~Hear Me Cry~
By: Aerys Krystie.
Loyalty
Stiles pulled up in front of the loft and Jackson jumped out, running up the stairs. Derek was in the shower and Jackson frowned when he saw a suit hanging up by the window. Peter had said that it could take days for them to mate. Jackson wanted to take his time and he didn't want to miss the funeral, either.
Biting his lower lip, Jackson went into the bathroom and rested against the counter. He stared down at the floor, feeling Derek's eyes on him. He didn't know how to explain that a murdered girl was more important to him than the man that was meant to be his mate. It didn't matter how he spun it in his head, it wasn't good.
The shower turned off and Derek wrapped the towel around his waist, standing in front of Jackson. He ducked his head more as Derek placed his hands on his shoulders, making him shiver. How had he never felt that before? How had he never felt how good Derek felt and smelled?
"Derek," Jackson started and looked up.
"I know," Derek said, a smile dancing through his eyes. "But we can at least scent each other, which means you need a shower. You reek of Scott and Stiles."
Jackson frowned and looked at Derek's back as he left the bathroom. As far as he knew, no scents ever stuck to him. He smelled like nothing. Knowing that he had the scents of Scott and Stiles on him made his heart flutter. He inhaled deeply and caught it. Scott was particularly powerful in scent and Stiles reminded Jackson of pixie sticks.
Shaking his head, Jackson stripped and showered. He used the scentless soap Derek had, pausing when he heard the bedroom door close. He shrugged and finished showering, grabbing a towel. He dried off and stepped into the bedroom, using the towel to dry his hair.
Derek stood at the window, watching as the moon rose. "On the bed," he said without turning.
Frowning, Jackson got on the bed, sitting cross-legged with his back to the wall. Derek turned and shook his head. He grabbed Jackson's ankles and straightened his legs, pulling him down the bed. Jackson tilted his head, watching as Derek bent his left leg, hand running up his shin.
Derek leaned down, one hand still on Jackson's leg while the other touched the scar on his abdomen from the arrow. Jackson fought to keep his heart normal and his scent neutral, despite hearing the howling of his wolf to let him out and let the lust take over. Derek's hands were hot on his body, his touches precise, as though he knew where Jackson liked to be touched and how much pressure to apply.
Jackson couldn't look away from Derek's eyes, even if he wanted to. They held his as he sniffed along the knee, moving to the inside thigh of his left leg. For some reason, Jackson thought Derek was waiting for something, some kind of clue that Jackson wanted this. The longer he stared into Derek's eyes, the faster his control was waning. He tried his hardest not to breathe, not to feel how good Derek's hands felt on his skin.
Firm, warm lips kissed his knee and Jackson inhaled sharply, fisting the covers. Derek continued to hold his eyes as he turned his head. Jackson's control broke, a moan slipping from his mouth as Derek's hot tongue slid along his knee and to his thigh. The heat he was trying so desperately to hold back rushed through him and Derek smiled, pulling his tongue back and sniffing along the thigh.
Jackson inhaled shakily as Derek's stubble grazed the sensitive skin of his inner thigh. He felt his eyes change and closed them, trying to will the wolf away. He couldn't ruin Derek's rather nice bedcovers, especially as Jackson knew how much Derek loved his Egyptian cotton sheets.
"Let your wolf run, Jackson," Derek whispered against the thigh.
Jackson let a shudder run through his body at the warm breath on his skin. He opened his eyes and looked at Derek, knowing they were still glowing blue at the alpha. Derek murmured his approval against the thigh and the heat continued to pool in Jackson's groin. He couldn't remember the last time he got an erection, let alone had it dealt with.
Derek hooked Jackson's leg over his shoulder, placing a hand on his hip. Inhaling deeply against the erection, Derek growled softly. "You finally have your scent back."
Jackson gasped and arched up to Derek's tongue that glided along his abdomen. His leg slipped from Derek's shoulder and rested easily on his waist. Derek kissed the scars on his ribs and waist. Jackson winced as his claws ripped the bedcover, his hand wanting to touch Derek. No, his wolf wanted to touch Derek, wanted to bring him closer and enjoy the heat.
