A/N: I like this chapter, kinda. It's still a little boring since they're all in that 'waiting' period. Also, I know it seems like I spell 'Sherriff' wrong but it's actually correct depending on what kind of English you use. It's also correct to spell it 'Sheriff', which is the most common, or 'Shire-reeve', which is old English.

WARNING: Sexual situations between males and graphic descriptions of self-harm.

DISCLAIMER: me no own characters

ENJOY!

Chapter 18

Derek didn't let Stiles go throughout the twenty minutes it took his father to get home. Stiles seemed to retreat into a cold shell of acceptance that made Derek want to wrap around and growl at anything that came close, protect him. He heard the cruiser pull up and stood up, carrying Stiles in his arms like a baby and was slightly surprised at the lack of struggle and the simple acceptance. Quickly he unlocked the chain lock and went back to sitting on the couch with Stiles curled up in his lap. The Sherriff came bursting through the door and Derek's arms tightened even tighter despite knowing that it was irrational with the boy's father.

"Stiles!" Papa Stilinski came charging into the house after locking the door behind him. "Derek!"

"In the living room." Derek called and Papa Stilinski came running around the corner to halt at the sight provided.

"Is he ok? Stiles!"

Stiles looked at his father with sad eyes and gave him a small smile. "Hi dad. I'm glad you're ok."

Papa Stilinski's frown grew and he glared at Derek. "What's wrong with him?"

"He's convinced he's going to die. I think he's just in shock."

The Sherriff recoiled as if slapped before leaning down in front of Stiles. "Stiles, if you think for even one second that I will ever let anything happen to you then you are so damn wrong! You get your damn ass in gear right now!" he yelled at him. Stiles startled and stared at his dad in surprise. "Something is out there killing people and you're in here feeling sorry for yourself. I understand that the things that have been happening are difficult to deal with but I know you Stiles! This isn't you! All this moping and depression is not you. I don't know what you're going through Stiles but you'd better start doing something about it because I am sick and tired of watching you do this to yourself."

Papa Stilinski's voice cracked on the last sentence and Stiles felt pain shoot through him, his eyes going wide in disbelief. Quickly he shot out of Derek's arms and into his father's, wrapping his thin arms around his neck.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry dad! I just…I'm…" Stiles choked off on a sob and Papa Stilinski's arms wrapped around him and practically drowned him in a fierce bear hug.

"You're an idiot son but you're the smartest damn idiot if I've ever known one. I don't know all of what's going on but I know that this isn't how you're supposed to deal with it. Just…wake up Stiles."

"Ok…ok." Stiles sobbed and his dad rubbed his back.

Derek sat on the couch and watched the two of them. He felt saddened that he couldn't comfort Stiles like this but knew that there was nothing like the love of family. He watched as Stiles cried and hated the scent of sadness and salt that came with it but was glad that the underlying depression and pain was slowly slipping away. It didn't leave completely but he could tell there was determination set in the lines of his back when he finally straightened from his father's hold. There were still tears running down his face when he turned to Derek but there was also an anger there that completely replaced the cold acceptance of death that should never be there in the first place.

"I'm the next one so it should come for me. When it does, Derek, you're going to tear it to shreds."

Derek growled, his teeth pressing against his lips as the sharpened. "Of course I am. I'll let Scott and Isaac know what's happened and have them patrolling outside at all times. They won't leave you alone for a second when at school."

Stiles nodded quickly and turned back to his dad. "I don't want you getting hurt dad. Whatever this thing is, I don't know what kind of creature it is, but I don't want you anywhere near it."

"You think I want it anywhere near you?!" his dad asked incredulously. "There isn't a chance in Hell that I'm staying out of this. If I have a chance to shoot this son of a bitch I'm going to take it."

Stiles gave him a rueful smile but simply nodded. "I guess that's only fair. Just…please don't go rushing after it. I don't want you in danger."

"And I don't want you in danger and yet here you are. How do you manage that? You're always in the thick of these things."

Stiles shrugged. "I guess they're just attracted to my winning personality."

