It was late the next day when Stiles opened his eyes again. "Derek?"

"Stiles! Oh, thank god, Stiles-"

"Derek, what-"

"You're ok. The doctor says you'll be ok. You've had some emergency blood transfusions and you had surgery to remove the glass, but you're going to be fine. You're ok. You're ok." He was crying and staring at Stiles as if he were a ghost. Stiles stared at him for a long moment.

"What happened?"

Derek sighed heavily and wiped at his eyes. "Your heart stopped. I thought… Lydia screamed and… I thought you were gone…" Stiles slowly sat up, leaned forward and kissed him softly.

"Not going anywhere. Promise."

"You promised that you wouldn't die."

"I didn't die."

"You died for a few seconds."

"Yeah, but I came back."

"You flatlined."

"But I didn't die, so I technically didn't break my promise. My honor is still intact." Stiles smiled and Derek mentally thanked every god he could think of that he was still able to see that beautiful smile.

"Don't do that again." Derek frowned, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I was totally going to, but I won't now because you said that." Derek let himself laugh. Stiles let a few tears fall. "You saved me, Der. I'll never be able to thank you enough."

"You're damn right about that."

Stiles laughed, surprised. "Geez… I'm trying to be sappy here." Derek kissed him again.

"We have plenty of time for that." He started moving to keep kissing until he heard the undeniable sound of the Sheriff clearing his throat in the doorway.

"Want to save some visiting for the rest of us?" Stiles giggled as Derek's face turned bright red. The Sheriff walked to the bed, closely followed by Scott, Lydia, and Melissa. "You scared me, kid. I'm so glad you're ok!"

Stiles smiled. "Me too, dad. How did you find us?"

"Some of Derek's texts finally went through, thank God." Stiles looked at Derek, who hadn't torn his gaze from Stiles' face. Scott spoke next.

"Dude, you have to stop doing this. I need to watch you at all times or something. Don't do that again. Ok?" Scott's watery smile broke Stiles' heart. He looked him firmly in the eyes and nodded. Lydia sat down and grabbed his hand.

"I screamed for you. I'm not doing that again. Ever." Her eyes were sparkling with tears.

"I'm sorry Lydia." She sighed and leaned in to hug him.

"Stiles, do you need anything? Pain meds? Water?" Melissa's voice was calm and warm. "By the way, I'm mad at you too but I still have to perform my nurse duties."

Stiles laughed. "I'm just tired."

She checked his bandages and turned to the others. "He needs rest." They reluctantly stood and started heading for the door.

"We'll be back soon, ok?" Lydia smiled warmly and hugged him again.

"Thanks Lyds."

Scott moved in for the next hug, being careful to be overly gentle. "No dying while we're gone." Stiles chuckled.

"Scott, I'm pretty convinced at this point that I'm literally incapable of dying."

Stiles dad leaned down to hug him and by the time he pulled away his face was wet. "Get some good rest."

"I will, dad." Stiles watched them each walk out, already wanting to be with them again despite the urge to go to sleep. Derek was the last to get up.

"Are you alright by yourself?" Stiles smiled up at him.

"I'm not by myself. I'm never by myself. You guys won't leave me alone."

Derek laughed. "Good."

"Derek, could you do something for me?"

"Of course! Anything! What do you need?" Derek looked worried and started eyeing Stiles up and down as if to analyze whatever needs he could possibly have. Stiles stared back, completely deadpan.

"I think I'll be needing new windows for the jeep."

Derek somehow laughed and groaned simultaneously. "Like hell. I swear, if I ever see that thing again-"

Stiles cut him off. "-it'll be too soon? Look at this. We finish each other's sentences. How romantic."

Derek rolled his eyes. "For the love of God-"

"Come on, Sourwolf! We always have our most romantic moments while I'm in the hospital, remember? Last time you asked me out. The standard is pretty high now, buddy."

"Fine. I'll cook you dinner when you're released from the hospital."

"I don't believe for one second that you're capable of cooking dinner."

"Is that so?" Derek looked amused. Stiles smirked.

"I'm skeptical, but I've been wrong before. It's extremely rare, but it happens. Amaze me." Stiles grinned again as Derek laughed.

"Whatever. I'll see you in a bit." Derek started standing up again. Stiles could feel himself starting to fall asleep. Derek moved towards the door.

"Der?"

"Yes?"

"Love you." Derek paused and turned his head back to Stiles.

"Love you too. Get some sleep." He smiled and walked out into the hall. Not even a full minute later he was back, looking sheepish. "I don't know how they expect me to just leave you alone in here."

Stiles laughed softly. "Then don't."

Derek smiled, satisfied and moved to sit on one of the plastic chairs by the bed. "Are you sure? I can go if you want me too." Stiles responded only by slowly moving over on the bed and gesturing for Derek to join him. Derek kicked his shoes off and gently climbed onto the small bed, lying back and putting an arm around Stiles. He closed his eyes and listened to the steady, mesmerizing rhythm of Stiles' heartbeat. He'd never heard a better sound.

Stiles felt so warm, so comfortable. He was safe. Maybe hospitals weren't always so bad. He looked up at Derek who seemed to be asleep already. He smiled fondly and curled up against him, thanking him internally for everything that he'd done to keep them safe. Stiles smiled again, knowing that he'd have a far less panicked night with Derek right next to him. He felt drowsiness drawing him in and he soon fell into the best sleep he'd had in weeks.

THE END