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halevetica · 1 year

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Cute together(Sterek)

Here is the ski lodge oneshot I said I’d try to get up. It’s more of a winter oneshot than a Christmas oneshot, although there mistletoe is mentioned. Hope you like it.

The view was stunning if Stiles was being honest, and he wasn't even referring to the gorgeous man next to him. He'd been hesitant to even bother enjoying himself on this trip but he was already here and yeah, the view was stunning.

The ski lift continued it's trek over the snowy landscape, taking Stiles higher and higher above the trees and slopes beneath. His feet dangled heavily below him.

With a sudden lurch, the ski lift halted, forcing his seat to swing back and forth. A low growl emanated from the man next to him.

Stiles noted the way the man's hands were gripping the seat like his life depended on it. He debated saying something witty to ease the man's tension but thought better of it when he saw the scowl on his face.

After a long painfully silent five minutes had passed, Stiles craned his neck to see if there were any people on the lift behind them. Their seat rocked gently with the movement.

"Can you not," the man next to him snapped.

Stiles' brows rose in an amused look. "You realize that these things are safe right?"

The man only glared.

"You know that the fatality rate per year, divided by passenger miles, results in 0.149 fatalities per one hundred million miles of passengers transported by ski lifts. You're more likely to die in an elevator, which has on average six fatalities per year." Stiles offered.

The glaring continued.

"I'm Stiles by the way."

The man was silent for a long moment before finally responding. "Derek."

"Derek. Nice to meet you. Are you here with friends or..." Stiles once again looked behind him, careful not to shift the chair. There was no one directly behind them, but it looked like there was a couple two chairs back. "They seem to be enjoying themselves."

Derek glanced over his shoulder to see the couple wrapped around each other in a heated kiss. "I'm here with friends. They were ahead of us."

"They didn't wait for you?" Stiles scoffed.

"I'm here as a favor for a friend," Derek growled, his eyes looking straight ahead.

"Ah, third wheeling?"

"Erica thinks that a romantic getaway will help Boyd make a move. Boyd is just too shy. I gave him an encouraging speech and sent them ahead of me alone. This is what I get."

"That's really sweet of you, dude," Stiles said sincerely.

Derek shot him a glare.

"I'm serious. You look miserable as fuck so you must really care about your friends to do that for them."

"I don't do heights."

"Ah. Well, hopefully we'll be off here soon. For now, we're perfectly safe unless a tornado comes through."

"It's too cold for a tornado," Derek huffed.

"Then we're safe." Stiles grinned widely.

"Where are your friends or whatever?" Derek decided he wanted to talk about anything but their situation.

Stiles bit down on his lower lip. "I'm alone actually."

Derek's brows raised. "Who goes to a ski lodge alone?"

"Well I was supposed to be here with my boyfriend. Made reservations and got here a day before him because he had to work, but then he never showed. When I called, he said to have fun and we'd talk when I got home."

Derek frowned. "That's awful."

"The writing was on the wall, I just chose not to read it. Honestly it's kind of nice. He'd be bitching about the cold and the inconvenience instead of enjoying the view." Stiles gestured to the snow covered trees.

At that moment Derek's phone rang, startling him.

"Erica," Derek snapped into the phone.

Stiles could hear the voice on the other end clearly.

"Derek, are you on the lift?"

"Yes, do you know why it's stopped?"

"Someone accidentally pulled the emergency lever. They legally can't start it back up until it's declared safe. Someone is on their way now."

Derek groaned.

Another voice spoke up. Boyd. "They said it may be about twenty more minutes or so."

"Great."

"Sorry, Derek." Boyd's tone was apologetic.

"It's fine."

"Is anyone with you?"

Derek glanced at Stiles who gave a small smile. "Yeah. Look, I know you guys wanted to grab dinner after this, why don't you go ahead. I'll meet up with you later."

"Are you sure?" Erica asked.

"Yeah, it may be a while and honestly I think I'm done after this."

"Okay, keep us posted."

Derek hung up and let out a sigh. "Someone pulled the emergency lever. They have someone on their way to fix it."

