Chapter 7: Caught in between.

It's so sudden Danny loses his breath for a second, sitting up abruptly from his bed, a heavy weight in his chest constricting his heart painfully. It's so excruciating Danny has to check for actual wounds but he finds none.

"Dan? Dan what's going on?" Jackson is right by his side and Danny feels even worse when he looks at his best friend, the sight of Jackson somehow exacerbating the pain. Danny looks away and turns his back to Jackson, relief washing over him when the strange feeling weakens, allowing Danny to breathe more properly. It's still there, but it's not as overwhelming. Even though Danny's never experienced it before, it feels like heartbreak, and he wonders where it came from.

"I'm all right," Danny says, swallowing hard, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I'm all right, just a nightmare," Danny lies and lets out a deep breath.

It's strange but Danny is sure what he's feeling right now is coming from Derek. It's all jealousy, longing and pain mashed up together. He gets out of bed and walks up to his window, looking outside for any sign of the man, and as expected, there he is crouching on the rooftop, staring at him with sad puppy dog eyes Danny never thought could be achieved by a gruff-looking man like Derek. The pain spikes up as their eyes meet and for a moment it looks like Derek's about to come his way, but he doesn't move one inch, thankfully.

Still, it's too much for Danny to handle, he closes his window and draws the curtains over it, leaning back against it, eyes squeezed shut. He wants Derek so bad right this instant, the need has never been that strong before, it's…wait. Is that a thing? A werewolf thing? That must be it, Derek must have done something to him. It makes sense now, Danny realizes, the way Derek has been acting, the way he affects Danny. Derek must have done something, like an enchantment or whatever? God, even thinking it sounds ridiculous but there can't be any other explanation, can there?

"Dan, you're freaking me out," Jackson says, now standing in front of Danny, his hand cupping his cheek to lift his face up and meet his concerned eyes.

"Derek's a werewolf," Danny blurts out, flinching at the touch and turning his head away from Jackson's hand, looking for any distraction available. Jackson has never been a very touchy kind of guy and honestly, neither is Danny, he feels uncomfortable having his best friend touching him so…intimately. Talking now seems the best option; he lifts his sleeves up his shoulders to show Jackson his scars. "Derek's uncle, who is also a werewolf by the way, kidnapped me and attacked me, that's what happened."

"Oh my God," Jackson breathes out, his fingertips grazing the exposed skin.

"See those scars? He had me tied up, and then he stabbed me."

"Dan," Jackson looks at him, wide-eyed and mouth gaped open. "Your scars, they're gone."

Danny looks down at his shoulders, left and right, hands smoothing over the intact skin. Now that's completely surreal. How could he heal that fast? It worries him, scares him even and he can't help wondering if something happened to him. He can't help but think about the wounds Derek healed so fast from last night. Does it have anything to do with Derek? Or his psycho uncle? They did something to him, it's the only explanation Danny can come up with—a succinct explanation, but an explanation nonetheless. Humans don't heal that fast, not from the wounds Danny suffered. He curses repeatedly under his breath, not wanting to believe one second that he somehow changed, that's he's not…that he's not himself anymore, that the irreparable has happened.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jackson shakes his shoulder lightly, bringing Danny's attention back to him. Danny nods briefly, trying to conceal how freaked out he is. Then again, it's not much use; Jackson's always been able to tell when something is wrong with him. The day Danny came out to him, all Jackson did was giving him a hug and telling him he already knew.

"I'm being a crappy host," Danny says, trying to change the subject. "Do you want something to drink? I'm so sorry, you've been looking for me—"

"Don't apologize, damn it, Dan," Jackson cuts him off brusquely. "You were almost killed because of that Derek bastard, of course I was looking for you, and it wasn't your fault, so don't you dare apologizing, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," Danny concedes and breaks into a smile, moving away from the window—away from Derek—and towards the bathroom. "I'll just grab a shower, feel free to use the other bathroom."