Papa Stilinski gave a snort and shook his head before patting his son on the shoulder. "Whatever you say son." He quickly got back to his feet from where they were kneeling beside the couch. "I'm exhausted and there's a game on tonight. You want to join me?"

Stiles nodded. "Sure."

Papa Stilinski looked at Derek. "Derek?"

Derek nodded. "Sounds good. I'm not leaving any time soon."

"Good. First, some grub. I'm hungry. I skipped dinner to investigate the crime scene then rushed here directly after. I'm sure the others understand."

"Derek made sandwiches. I'm sure if you ask nicely he'll share his with you." Stiles said as he followed his father into the kitchen.

"I can get my own dinner son."

Derek followed them into the kitchen too and picked up his abandon food and started munching on it again now that the fear and sadness and tension had finally died down. Stiles also sat back down at the table but simply picked at his sandwich, creating a mess of crumbs.

"Stiles, at least eat the rest of your sandwich without creating any more of a mess." His dad scolded him and he couldn't help but smile at the reprimand. It'd been a while since he'd gotten that one.

Derek quickly finished his food as Stiles began eating his again and pulled out his phone. "I'm going to call the others. I'll have Scott contact Allison and Lydia to let them know as well. We need all the help we can get." He said and quickly left the two Stilinski men to their own company.

"He seems kind of different." Papa Stilinski said as soon as he thought that Derek was out of earshot.

"How so?" Stiles asked around a bite.

"He seems more caring, softer somehow. The way he was holding you was very protective."

"Ah, yeah, that." Stiles picked at his bread again and avoided the suspicious look his father was undoubtedly giving him. "Well, the thing is…I might…sort of like Derek. Maybe just a little." He mumbled.

His dad was silent for a bit before the popping of toast broke the silence. "Well, I can't say that I'm surprised really. Just kind of shocked. You've been spending a lot of time around him and he's quite attached to you now."

"Uh…yeah." Stiles said awkwardly.

His dad quickly made his turkey and cheese sandwich before sitting down across from Stiles. "So, does he feel the same way about you?"

Stiles shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe? He's not very good with the whole feelings thing."

His dad nodded and took a big bite, thinking over what was being said and what wasn't being said. "Well, let me tell you, I support you no matter what you choose but just…" Papa Stilinski sighed as if he couldn't believe he was having this conversation. "…just be safe ok?"

"Ah! Dad!" Stiles' face flushed bright red and he waved his hand in front of him to get his dad to stop. "I do not need the safe sex talk, trust me! Besides, werewolves can't catch diseases so there's nothing to worry about! We're both male so there's no chance of pregnancy either." Stiles sputtered for a bit. "I don't even know if he likes me so there may not even be a reason to be having this increasingly embarrassing conversation."

"He'd be a fool not to but knowing that boy…" his dad shook his head. "Just give him time son, he's been through a lot."

Stiles nodded solemnly and took the last few bites of his sandwich, mulling it over. Derek came in a few minutes later looking as broody as ever.

"Ok, Scott is on his way to Lydia's and Isaac to Allison's. I've filled them in and they're all on the look-out for this thing. I'm staying here."

Stiles and his dad both nodded in understanding. The night went smoothly after that, Stiles was finally able to relax some though not all the way because the thing was still out there waiting to kill him. The game was boring but it was nice spending time with Derek and his dad. Mid-way through the game he sighed and leaned against Derek who was next to him, basking in the normalcy that he hasn't felt in ages. When the game finally ended around midnight his dad said goodnight to the both of them and headed upstairs to bed.

"We should head to bed too. You have school in the morning."

Stiles huffed and grumbled in annoyance at the tediousness of school at such an important time but followed Derek up the stairs as soon as he shut off all the lights and television and Derek had made sure that every window and door had been locked up properly. Once in the room Stiles quickly stripped to just his boxers and climbed under the sheets. The bed dipped behind him as Derek climbed in too and felt goosebumps rise on his skin as Derek's warmth engulfed his back.

"Scott and Isaac will be with you tomorrow and so will Allison and Lydia. I'm sure Chris Argent knows what's going on as well so we'll have an extra eye out."