"Well, looks like we have some time to kill. Why don't you tell me about Boyd and Erica?" Stiles suggested, fighting the urge to swing his feet. He didn't want to stress Derek anymore by rocking the chair.

Derek closed his eyes and let out another sigh.

"It'll take your mind off of the fact that we're stuck here."

Derek opened his eyes and conceded. "What do you want to know?"

"How long have they been dancing around each other?" Stiles asked.

"About three years."

"Oof. How have you not done something sooner?"

"It wasn't my place. I figured they'd get around to it." Derek shrugged.

Stiles looked thoughtful. "You think this trip will do the trick?"

"I wasn't sure, but they'll have some time alone with me stuck up here so, maybe."

"You could have brought someone to make it feel like a double date, I'm guessing you're single since you didn't."

Derek narrowed his eyes at Stiles.

"I'm not trying to pry." He held his hands up.

"I am single, yes."

Stiles opened his mouth to ask another question when Derek beat him to it.

"How long were you and your boyfriend together?"

Stiles shifted, causing the chair to ever so slightly sway.

Derek's hand gripped the seat tighter.

"Two years."

"You don't seem terribly broken up about it," Derek pointed out.

"Like I said, writing on the wall."

"Still, two years is a long time."

Stiles fought the urge to shift again. He hated being still for this long, unable to fidget. He took off his gloves and tucked them into his jacket pocket, before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yeah."

A silence fell over the pair and Derek was relieved his prying had worked. Though now he felt bad as he saw the way Stiles stared down at his hands in his lap, fidgeting.

"Guys like that aren't worth it. Trust me, I know."

Stiles gave Derek a doubtful look.

"My last girlfriend was a control freak. I finally called it off when she started to demand I stop spending time with Erica." Derek didn't know why he was telling Stiles this. Maybe to make him feel better.

Stiles didn't respond so Derek continued.

"My last boyfriend broke up with me because I wouldn't go mountain climbing with him every weekend. He said I wasn't invested in him."

Stiles' brow rose at that. "You clearly hate heights."

Derek shrugged.

Stiles frowned, his eyes falling to his hands again.

"Like I said, not worth it."

"Yeah, well, a ski trip is more fun when you have someone to spend it with."

Derek didn't respond to that. He didn't know how.

A gust of wind whipped around them, causing the cold air to bite through their clothes and the seat to rock ever so slightly.

"A hot chocolate sounds good right now, huh?" Stiles asked, pulling Derek's attention from the shifting ground below them.

"Anything that doesn't involve being up here sounds good."

Another gust of wind swept over them.

Derek closed his eyes and clenched his jaw.

"Hey." Stiles placed a hand on Derek's arm. "I promise you nothing is going to happen. It looks like a winter storm in the distance. These things rock so easily because if they didn't, they would snap. It's like a bridge."

Derek didn't respond.

"Just take in a deep breath."

Derek did as Stiles said.

"Good, now let it out slowly."

Derek blew out, his breath swirled in the cold air.

Another gust of wind hit them and Derek swore under his breath.

"Look at me," Stiles urged.

Derek looked at Stiles with a glare.

"Just focus on me, pretend we're in a car. Tell me about something. Anything."

Derek focused on the whiskey color of Stiles' eyes. "Like what?"

"What's something you're passionate about?"

"What?" Derek snapped.

"Something that's important to you."

"My job," Derek blurted as another jolt of wind swayed them.

"What do you do?"

"I'm an architect."

"Then you know how safe these things are."

"I know how many times people take short cuts. I know how many people get trapped in buildings. I know how many lives could have been spared if someone didn't cut corners."

"You lost someone because of that, didn't you?" Stiles asked, a frown tugging at his features.

"My parents. They died in a house fire. The structure wasn't built right so the building came down on them before the fire department even got there." Derek's tone was sharp.

"I'm really sorry."

"My job is to make sure that the structure is as sound as it can be. You can't always prevent a collapse, but you can make sure a building holds long enough for everyone to get to safety. The firemen said that if the building had held for even five more minutes, my parents would be alive."

The wind was more consistent as the storm grew closer.

A sudden jolt made Derek grabbed Stiles' arm harshly. The seat rocked vigorously before starting a trajectory forward.

