's not that it's just that...Well the lease to my condo-it's up next month. I just got the renewal form back, and I uh...I was thinking I shouldn't sign them. I stay at your place most nights. I only see my condo when I'm picking up things to bring back to your house. And I don't know, we're approaching a year and things are going really really good so-"

"Wait, so you wanna..."

"I want to move in with you Stiles"