"You think Deaton should be warned too if he doesn't already know?" Stiles asked.

There was a shrugging motion against his back. "I don't know. He works with Scott so he should know if he hasn't already heard of the deaths through the news. It's even more likely he knows more than us since it seems to be supernatural. I don't know any human that could simply vanish like that or smell like that or inflict that kind of damage."

"You're probably right. I just don't want to go to school tomorrow." Stiles grumbled and sighed yet again.

"You should sleep now. You have to get up in about six hours."

They settled in and even though Stiles didn't sleep he felt a bit better than he had in the previous weeks. Derek made him feel safe and took away some of his loneliness. Feeling his deep breaths against his back calmed Stiles and when morning came he didn't even feel that tired. He hadn't slept so of course there was weariness but it wasn't like it'd been before.

His alarm woke Derek up before he shut it off and climbed out of bed. The skies were still pretty dark and were only just starting to lighten on the edge of the horizon. Derek let out a long yawn as he pulled on some pants and a long sleeve button up over a graphic tee. His bag hadn't been moved since Friday so it was already packed with his stuff for the day.

"Did you sleep at all?" Derek's sleep graveled voice asked him from where he sat on the bed.

"Would you believe me if I said yes and told you not to worry about it?"

"No I wouldn't. You smell tired."

Stiles looked at him with one eyebrow raised. "I shouldn't even be surprised that you can smell that. What else can you smell?"

Derek ran a hand through his sleep mussed hair and frowned. "I can smell that you haven't showered since Friday at least. You should do that tonight. You're hygiene is important."

Stiles snorted. "Yeah, says the guy who lived in an abandon warehouse."

"I still took regular showers and did my laundry."

"Where? I don't think that place had a broom let alone an actual shower or washing machine."

Derek gave him a withering look that didn't affect him in the slightest. "I went to the Laundromat and used the showers at your school. I've also used your shower and Scott's a couple of times when the school had their locks replaced before I could make a copy."

Stiles just smirked and shook his head. "I should be very worried that you break into schools for a living."

"I don't anymore."

"Good. Do you still have that key though?" Stiles asked as he slung his bag over his shoulder and slipped his feet into his shoes.

"No you may not have it."

Stiles smiled and shrugged. "Worth a shot. You coming with me on the way to school or am I going alone? If you're coming you need to get dressed 'cause I have to go in about five minutes."

Derek hopped up off the bed and reached for his jeans and t-shirt he'd pulled off the night before and tugged them back on. Stiles gave a huff of laughter making Derek raise an eyebrow in question.

"You haven't done your laundry and have been wearing those clothes for at least three days and you're criticizing my hygiene. Hypocrisy dude." He said and patted Derek's shoulder on the way out of his room.

"I haven't been able to stop by the loft. I've been too busy protecting you from whatever psychopathic monster is out there. Again."

Stiles felt a bubble of hurt in his chest but just shook his head and stomped down the stairs to see his dad already in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in one hand and toast in the other.

"Hey dad, I'm off to school. Derek's going with me and I'll meet Scott there. Also, if Derek's going to be staying here for a while then he'll need to use our facilities as well."

"Right, right. Whatever you need Derek. Use whatever you want, eat whatever you want. Just make sure you replace the food or money for food since money doesn't exactly grow on trees."

"Yes sir."

Papa Stilinski gave a small smile and patted him on the shoulder as he downed the rest of his coffee and grabbed his jacket, stuffing the rest of his toast into his mouth.

"I gotta get goin' kiddo. I want you to call me as soon as you're home. Come straight home from school, no stops at all. I'll know."

"Yes sir daddy-o." Stiles said with a mock salute. "Be careful."

"I will. You be careful too. I love you."

"Love you too."

Papa Stilinski dropped a kiss on the top of Stiles' head before leaving for work. Stiles grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and prepared a simple ham sandwich for his lunch before leaving the house Derek in tow.