"Wait, Dan," Jackson grabs his hand firmly, his expression stern and determined—a look Danny has seen often by now—when Danny turns around to face him. "Tell me something."

"Yeah?"

"What's really going on between you and Derek? I mean, are you two…? Did you two…?"

"No, God no, we didn't…actually sleep together," Danny replies awkwardly, a little bit taken aback by the question and quite embarrassed to talk about it with Jackson. Though he supposes Jackson's entitled to know, given the circumstances. "There's nothing, Derek and I…we're nothing, at least I don't want anything to do with him."

"Didn't seem like it," Jackson mutters, looking down at his feet and back up at him.

"I can't explain it, Jacks," Danny admits, figuring he might as well tell Jackson everything, even if his explanations probably won't be any. "He…he just makes it hard for me to resist, it's like every time he touches me, I'm on fire. I mean, you've got to admit, he's smoking hot."

"You are smoking hot," Jackson retorts, causing Danny's brain to just black out for a moment, his eyes open wide and staring at his best friend who looks like he just let the cat out of the bag.

"Wh…what?"

"Uh…I mean…" Jackson stutters and Danny still doesn't know what to say. Not thinking, Danny just flees to the bathroom, locking behind him and leaning back against the white wooden door. Why is this Danny's life? How can this be his life? Is some sadistic playwright having fun playing puppeteer with every single person in his life and turning it into a dramatic play? This is getting ridiculous, it feels like a joke, like camera men are going to appear out of nowhere and tell him that this was all a prank. Except that Danny knows this is real, this is actually happening and he can't do anything to stop it.

"Dan…" Jackson knocks frantically and Danny tries to tune him out as he slides down the door until he hits the cold tiled floor. Jackson had better have a good explanation; although Danny's positive he won't like what he hears if he does ask for it. He hates the idea, the idea of Jackson potentially loving him, as in more than just friends. But alas it does make sense, it would explain Jackson's hostility towards Derek, his funny behavior now looks like jealousy and Danny feels dizzy. Danny discards the idea, thinking that this could simply be physical attraction, or at most a simple crush. How could they be in love at their age? They're just teenagers, and teenagers don't fall in love, or at least, not really in love. Teenagers just have flings; that's all.

He takes deep breaths to center himself, walking over to the sink to splash some cold water on his face as he tries to process everything that's happened to him within the past couple days; his complicated and sex-fueled unwanted relationship with a werewolf accused of murder, his being kidnapped and injured, his best friend coming out to him, his best friend telling him he finds him attractive. It's all too much, too fast and Danny just wants to be alone now. Jackson keeps pounding on the door and Danny can hear him on the other side of the door, can hear his best friend's broken voice and desperate pleas. It breaks Danny's heart and it makes him want to just bury his head in the sand and forget everything and that just makes everything even sadder than they already are.

"Dan…please, open the door," Jackson pleads, the knocks having now stopped. Resigned, Danny walks over to the door, unlocks it and opens it abruptly, finding himself face to face with his best friend, who looks like a mess.

"I'm sorry," Danny says instinctively, not really sure what he's apologizing for. Is he sorry for freaking out on Jackson and hiding in the bathroom cowardly? Or is he sorry for not feeling the same way about Jackson? Well, he does find Jackson attractive, he'd be lying if he said he didn't, but the truth is, Jackson has always been out of the question when it came to his potential love interests. Not just because Jackson's straight—well, was supposedly straight, Danny now knows Jackson isn't—but because he's his best friend. So Danny never let himself even think about the possibility of he and Jackson having anything more than what they've had all along and Danny has been content with that, never wanted more. Danny needs to clear his head, he needs to get out of his house, he needs to get away from everyone, "I'm sorry Jacks, I can't deal with this right now," Danny adds and brushes past him but Jackson stops him with a firm grasp on his forearm, prompting Danny to turn around and look at him.

