Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf or its characters

These drabbles can be read chronologically or not. Dealer's choice. I'm writing them in a progression style but they all pretty much stand alone.

A/N: I got inspired so lucky for you guys you got DOUBLE CHAPTER POST THIS WEEK! Whhhhhaaattt?! Ok I'll stop now.

The next couple of weeks dealing with Derek are very confusing for Isaac.

And not because of his feelings like everyone would assume. He knew he was gay, or at least bisexual for only some girls and mostly gay, so the realization that he had feelings for a man didn't bother him. It didn't even bother him that he had feelings for Derek. Realizing it had been like finding an old trinket or photograph that brings on a certain memory and think 'oh, there you are' as if you hadn't been looking for it and had at the same time.

The difficulty comes from just Derek himself. He's been acting odd lately and Isaac can't figure out why.

He just does so many things that contradict each other, like buying the Thai food and talking to him about his day over it only to aggressively kick his ass in training the next day (Erica's words not his). He can't sleep one night so Derek offers him his bed and even though he sleeps alone it's the best night's sleep he's had in a long time as he's wrapped in Derek's scent. The next morning Derek is ripping off all the bedding with a curl in his nose like it stinks, like Isaac's smell stinks. He washes his clothes, saying it's no big deal even though Isaac can tell he's taken the extra time to fold each item just so. A few days later there's a dresser by the wall near the couch he sleeps on and a gruff command of him to get his stuff out of Derek's room.

Isaac feels like a yo-yo, being pulled in and pushed away by Derek over and over again.

He thinks that maybe he's reading into things more than need be. He and Derek have always had a more special relationship than the other Betas, having been just the two of them for a while when Erica and Boyd had been kidnapped. They had formed a bond, became a pack of two for a while. He guesses that maybe the 'special treatment' he shows Isaac is perhaps not romantic at all but perhaps gestures of kindness to his first and truest Beta. Isaac thinks that if he can't have Derek he can live with that at least.

When he comes home from school that day he plans to do as he is told and move his things out of Derek's room into the dresser. He had given it a few days, playing it off like he was too busy, in order to give Derek sometime to reconsider. He doesn't.

After coming in and throwing his backpack in the general direction of his couch to do homework on later Isaac spots Derek at his desk looking at a book in the falling sunlight. It's surreal looking, even though he's seen it several times, and makes his stomach do flip-flops. He's about to ask Derek what he's reading since he seems obviously engrossed but then his sharp eyes take notice of the spine and faded markings on the corner. "That's mine!"

Derek pulls his gaze up from the sketch book, obviously not expecting such an outburst but calmly says, "I know. It fell off the shelf in the closet when I was moving stuff."

"Don't look at it!" Isaac shouts and is over to Derek in a flash with his long legs, ripping the book from his hands. Isaac will later think that perhaps it wasn't the best idea to shout at and take things out of his Alpha's hands but the very human need to keep his book private for once out reigned his wolf.

"Why? I think they're really good."

"I don't-you…you what?" Isaac sputters, book clutched to his chest and looking at Derek like he has two heads. The other werewolf seems to want to chuckle but knows now is not the time.

"I think they're really good. You shouldn't be ashamed of them." Derek repeats, leaning back into his chair with a tentative eye on his Beta.

"I'm not ashamed!"

"Then why are you hiding them?"

Isaac straightens a little before he hunches his shoulders again. "Because…because I didn't want you to think I was a wuss for drawing and liking art."

Derek's brow furrows. "Why would I think that?" Isaac looks at him with a drawn expression and Derek seems to instantly get it. He seems to see the fights with his father, the screaming about how he was too old to draw pictures and art was for girls, how he smashed all the special pencils he had gotten with weeks of saved allowance, the way the heavy paper of his old sketch pad had disintegrated in a slow burn in the fire place, that the worn edges and frayed corners of the book are from Isaac having to hide it just to keep him from finding it. "I'm not him Isaac."

The blonde teen looks up at Derek's words, stone faced yet still seeking understanding. "I know." Isaac tells him. He knows Derek isn't like his father. He's never scared of Derek, never feels trapped with him, never worries what will happen if he questions or messes up or isn't' perfect anymore. He may be rough and confusing and stubborn as hell but he was Isaac's savior. And Isaac loved him for so many other reasons than that. "I just don't want you to look at them, that's all. They're private."

The Alpha nods once, seeming to accept his answer and stands from his chair. "You don't have to hide things from me Isaac, or anyone else for that matter. You're a good person, a strong kid. Besides, you're a werewolf now. You bow your head to no one. Understand."

Isaac looks into Derek's eyes and Derek looks back and Isaac sees something in them. Behind the bravado, and the protectiveness, and the sheer authority of an Alpha, there's something there that lets Isaac know that this all isn't just because he's Derek's Beta. It's because of him.

Derek must notice that he's staring too long or that his mask is slipping because he jerks his eyes away suddenly. "If we're done here you can start moving your junk out of my room. I'm tired of it cluttering up the place." He grumbles and stalks off in the opposite direction without another word.

Isaac stands there for a minute and smiles. He goes over to the dresser and prepares to tuck the sketch book away in one of the drawers to be buried by clothes. He decides against it though, and leaves it on top as he goes to get his things. Derek may want to look at it again.

Thanks to all those that followed, faved, and reviewed last time. Virtual salt water taffy and confetti sprinkles to all those that review.