Derek comes back to town to visit his cousin Scott. He ends up meeting Scott's dysfunctional best friend, and his life takes a turn.

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DEREK POV

I stepped out from the camaro looking at the city sign. It read Beacon Hills, after four years I was home. I put a down payment on a loft before I came back but first I had to stop by and visit my kid cousin Scott. We were so close before I left, and I couldn't wait to see his expression when he found out I was back. Scott was peering through the window when I pulled into the driveway. Before I could get out the the car I could hear Scott from inside the house tumbling down the stairs and out the door.

"Derek!" he jumped on my back. We were like this before I left, he was a little heavier than I remembered.

"Woah. Baby wolf isn't a baby anymore" I told him walking into the house.

"Nope. I'm eighteen, a man" he jumped off my back "Mom look who's here" Melissa rounded the corner drying her wet hand off with a towel. I smiled spread across her face as she approached.

"I'll be damned" she gave me a tight hug. Pulling away she then smacked me in the head "Why didn't you call us?"Scott snickered, while I shrugged rubbing my sore head.

"How long are you here?"

"For good" his face lit up, and he moved giving me an urgent hug. I laughed returning the feeling, I missed this.

"I'll uh cancel my plans so we can hang" Scott was reaching in his pocket to retrieve his phone. I stopped him shaking my head. I didn't want him rearranging his schedule around me "It's just this school thing, it's whatever" I continued shaking my head telling him he should go have fun with his friends. He was sad then his head popped up and I could practically see the idea bulb hovering over his head "Come with me"

I asked "You sure?"

"Yeah, you can meet my friends. OOooo and my boyfriend Isaac, he's a werewolf too interesting story-"

"Okay okay I'll go" On our way out I had to ignore Scott's constant begging to let him drive. It wasn't until I got into the driver's side he finally gave up. We hopped in the car en route to BHHS, I knew the way to my old high school all too well. When we parked I got out of the car and there was a sense of nostalgia coming over me. I missed running down these halls to get to class on time. When I was done tripping down memory lane I felt Scott dragging me by the wrist into the building. Scott said something about it being a fundraiser and how he and a few friends volunteered to work it for community service hours. I stopped glancing a room when I caught glimpse of a bambi eyed boy handing out tickets at a table. He wasn't looking back at me but I straightened myself out just in case he decided to. I was too worried about trying to find an excuse to talk to him I hadn't noticed Scott was already waving him over. The lanky boy handed tickets off to a girl with curly blonde hair, and ran towards us.

"What's up Scotty?"

"Buddy, this is my cousin Derek. Derek this is my best friend"

"Stiles" he said with a quick wave of his hand.

"Interesting name"

"So I've been told" A man walked into the building that caught Stiles' attention. He clapped his hand on the back of Scott's shoulder mouthing 'I'll be back'

"Is he single?" I asked

Scott smirked at me, but I was still gazing as Stiles drifted away "Don't try it"

"He straight?"

"No, but-" Scott looked as though he was readying himself to speak again but a curly haired kid bundled up in a scarf ran over to us pecking Scott's lips. It didn't take long for me to figure out that was Isaac.

"That his boyfriend?" I said still locked on Stiles. I gestured with my head towards the older man conversing with bambi eyes.

Another small laugh came from Scott "No, that's Deaton. Stiles' ... He's the town therapist" that didn't bug me one bit.

STILES POV

"Stilinski!" Erica yelled making me jump

"I will put a bell on you" I told her

"I see you've had an admirer who's been staring you in the face for a while now and you still haven't noticed" I stared at her waiting for the answer. She let out an exasperated sigh, upset that I didn't already know the answer. She gestured with her shoulder across the building. Sure enough when I looked up Scott's cousin from earlier was eyeing me. He turned away embarrassed when I met his eyes.

"Derek? I just met him like an hour ago" She nodded annoyingly

"Stiles you are so oblivious it makes my head hurt"

"And you Catwoman, have taken too many claws to the head" I laughed hysterically. I walked away from her back to the ticket booth. I had been there for a few minutes when my dad walked into the building. I was shocked he was always neglecting me, and has been becoming less and less of a father. Tonight was honestly the first night I've seen him in days. Since he was on the clock this was also the first time I've seen him sober in months. My mind was racing with what to say to him, if I had to say anything at all, when a man with raven black hair and piercing green eyes stepped into my view.

"Hey" he smiled "Stiles right?"