Jackson looks hesitant for a moment while they stand awkwardly facing each other, his gaze flickering everywhere until they settle on Danny's eyes. Jackson moves curtly, stepping forward and breaching into Danny's personal space, taking him by surprise, hand on Danny's neck, and thumb on his jaw, lips pressed against his.

It takes Danny a second to register what's going on and when he does, all he can think of doing is kissing Jackson back and the second he does, he can feel Jackson melting down, relaxing and kissing him with more gusto. In the back of his head he can't help thinking that this is a bad idea and yet it feels so nice, so different. It's not as intoxicating, as intense, as overwhelming at it is with Derek, it's almost like Danny can actually enjoy it, the feel of Jackson's lips and tongue, the feel of Jackson's hands on his skin. This is what it should feel like, this is normal and Danny somewhat likes it. The pain Danny has come to associate with Derek, the pain that woke him up earlier, it's back, only it's ten times worse and it's so breathtaking that Danny cannot just ignore it. He tries nonetheless though, tries to ignore Derek's ridiculous jealousy and heartbreak, tries to get Derek out of his life—as crazy as that sounds. It shouldn't even happen, Danny shouldn't be able to feel what Derek's feeling, Danny shouldn't be this upset over kissing his best friend. Derek's face appears in his mind all of a sudden and Danny has to pull away to catch his breath, his hand fisting over his chest and he squeezes his eyes hard over the pain. God damn it, why won't Derek just leave him alone? Even when he's not there, he somehow still is; Danny even feels guilty to a certain extent over kissing Jackson, like he's cheating on Derek—which he's not.

"Danny, what's wrong? You can't breathe?" Jackson's hands are on his shoulders and Danny breathes deeply, clearing his mind, thinking positive thoughts or whatever to forget about Derek, to just focus on anything else but the pain and the need to hold Derek close and kiss him. Surprisingly, it works, he doesn't feel like his heart is being constricted anymore and he breathes out a relieved sigh, leaning against Jackson to keep his balance.

"I'm okay," Danny assures Jackson as he stands back on his own feet. "I'm okay now."

"And what exactly happened just now?" Jackson demands, arms crossed over his chest, tilting back and forth on his heels.

"It's nothing," Danny replies, relieved that the hold Derek had on him is gone—or at least, weakened.

"Are you sure? You were hurting like this just a few minutes ago, is it your heart? You kept putting your hand on your chest; it has to be your heart right? We should take you to the hospital."

"Jacks, seriously, I'm okay," Danny insists, knowing very well that no doctor can help him—and isn't that ironic? Danny is a scientist at heart, a firm believer in medicine; he discards any possibility of miracles and other things of the likes. And here he is, experiencing what feels like a heart attack but knowing that his heart is actually fine, that he's healthy. Well, at least he thinks he is. After all, there's no reason for him to have a heart attack at his age, he's an athlete, he eats healthy and his parents would've known if he was born with any congenital conditions. He's still curious though; would anything come up on any medical test?

"I'd rather be safe than sorry, I'm calling your dad," Jackson says, fetching his cell phone out of his pocket but Danny catches his wrist and pulls his best friend toward him, prompting Jackson to look back up at him. Their bodies flushed together, Danny's arms snake around Jackson's lean waist, head buried in the crook of Jackson's neck and shoulder.

"Jacks, don't do it. You know me, right? If it really was serious, I would know and I would be the first to call my dad, okay?" Danny tries to convince him, thinking the close contact would help; he really doesn't want to go to the hospital right now.

"All right, fine," Jackson says, resigned and relaxing in Danny's arms. "But still, I don't think it would hurt to have him examine you, at least when he comes home."

"Yeah, okay, sure."

