Fandom: TEEN WOLF (TV)
Pairing: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski
Length: ~ 22552 words
Author on LJ: blinkiesays
Author Website: writing on AO3
Why this must be read: Because any story that starts out with Stiles and Derek running through the forest, injured and desperately looking for a refuge, is promising, in my books. Yes, it's a "forced to get wolf-married" story, but rather than a bout of sex, Derek marks Stiles with a handprint. (Supernatural fans, you know how a profound bond can be established by a handprint!)

The handprint gives them the ability to sense the other person and his emotions. It also means that Derek's instincts kick into high gear, including needing to be near Stiles to protect him, which causes some tension with Stiles' dad when Derek basically moves in. Of course, nothing's going on between the boys, but all those linked emotions, living together, and the continuous threats to their lives have to have some effect on them.

I love a story with a slow build, with great (hilarious) dialogue, with little turns of plot (Stiles, do you really want to go on a date with someone else?), and the whole backwards married-then-dating way of getting together that ends with a romantic gut-punch when the characters have to make a choice about the relationship they accidentally wound up in. This story has pretty much everything I love, and as a bonus it's really funny. Stiles' inner monologue is a joy to behold, and Derek's dry sarcasm is perfect.

( It was, like, a platonic claim! Or the hags would have let the hunters kill us! )

On AO3: Then You Think Again

If you enjoy the story, remember to feedback the author!