"Yeah, hey Derek" he was chuckling nervously while I was fidgeting with the little pink slips in my hands.

"Scott used all his tickets and wanted more" he continued with his light laugh pulling the money from his pocket. We exchanged the tickets and cash but Derek still stood there. I was surprisingly more nervous around him than I had ever been around anyone else.

"So, you're a senior too?" he asked trying to make conversation.

"Yeah I am. Ready to be done with high school"

"I know the feeling" Derek agreed "Scott's still chasing the veterinary life, how about you plans for the future?"

It seemed like a pretty deep question coming from someone I just met but I didn't mind answering it "I was never able to see myself leaving Beacon Hills. Everything's here my memories, Scott, Erica, Deaton"

"Your therapist?" I looked up at him quickly, but his face showed no regret in the question he just asked "Scott told me"

"Of course he did. Just spill my secrets to strangers.

He smiled up at me picking up his tickets "You don't feel like a stranger to me Stiles. I'll see you around" and he meant that, Derek was around so much after that night.

SCOTT POV

~ TWO MONTHS LATER ~

School had let out a week ago, and break had been pretty boring. I was laying on my bed texting Isaac who was out of town with his uncle when Derek came in a plopped down beside me. I didn't question it since he had been there just about every day (mainly when Stiles was around). Derek let out a slow sigh rubbing his hands together. I peered over my phone towards him then went back to texting. He did it again, and then it came a third time.

I sat up "Call it family intuition, but I get the feeling that you want to talk"

"You're friend is really oblivious"

"Who?" he gave me a look like you-know-who "Stiles! I've been dropping hints for well over two months and he still hasn't caught on" Derek started to tell me about their most recent encounter

~ FLASHBACK ~

Derek and Stiles ran into each other and the grocery store, and ended up getting froyo together.

"Didn't have you pegged for the froyo type of guy" Stiles joked as they walked to a booth.

"Don't let the jagged appearance throw you off" Derek winked at him, and Stiles turned bright red "I love making you blush Stiles" the smaller boy looked up from his snack. If he thought he was shocked then, he might have exploded from what happened next. Derek swiped his thumb along his bottom lip cleaning off the chocolate froyo Stiles had hanging there. It wasn't until Derek sucked his finger clean that Stiles finally closed his mouth. Derek assumed Stiles was going to flirt back but instead he leaned back into the booth they were sitting at huffing out a sigh.

"So, are you going to Isaac's birthday party?" Derek gave a disappointing nod taking another scoop of his strawberry froyo.

~ END FLASHBACK ~

"Stiles just isn't the dating type"

"Like he's not into relationships?" Derek ask curiously

"No. He just doesn't get close to people. He's got some problems he has to work out."

"What do you mean?"

"Look you can't tell him I told you" I scooted beside him throwing my phone onto the nightstand "His dad has been working and drinking constantly since his mom died which was seven years ago. Stiles spends an alarming amount of time alone, I mean when we don't drag him out. Y'know he has to see Deaton because we took him out once and he got into it with this guy and Stiles snapped. Long story short he was basically ordered to see someone" Derek looked upset, like this news stabbed him in the heart "You still want to be with him?"

"Absolutely. He needs me I can make him better"

"Are you serious?" I laughed " You're whipped and you don't even know if he likes you back"

He threw his head into the palm of his hands "There's just something about him"

"So you're not giving up" he shook his head and laid back on the bed "Good luck to you"

DEREK POV

Scott told me before I left that Stiles would usually be at one of his meeting with Deaton at this time but when I passed his house his jeep had still been parked outside. I pulled over practically leaping from the car to the front door. I ran my sweaty hands down the side of my jeans before knocking gently. Stiles must have been close by because he opened it immediately

"Hey Der"

The nickname made me smirk "Hey Stiles. I thought you had a meeting this afternoon?"

"You come here to chastise me?" he turned back into the house leaving the door open.

"Maybe" I said following him inside "I just think you shouldn't be blowing them off" I followed him to the living room where a bottle of pills prescribed to Stiles sat on the coffee table. It looked to still be full "What are these for?"

He looked up from the couch "I have ADD"

"It's still full"

"Sometimes I forget to take them" he laughed nervously.

I fished my keys from my pocket "C'mon"

"Where are we going?"

"I'll drive you to your appointment"

"I can take myself I just don't want too" he sat back into the couch

"I know which is stupid. Why are you being so reckless?"

"Hey what happened to fun Derek?"

