First read- January 2016 My review: Loved this. 5 stars
Second read- December 12, 2016 My thoughts: Still 5 stars! This is just so much fun - Stiles truly turns flailing into an art form in this fic. He is so ridiculously indignant when he realizes he is the last to find out Peter is back, and his absolute conviction that Peter must be up to no good is priceless. Hilarious!
I've been rereading a lot of fics I originally read when I first discovered Sterek fanfiction last year. I now find myself still enjoying the ones I liked back then but occasionally I'm finding new aspects to enjoy, aspects that only mean something to me now that I've read a ton of fics and actually watched the show. This may be a Steter fic but my new appreciation for this story comes in the form of Derek's characterization. Now knowing Derek's backstory involving Kate's manipulation and abuse, this version of Derek seemed reasonable. He appears to be happy, though has remained single this entire time. (oops, shoulda mentioned this is a future fic...like way in the future cuz Stiles is 37.) He is incredibly protective of the people close to him. He doesn't work but is instead the primary caretaker for all the little kids in the pack - it's sort of adorable! He hasn't been magically healed by the love of a mate, but he's not wallowing in man-pain either. He seems to have found a place for himself - a role for himself within the pack - that is good for him, his pack, and the little ankle-biters running wild in the rebuilt Hale House.
So yeah, I still adore Stiles and Peter and their wacky courtship, but it was nice to read this a second time and get something new out of it as well.
3.5 stars. My first Steter and I do like this pairing, very much. I enjoyed the second half of this short story more than the first half (the guys get together at last.) Stiles is the 37 year old sheriff of Beacon County when Peter arrives back in town after a twenty year absence. Some typos.
Cute and sweet, although the transition from distrustful!Stiles to Horny!Stiles wasn't the smoothest. It wasn't the most Steter chemistry I've felt, but definitely and enjoyable ride. I liked the recovery aspect with Peter.
(Not sure that timing at the end made sense. At Thanksgiving they had only been dating a few months? But they were reconciling soon after New Years. Whatever, don't think too much about it).