potosi | we're bigger than we've ever dreamed

[ Stiles beams the minute he makes contact, laughing probably loud enough to be heard, and ducks back under the water when Derek looks where the water was. He's so caught, but that was beyond worth it; the weird human he'd been spending time with every now and then is as stoic as stoic can be, and he just makes it so easy sometimes.

Diving under the water, the last bit of him you can see is the glimmer of his tailfin peeking out of the waves before he's gone, swimming sideways so he can keep an eye on the shore. He's not exactly sure where these games came from, but Derek has visited him a few times since he was first let go, and he almost always brings books, or chats with him, or--banters, more like. Either way, it's always entertaining, and Stiles bypasses his dad with "i'll be home soon"'s and sneaks up to the surface, which is exactly what he's not allowed to do, to spend time with him. Catch him if you can, sucker. ]

[ Seeing the flash of vermillion after hearing the burst of laughter, Derek knows exactly who the culprit of his current state is. Sighing in mock-exasperation, he makes his way towards the water without even a second thought. His siblings are far enough away that their presence doesn't register, and he wades through the water at something of a diagonal to follow the direction that bright red disappeared into.

He doesn't splash around everywhere, or rush himself, and instead takes his time to track down where Stiles has gone off to. It doesn't take too long, because he's remarkably easy to spot considering the brightness of his scales on top of that pale skin that seems even paler in contrast to his scales. It's just a matter of keeping up, until he can catch him. This has become something like a game of tag, truth be told.

Really, he's starting to enjoy it. ]

[ If there's one thing Stiles has definitely learned about this human, it's that he's quiet. Most of the people who play on the beach are louder than Stiles is, playing games and running around and generally having the times of their lives, but Derek is like. Contemplative in comparison. It makes interacting with him interesting, because it seems like Stiles is the only one who can really rile him up.

But for now, he's pretty much oblivious to Derek right behind him. In fact, he stops, looking around in the water for a pair of legs or something nearby, and his tail bobs just a little in the water, fin cutting gracefully through the water. ]

[ Easing his way forward, more than willing to take his time if it means he can get the drop on the mer that's somehow crashlanded into his life, Derek hones in on the bob of his tail, the obvious target his fin makes. Laura and even their mother have taken absolute delight in teasing him for how quiet he is compared to other people, Laura above all suggesting to put a bell on him to keep him from giving her (and others) heart attacks. But he mostly embraces it, considering the advantage it gives him.

While Stiles is looking for him, he comes forward, getting closer. Just a few more steps between them, he waits until it seems as if he's facing forward and wouldn't be able to spot him before it was too late. And then, he propels himself forward, grabbing hold of his tail and pulling him backwards. ]

Ohmygod! [ Stiles shrieks when suddenly a hand grabs onto his red tailfin--Derek came out of nowhere, and he doesn't have enough time to try and fight against the current. With a splash and a yell, he goes straight backwards, and 150-some pounds of merman crashes backwards into Derek, arms windmilling as he tries to get back control of himself.

He can't help the fact that he turns back grinning, and smacks at Derek's chest with long, spindly fingers. ] Holy--jesus, you scared the hell out of me! You're supposed to stand there and look awed and wonder where the water came from.

[ His smirk goes a little lopsided, and he adds-- ] Dude, it's a good thing you weren't trying to kill me or anything, or I would have ripped your head off.

Edited 2013-12-01 05:35 (UTC)

[ Hardly surprised that his plan sort of backfires, and he winds up with a pile of merman crashing right into him and knocking him on his ass, Derek accepts his fate instead of fighting it and quickly wraps his arms around Stiles to keep him from going anywhere without squirming a considerable amount.

Amusement clear on his face, even as Stiles smacks at his chest, he curls his fingers a little into his sides-- making sure not to disrupt scales or gills or the myriad of strange aquatic things that could very well be in his possession-- and raises his eyebrows at him. ] After the numerous amount of times you've done this to me...

[ His head bows a little towards him, cocked just the slightest bit. ] Sure you would have. Good thing you're safe.

Well if you'd stop falling for it so easily, I wouldn't have to do it.

[ Stiles looks just as amused, even if he's now trapped in Derek's grip, and he keeps his hands on his chest for a second, long fingers spread wide before he lifts them up instead, wraps his arms around his shoulders, and makes a face. ] Did you bring me anything, or did you just come for funsies? Cause I could still totally drown you, if I felt like it.

[ Like he would ever feel like it. That's a hilarious joke. The merman's tail swishes through the water once, a slow arc behind him, and he pretty much allows the water and Derek to be his only supports for a little bit. ] I'm safe, huh. Not gonna hunt me for my ~scales~?

I could just avoid the water in general and then it wouldn't ever be a problem.

[ Derek shrugs his shoulders, like it's not a big deal to him. It sort of is at this point, considering the fact he'd find himself missing his merman a little more than he'd like to admit if he actually did stop coming to the beach in the hopes that he'd see him. His fingers skirt up slowly along his sides, and he tilts his head and hums softly in thought. ]

I might've brought you something to bribe you into not drowning me. [ Like Stiles ever would drown him. And like he'd ever try to skin him for his scales. His hand does drift down Stiles' back, though, so that he can run his fingers along the scales at his hip. ]

Absolutely not. They're perfectly fine where they are.

Yeah, okay. Hello, creature of myth here? [ Self gesturing. ] Nerd of myth there? [ Gesturing at Derek. ] You so couldn't keep away from me if you tried.

[ Stiles is really inordinately pleased by that fact, because having contact with the human world? Is awesome. Having Derek as sort of a guide? Just as awesome. He has a feeling Derek's kind of a loner when his family's not around, and Stiles--Stiles totally gets that, he really does. His tailfin swishes lazily behind him as he readjusts, face breaking into a grin at the confirmation. ] Aw, dude, you make me feel like some kinda' benevolent god or something.

Hit me. [ He pauses for a beat. ] With the goods, not with the fists. [ But that's a joke, obviously--someone is feeling very mischievous today. Sorry about your armful of merman, Derek. ]

I could. You're annoying enough to balance out the creature of myth aspect.

[ Except Derek really is a loner when it comes to anyone outside of his family, who have been referred to as a pack of wolves. It makes him the technical lone wolf, less prone to socializing outside of his siblings, his mother, his grandmother. And that's fine for him, especially now that he has Stiles in his life.

He thumbs at his scales absently where his hand has settled at his hip, arm around his waist but free hand moving to brace his weight behind him as he considers. ]

Depends on what you're in the mood for. I have more than one thing I could give you, and none of them involve fists. Mine, anyways.

I have no idea what you're talking about. [ He says this with a smile on his face, sweet and innocent, and then merrily bats at Derek's face with his tailfin.

He was asking for it, to be fair.

The merman leans back just a little bit, comfortable resting against the arm around his waist. This is nice, spending time up close and personal with a human--for as irritating as he'd been at first (and how very against his everything Stiles had been when he first walked up to the tank--he recalls some very harsh swears), Derek's grown on him. A lot. Especially if he keeps bringing presents. ]

What did I do to get more than one? If you're trying to bribe me, I don't do wishes. [ His smile goes lopsided, and he opens his arms. ] Surprise me.

Oh, of course you don't. [ That tone? Completely believing. Derek scrunches his face as he has the merman's tail batting at it, but otherwise doesn't react.

Their interactions really are a farcry from their first encounter. While he'd had good intentions, it didn't change the fact the two of them grated on each other for a long time. Even after Stiles was returned to the sea instead of another tank for display. (Or somewhere far, far worse.)

Resettling, he tips his head back to think. ] Merfolk wishes would come with a catch, anyways. Or, well-- yours probably would. [ He angles his head to eyeball him. ] Hm. I suppose I could give you a story of some kind...

[ #maybe ]

[ his mouth twitches up into a grin, and stiles nods, preening for a second. ][ scott would give out wishes for goodness, stiles thinks. out of the kindness of his heart. stiles would definitely charge a price, because it's hard being a merman, okay? sometimes you need things. like books, and stories from above. and sweet if strange and vaguely misanthropic men who bring them.

his smile drops a second and he frowns, reaching up and squishing both of derek's cheeks between his hands. ] It's my job to come up with the catches, not you! What's the stupid catch?

[ Sweet if strange and vaguely misanthropic is absolutely one of the best ways to describe Derek, and he wouldn't even be able to be offended by it. He would know that yes, this is true. Then there's overly curious and too sarcastic for their own good mermen that are still charming as anything.

His face scrunches up again, and he grumps audibly at him with a huff before shaking his head a little against his palms. ] I'm not you, I don't have a catch.

[ Reaching his hand up, he skirts his fingertips up Stiles' side ticklishly, in retribution for having his cheeks squished. ]

I am the catch--oh my god! [ stiles doesn't even get time to preen about his joke (which was hilarious, thank you) because then derek is tickling him. his hands flail away from his face and his tail snaps against the water, sending up another wave of water just out of instinct.

Rude. So rude.

however, he doesn't really leave--where he'd floated away just a little, he returns, resting his forearms on derek's broad shoulders. ] Great, so, if you don't have a catch, make with the news. And the not attacking me. Last time you were telling me about-- [ and he makes a wide, sweeping gesture, wiggling his fingers. ] ~Faoladh~.

[ It was not hilarious, it was awful, but Derek can't chastise him for it when he has to lean back to avoid getting a faceful of water. He barks out a laugh as it happens and Stiles floats away a bit, and while he'd be incredibly disappointed if he went swimming off... well, he doesn't. He comes back.

Shifting where he's seated, he starts to tip back a little so that he can lay his weight back on an elbow with his newfound mer-attachment. His other arm comes up around his waist again, fingers curling against a skin-and-scale hip. ]

Was I? About the people they protect, right? We both had to leave at that point.