" You think that just because you're alone all the time the rules don't apply to you cause no one's around to enforce them. Well lucky you now I'm always gonna be around" he looked at me with a shocked expression. I'm guessing no one's spoken to him like that in a while. He shrugged, reluctantly peeling himself from the couch and out the door.

We were on the way to the office and things were pretty quiet.

"You don't have to be nervous" I told him after listening to his heart.

"I'm not Mr.Werewolf" he sat back in the seat. I was still shocked at how okay he was with the whole supernatural thing "Why are you listening to my heart anyway?"

"It's a pleasant sound" I admitted to him.

He crossed his arms lowering his head in attempt to hide his smile "Thank you"

"So Deaton?"

"What about him?"

"He's your therapist?"

"Yeah. I was ordered by the court to start seeing him when I was fifteen. It was only for a month, but it helped so I kept going"

"What was the court order for?"

He sighed shifting his focus "That's a story for another day"

STILES POV

I was in Deaton's office talking with him while Derek was outside. I was really upset because I told him he didn't have to stay and he did anyways. He made me so angry sometimes, but I could never stay mad at him long.

"How's things been with-"

I cut him off "Fine. I haven't seen him in a while"

"That's good Stiles" he took down notes on his clipboard.

"How's your adderall schedule going"

"I stopped taking them. But I've had a shadow breathing down my neck lately"

"Derek?" he asked

"Yeah. I just don't get why he cares"

"There's always gonna be someone who cares Stiles"

"-But why does it have to be Derek?"

"Why does it bother you?" I never asked myself that. I remained silent not knowing if I'd like the answer "Stiles do you have feelings for Derek? You've been doing well over these pass couple months, remember we said it would be good to start letting people in again?" These were the questions I hated to answer. I looked up at the clock 5:30 pm.

"Sorry Doc" I pointed to the clock "I'm afraid our time is up"

Later that night Derek was dropping me off in front of my house. He put the car in park and sort of just stared at me for a few seconds.

"Why didn't you answer the question?" he asked anxiously

"What?" I quickly realized what he was talking about "Please don't tell me you used you stupid wolf hearing to listen in on the session" his sudden silence was more than enough for me "There's a reason they're confidential!" I got out slamming the door, and I could hear Derek's heavy footsteps following behind me. It's was still freezing outside so I walked extremely fast to get inside.

"Stiles wait! Please I'm sorry"

"Derek leave me alone"

I realized we were now in the house standing in the middle of the living room. Derek put a warm hand on my shoulder stopping me in my tracks.

"Stiles I just want to know why you didn't answer the question"

"Because I didn't like my answer!" I yelled. He looked confused, and a little taken back. "I hate that you care so much because I like you, and I don't want to. I'm obviously just some pet rat to you"

"Why would you say that?"

"I'm a pretty troubled kid and you come in here, out of the blue trying to take care of me. I was a project for you to take on. Would you do any of this if I wasn't so dysfunctional"

"You bet your ass" he answered quickly, and with no hesitation. I really didn't know what to say after that. It didn't matter to Derek though, he was already surging forward sucking on my lips. I was completely unprepared, you'd think after all the time I spent with Derek- watching him laugh, listening to him sing or talk- that I would know everything there is to know about those lips. One thing I never anticipated was how warm or soft they'd feel brushing against mine. Or how sweet they'd taste rubbing against my tongue. It was happening so fast and I was still trying to recover from our screaming match that I hadn't responded to the gesture.He pulled away frowning slightly. His cheeks were momentarily painted a flush pink giving me the sense that he was mildly embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I thought you want-"

"No-no I'm sorry I just wasn't prepared for that" I admitted.

"Oh" he whispered, lips still inches from mine "Are you prepared now?" he asked.

I told him in a whisper, nodding my head "Yeah" I felt Derek's hands slide up my body to my face cupping my cheeks, while I let my own arms wrap around Derek's waist. Our lips moving together in perfect harmony was enough to make my heart stop. And though it may sound cheesy, It honestly felt like fireworks were going off in the pit of my stomach. Unexpectedly his hand drifted to my hip pulling my body closer into his, and suddenly I didn't mind at all. Realizing this had went on for only a few seconds, and not the eternity it seem I stopped it. As I pulled away I seen a slight glimmer in his eyes as the corners of his mouth drew up into a smile, making me grin in return.

