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Start Small, Like Oak Trees
Sterek
The months following Allison's death have passed Stiles by in a haze of monotony. He sleepwalks through days that seem to lose their color, an unwilling passenger in a body he no longer trusts. Eventually, he thinks, he'll just fade away. He isn't sure anyone would notice. Then, during a spur of the moment grocery run, he stumbles upon Derek Hale attempting to console a lost child, and for the first time in recent memory the world doesn't seem so awful.
He's not sure what he'd been expecting when he eventually convinces Derek to move into the Stilinski's spare bedroom, but a newfound passion for weeding and topsoil certainly isn't it.
The months following Allison's death have passed Stiles by in a haze of monotony. He sleepwalks through days that seem to lose their color, an unwilling passenger in a body he no longer trusts. Eventually, he thinks, he'll just fade away. He isn't sure anyone would notice. Then, during a spur of the moment grocery run, he stumbles upon Derek Hale attempting to console a lost child, and for the first time in recent memory the world doesn't seem so awful.
He's not sure what he'd been expecting when he eventually convinces Derek to move into the Stilinski's spare bedroom, but a newfound passion for weeding and topsoil certainly isn't it.
72 pages, ebook
First published December 24, 2017
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 22, 2018
4.5 Stars
I blame Start Small and its author (SmallBirds) for reawakening my adoration for a good Sterek fic during this past week.
This moderately sized story managed to combine most of the elements I enjoy most when reading fanfiction in this particular fandom. The fact it was canon divergent won it immediate points; add to that, the writing was truly lovely and the characterisations were bang on point.
This fic definitely brought all the feels, too, but it wasn't overwhelmingly heavy like many Sterek fics with a post-nogitsune theme are wont to do. Instead, this story managed to balance the angst with some appropriately placed humour and a perfectly executed slow-burn romance.
This one gets an enthusiastic thumbs-up from me and will be stored away for future comfort re-reads.
I blame Start Small and its author (SmallBirds) for reawakening my adoration for a good Sterek fic during this past week.
This moderately sized story managed to combine most of the elements I enjoy most when reading fanfiction in this particular fandom. The fact it was canon divergent won it immediate points; add to that, the writing was truly lovely and the characterisations were bang on point.
This fic definitely brought all the feels, too, but it wasn't overwhelmingly heavy like many Sterek fics with a post-nogitsune theme are wont to do. Instead, this story managed to balance the angst with some appropriately placed humour and a perfectly executed slow-burn romance.
This one gets an enthusiastic thumbs-up from me and will be stored away for future comfort re-reads.
January 19, 2018
Wow, wow, wow.
This. This is the kind of story that makes my love for Sterek make sense. Not that I need any sense made but yeah, this is just the best kind of Sterek out there.
“You’re here with me, right?” Stiles raises his free hand and knocks his knuckles against Derek’s chest, right over his heart. “I mean– I mean, here. Right? I’m not on my own in this?”
Gah! Seriously.
If you are a fan you'll love this one. I loved this one. So much.
I feel like 2017 was just a year without Sterek. Spending today reading three, I think 2018 might have to take a totally different route, even if it is with favorite re-reads. I will always need Sterek in my life. Always.
Thanks for putting this on my radar Meags!
This. This is the kind of story that makes my love for Sterek make sense. Not that I need any sense made but yeah, this is just the best kind of Sterek out there.
“You’re here with me, right?” Stiles raises his free hand and knocks his knuckles against Derek’s chest, right over his heart. “I mean– I mean, here. Right? I’m not on my own in this?”
Gah! Seriously.
If you are a fan you'll love this one. I loved this one. So much.
I feel like 2017 was just a year without Sterek. Spending today reading three, I think 2018 might have to take a totally different route, even if it is with favorite re-reads. I will always need Sterek in my life. Always.
Thanks for putting this on my radar Meags!
July 4, 2018
4 Stars
Again, like the best of the Stereks out there, this excels at the subtleties, the individual quirks of both Stiles and Derek, and how despite their outward differences, they easily connect on a deeper level.
Here, Stiles is struggling with the aftermath of the nogitsune, mired in guilt and grief and basically a shell of his former self. As he’s going through the motions, something catches his attention and lo and behold, it’s Derek who returns to Beacon Hills after the tragedy.
What ensues is a slow healing and a slow awakening as these two bond and connect. A nice simmering burn that comes together perfectly and beautifully as all the best Stereks do - smooth and organic with not a toe out of line.
Again, like the best of the Stereks out there, this excels at the subtleties, the individual quirks of both Stiles and Derek, and how despite their outward differences, they easily connect on a deeper level.
Here, Stiles is struggling with the aftermath of the nogitsune, mired in guilt and grief and basically a shell of his former self. As he’s going through the motions, something catches his attention and lo and behold, it’s Derek who returns to Beacon Hills after the tragedy.
What ensues is a slow healing and a slow awakening as these two bond and connect. A nice simmering burn that comes together perfectly and beautifully as all the best Stereks do - smooth and organic with not a toe out of line.
January 21, 2018
Gah! This was gorgeous! Absolutely beautiful. The writing was exquisite. It was simplistic in nature, but managed to evoke a deluge of emotions in me nonetheless. This is how I picture this world.
Who is this author? Do they have any published books? They need to be published if they're not already. The talent here is phenomenal!