Stiles held Derek's hand. "There we go. See, we'll be back on the ground before you know it. You want to ski down or just ride the lift back?"

"I don't think I'm up for skiing down," Derek answered, his face was green and pale at the same time.

"Okay, I'll ride it with you. We'll get a hot chocolate after, yeah?" Stiles offered.

Derek's grip on Stiles didn't loosen. The rocking of the chair grew worse as the wind continued to pick up. "Okay."

"We're almost there, I can see the end," Stiles said in a comforting tone. "Just breathe."

Derek took in a deep breath and gently let it out.

"Five more chairs and we're there."

Derek took in another breath as the wind cut through them again.

"You gonna be okay to stand when we get off? You don't look so good."

"I'm really dizzy," Derek admitted.

"Okay, I'll help you. I'm right here, we're one chair away, okay? You ready?"

Derek nodded, his grip on Stiles' hand didn't loosen still.

"Alright ready and off we go." Stiles helped Derek stand and shuffle to the side, out of the way of the chairs.

"Solid ground, you're good." Stiles held Derek, letting him find his balance.

"We're so sorry about that. If you see the front desk, you can give them this. Free drinks for the remainder of your stay." A middle aged man dressed in a coat with the lodge logo handed them two vouchers.

"Thanks." Stiles took them and helped Derek to a nearby bench.

Derek still held onto Stiles. He felt like he was still in the lift. The ground shifted below him despite him not moving.

"Let's get these off." Stiles bent to help take Derek's skis off.

"Thanks," Derek said quietly.

"No problem." Stiles pulled his own skis off and held out a hand to Derek. "Can I offer you a hot chocolate by the fire?"

Derek considered declining and turning in for the night, but Stiles had been so nice and helpful when he didn't have to be.

"I'm worried I'll throw it up but sure." Derek took Stiles' hand and let him lead him inside.

"What about something small on your stomach? Ginger snaps are great for nausea."

Derek nodded as he took a seat in one of the small sofa's near the giant fireplace that sat in the middle of the lodge.

Stiles headed to the bar and slid the vouchers across. "Two hot chocolates and a plate of ginger snaps, please."

He took in a deep breath as he waited for the order. Taking care of a stranger on a ski lift was not something he thought he'd be doing right now, but somehow he was having more fun than if Theo was there with him.

"Here you go." Stiles set the try down on the table in front of Derek and took a seat next to him.

"Thanks." Derek reached for a cookie, having shed his jacket and gloves.

"Should you call Erica and Boyd or..." Stiles shifted in his seat. Honestly he didn't want to leave Derek but he couldn't glue himself to Derek's side just because he was here alone.

"No. Let them have the night."

Stiles nodded.

"You know, I'm technically here alone too. If you don't have plans tomorrow, maybe we could go ice skating. Give Erica and Boyd more time alone together without me having to come up with some obvious excuse." Derek stared down at the hot chocolate in his hands. The warmth felt good.

"You want to use me to get Erica and Boyd together?" Stiles quirked a brow.

"Well I didn't mean—"

"I'm only kidding. I'm invested now." Stiles laughed.

"Besides I owe you for—" Derek jerked a thumb over his shoulder.

"You don't owe me anything, Derek."

Derek looked up, meeting Stiles' eyes. The fire light danced in the bright brown color.

"I'd still like to make it up to you. I'm...honestly embarrassed." Derek dropped his eyes again.

"Dude, don't be. I didn't mind helping, if I even did."

"You did." Derek looked up again.

Stiles smiled before putting his mug to his lips.

Derek watched as Stiles licked the whipped cream from his lips. "Your boyfriend is an idiot."

This caught Stiles by surprise.

"Ex-boyfriend. And you don't know me. I'm a handful." Stiles plucked a marshmallow from the top of his drink and popped it into his mouth.

"Is that what he said?"

Stiles scoffed. "I talk a lot. I fidget too much. I'm always on the go."

"Those are the reasons he ended it?" Derek frowned.

"Supposedly. If you want my opinion, I think he met someone."

Derek snorted, "Figures."

"If you don't mind, I'd really rather talk about anything else." Stiles shifted in his seat.