Derek caught his hand and moved further up his body. He kissed the scars on his chest and Jackson let out a breathy sound of appreciation Fire trailed up as he knew Derek was getting closer to his goal. Jackson's leg tightened its hold on Derek's waist when their cocks met, trying to force the alpha down.
Smirking, Derek changed his angle. He went along the left shoulder, tongue sliding easily along the skin. At the palm, he licked the scar there and Jackson fought to touch him. Without warning, Derek pulled back entirely, his body shuddering.
Jackson sat up and tilted Derek's head, pressing their lips together. "My turn," he whispered.
Derek laid down and Jackson let his wolf take over. He didn't know the first thing about doing something like that, but he wanted to make Derek feel as good as he did. He went to Derek's right leg, hand running down the back of it to the firm globe that was Derek's ass.
Turning his head, Jackson inhaled deeply and his eyes fluttered. Derek's natural scent was heavenly, apple and cinnamon. Jackson was going to assume that's why he was attracted to Derek; he smelled like family. His wolf's musk, earthy and canine, mingled well with what Jackson thought of him. Forcing his eyes open, Jackson looked at Derek, smirking as the alpha watched him.
His wolf demanded to taste its mate. Jackson ran his tongue along the inside of the thigh. Derek's reaction was immediate, red eyes and claws tearing up the covers more than Jackson did. After scenting him, Jackson smelled his scent mixed with Derek's and he had to question why he would ever want to not feel or smell that. Their musk balanced each other and Jackson thought he smelled fresh and clean when on Derek.
Gently, he lowered Derek's leg and straddled it, his tongue leaving a shining trail. He stopped at Derek's hip joint, gazing longing at Derek's cock. He wanted to taste that, but his wolf told him to move on and he did. He moved up to Derek's abdomen, curving around to the left waist indent. He stopped and inhaled deeply, pressing his lips there.
Careful of where he placed his hands, Jackson continued the trail with his tongue. He moved up to the center of Derek's chest, moaning softly at the taste and veered to the right. He went down the arm and ended at the palm, taking it into his hands. He kissed the palm and turned to Derek, wanting his throat.
Derek flipped them and Jackson smiled, eyes closing. Derek's tongue moved along the vein on the right of his neck. "Mine," he whispered into the skin and Jackson opened his eyes.
Somehow, he knew an answer wasn't wanted, but it was needed. "Yes," he replied softly. Jackson raised his head, burying his nose into Derek's throat. His tongue darted out, following the rapid beating of the vein up to Derek's ear. "Mine."
"Yes," Derek answered.
The wolf snapped and Jackson's hand went between their bodies, grasping Derek's straining cock. The idea of his mate's seed on him made him shudder with anticipation. Derek groaned, grabbing a bottle from the bedside chest. Jackson held his hand out, accepting the oil. His hand returned, smirking as Derek's body laid atop his, shuddering.
Jackson gasped as he felt Derek's hand wrap around him, matching the steady stroking. He nuzzled into Derek's shoulder. His hips rocked up as Derek's rocked down and for a moment they could pretend they were actually completing their mating ritual. Their hands increased speed and Jackson let his breath come in short huffs, not wanting it to end.
He arched up, trying to touch as much available skin as possible. Their faces turned into each other's throats, inhaling the arousal and need for the other. Their bodies worked together entirely. Jackson breathed sharply against Derek's ear as his climax hit him and Derek groaned into his throat. The release was hot against Jackson's skin and he fell back onto the bed, while Derek rolled to the side.
Jackson sat up and stretched his arms above his head. That had been the most erotic thing he'd ever done and he felt far more satisfied than every time he had actual sex. He looked down when he felt a hand on his back, the thumb stroking the entry scar from the arrow.
"How do you feel?"
Jackson leaned down and pressed his lips to Derek's. "Ravenous," he said huskily. "God, I'm starving!"
After a quick shower together, Derek and Jackson sat at the table, eating Lucky Charms and Jackson making a mental note to pick up more after the funeral. He kept looking at Derek, tilting his head as he saw how relaxed he was. His shoulders weren't as stiff as they used to be and his eyes had lost most of the hard edge around them.
"You handled the pack well last night," Derek said, staring down into his bowl.
"You were about to slaughter Boyd for cracking a joke," Jackson stated and drank the milk from the bowl. "There was a reason I made captain of the team."
Derek sat back, staring at Jackson. "You'll have to lead this pack if anything happens to me," he said.
Jackson winced at the idea of not having Derek around. "Don't say stuff like that." He glared at Derek for a moment, before he sighed. "You took out a wendigo today."
"And you took out two alphas."
"Technically, you took out the second one," Jackson said with a shrug.
"After you had maimed and weakened her. And—"
"Derek, I'm not talking about this until I'm completely mated to you," Jackson said as he stood and stared into Derek's eyes. "And even then, it's a strong maybe."
Derek opened his mouth to argue, but they had both heard the pack returning. Jackson collected their dishes, washing them quickly and Derek swiftly shoved the box of cereal into its place, sitting down as the door opened. Jackson turned from the sink, his wet hands behind his back.
"How was the movie?" Jackson asked as the pack came into view. The four of them froze and stared at him.
"Well, at least the scenting was done," Peter said and sat down, glancing between them. "You both smell of guilt. It isn't anything to be ashamed about."
"His scent smells good on you," Erica said and neither were sure which one she was talking to. She went to pass through the kitchen and then paused. She looked between Derek and Jackson, giving them a smirk and a wink.
Isaac yawned and collapsed into a chair. "We ate while we were out," he told them. "I should get my homework done… The next time we have to face off with a wendigo, could we do it on the weekend?"
"Isaac," Derek warned.
"Derek," Jackson warned.
Derek looked at him and sighed. "I'm not going to stop being an alpha to our pack, just because your my mate."
"No, but you can stop being so hard on them. Isaac is one of your best betas and he's not a power-hungry psychopath," Jackson said with a smile.
"Also, I brought leftovers," Boyd said and a bag was dropped on the table, changing the subject. Jackson bit the inside of his lower lip as the sweet scents of Chinese food made his stomach growl. "When did he start eating?"
"About thirty minutes ago," Derek answered. "You can eat, Jackson."
Grabbing a fork, Jackson sat down and opened the bag. He opened one of the containers, twirling the noodles around the fork and shoving it into his mouth. He moaned and smiled around it. "God, that's amazing!"
Boyd raised a confused eyebrow. "It's…Really?"
Jackson had crammed another forkful into his mouth. He nodded around it, practically hugging the container to his chest. "So good," he mumbled.
Isaac frowned. "When was the last time he ate?"
"Seven months ago," Jackson mumbled, finishing off the noodles. He sat back, licking his lips and grabbed the rice. He looked up when Derek placed a hand on his arm.
"Don't overdo it. Your body might be starving and there's no need to waste good food."
"No, it feels like I missed all my meals yesterday or like I just did a hardcore workout." Jackson paused and smirked at Derek. "I guess it's that last one."
"At least give us warning if things get heated," Erica said as she came out, dressed for vegging out. "If he's like that for Chinese, imagine chocolate or ice-cream."
Jackson licked his lips, ignoring the way Derek tensed. "I should probably watch my weight now," he said with a shrug and grabbed the fried rice.
Boyd watched as Jackson ate and shook his head, holding his hand out to Erica and leading her over to the sofa. "There goes the leftovers," he muttered as they collapsed.
Jackson's eyes flicked to him for a moment, but he finished the rice and put the other containers in the fridge. "Did you need help with your homework, Isaac?"
"If you could do it for me, that'd be great," Isaac slurred, head on the table and practically asleep.
"Come on, kid," Jackson said, wrapping an arm around Isaac and bringing him to his feet. "Let's get this done."
Jackson ran through the forest, enjoying the feel of the crisp morning air on his hot body. It had been so long since he felt the elements that he wanted to run naked, fully embrace the sensation of warmth and chill. He didn't, though. The last thing his parents needed, after watching him remove body parts, was getting a call from the sheriff's department.