Danny's not sure what to think about Jackson as he leans back, arms still wrapped around him, as he looks at Jackson's face, his gorgeous face and his perfect skin. Danny's always envied Jackson's good looks a little, has always joked about how Jackson could easily be a super model, has even suggested his best friend try it out. But Jackson is more than just a pretty face; Danny knows that, his best friend has told him how school was important to him; how he was glad they were both on the same page on the matter, actually. And Danny is too, even though Jackson acts like a jerk at school, Danny knows better, knows that Jackson isn't a dumb jock, that he's better than that. They probably wouldn't be best friends anyways, they've grown together, have influenced each other and Danny is really glad that his assiduity in his studies has grown on Jackson.

Coming back to the present situation, Danny thinks about what could happen between him and Jackson. His best friend did kiss him, twice, and he initiated it both times. If anything, Danny can conclude that Jackson is interested in him, and maybe he could allow himself to consider this, them. Cupping Jackson's face, Danny makes a decision and leans forward, capturing his best friend's lips in another kiss and Jackson just complies, groaning as their tongues meet languorously. It does feel kind of exhilarating, Danny has to admit, it feels like he's adventuring himself in forbidden lands, it feels like he's even more privileged now than he already was, like he's gotten access to yet another side of Jackson that no one else knows.

"I'm in love with you," Jackson whispers when they break from the kiss, breath teasing Danny's lips, foreheads pressed together.

This is it, Danny thinks, feeling his skin go cold. All hell's breaking loose.

Stiles looks around him, looking for any sign of Scott but all he sees are miles and miles of trees and a psycho killer/alpha werewolf staring at him with a dangerous smile on his face.

"Don't just sit there on the ground, it's dirty," Peter says, fingers lifting up Stiles' chin, prompting him to stand up and Stiles is so paralyzed in fear that he just submits to the man, getting back up on his feet. He's standing too close for comfort to Peter, can smell the man's cologne and see his eyes clearly for the first time. They're blue, just like Derek's, and why is Stiles focusing on that?

"What do you want?" Stiles asks, the lump in his throat making it hard for him to speak. He wonders where Scott is, hopes his best friend has at least the decency to look for him.

"I have no intention of harming you, Stiles," Peter doesn't bother moving away from him, he's still standing close to him, Stiles can feel warmth radiating from the him. "No, wait, pardon me, I sort of do, actually."

"What…what do you mean?" Stiles stutters, anxiety taking over him as he frets an attack any moment now.

"Don't worry," Peter steps even closer, leaning close to Stiles ear and…he's taking a deep breath through his nose—is he…could he be smelling him? "I like you, Stiles."

"I'm sorry I can't say I feel the same about you," Stiles replies wryly, his back standing straight and his body still standing still, as though his feet were planted in the earth beneath him. Where the hell is Scott?

"You're smart," Peter ignores his last word, his head coming back into view as his eyes pierce through his. "Resourceful, brave."

"Stop it, you're going to make me blush," Stiles retorts, causing the werewolf to chuckle, feeling a little bit more at ease as Peter takes one step back to take a good look at him. What is he doing? He shouldn't be provoking Peter, but he can't seem to stop himself, it's just who he is.

"Do you know why wolves hunt in pack?" Peter asks out of the blue. "It's because their favorite prey are too large to be brought down by one wolf alone."

"So what?"

"So…the larger the pack, the better," Peter answers him and Stiles starts to get where this is headed.

"So you're not going to kill me?" Stiles asks, admonishing himself almost immediately for pushing his luck. Peter moves forward, eyes fixed on him and Stiles steps back instinctively, already regretting his last question.

"Don't you understand yet? I'm not the bad guy here."

"You turn into a giant monster with red eyes and fangs, and you're not the bad guy?" Stiles retorts, a little bit surprised and relieved when Peter's only reaction is a brief smirk.

"I like you, Stiles," he repeats, stepping back up into his personal space, their faces mere inches apart and Stiles can't seem to move. "So I'm going to offer you something. Do you want the bite?"

"What?"

"Do you want…the bite?" Peter repeats his question even if Stiles heard him just fine the first time. He's just…astonished. "If it doesn't kill you, and it could, you'll become like us."