"Right. Sorry." Derek was never good at cheering people up.

The pair talked for the next two hours before a blond came bouncing over.

"Derek!"

"Erica." Derek smiled at the blond.

"You didn't call and I now see why. Hello." Her eyes fell to Stiles.

"Hi." Stiles smiled.

"Derek, who's your friend?" Erica nudged Derek's shoulder.

"This is Stiles. We were stuck on the lift together."

"You didn't say he was cute," She teased. "I'm Erica, this is Boyd."

"Nice to meet you." Stiles' cheeks flushed at the compliment.

"I would have called but—"

"No, no, you don't have to explain." Erica cut in, a wide grin on her bright red lips.

"I'm guessing you're done skiing for the remainder of the trip." Boyd frowned sympathetically at Derek.

Derek huffed a laugh. "Yeah, probably."

"Okay, well what do you want to do instead?" Erica snagged a cookie from the plate, taking a seat on the arm of the sofa next to Derek.

"I actually invited Derek to go ice skating tomorrow. If you guys want to come with." Stiles looked at the pair with innocent eyes.

"Oh I'm terrible at Ice skating," Erica pouted.

"I can help you. I worked at a rink for a while in high school," Boyd offered shyly.

"Oh that's right." Erica beamed.

Derek tossed Stiles a smirk.

"Great, then I'll see you down here at say, ten?" Stiles asked, his eyes on Derek.

"Sounds good." Derek couldn't help the smile that pulled at his lips.

Stiles stood. "Nice meeting you two."

"You too!" Erica grinned.

"Goodnight, Derek." Stiles met Derek's eyes.

"Goodnight, Stiles."

Stiles was downstairs at nine-fourty-five. His fingers tapped on the top of the bar as he waited for his coffee. To say he was nervous was an understatement. He shouldn't be, it wasn't like it was a date. Derek was only going because he felt obligated to pay back Stiles for helping him.

"You're down here early," Derek's voice pulled Stiles attention.

"Yeah, just getting a—" at that moment his coffee was set in front of him. "—Coffee."

"Great minds think alike." Derek took a seat on the stool next to Stiles.

"Can I get you one?" Stiles asked with a wide grin.

Derek rolled his eyes as he watched Stiles push his free drink voucher across the bar.

"One more, please."

"Thank you." Derek shook his head.

"Where's Erica and Boyd?" Stiles looked to the large stairs that led to the floor of rooms.

"Getting ready. They'll be down shortly."

"I hope it was okay that I invited them. I know this isn't a date, but it could act as a sort of double date for the purposes of…you know…" Stiles waved a hand toward the stairs.

Derek smiled. "I think it's a great idea." He grabbed the coffee that was set down in front of him.

"So are you any good?" Stiles asked Derek.

"I'm actually a very good ice skater. Boyd used to let me in after hours when he worked at the rink."

"Great, well, I'll forewarn you, I'm terrible." Stiles gestured to himself. "Clumsy."

"But you can ski?"

"Oh no, I'm terrible at that too."

Derek let out a laugh. "Seems like a ski lodge wasn't the best place for you to vacation."

"It's still fun even if I am terrible."

"Well maybe I can give you some pointers."

"I will drag you down. Be warned."

Derek shrugged."You helped me on the lift, it's the least I can do."

"Nothing like a good obligatory date," Stiles teased.

"That's not what—"

"It's fine," Stiles cut in. "I'm only messing with you."

Derek looked like he wanted to say something else when Erica and Boyd reached them.

The walk to the ice skating rink wasn't far. The storm from the night before had moved on, leaving behind about three inches of fresh snow.

Stiles and Derek watched with a smirk as Boyd helped Erica lace her skates.

"They really are cute together," Stiles whispered.

Derek nodded in agreement.

A wide grin spread across Stiles' face. "How long have you two been together?"

Boyd and Erica looked at him like deer in headlights.

"Oh, uh…" Boyd cleared his throat.

"We're uh…" Erica glanced to Boyd.

"It's not…" Boyd looked to Derek for help. Derek only smiled.

"Oh, I see. Sorry, I just assumed. You're cute together either way." Stiles feigned innocents.

Erica beamed while Boyd gave her a fond smile.

"Alright, Derek, time for you to hold my hand," Stiles said, shuffling to the edge of the rink.

Derek stepped onto the ice like it was just regular ground. He spun to face Stiles, holding his hands out.

Stiles took them and gingerly stepped onto the ice.

Boyd and Erica followed suit, only Erica managed to steady herself whereas Stiles' feet instantly went out from under him.

"Whoa, easy." Derek released Stiles' hands, wrapping his arms around his waist to keep him from falling.

Stiles could smell the cologne Derek wore and the faint smell of coffee as he was held close to Derek's chest.

"I warned you," Stiles said as he got his feet back under him.

"I got you." Derek smiled.

"How are you so steady?" Stiles asked as he flailed his arm, trying not to lose his balance again.

"Spread your feet a bit more and bend your knees."

Stiles did as Derek said, carefully.

Derek carefully moved in front of Stiles, taking his hands again. "Now move one foot at at a time, leaning forward with your body."

Stiles tried and failed three times before he was able to move forward.

Carefully Derek skated backwards, leading Stiles, who was less skating and more shuffling like an old man with a walker.

"You're getting it," Derek encouraged.

"I'm definitely not but thanks." Stiles rolled his eyes.

"Here, watch me." He led Stiles to the side railing before letting him go.

Stiles watched as Derek glided across the ice effortlessly.

"Ridiculous, right?" Erica huffed, shuffling along the railing towards him.

Stiles saw Boyd skating towards her with a wide grin. "I thought you were right behind me."

"Oh I was." She smiled. "Then I wasn't."

Boyd rolled his eyes. "Come on."

"Good luck," Stiles offered with a grin as Boyd pulled her back away from the safety of the railing.

Stiles' eyes turned back to where Derek was skating towards him.

"Show off," Stiles teased when Derek reached him.

"You try."

Stiles let out a sigh before pushing away from the railing and towards Derek who was slowly skating backwards away from him.

"Just follow me."

Stiles pushed forward and managed to make headway before losing his balance. His feet went out from under him, but before he could impact the hard ice. Derek's arms caught him once again.

"How did you get to me so fast?" Stiles asked as Derek set him back upright.

"If you're this bad at ice skating I'm almost willing to go back on the lift to see you ski."

"I'm a much better skier than I am a skater."

"Have you ever been skating?" Derek asked doubtfully.

"Once. Third grade. My crush at the time had a birthday party at 'Golden skate'. I bruised my tail bone within the first five minutes."

Derek snorted with a shake of his head.

Stiles shifted slightly which sent his left foot into Derek's ankle. The pair went down in a tangle of limbs.

Stiles and Derek burst into laughter as they fought to untangle themselves.

Stiles stared at Derek in awe. He was stunning with his nose slightly red from the cold, his mouth split into a wide grin.

After an hour of Derek coaxing Stiles along, he was able to skate unassisted. It wasn't graceful like Derek or Boyd but he was just happy to be staying on his feet.

"We had good teachers, huh?" Erica asked skating carefully up next to him. She gestured to where Derek and Boyd were skating effortlessly around the rink together.

"This is the longest I've stayed on my feet." Stiles laughed.

"You two want to take a break?" Boyd asked as he and Derek skated towards them.

"I could use some solid ground and a hot drink," Erica said. "How about you, Stiles?"

Stiles only nodded. He didn't want this to end. He really liked spending time with Derek.

"You two go sit and we'll get some drinks," Derek offered, gesturing to umbrella covered picnic tables.

"This has been fun. It's nice to see Derek having fun." Erica smiled.

"He's been a lot of fun to hang out with."

Erica snorted. "You're the first person to say that."

"Why?" Stiles frowned.

"Derek isn't the most social. He's great with us, but most people find him…rude or mean."

Stiles thought about the glaring and growling up on the lift. "He was a bit grumpy on the lift but I just assumed it was because we were stuck."

"Well he seems to like you," Erica said thoughtfully.

Stiles hoped the cold hid the blush he knew he was sporting.

"Here you go." Boyd handed Erica a hot chocolate while Derek handed one to Stiles.