Mm, yeah, I think so. [ it has been a little while since the sailor's reappeared on his beaches, after all, but stiles couldn't actually forget the stories he's been told; they stick with him for weeks after, simply because they're bits of the surface to grab onto, things he can hold between his fingers to use to understand that there's a world far beyond his.

it's not as solid as derek himself, of course, but it'll do.

obviously not uncomfortable with the arm around him, the merman settles with his hands resting on derek's chest, propping his chin on his hands to listen to him. ] So, what kind of people are we protecting, here.

[ They're lucky that no one comes down this way, because otherwise Derek's pretty sure they'd be getting some pretty interesting stares. Between the fact it's the elder son of the Hale family, there's the whole fact that a red-scaled tail is attached to Stiles where his legs should be. So, yeah, he kind of hopes that no one comes this way.

He would much rather not have an interruption now, not when he doesn't get to see Stiles that often.

His fingers tap against his hip a little, and he looks mock-thoughtful. ] They protect everyone who needs protection, especially children, but there are four specific kinds of people that they look out for the most. The lost, the lonely, and the injured are the ones that most know of.

[ stiles listens with rapt attention as derek talks; he perches his chin on his chest and doesn't move from there, looking nothing if not curious. it's been far too long since derek's come to visit him, and stiles has always been a rapt audience, let alone when the story gets left off in the middle. he enjoys arguing with him, bantering with him, picking finer points out of his stories, but lately, things have developed into something a little softer.

it's nice, it's really nice. he cocks his head for a second, though, eyebrows knitting together. ] So what's the fourth?

[ the lost, the lonely, and the injured...stiles remembers when he was rescued, and something soft and warm curls up happily in his chest, because derek is not just a wolf, as he'd learned before--he's one of these, too, even if he has yet to tell stiles so. anyone who would save his life from the black market had to be. ]

[ Arguing with Stiles is both infuriating and exhilarating, although he's not sure whether he's amused by the way he will frequently slap his tail into the water and splash at him when they bicker. He's a little shit, at the end of the day, but Derek is endlessly fond of him whether he'd admit to it or not. These encounters have him coming to the beach or going out on the water frequently, so that he might meet him more often.

It's good to have someone that isn't family to actually spend his time with. For as much as he loves them, this is different. It's not so lonely. ]

The fourth is one that not many know about, but it's the one that the faoladh cherishes the most. Children will grow up, the lost will find their way, the lonely will gain companionship, and the injured will heal. They'll either move on, or they'll continue under the faoladh's care as the loved.

The loved, huh. [ stiles hums under his breath, thinking about that one. the loved could mean anything, really, but he can't help but think of fairytales and princes and princesses. derek probably has some beautiful woman somewhere as his "loved one"--he's seen him on the beach with a pretty girl with curly dark hair before (laura, was her name?), and the thought is overall kind of depressing.

still, he'll settle for being the lost for now. he was lost until derek found him and brought him home, back to the ocean, to his terrified father and best friend. stiles could have very easily died that day, and he didn't.

his mouth tips up in a crooked half smile, and he, knowing the exact irony behind it and his own tail currently drifting through the saltwater, says it anyway. ] Sounds like a fairytale. Gonna wake someone up with a kiss, next?

[ Derek rolls his eyes at the irony, but shakes his head with some faint amusement at the question. There was someone, once. But after her death, there really hasn't been anyone since. (There almost was, with one of the Argents, but then that'd nearly gone up in flames, literally.) The only women he spends any time with are those in his family, despite the best attempts of suitors that come around to try and get his attention. ]

No, I'm not. There's not anyone to kiss, anyways. [ Though there could be, he dismisses that absent thought. Despite the fact that they're currently laying like this in the surf-- it's just easier for both of them, to make sure that Stiles, for the most part, just looks like another person in the water with him.

Besides, this is where Stiles belongs. In the water, where he's with his father and the best friend that he's heard so many stories about. ]

[ stiles grins at him; the half smile spreads up his cheeks and he gets a glint in his eyes that looks sort of mischievous. really, if it wasn't obvious by now, despite being a mythical creature of some kind of benevolence and kindness, stiles has a mischief streak about a mile wide.

(a part of him's a little sad at it, but he doesn't stay that. kiss me, he thinks, you could totally do that whenever you wanted.)

but, he'll just settle for ribbing on derek instead, tipping his head up and making a scandalized face and puts a hand on his heart. ] You? No one to kiss? No. Impossible. I'm totally in shock and awe. But who wouldn't want to give that curmudgeonly, hairy face a big fat kiss.

Oh, there are plenty of people up here who want to. [ Though there's humor in his voice, there's also a sour note to it. Derek is not particularly fond of his many lady - and gentleman, they're not that uncommon - callers. His siblings find a great deal of amusement in the fact that he's pursued by so many errant people, when he has no interest whatsoever in them.

All of his interest lies here, with this merman settled against him. And if that isn't one huge impossible, he doesn't know what is. ]

They're just not people I want to kiss. Or generally associate with. I fear that number is exclusive - my mother, sisters, brother, and you.

we're bigger than we've ever dreamed

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject