The Magic Man

Summary: Follows Riding Out The Storm. Stiles' curiosity gets him into an unexpected predicament. Derek has to deal. Written for Halloween
Warning(s): M/m; D/s; Disciplinary spanking; fluff.
Pairing: Derek/Stiles

###

Stiles would have groaned, if he'd been capable of it. He tried and it came out sounding more like a sick growl. He knew he shouldn't have gone to investigate his dad's new girlfriend's ex-boyfriend...especially not alone. But he'd caught the creep hanging around his dad's house spying and...well, he just needed to protect his family.

In hindsight, he should have told someone, if not his father. He should have told Derek, at the least. But he hadn't. Instead, he'd snuck into Creep's home while Creep was out...had taken too long snooping, because the stuff he'd found was 'what the hell?' And got caught by Creep when he'd unexpectedly and quietly returned home.

And turned Stiles into a cat.

Stiles was a cat.

Fucking damnit! he screamed. It sounded like an angry yowl. A neighboring cat responded in kind and Stiles listened closely, just in case he understood and it turned out to be another poor unfortunate polymorphed individual.

It was just a cat.

"Well, this is convenient," Creep said, with a nasty grin. "Your father took something important to me, so I'll just take something important to him. I'm sure you'll be happy enough with me. Not like you'll ever turn back into your own self again, anyway. There's only one way that could ever happen and I don't think you'll be able to figure it out..." Creep chuckled.

Angrily, Stiles bit as Creep reached down to pick him up. While Creep was yelling and overreacting to the puncture wound in his thumb, Stiles used the opportunity to jump out the open window and run.

He needed help and there was only one place he could think of to go for it.

***

Since being snowed in with Stiles and claiming the human as his mate, Derek had been happy...mostly. Of course, he still had to field worried questions from Scott, who was showing his teeth (though not literally) and growling and being aggressive (those were literal). Plus, he was still trying to make sure his mate kept himself out of trouble, which seemed to be the only current way his wolf was remaining calm and settled.

And he'd caught a trace of an unfamiliar scent. Of another werewolf, though not of his pack.

That combined with yet another round of, 'If you hurt him, I'll tear your throat out,' from Scott had Derek in a pretty foul mood. He might be making more of an effort to be sociable, at least for Stiles' sake, but the thought of being around anyone else right now was difficult.

Except Stiles. Stiles was the only person who Derek could stomach the thought of seeing right now.

After he'd let himself into the house, Derek took out his phone and sent off a quick text to his mate. You free?

***

Stiles's phone pinged, startling him so badly he jumped four feet into the air like a scalded... well... cat. He sneezed in lieu of laughing at his own thoughts, then continued on his way back to the apartment, trying to piece together all the clues.

First clue: He'd been turned into a cat by a male witch... Warlock... Or was it a sorcerer or wizard like in those DnD games he'd played?

Second clue: His clothes had changed with him... Including his phone... Which was a relief of sorts. If he switched back to human in the middle of a bunch of the pack, at least he wouldn't be naked, hopefully.

Third clue: there was a way to unfo the change. If he could figure it out.

Fourth clue: he was having to really fight the urge to chase the birds he saw as he was running to the apartment.

Fifth clue: he... Was that a speck of dirt on his paw? He stopped running and began to lick at the spot, grooming. No. That was some of the chocolate from his candy bar he'd eaten right before going to snoop. Was chocolate bad for cats? Would he have to eat cat food? He meowed in distressed disgust at the idea of never eating candy again, before shaking off the depression and running even faster toward the apartment.

Thankfully, it was only a few miles away from Creep's lair. It only took him a couple of hours to reach, instead of several days. Now he just needed to figure out how to get in. He'd left the bedroom window open that morning for the fresh air, but it had a screen in it.  Plus, it was on the second floor. Even as a person with hands, it would have been a difficult entrance. Maybe he could just sit on the porch and yowl and as soon as Derek opened the door to see what the fuss was, he could run in between his mate's feet? Yeah. That's what he'd do.

