We sat down for dinner, Derek on one side of me and Laura on the other. I was seriously becoming concerned that Hannah's face was going to get stuck in a permanent smile. Also, it turns out that Hannah makes the best spaghetti. Dinner, thankfully, wasn't awkward at all. They mostly discussed Laura's schoolwork and Derek's baseball. They successfully managed to distract me from thoughts of my mother which, I suspect, was the plan. The awkward moment came after dinner. I yawned so wide my jaw cracked and Derek chuckled.
"You trying to tell me something?" He teased. My face heated immediately.
"Sorry. It's been a long day." I sighed. Derek nodded in understanding.
"Do you just want to go to bed?" He questioned. I smiled at him.
"Yeah, kinda. I don't want to be rude…" I tried off as Derek grabbed my hand. He led me down a hallway to a set of doorways. He opened one of the doors which led to his bedroom. The walls were made of wood paneling and the floors were dark blue carpet. The bed was in the corner, pushed up against the wall. There was a TV with a DVD player hooked up to it and a case for the Cardinals World Series 2011 games sitting on top of it. A baseball was sitting on the floor with a bat a few feet away. I turned to Derek. "What are you doing?" I questioned.
"Um, getting ready for bed?"
"Oh…ok." I answered hesitantly, unsure. Derek walked over to his closet and pulled open the door. Inside there was a set of drawers, one of which he opened. The next thing I knew there was cloth covering my face. I reached up and pulled it off, revealing a pair of sweatpants. I looked back up to Derek, confused.
"You don't want to sleep in your jeans, do you?" He asked, sensing my confusion. I shook my head and looked down. Did he expect me to change in front of him? "The bathroom is right across the hall." I smiled gratefully at him and turned. I went into the bathroom and closed the door. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and my jaw dropped. My eyes were still swollen from crying even though I had stopped a long time ago. My eyes looked exhausted, and my face was pale. Well, more pale than usual. I cringed. Derek and his family have spent the past few hours with me and I looked like this? Great first impression. I quickly changed into the sweatpants and went back into Derek's room. He was lying on the bed wearing nothing but the sweatpants he changed into. I blushed, looking at the ground.
"Where do you want me to…" I let the question hang, knowing he understood. He sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Close the door." I did as I was told and turned back to him. He patted the bed beside him and I tentatively walked over. He opened his arms as I laid down, pulling me to him. "Do you want the TV on or off?" He questioned. I shrugged.
"I don't care. Whatever you prefer. I can sleep through it." He smiled gently at me before grabbing the remote and pushing the power button. He switched the channel to Investigation Discovery and I snorted. "You watch crime shows to put you to sleep?"
He shot me a look.
"We don't all have Sheriffs for fathers, Stiles." I flinched as soon as he mentioned my father. He squeezed me tighter and nuzzled my neck.
"Sorry." He mumbled. I grunted my acceptance while he leaned over me, switching off the lamp. I rolled over so I was facing the TV, my back to Derek. He scooted closer to me and pressed his body to mine. His arm was slung over my waist and I felt the barely there trail of lips on the back of my neck. I started slipping into sleep as soon as Derek pulled the blanket up, but one question kept me awake.
"Can I ask you a question?" Derek made a sound of acknowledgement. "Why are you doing so much for me?" I felt Derek tense briefly before relaxing again.
"I care about you." Was his response.
"I mean why? I've barely ever talked to you before but you're being awesome and taking care of me like we've been friends forever." Derek's breath was ghosting over my neck and I barely managed to hold back a shiver. Derek grunted.
"I don't actually know. I just…feel the need to protect you." His arms tightened around me, wrapping me in a cocoon of warmth. I most definitely did not whine. "It's like my instincts just kick in when I'm with you. I don't like seeing you upset." I smiled, accepting this answer. The last thing I remember before slipping into sleep if the trail of Derek's nose up my neck.
A/N: I originally didn't plan on making the Hale family werewolves but I decided (with the input of my readers on A03) to make them werewolves. It makes more sense with the story. Also you guys are awesome and your comments make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside... Also sorry if this sucked. I decided to write at 2am.