Gah!
January 8, 2018
4.5 Stars
I don't think it will ever cease to amaze me how incredibly talented the fanfic writers are for this fandom...turning out better stories than aresomea lot of the published works I actually pay to read.
This story was poignant & soul-shakingly real with Stiles' confusion and fear and worry and disconnect from the real world - until he, as the author writes, has an anchor too (because even humans need them). And oh, my heart, the way he sees Derek - beautifully flawed but inherently good - is nothing short of perfection. I adored how they help each other realize that, yes, people died, but it wasn't their fault; that they weren't personally responsible for Allison or Boyd & Erica.
The voices were so spot on IMHO (including the Sheriff, which has been a bone of contention for me lately with some fics). I even loved the OC Dr. Evans. That's one amazing therapist right there. The way she took that "responsibility" guilt and turned it around, the insight on how it's harder to admit powerlessness? Just, gah! This is the kind of thing I wish we'd actually gotten post-nogitsune, ya know? (Also, about time that a non-para voluntarily admitted to the weird of Beacon Hills, didn't jump to conclusions about Stiles' experiences and accepted that there were things she might not understand unless he was willing to tell her...having that acceptance was probably the first thing Stiles needed, honestly.)
Plus, the UST was palpable, but took a back seat to the healing (as is appropriate) and the love was gradual and romantic. But Derek and Stiles never stopped being themselves and that was probably my favorite part.
Jeeze, I could actually see myself re-reading this one...
I don't think it will ever cease to amaze me how incredibly talented the fanfic writers are for this fandom...turning out better stories than are
This story was poignant & soul-shakingly real with Stiles' confusion and fear and worry and disconnect from the real world - until he, as the author writes, has an anchor too (because even humans need them). And oh, my heart, the way he sees Derek - beautifully flawed but inherently good - is nothing short of perfection. I adored how they help each other realize that, yes, people died, but it wasn't their fault; that they weren't personally responsible for Allison or Boyd & Erica.
The voices were so spot on IMHO (including the Sheriff, which has been a bone of contention for me lately with some fics). I even loved the OC Dr. Evans. That's one amazing therapist right there. The way she took that "responsibility" guilt and turned it around, the insight on how it's harder to admit powerlessness? Just, gah! This is the kind of thing I wish we'd actually gotten post-nogitsune, ya know? (Also, about time that a non-para voluntarily admitted to the weird of Beacon Hills, didn't jump to conclusions about Stiles' experiences and accepted that there were things she might not understand unless he was willing to tell her...having that acceptance was probably the first thing Stiles needed, honestly.)
Plus, the UST was palpable, but took a back seat to the healing (as is appropriate) and the love was gradual and romantic. But Derek and Stiles never stopped being themselves and that was probably my favorite part.
Jeeze, I could actually see myself re-reading this one...
January 31, 2018
Amazing story. Emotional honest, and almost heartbreakingly tender. Sweet without being cloying, or sappy. Everything just felt perfectly plotted, characterized, and paced. One of my new favorites.
May 25, 2018
Lovely Sterek fanfic with hurt-comfort and bonding. Lovely. Really like the Sheriff too.
Why did Scott turn reasonable though, I was happy hating on him! ;)
Why did Scott turn reasonable though, I was happy hating on him! ;)
May 23, 2021
Perfection
March 21, 2018
4.5 stars x I have so many books on my TBR list and I keep getting distracted by all these Sterek fanfic stories. This one was so good and the writing was so much better than a lot of books I've read by published authors. great read x
February 8, 2019
Pero qué bonito, este fandom está lleno de gente con un talentazo increible, sin palabras estoy
April 21, 2018
Absolutely wonderful! Just. The way this author writes? Makes me want to immediately check what else they’ve written in this fandom and, like, ever. There’s something raw and honest to it, and the feelings jump off the page right into my heart. And everything is just so atmospheric. And so, so soft. Like sunlight filtered through a canopy of trees, or petrichor, or glistening snow.
I loved the gardening. I loved the cooking. I loved Stiles going to therapy. His subtle finger-counting when Derek is just too good to not be a dream. I loved how both Stiles and Derek are so gentle with each other, and so obviously smitten. The touches. The looks. That they feel safe with each other. Oh man. All the best things, really.
I have the softest spot for when it feels like authors really care for the characters and are gentle with them. And I really get that feeling here.
Plus? “Coil of concupiscence”? Really? All the win!
I loved the gardening. I loved the cooking. I loved Stiles going to therapy. His subtle finger-counting when Derek is just too good to not be a dream. I loved how both Stiles and Derek are so gentle with each other, and so obviously smitten. The touches. The looks. That they feel safe with each other. Oh man. All the best things, really.
I have the softest spot for when it feels like authors really care for the characters and are gentle with them. And I really get that feeling here.
Plus? “Coil of concupiscence”? Really? All the win!
January 25, 2018
I'm also to blame for the 2 star rating. I started this right after the blood blooms clean in you, ruby which was angsty and rather depressing. Compared to it, this was like a walk in the park, birds chirping.
It just didn't click with me. Everything was too neatly wrapped up and arranged to suit our two MCs.
It just didn't click with me. Everything was too neatly wrapped up and arranged to suit our two MCs.
March 27, 2018
Loved!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews