I woke up slowly, warm all over. I laid there with my eyes closed, letting the heat envelop me for a little while longer. It took awhile to realize that the heat was caused by the body currently spooning me and the arm slung around my waist. My heart started thumping in my chest and I sat straight up. I felt stupid as I looked down and met Derek's concerned eyes.
"You okay?" He questioned, his voice thick with sleep. I smiled sheepishly back at him.
"Yeah... I forgot where I was for a minute." I admitted. He grinned and reached up, grabbing my shirt. He pulled me back down so I was lying on my back. He was laying on his side so I ended up staring awkwardly at the ceiling while he was starting awkwardly at my face. Of course, being Derek, he didn't think it was awkward at all. In fact, he was smiling a little bit. I risked a glace over at him and gasped. His eyes were almost neon blue and he looked so completely satisfied. I rolled over so I was on my side, realizing somewhere in the back of my mind that his mouth was only about two inches from mine. My hand slowly rose to his face before I could think about what I was doing. My fingertips went to under his right eye and he made that almost purring sound again.
"Your eyes." I whispered. Said eyes were latched onto mine and my heart skipped a beat. I didn't take the time to wonder why I wasn't freaked out that his eyes apparently change color and glow. He made a growly sound that matched the satisfied smirk on his face. Apparently he liked me touching him. "Why are you purring?" I questioned. "How do humans even purr? Or growl?" It was truly a sign of my sudden nerves, the talking. Because I realized I was laying on Derek Hale's bed, with said Derek Hale practically cuddling me, my face two inches away from his, and I was touching his face. The closeness was too much for my virgin body to take. I sat up and pulled away, causing Derek to while. I looked at him, raising my eyebrow. "What you're whining now? What are you, a puppy?" Derek looked practically offended.
"I prefer to think of myself as more of a wolf." He responded. I rolled my eyes but I couldn't keep the smile off of my face.
"Of course you do. The only objection I have to that is wolfs don't cuddle but puppies do. And you, sir, like to cuddle." I argued, getting off of the bed completely. Derek grabbed my wrist before I could go anywhere.
"How do you know wolves don't like to cuddle?" He challenged.
"Well I don't know for a fact, but if I meet a wolf and it likes to cuddle, I'll let you know." A smile slid on to his face then, and it was one of those 'I know something you don't know' smiles. "Anyway," I wasn't even going to ask. "I think it's time I go h-" I couldn't force the word 'home' out. It wasn't really home without mom there. I felt the guilt weigh down on me that while I was cuddling with Derek, my dad was home alone trying to deal with everything by himself. Derek stood up and pulled me into a hug. I let my forehead rest on his shoulder. I really could get used to all of this affection. A thought suddenly occurred to me though, and I jerked away from Derek. He didn't let me go far, his arms still holding on tight.
"Stiles, what's wrong?" I was still trying to pull away but he was having none of it.
"Let me go." I demanded. He didn't, of course, because he's Derek Hale and he apparently loves to cuddle.
"Why?" He demanded right back. I sighed and stopped struggling, knowing it as a hopeless cause.
"I don't want your pity cuddles." I managed weakly. I felt so pathetic. The whole time I thought he might actually like me, but he's just being nice. He's sweet and gentle and concerned and he's just trying to make me feel better, nothing more. Derek made another growly sound, this one sounding absolutely furious. And since when could I discern his growling sounds?
"I'm not… I don't… Stiles!" He stuttered. "You think I'm cuddling you because I pity you?" And yup, he was definitely angry.
"Well I don't see any other reason as to why you would." I shot back. His mouth opened, then snapped shut.
"Maybe it's because I care about you? Maybe it's because I don't like seeing you hurt and in pain? Maybe it's because I want to do everything I can to try to make you smile even though you don't have a reason." Derek's voice softened on the last sentence and I felt tears prick my eyes. I let myself lean against him, even if I didn't believe him. I don't know how long we stood there, a few minutes at least, before I finally spoke again.
"You know, you're going to spoil me with all the cuddling." Derek's body shook with silent laughter.
"I'm available any time." He teased. I snorted, pulling back enough to look at him.
"Any time, huh? So what if I'm in the shower- and you know what? I'm just going to stop that right there. Seriously, I need to go home. My dad's alone and I just… need to be there with him." I sighed sadly. "I left him there by himself last night while I was avoiding it. I'm a horrible son." I tried to pull away again but seriously, the guy was like a brick wall.
"Stiles, that's not fair. Your dad doesn't blame you. He told mom he was relieved that you were staying here. He didn't want you to have to face it if you didn't have to. He's willing to give you some time away."
"But while I'm here, he's there by himself. You and your family are helping me deal with it, but who's helping him? I have to go home." Derek nodded, finally releasing me. He walked over to where I had left my clothes and picked them up. I had slept in his clothes and I expected him to give them back to me but he just held them.
"I'll take you home." He said. He held out his hand and I stared at it blankly. He sighed like I was thick in the head and laced our fingers together. He pulled me through the house by the hand and I was kind of relieved we didn't run in to any of his family members. We got to his car and he tossed my clothes on my lap. The drive to my house was silent. It only took about five minutes to get there, but I felt like I was going to my death. Derek's hand went to the back of my neck as if sensing my unease. "Hey." He said. I looked at him.
"I don't know if I can do this." I admitted.
"You'll be okay. You're stronger than you think." I smiled at him as we pulled into my driveway. I opened my door, preparing to get out, when I looked at Derek.
"Thanks. I honestly don't know if I could have made it through yesterday without you." I blushed and he grinned at me. I got out and was about to close the door when Derek spoke.
"Stiles?" I looked back at him. "Any time. Even if you're in the shower." My jaw dropped and I slammed the car door. Taking a deep breath I walked to my front door and walked inside.