"Like you?" A werewolf. Stiles can't say he hasn't thought about it, all this time he's watched Scott from the sidelines, Stiles has thought one too many times how great it would feel to be this powerful.

"Yes, a werewolf," Peter rolls his eyes at Stiles' embarrassing inability to keep up intelligently with the conversation. "That first night in the woods, I took Scott because I needed a new pack. It could've easily been you, and honestly? I wish it had been you."

Stiles doesn't know what to say and can't believe he's actually considering Peter's offer. Peter grasps his wrist and brings it up to his mouth, eyes looking at him sideways.

"Yes or no?"

Stiles pulls his hand back at the last second, right before the alpha sinks his fangs into his flesh. "I don't want to be like you."

"You know what I heard just now? Your heart beating slightly faster at the words 'I…don't…want'. Even if I couldn't hear your heart beating, I could still be able to tell you're lying."

"Still, I don't want the bite, I don't want to be part of your pack, I don't want anything to do with you," Stiles says, determined to not give in. He's tempted, there's no denying here, but he likes being human and he'd rather not make a decision for something irreversible that he might regret later.

"It pains me to hear that," Peter heaves a sigh, arms suddenly pulling Stiles' body against his, pressing their hips together. "Because either way, I'm still claiming you, Stiles."

"What…?" Stiles has barely got time to protest before he feels Peter's teeth sinking into his neck, biting lightly and licking at the same time.

"God, you really do taste delicious," Peter breathes out and Stiles is relieved when he realizes the werewolf hasn't actually bitten him with his fangs. But then he realizes on the other hand that the bite was…a sexual act and that stirs up an unwanted reaction from Stiles.

"It seems like someone's enjoying it," Peter's hand strokes Stiles' crotch. "See, now I'm a hundred percent sure that like being bitten, Stiles."

Stiles is powerless, his brain has decided to shut down at the most unfortunate of times and he's just too shocked to do anything as Peter cups his face and kisses him. Stiles feels hands coming up his back, arms tightening around his body and it feels so good that Stiles can't help but wrap his own arms around the other man's body. This is Stiles' first kiss and he never imagined it would be like, with a werewolf, an alpha. Their lips part and Peter leaves a trail of kisses along his jaw until his lips reach Stiles' neck again. He doesn't know how he knows this but Stiles manages to pull away from Peter's hold just in time before the fangs can come in contact with his skin.

"No, I don't want this," Stiles says, the force with which he broke away from the other man has him landing on his bum on the ground.

"You're lying again," Peter smiles, crouching down beside him and offering him his hand. "But it's all right, I guess I'll wait for you to come around."

"I won't," Stiles gulps down the lump in his throat, sweat dripping down the sides of his face. God what is wrong with him? How can he be turned on by the man in front of him? He's a killer, an actual monster.

"You will," Peter smirks, sounding so sure of himself it scares Stiles a little. Peter takes his hand and pulls him back up on his feet. "Until then, we can have some fun, that'll convince you."

tbc...

Wow, ok, this chapter is a bit longer than the others but I couldn't stop writing. I love Peter. He is absolutely gorgeous and I loved the few scenes he had with Stiles, can't help the slash goggles. I'm not so sure about Danny/Jackson, I know some of you can't picture them together but as you can see by the length of this chapter, I was actually quite inspired by those two. Still, I'm hesitant. Like Danny, actually.

I'm sorry for those who asked for Jackson/Stiles, I unfortunately can't picture them together, at least not in this story.

Thank you for all the reviews, and thank you all lurkers who have been reading this story along, I never actually thanked you for reading this story but I do appreciate it just as much as if you reviewed. It's just nice to hear back from you and get your reactions to the story. Anyways, longer chapter and longer note too, sorry about that.

For those who, like me, are experiencing Irene this weekend, I wish you all good luck and hope you'll be safe.

On that note, as usual, let me know what you think!