"Was that okay?" I asked "I'm not really good at that"

Derek smiled at me leaning back in "That was perfect"

DEREK POV

It was two weeks later when I first stayed over at Stiles' house.I rolled over the next morning Stiles and I were in his bed on top of the covers. I could hear a change in his heart beat so I knew he was awake. I rolled over and he was laying on his back staring up at the ceiling.

"Good morning" I greeted him

He turned facing me "Morning" he was going to speak again when he looked at the clock and his heart picked up.

"What's the matter?"

"You better go, my dad's gonna be home soon" it's sped even faster. He was sitting up from the the bed.

"Why are you scared?"

"My dad doesn't know I'm... " he trailed off at the end. I gave him an understanding nod rolling off the bed putting on my shoes " I just don't want him seeing a man in my bed to be the way he finds out" he was in a furry quickly straightening up his room.

"No I get it" I admitted stopping him in his tracks "Can I see you later?" his heart was going at a calm pace for the first time that morning, and he nodded. I pulled him in one last time connecting our lips, god he tasted so sweet. Then I was out the window.

Instead of going straight back to my loft I stopped by Scott's place. I never bothered knocking so I just walked right in. Scott and Isaac were sitting on the couch watching a movie. I had an intense smile spread from ear to ear.

"Well hello" Isaac said

"Why are you all smiley?"

"Nothing. Just Stiles and I are together now" I said casually walking to the kitchen for a drink. Both boys followed my every step jaws on the ground. I returned and their expressions had yet to change "Close your mouths I hate for something to fly in"

"You and Stiles that's impossible" Scott stated.

I sipped from the water bottle "Obviously not"

"Wow" Isaac said "I gotta hand it to you. You've gotta be really special If you were able to get past that brick wall Stiles put up"

I shrugged feeling a warm intense feeling from Isaac's comment "I guess"

STILES POV

I broke my one rule and got close to Derek. I wasn't as upset with myself as I expected to be. Who knew breaking the rules felt so good. My dad arrived about an hour after Derek left, and was currently down stairs. I could hear the clinking of the liquor bottles coming from the kitchen so I didn't even bother to go down and greet him. That was until I heard him call my name angrily. I left my room trudging down the steps wondering what I had done wrong this time.

"Dad?"

"Get your scrawny ass over here" I could hear the anger in his voice "Please tell me this isn't real?" he asked not looking up at me.

"Dad? What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb kid" dad was holding my phone in his hand before he slid it across the table to me. My messages screen was up on my phone.

From Der: I can't stop thinking about kissing again

To Der: I'm surprised. I thought I'd be a lousy kisser

From Der: Only a little

From Der: I'm kidding. Obviously it was great if I want to do it again.

From Der: You should come by later. You can finally see my loft

To Der: I can do that

To Der: Maybe I could pick up some food on the way

From Der: Chinese?

To Der: Good answer

From Der: See you tonight babe

To Der: See you tonight

"Derek Hale!" he yelled slamming down the bottle he was holding "A man!"

"Dad I'm sorry" I was about to start hyperventilating as he was taking steps towards me

"You will be" he came after me as I started to run up the stairs "You're. Not. Going. Anywhere" he grunted punctuating each word with a kick. The alcohol got the best of him and he stumbled back in between kicks giving me time to limp up the stairs to my room "STILES!" Like a rabid dog he scratched screamed and yelled banging on the door in his attempts to pry it open. I just sank to the floor my back and my weight all pressed against that door to ensure it never opened. To my avail it never did, he gave up minutes later and marched back down the stairs grumbling and cursing to himself. Hot tear rolled down my cheeks as everything went black "Not now" was the last thing I whispered.

"Not now" was the last thing I whispered before he took over. When things got like this I would just sit back and really pray he never did anything bad. He didn't care if my father was awake or not, he wasn't scared of him. Bloodied and bruised my body was down the stairs and out the house. It was still freezing outside, like below 40 degrees, but like I said when things get like this there's nothing I can do. My legs carried me down the street out of my neighborhood. I was through the woods on the other side of the perserserve. I recognized this place, I came here when I ran away from home, I was eight then. There was a pond that cut off the path I was walking, and without even thinking twice he walked right in. It stung and bit at my skin the cold water of the pond plus the freezing air made me turn purple in seconds. For a long time we laid there floating on our backs in the water watching the sky as it went from being painted with beautiful oranges and purples to the classic blue with little white stars. I didn't care that this would be the end, in time like these I always welcomed the end. The water was slowly washing the blood from my face but the bruises remained. I could feel my heartbeat slow down to practically nothing. My eyes drifted close, and my body began to sink further into the water, this was it."It's okay Stiles" he whispered "We'll be okay soo-" He was cut off by the sound of my name being yelled

"Stiles!" that was Isaac

"Stiles, can you hear me?" Scott?