Padding up the apartment stairs to outside the apartment door, Stiles began to mreowl. Loudly. Persistently. Annoyingly.

Derek hadn't been too concerned about Stiles not immediately responding. His mate was smart and intelligent...but he was also likely to get distracted. The chances were good that he'd heard his phone ping, but then focused on whatever held his attention. Derek wasn't worried, since Stiles spent more time at his place than he did at his father's now. His mate would be by later that day.

And then the loud, persistent, annoying sound of a cat outside his apartment made it impossible for Derek to concentrate on anything else.

He didn't like cats. And they didn't like him, either. They gave him a wide berth, often hissing or growling at him because they knew he wasn't human and they sensed he could be a threat to them. So why in the world was there a cat persistently yowling outside his door?

Irritated and annoyed, Derek strode to the door to yank it open. If the cat hadn't figured out he wasn't human before, there was no chance it wouldn't realise now. All it would take was for the creature to scent him and then it would take off.

As soon as the door was yanked open, Stiles ran in between Derek's legs, making a beeline to the couch and hopping up onto the back of it so that he was as close to eye-level as it was possible to be. He then stared straight at Derek and meowed again, loudly, It's me! Please be able to tell it's me, even though I can't talk.

Derek's eyes widened as the cat, instead of running away, actually darted into the apartment and jumped onto the couch like it belonged there. The animal was lucky that Derek had a good control over his wolf, because his immediate instinct on something else invading his space was to attack. As it was, he gave the cat his most ferocious glare, pointed at the door, and said, "Shoo."

Stiles was tired and frustrated, having had to run several miles on little cat legs and not being able to talk. Having his hopes of Derek recognize him quickly quashed was too much. Slumping (as much as a cat could slump), he let out a plaintive, almost sad meow...then dug in his claws so Derek couldn't easily pick him up and throw him out the door.

Derek shook his head and reached out, grabbing the cat under its belly...only to pause and stare at the claws that were hooked so deeply into the couch, he wouldn't be able to force the animal free without causing it serious harm. And maybe he would have...if it didn't occur to him that learning he'd hurt a cat would probably upset Stiles. Still....

"You need to go home," Derekt informed the cat. "And that's not here. I don't like cats." He considered taking out his phone and trying to call Stiles...but he didn't want his mate to think Derek couldn't get rid of a cat by himself. He could get rid of the cat. He just had his conscience, that had been pricked at already by Scott earlier, telling him he'd regret it if he harmed the cat. And it would upset Stiles if he found out about it.

Stiles looked up at Derek, his eyes wide and begging, and he meowed again, Please recognize me... I am home....  He then twisted his head around and licked Derek's arm, then headbutted the spot he'd licked, as if seeking pets.

Derek growled low in his throat as the cat ignored the fact it didn't belong and wasn't wanted here. He had no clue why the animal wasn't reacting to the werewolf. Was there something wrong with its sense of smell? The cat still had its claws dug in the couch, which meant that Derek couldn't pull it free without hurting it. He frowned, narrowed his eyes, and growled again...hoping that the cat would get the message and go home.

Don't growl at me! Stiles growled back in frustration that his lick and headbutt hadn't garnered him the desired pets and Derek was still trying to pry him from the couch. He gently nipped Derek's arm- a love bite, really- then head-butted his mate again and meowed in a demanding voice.

Derek scowled at the cat, which was still demanding something from him...although he had no clue what. "What do you want?" His frustration ebbed slightly as he thought about getting Stiles to come and help him deal with the cat. His mate still hadn't responded to the message, which wasn't unusual. Maybe he should try messaging again? Better yet, take a picture of the cat. That would probably pique Stiles' interest to surface from whatever he'd got caught up in.

