A/N: Yeah, I have no excuse for posting this so late. Sorry everyone.

Enjoy.

"Hello Stiles, it's good to see you again. How are you settling in now that you're back home?"

Dr. O'Heare had arrived early the first Monday, so five days, after Stiles' release from the hospital. Now he's sat on the couch drinking a cup of plain green tea and eating an herb scone he'd brought himself.

Stiles doesn't answer, instead trying to figure out what this doctor wants from him. He hasn't asked him any invasive things, he hasn't asked him about what'd happened, he hasn't even asked if he wanted to talk about it. He's just been asking him mundane things during his visits to the hospital like if he thinks the blankets provide enough warmth or if he thinks the monitors are noisy or if the Jello is any good because he's always wanted to try some but it's a little strange to eat something that doesn't seem like a liquid or solid.

It's a little disconcerting but he's fascinating to listen to.

"Your house is lovely, you'll have to remind me to tell your father that it's got a really nice atmosphere. Very welcoming."

Stiles squints suspiciously at the man. He's talking as if Stiles is answering.

"You know, when I was a lad, uff, that makes me sound old, but when I was a lad I used to live in this tiny little town in western Ireland called Carrowmoreknock. Beacon Hills reminds me a lot of that place, maybe a little more developed, but there's still that small kind of feeling to it. Lots of trees. 'Course we moved from there when I was only nine so I don't remember much of it, mainly just the feelings."

Stiles studies the man sat in front of him. He doesn't think he's here to hurt him but he can't be sure. Light brown hair, green, smiling eyes, he's probably around the same height as his dad, and slightly round in the middle. Probably from the tea cakes he's said he loves so much.

The man keeps talking about things and even when he asks Stiles something he'll wait a beat and when Stiles doesn't answer he'll keep talking like it doesn't bother him at all. Kind of like how Stiles used to be. By the end of the hour-long session Stiles hasn't uttered a single sound and yet Dr. O'Heare seems just as cheerful as when he'd come in.

"Well, Stiles, it's time for me to go. I'll be seeing you in two days since now that you're out of the hospital the house visits actually entail a house to be in. Do tell your father that I say thanks for allowing me in his home and that it's a lovely home. Text or call me if you need anything."

He pulls a card from the front pocket of his vest and settles it onto the coffee table in front of where he's sat and gives Stiles a wide smile before leaving out the front door. Stiles feels confused and is still sitting in a sort of daze when his father walks in from the other room having been watching the clock like a hawk, waiting for one minute after 12 like he'd been told by the doctor when he'd gotten there.

"Hey kiddo, how'd the meeting go? The doctor seems really nice."

Stiles tilts his head, not sure if he should agree or not.

"How about trying to eat something semi-solid? Melissa emailed me a list of foods that you should be able to eat. I sent the list to Derek who should be back from the store any time now with the stuff. There's yoghurt, cottage cheese, fresh strawberries and peaches since I know those are your favorite, there's blueberries, avocadoes, potatoes, pudding, popsicles, ice cream, chicken, and a lot of others. I told him to only get one of each so if you don't like something we don't have to get it again. Anything you like more we can get more of. That sound alright?"

Stiles frowns at the extra length his father is going to but nods. His father looks so hopeful that he just can't find it in him to say no to his help. He's trying so hard for Stiles even though he's done so much wrong. The front door opens and Stiles can hear the rustling of bags before the door is shut quietly again. The sheriff turns and smiles at what must be Derek coming back with the groceries.

"I got one of everything and anything you don't want I'll eat since I know you can't have some of the heavier stuff like ice cream or pasta or bacon."

The sheriff looks like he wants to protest but he just grumbles and goes into the kitchen with Derek to help put things away. Once they're done Derek comes back into the living room to scoop up Stiles and bring him into the kitchen too. They've been avoiding using the wheelchair since it's such a small living space. However, things like going to the bathroom Stiles does on his own as soon as he's been put in his wheelchair in the bathroom. His father needs to help him bathe though since he's so thin and weak and he's still got his casts which he can't get wet.

"What would you like first, Stiles?"

Stiles thinks about the things his dad had listed and decides on, "Yoghurt."

His father smiles and scoops it out of the fridge, takes the lid off and gives him the container and a spoon which he takes in his right hand. Then, to seem like he's not staring worriedly at his son he turns to Derek and strikes up a mundane conversation about the weather while Stiles stares into the container of strawberry/kiwi yoghurt, unsure if he's really ready to eat. Nobody rushes him though and eventually he puts his spoon in the container set on the table and fishes a little bit out and brings it to his mouth.

It's been so long since he's had anything to eat that the explosion of flavor as it hits his tongue actually brings tears to his eyes. He didn't think he'd ever get to eat again, not after the starvation in the last month they'd had him had started. He hadn't had anything to eat besides the bland hospital Jello which tasted vaguely like citrus but didn't really register to his senses. This though, this tastes tart and sweet and has bits of strawberry and kiwi in it and the entire experience is so overwhelming that he cries as he scoops small spoonfuls into his mouth.

When he looks up his dad has wet cheeks and Derek also looks like he's biting his cheek at the strong emotions circling in the atmosphere.

"'S good." He croaks and his dad nods vigorously.

"Yeah, yeah it is." He sniffs.

Stiles has to stop before he's finished the whole thing because his stomach is full to bursting but he feels more content than he's felt in a long time. Now he just has to keep it all down.

"We can save that for later. Good job, son, you did good. I'm proud of you." His dad says with a watery smile as he puts cling wrap over the top and sets the spoon in the dishwasher.

Derek comes up to his side and rubs a large, warm hand across his bony shoulders and gives him a small, crooked smile that is so genuine Stiles kind of wants to stare but can't, he doesn't allow himself to.

"Do you want to go back to your room or do you want to watch tv?"

Stiles thinks for a second before saying, "Room," and his dad nods in understanding.

"Alright, you get some rest then." He leans down and kisses his son on the forehead before Derek picks him up and takes him back to his room.

A/N: I have no timeline for uploading next, I post as I go pretty much. I have a bit of the next chapters written out but I post at my leisure, I hope you guys understand that. Thanks for putting up with me!