"C'mon batman I know you're here" Erica

"Stiles!" it's was Derek. I smiled inside, happy the last thing I would hear was his voice.

DEREK POV

I sat in the hospital room beside Stiles' bed. When he didn't show up on time I was worried, but I didn't panic until it was three hours later and he wasn't answering my call. I went by his house and could smell pain, and confusion, and blood- Stiles' blood. I went inside and there were broken shard of glass and framed photos thrown every which way. I called Scott, Isaac, and their friend Erica to help sniff him out. We walked 30 miles into the woods to the other side of the preserve before we found him. He was blue floating lifelessly in a pond, and now here we are. It was taking day to bring his body temperature down, and everyone was sure he wouldn't make it. He only started warming up two days ago, doctors say it's only a matter of time before he's up. Today was just another day, I was stopping by to check on Stiles when I walked into his hospital room and he was gone. I walked back out going to see Melissa.

"Hey aunt Melissa. Where is Stiles?"

"Oh honey I tried calling you"

"What's wrong?"

"Stiles woke up this morning" I felt myself get excited but Melissa's face still showed sadness "They had to move him to Benningtons"

"Benningtons? The sanitarium? Why would they do that?"

"I think you should talk to Deaton. He's over there now" she gave a sympathetic nod, and I rushed out the door. I didn't care what traffic violations I broke I drove like my life depended on it to across town to Bennington's sanitarium. I parked the camaro and barley gave myself enough time to get the keys out of the ignition before I slipped from the car.

"Hi I'm here to see Stiles Stilinski" I told the lady at the desk. She didn't even look up before slipping a sign-in sheet to me. I signature my name, and with a swift click of a button it made a buzzing noise prompting a gated door to open. I pushed passed it searching all over for Stiles. When I found him, Stiles sat in a wheelchair looking out the window. He wasn't looking at anything particular, in fact there was a blank expression on his face. He was the shell of a man. Deaton appeared at my side sighing heavily.

"Do you know what's wrong with him?"

"Yes. It's void" Deaton spoke

"Void wh-what's a void w-who's that?"

"I guess it's time you know" Deaton sighed "When he was younger Stiles was always hurting, always in pain and no one was ever there to protect him. Somewhere down the line his mind created this image of what the perfect protector would be like. And then that image quickly turned into a personality"

"So so what are you saying? Stiles has like a second personality?"

"Yes, Void. I met him once. He only comes out when Stiles is in pain or scared, or sad. He feels all of those emotions so Stiles doesn't have too, he protects him. The 'incident' he got into that sent him to my office was actually Voids doing. Some kid was trying to beat him up and Void came out to do his job: protect Stiles. The personality beat that boy within an inch of his life. The pills you've probably seen around his house, they are to keep Void away"

I looked over my shoulder back at him. I was supposed to be Stiles' protector, but I was too late "Can I talk to him" I asked turning back to Deaton.

"Voids at the surface now. This is the longest he's been out, maybe if we knew what brought him out we'll know what caused this" I was still going to try. I turned from Deaton and cautiously walked over to the window sill he was currently sitting by.

"Hi" I sat down across from him

"You're Derek" he looked up at me, with black rings around his eyes, and an empty look in his eyes "I don't think we've officially met. I'm Void"

DEREK POV

We sat face to face, and intense didn't come close to describing the situation. This definitely wasn't the Stiles I knew and fell for. He was looking straight through me. Though it was faint the glimmer of wonder that once in his eyes left all together. He was cold, and distance.

"I'm guessing you're here for Stiles" even his voice had changed. It was flat and filled with so much venom.

"That's what it all comes down to"

"I'm afraid I can't let this happen Derek. You should just go on, live your life, and Stiles will be fine with me here"

"Well I'm afraid I can't let that happen"

"You really think you can help him? He actually thinks you want him, but you'll leave, you'll hurt him like others, they always do"

" If I haven't left by now what makes you think I ever will? You have my word, we both want the same thing"

"I'm sorry but your word isn't good enough for me. If you truly want the same as me you'll see this has to happen"

"I just want to talk to him. I can help him"

"You can't Derek" he finally looked me in my eyes "He is always hurting, always in so much pain. This is the only way to keep him safe"

I put every emotion in my plee "Stiles please"

"Stiles won't be coming out to play anymore" He leaned in for the the next part with an apologetic look in his eyes the first emotion I've seen him express "Do you understand? I have to protect him" The nurse came over pulling the brakes off the wheelchair so she could return Stiles to his room.