Mreowing again, Stiles headbutted Derek's arm yet again, then rubbed his head against the older man in an attempt to encourage pets. Really? I can't be any more obvious... He meowed again. You really don't like cats... he finally acknowledged, suddenly worried that Derek would put him outside and he'd not only not be able to get help, he'd never see his mate again.

Derek sighed. "Pretty much every cat I meet has a much stronger survival instinct than you," he informed the animal. "There something wrong with your sense of smell or something? Cats and wolves aren't known for getting along." It was hard to completely ignore the cat's actions and he softened his grip a little...almost but not quite stroking. He'd made more of an effort for Stiles' sake, but he really wasn't good at gentle.

Feeling the stroking, and knowing Derek was at least trying, gave Stiles encouragement, and he began to loudly purr from happiness. He rubbed his nose and head along Derek's arm while purring, giving his own brand of feline affection. His meow of, I love you sounded more like a trilling chirrup with him purring.

Derek sighed again, still awkwardly stroking the cat's head. "You aren't a normal cat," he grumbled. "If you were, you would be running away. Not purring." His voice wasn't nearly as irritable as it should have been. Something about the sound was soothing...even though he didn't think it should be.

Stiles chirruped meowed again at the words. Nothing about this situation was normal, but even in normal situations, everyone tended to think Stiles was a bit odd. It amused him and he sneezed delicately in amusement, before continuing to rub his head against Derek's arm.

"But you still can't stay here forever," Derek said. "The next pack meeting, someone is going to get hurt." And he was worried it would be the cat, since it seemed to have no sense of self-preservation.

You'll protect me, Stiles confidently meowed, headbutting Derek's arm again and giving a gentle love nip.

Derek shook his head and took out his phone. "I should call Stiles," he muttered. "He'd probably find this all hilarious." And, of course, he actually wanted to see his mate.

Stiles chirruped again at those words and took the opportunity to jump off the couch and head into the kitchen. He was thirsty. If he was lucky, the glass of water he hadn't quite finished when he'd last been over would still be there. Or something to drink.

Shaking his head, Derek followed the cat into the kitchen, hitting the button to dial his mate's number.

Stiles couldn't find anything to drink and hopped up on the counter, giving Derek an almost demanding look. He opened his mouth to meow insistently, just as Derek hit the call button. Instead of meowing, 'Hungry Like the Wolf' pealed from the cat's open mouth. He blinked in surprised consternation.

Derek blinked and stared at the cat. That was Stiles' ringtone. Coming out of the cat's mouth. The cat that was acting strangely. The cat that was being affectionate and purring and headbutting a werewolf that should have left it running for the hills.

But what Derek was thinking was impossible. Wasn't it? Of course, the alternative was that the cat had swallowed Stiles' phone, which was just as impossible...not least because if that had happened, he would have ended up with Stiles round his place complaining about it.

Still, it was a possibility...even if it was unlikely, it was just as possible as Stiles having been turned into a cat.

Disconnecting the call and putting the phone away, Derek moved over to the cat and began to quickly run his hands over the furry body...looking for any lumps or hard objects around the stomach that shouldn't be there. Just in case it wasn't his immediate thought that Stiles had been actually turned into a cat.

Stiles squirmed and wriggled and pushed into Derek's hands, fully enjoying the rub down even if it seemed to have ulterior motives. He purred loudly, rolling onto his back, showing his belly, and swatting playfully at Derek's hand.

It wasn't a surprise not to find any hard objects around the cat's stomach...but having his suspicions confirmed made Derek feel ill. He leaned back and stared at the cat, hardly able to believe that this was a possibility. But then again, he could change into a wolf. Transformations weren't unheard of. But even so.... "Stiles?"

Stiles heard the tone of Derek's voice and knew his mate was upset. He wasn't terribly happy about it himself, but now that Derek knew... Maybe he could help? Stiles sat up and looked into Derek's eyes, giving a tiny, purring meow in acknowledgement that it was him.

"Fuck." Derek closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening his eyes again and focusing on Stiles. "You need to show me who did this to you," he stated firmly.