Stiles noted the mistletoe that was strung up under the umbrella edge just above Boyd and an idea popped into his head.

"I think we should photograph this moment. Derek take their picture." Stiles grinned as he urged Erica to stand next to Boyd.

Derek frowned as he pulled out his phone. "Okay…"

Stiles leaned over his shoulder and pointed to the mistletoe that hung above the pair in the picture.

Derek smirked.

Stiles feigned surprise. "Uh oh."

"What?" Erica asked, her smile fading.

"Look up." Stiles pointed above the pair.

Boyd and Erica looked up to see the mistletoe hanging above them. They looked at each other. Erica smiled. Boyd leaned forward, giving Erica a chance to pull away. Instead she leaned in, catching Boyd's lips on hers.

Derek and Stiles smiled triumphantly.

Derek gave Stiles a fond smile. Stiles responded with a wink.

When Erica and Boyd pulled apart, Erica was beaming.

"Like I said, cute together," Stiles said.

After their hot chocolate break, the four of them skated for another hour before heading in for lunch.

After lunch, the group was standing in the large lobby where the fireplace was burning.

"Well, I had a lot of fun today." Stiles shifted.

"Oh come on, we're not done. We thought we'd try snow tubing. There's no lift. It's a conveyor belt," Erica said, turning to Derek.

"Oh, I don't want to intrude. It was nice enough that you let me go skating with you guys."

"What? No, come on." Erica tugged at his arm.

Stiles glanced to Derek.

"I could use the company," Derek said, gesturing to where Erica and Boyd were holding hands.

Stiles agreed. He was secretly thrilled to spend more time with Derek.

Snow tubing went better than ice skating. They spent almost three hours tubing. By the end all of their tail bones were sore. They had dinner and before they knew it, it was late into the evening.

"Stiles, you have to give all of us your number, because we're keeping in touch," Erica demanded.

Stiles smiled. "Okay." He handed over his phone, where Erica put in the numbers before sending a text to each of them.

"There, now there's no excuse. I demand to hear from you at least once a week."

Stiles nodded obediently. He was dreading his flight tomorrow. He'd really enjoyed spending time with not only Derek but Erica and Boyd as well.

Erica nudged Derek's arm sharply.

Derek rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. "I umm, I usually visit my sister around the first of the year, she lives in Buffalo. Maybe we can…meet up?"

Stiles practically beamed. "I'd like that."

"We should take a picture." Erica clapped her hands together. "By the fire."

She took one of Derek, Boyd and Stiles. She took one with all of them and then one with Stiles.

"Oh let's do one more." Erica grinned mischievously.

"Stiles and Derek. Stand here." She pushed them over to where a string of garland was wrapped around a small archway.

Derek wrapped his arm around Stiles and smiled.

Erica snapped the picture and her smile widened.

"Oops." She pointed above them. And in the middle of the archway was mistletoe, hanging between them.

Stiles' face flushed brightly.

"Erica he has a boyfriend." Derek glared at her.

"Ex-boyfriend. Technically," Stiles corrected.

Derek looked at Stiles with a raised brow.

"See? Oh come on. You two look cute together. It's one kiss." Erica huffed, her arms crossing over her chest.

Stiles' eyes dropped to Derek's mouth. He'd love to kiss Derek but he couldn't decide if Derek wanted to kiss him.

Derek leaned forward slightly. "You don't have to do this."

"Neither do you." Stiles swallowed.

Neither moved away, both caught in place.

"Mistletoe is just a stupid tradition," Derek said, leaning in more.

"I don't even celebrate Christmas," Stiles agreed, following Derek's movement.

There was maybe five inches between them.

Stiles isn't sure who broke first but before he knew what was happening, Derek's lips were against his where he tasted the faintest hint of chocolate.

It was a sweet kiss, simple and unmoving.

Erica clapped and let out a small whoop, causing them to pull apart.

She winked at Stiles. "Like I said, cute together."

Consider buying me a coffee, I would really appreciate it!

#Sterek #Berica #Christmas oneshot #except not really #winter oneshot #Stiles x Derek #Boyd x Erica #Sterek fic #Sterek oneshot #oneshot #ficlet #My writing-H

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