I wasn't giving up on him, not that easily. I stopped in front of the chair leaning down to eye level getting as close as I could to whisper "Stiles baby, I know you're in there and I'm gonna fight for you. I can protect you and I will. I'll be here everyday until you come back to me" I stood back up moving from their path.

Void turned his head looking down at the floor "Then I'm afraid you'll be waiting a very long time"

Deaton appeared behind me placing a comforting hand on my back "What are we going to do?"

"Give him the medication and hope for the best, it's all we can do"

STILES POV

~ STILES' HEAD ~

It's been been weeks, and I've been in the dark. I can hear a lot of what's going on. Like Eric, Scott, and Isaac came to visit yesterday. It was a little awkwards since void was the one trying to make conversation. The other teens would just growl in response, and on several occasions had to be reminded not to hurt Void because they would in turn be hurting me. Derek's been by everyday. Half the time he was sending little messages to me the rest of the time he was casually trying to wear Void down. When they do leave it's just the two of us again, like it's always been.

"How are you today?" he always starts off with the same question

"I'd be better If you let me out"

"I'm gonna keep telling you this is what's best"

"I'm better now"

"I'll decide that"

"Void, One day I'll have to start protecting myself" For the first time I actually fought against him. We were both struggling for control, and Void was winning. He had been succeeding in convincing the nurses he had been taking the medication when in fact he was dumping them. This meant instead of growing weaker he was stronger. But I fought as hard as I could.

"You can't! It's always been me" he let out one final yell before jumping to his feet and rushing to the bathroom. He pulled up a piece of the tile revealing a small metallic blade. It hovering about my forearm and he let out a shaky breath "Stiles, we'll be safe now" and he cut a deep vertical gash. I was bleeding out onto the tile. Granting my dying wish Void let me surface before we would die. It was a mistake I was glad he made. Once I surfaced I regained control of my limbs. I stumbled to my feet, not being in control for weeks I was a little out of practice. I bundled up the towel hanging above the sink and applied pressure to my arm. I stumbled out into the hall trying to stop the bleeding, regain my footing, and keep Void out all at once. I made it to the nurse's station before tumbling onto the ground blacking out.

When I woke the next time it was still night time. I only knew because there was a tiny window just on the other side of the room that barely gave me a look into the outside. I didn't recognize this side of the hospital, everything was blurry. I was groggy and it hurt to move. Not only because I was aching all over, but because I was held in restraints. When I could muster up the energy to move I rose my head, even after it began spinning to observe my body. Both my wrists and ankles we're being held down, tied to the mattress. I knew I couldn't fight, it was worthless. So I threw my head back letting it fall onto the surprisingly comfortable pillow. Before I had time to register what was going on I was falling back to sleep.

I woke again just hours later. I only assumed it was hours later because the tiny window was telling me it was morning, maybe pushing the afternoon. I was still restrained, but my head seemed a little more clearer this time around. What else was different about this time was that I could hear people in the hallway. From the sound of it they were arguing. As it got louder I could make out words, more importantly who was speaking those words. It was Derek.

"I just don't understand why he's restrained!" Derek argued. I couldn't full year since he was trying to stay calm, but the doctor came back saying something about how it was "just precaution"

"When will they come off?" Derek asked

"He did just try to commit suicide. Three days is precaution Mr.Hale. Stiles has just one more day" I could hear the doctor take in a sigh. From where I was lying I could see the top of Derek's head, and the shoulders. His stethoscope was wrapped around his neck and he was fiddling with it. "It's just a precaution" he reassured Derek, like it was the only thing he could think of saying. My neck had began to become strained from the position it was in, so with a groan I laid it back down on the pillow. Derek must have heard, or seen my complaint because the next thing I knew the doors were being busted open and Derek was by my side.

"Stiles?" he asked unsure.

I couldn't muster up a witty reply, I wanted answers "Derek, what am I doing here?"

"We found you in the preserve pond-"

"I know, but why am I in this wing of the hospital? How long have I been here?" my voice trailed off breaking at the end, my throat was terribly dry.