Stiles gave another tiny meow, licking Derek's hand. He had no clue how he was meant to show Derek anything. He didn't have long to think on it, though... The ringtone for his father began to sound from his nose.

Sighing heavily, Derek rubbed his hand down Stiles' neck. "I'm going to need to tell your dad something until we figure this out. I can't tell him you were turned into a cat."

If a meow could sound sheepish, Stiles' meow was. It was also very worried. The one who had done this to him was stalking his dad's new girlfriend and his dad.

"Is your dad in danger?" Derek asked, picking up on the worry.

Stiles blinked twice and meowed, hoping Derek understood that to mean yes. Before he could do anything else, Derek's phone began to ring, Stiles' father calling him.

Derek sighed. "Well, that's him calling now. I'll have to tell him you're...." He paused and shook his head, before shrugging helplessly. "Researching something at the library?" He answered his phone.

As soon as Derek had answered the phone, Stiles could hear his father's extremely worried voice. "Derek? Is Stiles with you? He didn't answer his phone. There... He may be in danger. The woman I just started dating... Apparently, her ex is not mentally stable. He's been stalking her. We had to get a restraining order against him to keep him away from both of us, but he left... He left a very cryptic note and a picture of Stiles and...." Stiles would have winced at the agony underlying his father's tone, if he could.

Derek raised his eyebrows at cat-Stiles, but didn't say anything. He thought he could understand just how his mate had been turned into a cat, if Stiles had taken it into his head to try and 'investigate' his dad's girlfriend's ex. He spoke to the older man in a calm voice. "Stiles is safe. He's at the library doing some research. I got off the phone with him a few minutes ago. Do you want me to go by the library and get him to call you?" The Sherriff would know how his son got when Stiles was focused on something. Derek hoped that excuse would buy him some time to figure out what had happened and how to reverse it.

There was a pause and an audible intake of breath before Stiles's father said, in a slightly calmer voice, "No... If you heard from him and he is in a public area... Just. Please keep an eye on him? You know how he can get and... This guy is bad news."

Stiles looked a mix of offended cat pride and sheepishness.

"Of course. I'll make sure he's safe." Eyes still focused on his mate in cat form, Derek asked, "Can you tell me anything about this guy?" It was obvious the man had some kind of magical ability. But if Derek could get the pack on him, they'd likely be able to force him to turn Stiles back.

"He has a temper and a cruel streak. He has managed to...somehow...convince anyone who has attempted to hold him accountable...that it was all a mistake... It's almost like he puts a spell over them, if I believed that was possible..." Stiles' dad sounded frustrated.

"Do you know where he's likely to be?" Derek figured the Sherriff would assume he wanted to make sure he and Stiles stayed away from those areas. In reality, Derek wanted to figure out where the best place to ambush the man was.

"He had a place about five miles east of town..." He gave an address. "Make sure Stiles stays away from there. Please? He listens to you ...."

"I'll keep Stiles safe," Derek promised, leaving unsaid that he would always keep his mate safe.

"Thank you." The sense of relief in the Sheriff's voice was palpable and made Strikes squirm in guilt. He hated making his family worry. What if they couldn't find a way to change him back? What would Derek have to tell his father? What would Derek do?

"I'll call again later. See if Stiles is available then..." The Sheriff signed. "Thank you, Derek." The sound of the phone disconnecting filled the room.

Derek sighed and put his phone away, then turned to cat-Stiles. "Let me guess. You went to confront her ex and he was the one who turned you into a cat."

The sheepish, reluctant meow from Stiles answered in the affirmative.

"I know he didn't follow you. I would have smelled someone else out there." Derek began pacing. "I'll get the pack to meet me so we can confront him."

At that, Stiles began meowing in a slightly scared, obviously protesting manor.

"Stiles. I don't know how to change you back," Derek said. "And he'll likely still be a danger, to you and your dad. He needs to be dealt with."

Stiles meowed unhappily. Derek didn't know how to change him back. What if he couldn't figure out how? He didn't know how to ask, but if he was stuck as a cat, would Derek still want him?

Derek paused in his pacing. "We'll figure it out, Stiles." He could tell his mate was unhappy and figured it was because Stiles was worried about being stuck.

Stiles meowed sadly, uncertainly. He hesitantly headbutted Derek. What if we can't? he meowed again, not really expecting an answer.

Awkwardly, Derek reached out and stroked cat-Stiles' head. "We'll find a way," he reiterated.

Stiles sat quietly, feeling helpless and uncertain. He didn't know if he believed they'd be able to fix him, but he knew Derek would try. It was getting late, though. Time for the rest of the pack to show up and hang out.

"The others are going to be here soon," Derek commented. "It'll be best if I tell them the truth."

Stiles didn't meow this time. He just jumped up onto Derek's shoulder, pressing close to his neck. He felt a need to be close to his mate.

Derek gently stroked his fingers along cat-Stiles' neck, sighing quietly to himself. He couldn't really say that this was how he'd planned to spend his afternoon...but it was Stiles and he wouldn't do anything other than take care of his mate and try to find a way to help him.

Feeling slightly reassured by the gentle stroking, Stiles began to relax and purr, kneading Derek's shoulder.

Derek sighed and walked over to the fridge, opening it and grabbing some meat out. "I hope your body is going to be able to digest this, because I don't have any cat food." He began to feed Stiles, figuring that was why his mate had ended up in the kitchen.

Stiles hadn't thought he was hungry... Until Derek got the food out. He'd actually been trying to figure out the best way to get a drink. But as soon as the food was held out, he snatched a piece, swallowing it down. He purred louder.

Derek continued to feed cat-Stiles, every so often stroking his head, or scratching lightly behind his ears.

It didn't take long for Stiles to be filled. He was still thirsty, though. Jumping off of Derek's shoulder onto the kitchen cabinet, he padded over to the sink and began to bat at the faucet with his paw, attempting to turn on the water.

Derek moved over to the sink and turned the tap on, making sure the water wasn't hot. He didn't know how sensitive a cat's mouth was to temperatures.

Meowing a thank you, Stiles carefully leaned forward and began to lap at the stream of water. His ears perked up as he heard someone coming up the stairs.

Derek glanced towards the sound, automatically inhaling to identify the person by scent.

Shortly after, there was a banging on the door. "Derek, open up, boy. We need to discuss some things...." Peter called through the door.

"Don't go anywhere," Derek told cat-Stiles, before heading over to the door to open it.

Stiles huffed, as if to say 'where would I go?', and hopped down off the cabinet to stealthily follow Derek...while making sure he kept his mate between him and the door. He didn't trust Peter.

Peter banged on the door again.

Derek pulled the door open. "What do you want?" His tone wasn't outright hostile, but he wasn't that happy to see the older man and made no attempt to hide it.

"I've been hearing rumors about a magic user in our territory. He needs to be chased off before he makes himself comfortable and invites friends to come join him..." Peter said bluntly. He tried to make it sound like a suggestion and not an order, but it was difficult.

"I'm already aware," Derek replied blandly. "And when the rest of the pack gets here, we'll make a plan."

"You're already...?" Peter paused, finally seeing Stiles. "Why you have a blasted cat? You don't like cats. Cats don't like us!"

"It's Stiles." Derek didn't like or particularly trust Peter, but there was no point in hiding that information. The whole pack had to be aware of what the magic user could do.

Peter snorted in faintly mean amusement. "Figures he'd be a cat.... That how you know about the warlock?"

Stiles growled in irritated offence at Peter's tone, not entirely certain what was meant by the first comment.

Derek ignored the first comment, but answered the question. "I figured out it was Stiles. Then his dad called, worried about his safety. I have the warlock's address."