Pain was still an issue, unless Derek was touching him. He ran by, small scratches appearing and healing. He was taking it one day at a time, though. While he wished he was completely normal, he didn't mind not feeling pain. His other senses seemed to work overtime to make up for it. He could hear the air shifting around wings of birds. He could smell the deer that were at least four miles west of him. His eyes took in every detail from the blur of the world.
And that's why he wasn't surprised when he felt the other long before he caught the scent. He knew Derek was in the forest, chasing his scent. Jackson grinned and pushed his legs harder, knowing that Erica was trying to catch him, as well. She wanted to be the first ever to seek and retrieve Jackson Whittemore and he wasn't having any of it, especially as he had caught her second, after Isaac.
To make sure it wasn't too easy for them, Jackson jumped through trees for miles, before dropping to the ground again and continuing back the way he came. He could smell that Isaac and Boyd were furiously confused about his scent doubling back on itself.
His heartbeat was steady, as was Derek's. He could feel it and knew that Derek was gaining on him, which wasn't going to be very much fun. Jackson pulled his shirt off, balling it up and throwing to it his left, while he ran to the right. Resting against a tree, Jackson took a moment to catch his breath and heard Derek's light footfalls stop dead.
Smirking, Jackson moved around the tree and crossed his arms. He frowned and stepped from the tree, searching for Derek. He knew the alpha had stopped at the crossroad and doubted he'd have gone searching for the shirt. He spun around and caught Derek by the throat, pinning him to the tree.
"I caught the big, bad alpha," he said and knew the others had heard him.
"Nice trick with the shirt," Derek said, running his fingers along Jackson's forehead. "You've also started sweating again." His eyes dropped to the thin scar on Jackson's left cheek. "Still not feeling pain?"
"No," Jackson answered and sighed quietly, removing his hand. "I know you want that, but… I think I'm a bigger asset to yo…" He trailed off and shook his head. "To the pack if I don't."
"Our pack," Derek corrected as he leaned forward, pressing his lips to Jackson's.
"Hey, it's better than him calling it your pack," Erica said, leaning against a tree.
"It isn't ours yet," Jackson reminded him and turned to Erica. "Didn't I catch you second?"
"Doesn't mean I wasn't gonna follow and learn all your tricks," she said and grinned, pushing off the tree. Her eyes moved between the pair, her grin changing slightly. "I can still kick your ass in sparring."
Jackson's eyes lit up and he stepped closer to her. "Is that an offer?"
Erica shook her head. "Not after what happened last time." She smiled and headed back to the others.
Jackson growled and turned on Derek, giving the alpha his best glare. Derek lowered his eyes and Jackson sighed, finding it more difficult to stay mad. Derek looked so much like a scolded child that it would be adorable, if not for the fact that his life was messed up for a long time. Hell, he was mated to a non-existent.
"I'm sorry," Jackson said, tucking his head under Derek's jaw. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad, but you did make a point of no one being allowed to spar with me."
"I don't want you in pain again." Jackson shivered against Derek. "If you want to spar with any of them, I'll stay out of the room."
Jackson smirked. "Good. I've gotten good enough to kick Erica's ass, anyway."
He closed his eyes as Derek's hand ran down his back. Some part of his mind was telling him that he shouldn't find this scenario as wonderful as he did. As he pressed into Derek more, he decided that part was probably some resonance of his previous self trying to claim some kind of independence.
Jackson forced his eyes open when he realized he was content to fall asleep there. He pulled back from Derek and stretched his arms above his head. He jogged back to his shirt and pulled it on, deciding it was time for lunch. He forgot how much having to eat sucked. At that moment, he would've preferred to continue running, but the rumbling in his stomach told him to head back.
At the loft, Jackson went to the kitchen and grabbed the bag of cherries from the fridge. He turned and froze when he realized the others weren't back or had gone out for lunch. He shrugged, grabbed a bowl and sat on the sofa, turning on the TV. He saw a news broadcast about the killer still being on the loose, but that officials were certain they had left the area.
Jackson lowered his eyes, spitting the pit of the cherry into the bowl. He tilted his head back when Derek entered and went to the bedroom. A shiver ran down his spine as the shower turned on and he felt the tug of the alpha. Placing the cherries and bowl on the new coffee table, Jackson went into the bathroom, sucking the juice from the previous cherry off his thumb.