"The nurse's found you in in the hallway, your wrists were slit and you were bleeding out. You've been in here for almost three days" I let out a deep sigh as it all came back to me.

I don't know what came over me, but I could feel the warm wetness of the tears as they began to flow slowly from my eyes "I want to go home Der" I whispered

He looked as though he was beginning to cry too "I know baby. It's just a few more days" he carded his hands through my hair. I began to tug at the restraints suddenly wanting them gone "It's just a precaution" he told me just as it was told to him.

"Will you stay?" I asked. He nodded leaning in to place a sweet kiss on my forehead.

"For as long as you want"

DEREK POV

Stiles was released four days later. He had lost some weight and was paler than usual, but the doctors assured me that he was 'cured'. He didn't know I had moved his things from his father's house to my loft the night we found him. So he was surprised when we got back to my loft and all of his things were there.

The first few weeks were hard. Stiles was still iffy on the details of the past few days, but I would always be there to answer any questions he had. He still wasn't talking, was barely eating, and immobile for the most part. He would lay in bed for hours, and sometimes I was there with him, just holding him in my arms. I felt like the only thing that gave me hope was the small hums of content he would make when I would wrap my arms around him.

Things didn't change until about a month later when I came home. I put my nursing degree to use, and let aunt Melissa get me a job at the hospital. The only thing that sucked was that I would be away from Stiles when he needed me most. My first day I got up earlier than usual, made him breakfast, and left sixty bucks on the counter for him to order out if he wanted. I spent the entire day with half my mind trying to focus on my training and the other half thinking about Stiles. I was glad I had finally gotten a job, but when my shift was up I didn't even hesitate before clocking out and heading home.

When I got back to the loft something was different. It was cleaner, the furniture had been rearranged, and though he will never admit it I swore I heard Stiles singing. I dropped my keys in the bowl by the door and followed the tantalizing smell lingering in the air. When I made it around the corner the table was set with settings I had packed away long ago, and I wondered how he had found them. Stiles had come from the kitchen holding a pan of what seemed to be lasagna and the source of the smell. He stared at me for a long while before putting the pan down and giving me half a smile. It didn't seem forced so I was happy to take whatever I could get.

"Hi" I finally spoke, exhaling.

"Hi" he said back "I uh made dinner"

"Yeah I see that." He ran his sweaty hands down the sides of his jeans. And for the first time I noticed he wasn't in pajamas. He was acting as if he was nervous around me, which I didn't want him to be. He glided,quickly, to the kitchen and came back with a bottle

"I uh got you some wine too. I can't have any because of my meds, but I'm sure apple juice will be just as good" I was still staring at him not sure what to say. He was acting like nothing had ever happened "Would you like to sit down?"

"Yeah, uh sorry" I moved to sat in a chair, as did he right across from me "I just-today has been eventful I guess"

He smiled, and started to cut into the food "Yeah I know, your new job. This dinner is kind of a 'congratulations', and a 'thank you' "

"Thank you?" I asked

"Yeah" he put food on both our plates, then looked down at his hands. He got quiet and I was afraid I broke him all over again "It's no secret that I'm... troubled. We weren't together that long before this all happened but you were the only one, besides my friends, who stayed. No one ever stays. I can't imagine what I put you through and I'm just so-"

"Stiles" I put my hand over his stopping what I was sure was Stiles rambling "You have nothing to apologize about"

He spoke still staring at my hand on his "You must think I'm pretty weak"

"Why would you say that?"

"I couldn't handle my own problems so I had a nervous breakdown creating a psycho personality to do it for me. You must think i'm crazy, or weak, or both. I know I do"

"Stiles I think you're extraordinary. You're an extraordinary person who was was around people who didn't deserve you and you were trying to cope. It doesn't make you crazy, it doesn't make you weak, or even different: It just makes you human. It certainly doesn't make me love you any less"

"You love me?"

I laughed "I think that pretty evident" He leaned over and I knew what was coming. I had been waiting forever to do this again. I was quickly met with soft lips on mine. Before they fluttered shut my eyes widened with shock. It felt like our first kiss all over again. It started off small, and as an innocent peck. Then it grew. His lips parted just barley daring me to enter, and I did. I smiled snaking my hands up his body and into his hair.

We ate... eventually. But not before an eternity of kissing. At some point Stiles pulled away his lips hovering over mine.

"I love you to ya know" he said to me.

"I'm glad"