"Well... May as well take him to his father. We go kill this warlock. Doubt he'll undo the spell and it most likely broke the mate bond... You're free!" Peter crowed.

Stiles yowled in distress. He hadn't noticed before...but Peter was right. He didn't feel the connection to Derek he'd felt since being claimed by his mate. It wasn't gone, exactly; but he couldn't feel it.

"That isn't going to happen," Derek replied. "No matter what form he takes, he's still Stiles. And he's still my mate. I'm not handing him over to someone else." Even if that 'someone else' was Stiles' father.

Peter actually looked sympathetic. "If he never changes back... No one would blame you for moving on. You shouldn't have to be alone...."

Stiles meowed pathetically and wound around Derek's legs. Peter had a point. If Stiles never returned to human form, he was leaving Derek alone for all intents and purposes, even if it wasn't planned or wanted. And he loved Derek. He didn't want his mate to be alone.

Derek leaned down and picked up Stiles. "Even if he doesn't change back, it won't make a difference. He's still mine. And I'm keeping him."

Peter rolled his eyes. "Fine. Have fun with that..." He snorted.

Stiles purred and snuggled closer to Derek.

Peter slanted his head. "We'll want to find out more about this guy before going after him. I'll get Scott and Isaac on it...."

Derek nodded. "We don't know what else he can do, so no confronting him until we know more."

"Yeah. Makes sense..." Peter eyed Stiles. "Werewolf cats would be... Problematic." He snorted again. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Once we've got more intel."

Stiles snuggled against Derek, purring.

Derek just nodded, moving closer to the door so that he could make sure Peter actually left.

"Yeah... Fine. I'm going. Don't be an idiot..." Peter smirked, his glance at Stiles making it clear he thought Stiles was one for having got 'caught' by the warlock.

He left, closing the door with a slam that made Stiles jump despite himself, the feline ears more sensitive than his human ears.

Derek sighed and gently scratched behind Stiles' ears. "You need some more water? Or food?"

Stiles meowed before making a very uncatlike gesture of shaking his head 'no'.

"Okay." Derek sighed. "I could try and do research, but Scott and Isaac are on it anyway. And you don't have opposable thumbs, so I can't ask you to do your normal research."

Stiles sneezed in agreement, before licking Derek's hand.

"Want to watch some TV?" Derek asked.

Stiles meowed, pressing close to Derek. There wasn't a lot they could do together with him being a cat. But they could watch TV.

Derek carried Stiles over to the couch in the main room and sat down, switching on the TV so that they could watch together.

Stiles curled up next to Derek, his head against Derek's thigh, purring as Derek put on one of the shows they mutually enjoyed.

Derek let his hand rest gently on Stiles' head, watching the show. There wasn't much else they could do now...and it was getting late, so it wasn't long before Derek turned the TV off and then carried Stiles through to his bedroom, so that they could both sleep and then figure out the next steps in the morning.

****

Stiles had curled up tight against his mate, but it had taken longer to fall asleep than he could ever remember. He finally had fallen asleep, though. When he woke, he was still tight against Derek, his head on his mate's chest. He stretched, one arm and leg after the other, before even opening his eyes along with a loud purr. He paused mid-stretch. Why did his purr sound like a groan? He carefully opened one eyelid to look at his paw.

He saw a hand.

Sitting up fast enough to make himself dizzy, he yelped, "I'm me again!" Loudly enough to wake Derek, possibly even the whole apartment building.

Derek woke immediately, coming to alert and prepared for a fight...though he managed to avoid shifting. It took him longer than he would have liked to focus on Stiles and realise that the loud shout that had woken him up was coming from his now human mate.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" Derek immediately began checking over Stiles, more concerned that his mate's changing could have damaged Stiles in some way.

Stiles blinked, but didn't protest being examined. "No, sir. I feel normal. Nothing hurts or feels wrong...." He looked at Derek with wide eyes. "How did I change back?"