The ride to school was quiet without any conversation to fill the silence. The Jeep's radio had long since broken and with how frequent his poor baby got beat up he just left the radio broken. It'd be too expensive to pay for the repairs every single time it was damaged and he never really used it anyways. Before his depression had hit he'd probably have been extremely uncomfortable with this level of silence but now he didn't mind it so much since he didn't have to keep up appearances or say anything that accidentally gave away what he was really feeling.

Once he pulled into a lot at school Derek had hopped out and Scott had opened his door flanked by Isaac. Stiles turned off the Jeep and pulled his bag out after him, noticing that Derek had already vanished. He quickly made sure all the windows were rolled up and locked before slamming the door and locking it, putting the keys into his pocket.

"Hey man, how was the weekend with Derek? Long and broody?" Scott asked as he walked on his left towards the school.

"Yeah, sorry we had to leave you alone with him for so long." Isaac said from his right.

"Nah it was fine guys. He even joined by dad and I for breakfast Sunday morning."

"Wow. Your dad didn't mind?" Scott asked.

"Of course not. Why would he?"

"'Cause it's kind of a family thing."

"You've been invited plenty of times." Stiles pointed out as they reached the front entrance.

Isaac pulled the door open for them as Scott said, "Well, yeah, but I'm pretty much like his second son."

Stiles smiled as he recalled always wishing that Scott were really his brother. He didn't really wish for that anymore since it would disappoint him so much more if his own brother couldn't pick up on what was going on with him.

The day went slowly and uneventfully. Stiles was always slightly on edge but his worrying was all for naught. There were no killings or sudden appearances of crazed killers bursting into his classrooms like he was kind of expecting. It was just another ordinary day at school. After school had ended Isaac was there leaning against his Jeep and the ride home was just like the ride to school, silent but not uncomfortable.

Once they were home Stiles called his dad to let him know they'd made it back safe before starting on his homework. His dad came home late in the evening and they had dinner together before Isaac had to go home. Derek showed up before Isaac left. Stiles almost laughed when he saw the duffle bag in his hand and a plastic bag full of food in the other.

"This is to replace what I've eaten." Derek said and passed off the food to Stiles before heading up to Stiles' room.

Stiles pulled out several packages of bacon and couldn't help but chuckle. That was a not so subtle indication that Derek really liked bacon and that they'd be having that more often. He'd have to make sure that his dad only ate the turkey bacon he'd bought for him. There were also a few packages of ground beef and some rice. He put those away before heading up to his room as well.

Derek had piles of clothes on his bed as well as a pile of toiletries that he'd pulled from his duffle bag. There were three pairs of jeans, four t-shirts, his leather jacket, several pairs of socks and underwear. The toiletries were simple consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste, a razor, deodorant, and a small bottle of shampoo plus conditioner two in one.

"Should I have brought my laundry detergent?"

Stiles shook his head. "Nah, it's cool man. We got that covered. By the way, all the bacon? Not so subtle." He chuckled.

Derek shrugged as he folded up his last pair of pants. "Figured if I was going to be staying here for a while I might as well eat the food I want to eat. Where should I put all my stuff?"

"I'll empty a drawer for your clothes and you can put the bathroom stuff into the bathroom. I don't care where they go."

Derek nodded and headed off as Stiles opened the bottom drawer of his dresser and started moving what little stuff was in there to other drawers. Once it was empty he just left it open since he didn't know if Derek was against someone else touching his stuff. Derek came back a moment later and started putting his clothes into the drawer.

"Thanks. Now at least I don't have to run back and forth between my loft and here. I can stay here the entire time to make sure you stay safe."

"Scott and Isaac have their days as well so you can go do whatever it is you normally do."

"I just work out and read usually. I haven't had a job in a while."

Stiles flopped onto his bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I can imagine you being a carpenter or maybe a construction worker. Something really manly that puts all those overdeveloped muscles to good use."

Derek chuckled and Stiles turned his head to look at him and see the smile still on his face.

"I was a librarian a couple of years ago and that was probably the most enjoyable job I had. I also worked as a bartender and as security for a club back in New York. I didn't like those as much. They never lasted long though. People are really nosy."

Stiles flipped over onto his stomach and crossed his ankles in the air. "What was it like over there? I've been once on vacation but it must be totally different for a werewolf. What did it smell like? Sound like? I remember it as noisy and smoggy and people were always in a rush and were really rude, pushing and shoving."

Derek sat down on the bed in front of Stiles. "Yeah it was like that but I didn't really mind it. I was there with Laura so I didn't really care where I was." Derek was quiet for a bit, his gaze far away, but Stiles didn't say anything and simply waited for him to continue. After a couple minutes he did. "It was really beautiful in Central Park. The trees were always so green in the spring and summer time. In fall all the leaves would turn orange and red. Winter was freezing cold but being a werewolf that didn't really bother me."

Derek shifted back on the bed until he was leaning against the wall at the head of the bed. Stiles scooted up as well until he was resting his elbows on his pillow and staring up at Derek.

"Laura and I had rented this small apartment next to Central Park so that we could go there on the full moons and wolf out. We always had to be careful though, even in the middle of the night since there were always security guards and people around."

"Why did you guys go to New York?"

"It was right after the fire so we were running away from the hunters."

"Were you always on guard? Always looking over your shoulder?"

Derek nodded. "Yeah. It was tough. There were always so many people and we never knew who could be lurking in the crowd but that's also what made it safe. With so many people it'd be hard to distinguish a werewolf from a human. We always got lost in the crowd." Derek smiled then and looked down at his hands in his lap. "Laura always told me I was too uptight, that I should leave the worrying to her, the Alpha. My Alpha at the time."

"She sounds like an awesome person." Stiles said quietly.

Derek looked at him with sad eyes. "Yeah, she was."

"Would I have gotten along with her?"

"Maybe. You probably would've annoyed her with your endless chatter and she'd have scolded you all the time for your reckless behavior but I'm sure she would've liked you. She would've liked how brave you were for a human."

"Are you complimenting me or insulting me? I'm not so sure." Stiles smiled.

Derek gave him a small grin. "Neither. I'm just stating it like it is." He was silent again for a bit. "I've never told anyone about my family."

"Well, now's a good time to start. I like hearing about your family. They sound amazing."

"Yeah, they were. Especially my mom. She would've definitely liked you…maybe."

"Psh, 'maybe.' Everybody loves me." Stiles grumbled in mock hurt.

Derek looked at him with serious but gentle eyes. "I'll tell you about my family if you tell me about your mom."

Stiles startled at the mention of his mother before that sharp scent of sadness washed over him but he nodded anyways. "Yeah, that sounds fair. I guess we both have things we definitely need to talk about that we can't with anyone else."

Derek nodded and gently laid a hand on Stiles' shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. "I'll talk first if you'd like."

Stiles gave him a small, sad smile. "That would be good. You're already talking anyways. Which is a huge improvement to your broody silence I might add."

Derek's lips gave a small twitch but he fought the smile and just nodded. "Want me to continue with New York or my mother?"

"New York. I like hearing about it from your perspective. What was it like when you first got there?"

"I was really overwhelmed and sad. The fire had just happened and Laura was still struggling with becoming the new Alpha. She hadn't meant to inherit the position so young so it took her a lot to control it just like it did me after I got it from Peter. New York is so different from Beacon Hills. It's so much noisier but it's also calmer in a way. Here there's always some supernatural shit to clean up but in New York there was always too much going on for there to be much of a supernatural problem. Sure there were some mishaps between werewolf packs or a rabbit would mutate in the sewers or some idiot would discover his hidden powers and decide to use them wrong."

"Wow, that actually happened? A mutated rabbit? Does magic exist too then?"

"I'm sure it does. But yes, a mutated rabbit. There's been this 'alligators in the sewers' rumor in New York for years but it'd actually been this crazed mutated rabbit that'd been eating people who ventured too far into its territory. That had not been a pleasant experience. Laura and I had stunk of sewage for days no matter how much showering we did."

"That sounds awesome. Wish I'd been there to see it. Was it big? Did it have claws and fangs? Oh! What about a really long reptile tail?! That would've been awesome."