Derek turned to him and nodded towards the shower. Jackson stripped and stepped under the spray. He shook his head, washing his hair first as Derek joined him. He breathed deeply as Derek's hand ran up his back and knew that showering together wouldn't be a quick affair.
After rinsing his hair, Jackson's fingers brushed over Derek's abdomen and hip, loving the cut lines and the power within. With ease, Jackson slipped behind Derek and rested his cheek on a shoulder, closing his eyes. He never knew he would miss something he didn't know existed. The closeness to Derek without it being sexual, without any demand to perform.
One hand trailed over the muscles and tendons in Derek's shoulder, a smile curving his lips. Jackson doubted he would ever forget how that muscle felt beneath his fingers, the way they moved, stretched and settled with every movement. Somehow, standing behind Derek, pressed against his back, it felt complete, like the trails they left on each other lined up perfectly.
Jackson frowned and pulled back slightly. His place was there, by Derek's back, watching it and protecting it. Unable to believe he hadn't noticed it before, he felt Derek's heart beat in time with his own. Every increase from the realization that they were one, to the soft thud when that thought made him smile.
When Derek turned around, Jackson opened his eyes and gazed into the green eyes. The kiss was gentle, filled with something that Jackson realized he had craved for years. It took him years to find it with Derek, as well. There was something about the tender touch of lips that had his heart thudding painfully in his chest and tears stinging his eyes. It was a simple kiss, but it was so much more powerful than he could have ever expected.
Derek moved his lips down along his jaw and Jackson tilted his head back, letting the alpha have at his throat. Teeth scraped over his flesh and Jackson closed his eyes, a hand on Derek's neck, the other massaging the ribs. Jackson opened his eyes and changed their position, nuzzling into Derek's throat. As he expected, Derek's head went back, baring the flesh.
Jackson wasted no time in gently biting the skin. He inhaled deeply, nuzzling into the flawless flesh. They heard the pack returning and reluctantly pulled apart, finishing their shower. Jackson dried off in the bathroom and walked into the bedroom, drying his hair as the others came up.
"Jackson," Erica said as she went to the bedroom door, making sure her eyes stayed on the blues. "As hot as your body is, I don't think Derek wants it on display for all of us. Close the door."
Blinking, Jackson tilted his head as Erica closed the door. He shrugged and dressed in jeans and a simple collared shirt. Derek came out of the bathroom, looking at the door. "She's right. All of that," he said, waving a hand at Jackson. "Is for my eyes only."
"Okay."
"What did I say about that word?" There was irritation in Derek's voice and Jackson tilted his head to the other side.
"And what did I say about your possessive bullshit?" Derek pursed his lips and glared, which made Jackson chuckle. He nuzzled into Derek's neck. "I'm sorry. But you're so easy to rile up, especially now."
Derek pulled Jackson into a hug, who tried to back away. His clothes were becoming fewer, thanks to the tests and proving of points. He didn't want his clean clothes getting wet. Eventually, he just stood there, glowering at Derek, who smirked and licked his lobe.
Jackson stepped back when he was released and aired his shirt, which was sticking to his torso. He left the bedroom, closing the door. He was going to assume the rules were the same for Derek. Everything that Derek could display was for his eyes only. Not that any of the pack had looked at Derek that way in a while.
Dropping onto the sofa, Jackson grabbed the bowl and cherries again. He could hear the others in Isaac's room, working on their homework. Peter was nowhere to be seen, which made Jackson sit up. He usually wasn't far from the loft, unless out on Derek's orders.
Going to the window, Jackson stood there and stared down at the pavement across the street. There was a chill on his spine. There was a threat coming to the town, which only made him angry. The cherry in his hand was crushed, the juice dripping down like blood.
Jackson knew it would take time. He knew the threat wasn't in Beacon Hills, but it was drawing closer. Somehow, someone knew about him. His secret had been spread. The strangest part was the thought running through his head: Protect my pack. I must die protecting my pack. And he knew he would.
Derek opened the door and Jackson ignored him, simply growling out, "Get Chris Argent here."
End Chapter.
Thanks for reading.