"I don't know." Derek stopped examining Stiles, but didn't move his hands from his mate's body. "Did you feel anything when you changed back?"

"No... I fell asleep and didn't wake up until now... If I felt something, I think I'd wake up..." Stiles said uncertainly. He began thinking about everything that had occurred since he'd turned into a cat. "I didn't do anything unusual, or eat anything unusual while a cat. No one said any magic words to change me back. You and Peter are the only ones who knew and he wouldn't help me without you making him, so...." He paused before giving Derek a grateful and adoring look. "Thank you, by the way. For telling him you weren't dumping me. I wouldn't have blamed you if you had decided to give me to my dad and washed your hands of me. Especially since it was my own fault for getting turned into a cat anyway. Hearing you promise that you would keep me in whatever form I was, even if it meant taking care of me.... I can't describe the feeling, but I'll never forget it."

A surprised look came over Derek's face and he moved his hand to Stiles' neck, gripping gently. "You're my mate, Stiles. Even if sometimes I want to shake some sense into you, I would never dump you on anyone else. No matter what form you're stuck in. Not even if it was to your father. You're mine."

Stiles gave Derek a crooked smile. "I believe you... It just. It... I love you so much and... I was afraid. Even though I know you love me, I couldn't stop thinking how I'd deserve it if you left me. I'm sorry. For scaring you, for worrying you, for being so insecure... I dunno. It just meant the world, hearing you say you were keeping me...."

"You know I still am, right?" Derek asked. "Even though you're human now. You're still mine. I'm still keeping you. I would hope this didn't happen again, but if it did...it wouldn't change that."

Stiles smiled again, a little more reassured, and pressed close to Derek in a tight hug. "I hope it doesn't happen again. It shouldn't have happened this time..." he admitted

"It shouldn't have," Derek agreed. "If you were worried, you should have come to me. This sort of thing is exactly why there are rules in place."

Stiles looked down, snuggling closer. "I'm sorry. I messed up. I know I should have gone to you. Even if I didn't think he was supernatural... I knew he was dangerous. Going by myself was stupid. Are... Are you going to spank me?" he asked hesitantly. Reluctantly.

"Yes," Derek replied. "You knew it was dangerous. You should have come to me instead of going to confront him on your own. He could have done a hell of a lot worse than turn you into a cat."

"Yessir.... I know I deserve it..." Stiles whispered. He obviously felt guilty for what he'd put Derek through. "Can I call my dad first, though? Let him know I'm safe with you?" 

Derek nodded. "Did your phone change back with the rest of you?"

Stiles got a comical look on his face and looked down. He was wearing the same clothes he'd had on the day before, including his shoes. He frantically stuck his hand into his pocket, visibly relaxing when he was able to pull it out. "Phew... Was afraid I might have to go to the doctor with an unexplainable condition if my phone ended up inside of me...." He smiled impishly to show he was teasing.

"I think we can both do without one of those." Derek wasn't smiling. He was all too aware of everything that could have gone wrong. Stiles ending up with his phone inside was only one of the things that could have happened.

Stiles' smile slipped as he realized Derek hadn't been amused by his attempt at levity. "Sorry..." he mumbled. "Never did know when to not be a smartass..." This was said to himself more than Derek, but the wolf would hear. "I'll just... Call Dad now..." He quickly dialed.

When his father answered, he quickly reassured the older man. "Hi, dad. Derek told me about that guy you are worried about. I'm going to be staying with Derek when I'm not in class or work, instead of at my apartment. So you don't need to worry. Yeah. I know. I won't do anything stupid or try and investigate on my own..." He winced slightly. If his father never found out he'd already done that, he'd be happy. "You be careful too. It's you and Heather he is mad at most, after all.... Love you too. Bye." He quietly disconnected and put his phone on the bedside charging station, before turning to Derek.

"I kinda figured if I was getting a spanking, you were grounding me too... or at least would want me with you when I wasn't in class or work..." he said softly.

