Title: Wolf in the House
Author: JoeLawson
Fandom: Teen Wolf
Pairing: Derek/Stiles (pre-slash)
Rating: PG
Warnings: Self-harm, bad dreams, insecurity, description of hunters killing and torturing werewolves
Genre: Domestic, the author calls it “fluff and humor” but there’s a major thread of anxiety and insecurity running through the story
Word Count: 33,481
Summary:
“What? It’s totally an improvement. He’s not scowling, or dating bad guys, or slinking around in unsanitary places. Still a bit paranoid, but what can you do. At least he’s a lot easier to get along with when you can buy his affections with ear rubs.”
“And you always wanted a dog,” Sheriff added wryly.
“And I always wanted a dog.”
Why You Should Read This:
Derek’s been captured by hunters that want him for his pelt. They’re going to make a rug out of him. The description of that isn’t pretty, when it comes up. He escapes and heads home.
The entire story is told from Derek’s POV, largely stuck in his wolf form throughout the story. He finds that embracing his wolf form ‘frees’ him from having to deal with nasty human responsibilities.
Since Isaac is staying with Scott, it falls to Stiles and the Sheriff to take in Derek — collar, chew toys, litter box and all. Derek quickly identifies the Sheriff as Alpha-Sheriff, the Alpha of their pack of three. Derek works (too) hard to fit in, trying to earn — and keep — his place in this pack that finally accepts him.
It’s really woobie!Derek at his woobiest. All the insecurities in his life make him desperate for someone who will accept him, which Stiles and the Sheriff do.
There’s really no romance here (sorry!), but there is a major bond between Stiles and Derek where Stiles is Derek’s best defender. It’s a story of Derek learning that maybe he can be a ‘real’ boy, and that he has a place where he’s accepted for what he is.