Chapter Text
The blizzard comes to an end when they return to the cottage. There’s smoke rising in the backyard, so they head behind the cottage. The five of them reunite with the rest of the pack. All of them are gathered around the giant bonfire.
“Thank God!” Cora says. She throws her arms around his neck. Lydia, Danny, Ethan, and Aiden line up to hug Stiles behind her.
“We missed you!” Lydia says.
“Are you alright?” Danny asks. Stiles nods at him.
“You scared the shit out of us!” Ethan says.
“Welcome back, man!” Aiden says. He’s the only one who slaps him on the back instead of hugging him.
“What happened?” Derek asks. There’s carcass of a giant spider scorching behind them.
“Holy shit,” Isaac says.
“It shapeshifted again and tried to eat Danny and Ethan,” Cora explains. “So we killed it.”
“Um, wow, okay then” Scott says.
Stiles is less squirmy and repulsed than usual. He stares into the blazing fire, mortified by what was once the trickster. Everyone begins to crowd Stiles to see if he’s okay. It becomes too overwhelming for him as soon as they start asking questions.
“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Derek declares. He squeezes past them to get to Stiles. “Give him some damn space.” He wraps an arm around Stiles. “Come on, let’s get you inside.” He leads him back inside the cottage.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Stiles says.
“I’ll be here when you get out,” Derek says.
Stiles seems relieved by his words before shutting the bathroom door.
It’s been over hour. Derek hears Stiles start to sob as the shower runs. For a long while, the wolf argues with himself on what to do. Eventually, he gets up and knocks the door.
“Hey Stiles,” Derek grunts. “Are you alright?” There’s no response, only the sound of sniffling. Derek hesitates for a long moment. “Can…I come in?” He asks. There’s a long pause.
“…Yeah,” Stiles says.
Derek opens the door and reluctantly walks in. He shuts the door behind him and sits down on the toilet lid. He hunches over to rest his elbows on his knees. He looks across the room at the closed shower curtains.
“I’m here to listen,” Derek offers. “If you want to talk.”
“…I hate spiders” Stiles sniffles.
“Yeah,” Derek says. “Laura used to hate them too. I’d always have to kill them for her.” His lips curl up at his memories of her.
“I was so worried about you guys,” Stiles says. “I haven’t been that scared since…my mom was sick.” His heartbeat starts to race and his breathing hitches. “I c-can’t breathe….” Stiles pants rapidly. Derek quickly stands up. “I-I think I’m having a p-p-panic attack-k.” Derek used to have them all the time after the Hale fire. Laura was always the one to calm him down. “D-D-Derek…”
The werewolf yanks open the shower curtain. The human hugs his knees to his chest. The shower head continues to run and soak him in water. Derek reaches for the faucet and turns it off. He crouches down to his level and opens his arms. Stiles hesitates before wrapping his arms around the back of his neck. He pulls Derek halfway into the tub with him and clutches onto his leather jacket for dear life. The human buries his face into the wolf’s shoulder and quietly sobs.
“It’s okay,” Derek says. He tightens his embrace. “You’re safe now, and so is the pack.
“I-I can’t b-b-breathe, D-Derek” Stiles says, panting for air.
“Yes you can,” Derek says. “Breathe with me,” He rubs soothingly circles into his back. “Inhale…exhale…inhale…exhale”
It takes him a little while to match his breathing. Stiles isn’t panicking anymore, but his heart is still racing from Derek being so close to him. He cries softly and eventually falls asleep in his warm arms.
The werewolf scoops up his human and carries him to his bed. He wraps the blankets around him and makes a comfortable nest of pillows. He walks towards the desk chair when he feels a tug on his sleeve.
“Derek,” Stiles says, softly. “Please don’t leave me.”
The desk chair is close to the door. He must have thought he was leaving.
“I wasn't going to,” Derek assures. "I won't leave you. I promise.” He slips off his shoes and lets his leather jacket fall onto the floor.
Stiles takes his arm and draws him into bed. Derek leans against the headboard and lies down beside him.
“Derek,” Stiles says. “Will you hold me?”
The werewolf nods and pulls the human into side. Stiles wraps an arm around his stomach. Derek kisses the top of his head and hears Stiles’ heart skip a beat.
Stiles looks up to meet his eyes, before drifting down to his lips.
“Derek,” Stiles whispers. “Will you kiss me?”
The werewolf nods as he rubs his thumbs across his cheekbones. He can’t help, but get lost in the human’s gorgeous face. Stiles closes his eyes and patiently waits for him.
Derek closes the distance between their lips and gently kisses him. Stiles kisses him back tenderly. Both cherish the seconds.
“Get some sleep,” Derek says. He hates to separate his lips from his, but his mate needs to rest. The wolf pulls his human as close as possible. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“I know,” Stiles says. His lips curl up into a smile.
They fall asleep together.
The End.