"No it didn't have a long reptile tail. It had a huge mouth and huge paws and feet and it was about four feet tall but it was strong. It threw me around a couple of times before Laura managed to take its head off. The blood in that thing was way worse than any sewage I'd been through. It only got on her though. I managed to stay clear of the spray."

Stiles laughed then, imagining it in his head and thinking about the absurdity of it. "I bet she wasn't too happy about that."

"Oh no. She trudged back to our apartment and sat in the shower for a full hour scrubbing, even when the water went cold."

"I would've too."

"No, you wouldn't understand the intensity of the stench until you've smelt it with a werewolf nose. It was absolutely putrid." Derek laughed and Stiles smiled at the expression. He wanted to see that on Derek more often.

"What about the hidden powers guy? What was his deal?"

"Just some twenty year old who'd been messing around with runes and herbs and different 'magic' items until he finally found a certain type of stone that reacted with his powers or whatever."

"What were his powers? Was he, like, a bad guy or something?"

"He wasn't at first. He was just curious about what he could do. We found him pretty early on when he caught wind of unusual things happening in an apartment complex not too far from ours. Small things like objects levitating or the lights flickering. We thought it was just a stupid superstitious old biddy talking but then there were multiple witnesses who said that a fire had broken out with no starter on the stairwell. No one was hurt but we knew immediately there was something else going on."

"So you and Laura did your badass werewolf thing and sniffed him out? Did he put up a fight?"

Derek shook his head. "No, he denied everything at first until Laura shifted and then he was incredibly forthright. He was very interested to find out that werewolves actually existed and promised to away from unwanted attention."

"But he wanted the attention didn't he?"

Derek nodded. "Yeah. He wasn't satisfied with how his life was at the moment and wanted more. He got too greedy and robbed a bank. It was a small one but it injured quite a few people. We warned him again but he told us to fuck off."

"Geez, rude much?"

Derek rolled his eyes. "As if you haven't told me that."

"Of course I have, because I know you. I get to."

Derek barely suppressed his second eye roll. "Anyway, we had to subtly remove him from his place in New York."

Stiles rested his chin on his hand and held up the index finger on his other. "Does that mean that you guys killed him and buried him in Central Park?"

"No, that means we threatened him with death and made sure he boarded the next plane to a very small town in Connecticut."

"So he's still alive."

"Sadly."

Stiles yawned long and hard, burying his face into his pillow so he wasn't breathing all over Derek before looking back up at him with teary eyes.

"You didn't sleep last night. You should try and get some tonight."

"I'd totally get some." Stiles said with a lilt obviously implying something that did not mean sleep.

Derek gave him a short condescending look before stripping off his shirt. "Not what I meant Stiles."

"I know but I could sure go for some." He said as he eyed Derek's chest.

Derek raised an eyebrow before shucking his jeans and climbing under the covers. "Not happening Stiles. Hurry up and get changed and turn out the light."

Stiles pouted but got up and shucked his clothes except for his boxers and shut out his light like he was told. He climbed in next to Derek still pouting.

"But I haven't so much as jerked off in, like, two weeks."

"Not my problem. Go to sleep Stiles."

"Stingy." He pouted but snuggled into his pillow and sighed. "Thanks for sharing. I like hearing about your stories. They're really cool."

Derek made a small noise of agreement and shifted so that he was on his side facing Stiles. Stiles stared at him for a bit before closing his eyes and shuffling forward until his legs were pressed against Derek's and his head was snug beneath his chin, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Night."

"Good night Stiles."

A/N: Hurray for story time with Derek! I loooove a gentle Derek and I feel like with the way that this fic has evolved he's entitled to be a little soft.

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, ERMAHGERSH! I looooooooooooove you guys! All of your support and reviews and favorites and follows! It's so beautiful! I have so many faithful readers who read and review my writing and it my heart go 'thumpthumpthusldvnasoifnaoh' all over the place! I don't think you understaaaaand! Maybe you do… but you dooooon't!

Stay tuned for the next chapter which will be coming out very soon since I'm an idiot and stayed up all night typing 40 long pages just so that I could have the next chapter ready for alls of yalls. It's a really good, exciting chapter I feel. Thanks! ~hearts~