Derek nodded. "You are grounded," he confirmed. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you." Then again, he tended to do that anyway. Reaching out, he grasped Stiles' wrist, pulling his mate towards him, and began to strip him of his clothing.

Stiles swallowed hard but didn't fight. "I really am sorry..." he whispered. "I... I was scared that I had messed up so bad and I know I deserve to be punished, but I am so sorry...."

"I'm glad to hear that," Derek replied. "But I want you to remember to come to me first...not do the opposite of what I expect and then be sorry after the fact." Once Stiles was naked, he moved his mate over to the bed and sat down, drawing Stiles across his lap.

Stiles winced at the words, feeling guiltier that he hadn't done that without needing the reminder. He willingly went over Derek's lap, immediately wrapping his arm around the older man's leg, hugging tight. He didn't expect Derek would go easy on him, given what had and could have happened.

Derek wrapped his arm around Stiles' waist, pulling his mate in close and tight against his stomach. Then, lifting his hand, he brought it down in a firm smack at the crest of Stiles' bottom, before repeating the swat on the other side.

Stiles didn't try to be brave or hide his reactions. It had been a very long, trying night; not knowing if he'd ever become human again. That along with the guilt he felt at having unnecessarily scared Derek meant it took very little time before he was crying vocally and squirming. He wasn't fighting, though and it was obvious he needed Derek to punish him, hold him accountable, and show him who was in charge and who he needed permission from, before he did dangerous things like he had done.

Derek merely tightened his grip on Stiles, making sure his mate couldn't squirm off his lap, or otherwise hurt himself. He continued to swat, covering every inch of Stiles' backside down to mid-thigh before he began again from the top. "The next time you're worried about someone, you come to me," he ordered. "You don't confront someone on your own. No matter what."

"Yessir. Won't go alone. Will come to you first and let you decide..." Stiles choked out between tears. The words were strained and slightly scared sounding. It was finally catching up to him how close he'd come to being 'lost'. He hadn't had time while a cat to really think about it, but now? The fear had caught up to him. He began shivering and his grip on Derek tightened.

"Good." Derek gentled his tone a little, if not the swats. He completed the second circuit and began a third, going a fraction harder and faster. "It could have gone so much worse than it actually did, Stiles. You're lucky you were able to change back at all!"

At those words confirming his fears, Stiles slumped over Derek's knee and just sobbed. He had nothing to say in his defense. He just wanted to submit to his mate, let Derek be in charge and take care of him. It was the only way he'd feel safe

Derek finished with a final flurry of swats to Stiles' sit spots and thighs, then stopped spanking. He moved Stiles onto his lap instead of over it, cuddling his mate tightly. He didn't show it often, but he'd been scared for his mate.

Stiles immediately clung to Derek like a monkey, taking advantage of the rare moment of cuddly affection. "I'm sorry..." he whispered again. He couldn't help himself. It was easier to encapsulate all the tumultuous feelings coursing through him in those two words than try to explain. He hoped Derek understood

"I know. And I forgive you. I love you. I've got you." Derek wrapped his arms tighter around Stiles, rubbing his hair and down his back. "I've got you," he repeated, like he was trying to convince himself as much as Stiles.

"You do... Forever, you got me .." Stiles slowly relaxed, still clinging to Derek, but some of the residual fear calming. "Love you so much...."

"I love you." Derek pressed his face into Stiles' neck, kissing his mate there and inhaling his scent...letting that calm the wolf.

Stiles pressed into the more possessive affection. "Yours..." he whispered. "Belong to you." 

"Mine." Derek's voice was very low...very possessive...nearly a growl.

Stiles sighed softly. "Glad you got me..." he admitted.

Derek said nothing. He just held tightly to Stiles, letting the scent and feel of his mate calm the wolf...calm him. They still had to deal with the warlock, but at least now his mate was safe.

Stiles settled into place, safe and secure in his mate's arms.

The End