Prohibited Devotion

Fifteen

He had barely managed to sleep, each time he drifted off he would be awoken by her sobbing within his arms. He held her tight each time she stirred, reassuring her by whispering into her ear gently.

He hadn't expected the night to turn out how it had, he certainly hadn't expected her to shoot her dad for him. She seemed innocent, he wasn't sure why she even had such a weapon. He would never forget the expression on her face as the blood splattered over her soft skin, how she held such a tight grip on the heavy steel as the world moved around her.

Luckily after three hours of on and off crying, screaming and nightmares she fell asleep for 4 hours,her face flush against his now bare chest, his hand rested on her back, his thumb moving up and down to comfort her even as he slept.

The morning was well upon them, the black out blind preventing any light from breaking through. He couldn't remove his eyes from her, he was beyond exhausted and knew she would be even more. 

He tried to move to allow himself to go to the toilet but the moment he removed her from his chest her hand darted to his arm. Her eyes sprung open and panic ran through her.

"Please don't go, don't leave me"She sat upright, clutching her chest. Derek leaned back down, pulling her with him. He turned on his side, his large hand cupped her cheek as he exhaled.

"I just need to go to the toilet princess, I won't be long. I promise"Dark circles had formed beneath her tired eyes.  She relaxed lightly under his touch. "I will be in there okay"He placed a kiss to her forehead.

"Don't be too long"She almost begged through her broken tone. Walking away he made sure to be as quick as he could.  Wanting to wash his teeth and face he opened the door so she could see him. 

Looking in the mirror he could see her, clutching onto the covers as if her life depended on it. He wasn't sure how he got himself here. Once upon  a time he wouldn't have dared to bring a girl to his house, let alone in his bed. Once he wouldn't kiss a girl yet now he was planting kisses to a forehead and holding someone close.   

It meant something to him that she had called him, in the moment of weakness and fear she called him. What touched him deeper was how she put her own life on the line for him, for his family. She hadn't cared. 

His phone buzzing on the nightstand brought his attention back to the real world. He spat out the mouth wash before taking huge steps into the room. 

"Owen" He sat on the edge of the bed just so she would feel safe.

"You good for us to come now brother?"Owen questioned. Derek looked at Meredith, he contemplated saying no but she needed clothes.

"Yes, bring my ma and Amelia please I need them to do a run to Meredith's for me, she needs underwear and things"He focused on her as he spoke.

"Of course, we won't be long"The call ended. Derek placed his phone back as she crawled into his arms.  

"I'm sorry for being a burden"She whispered into his skin. Derek lightly pulled her back, frowning deeply as he looked into her sad eyes.

"You are no burden princess. Once they've been we will come back up here, lay in bed and watch movies"He offered, stroking her arms to provide any kind of emotional relief he could. 

She couldn't understand how he was so calm, so supportive after what she had done. He hadn't showed one ounce of annoyance or anger towards her.

She felt safe in his arms within his fortress. His warmth had given her what she needed most in her moments of weakness.

"Thank you"Meredith snuggled deeper into his neck. 

"I need to get some clothes on beautiful"She looked up with a slight smile. Her body warmed as she leant up, her soft yet dry lips softly placed over his.  He allowed her to make the moves, he allowed her to wrap her arms around his neck and deepen the kiss. Her tongue brushed against his, his tongue tasted of mint and hers of the strawberry sweet she had as he brushed his teeth. He ran his hands over the smooth skin of her thighs, hiking up the shirt of his she wore until his hands settled on her bare waist.