Mischief Night

Chapter 12

It felt like an eternity had gone by before Derek eventually moved again. When he was certain that no one else was near him, especially the attacker, he left the gym. He managed to calm himself down as he crept out. He looked around, observing the space around and proceeded down the hallway when nobody jumped out at him.

He made his way to the middle of the school, unintentionally heading away from Scott and Jackson and down one of the hallways that led to the admin office. He paused by a set of lockers when he heard running footsteps and stashed himself in one of the alcoves that separated them. He frowned as the footsteps got closer and closer and soon the scent registered. It was Stiles and it sounded like he was being chased.

Stiles knew he had to get away somehow and find another hiding spot where he would be concealed and protected. His mind desperately tried to come up with a good place to hide but because of the panic clouding his mind, nothing was coming. He needed to find a way to calm down before he could think of anything else.

He was about to run past a particular set of lockers when a hand shot out and suddenly gripped his upper bicep and yanked him into a tight hold. He started to struggle as an arm wrapped around his waist to secure him in place and a hand quickly came up to cover his mouth so his should would be muffled.

"Shh, Stiles, it's me, it's Derek!" Derek whispered. "You're okay, you're safe."

Derek's voice was immediately soothing and allowed for Stiles to visibly relax. He stayed quiet and stopped his struggling just before the attacker ran past them and continued down the hallway. The distance widened with their every step.

By this point, Stiles had gone completely limp in Derek's hold, his mind and body seeking comfort in the older wolf. He knew Derek would keep him safe no matter what would happen. He didn't move. Even after the attacker's footsteps had long since faded.

Derek kept up his hold, sensing the distress in the chemo signals Stiles emitted. "You okay?" He asked softly.

Stiles couldn't help the quiet sob as his mind registered Derek as a safe space. Derek's heart wrenched painfully at hearing the sob and quickly shifted Stiles to face him and hugged him tightly. He snaked a hand into Stiles' hair and gently massaged his scalp to comfort him and his other began to gently rub his back.

"Shh, shh, shh, it's okay." Derek said softly. "We're gonna be okay. We're gonna get out of here, I promise."

Stiles wrapped his arms around Derek's waist and buried his face in the crook of his neck. "I don't wanna die here." He whispered ever so quietly.

"You won't." Derek spoke earnestly. "I'll make sure of it." He brought the hand that was massaging Stiles' scalp down to cup his cheek and made Stiles look at him. "I promise I'll get you out of here, Stiles."

Stiles sniffled, feeling a lot more comforted. "You're gonna make me think that you're developing feelings for me." He let out a soft chuckle, needing humour to replace the hurt.

Derek paused but still kept his hand on Stiles' cheek. "And if I said I have?"

Stiles paused, watching Derek with a slightly shocked expression. "For me?"

Derek nodded. "For you. What would you say?"

Stiles blinked a few times as his brain eventually caught up. "Then I would say you owe me a date when we get out of here." The underlying feelings that Stiles had for Derek had always been there since the start of their friendship but he had always pushed them away, not thinking that Derek would be into someone like him. But with the confession now, Stiles wasn't wasting another second.

Derek smiled softly. "Deal." He said gently and kissed Stiles' forehead. He didn't want to go against Stiles' boundaries. "We should find the others."

"I don't know where they went. We all ran in different directions." Stiles kept his voice quiet and let himself further rest in Derek's hold. Through the words and comforting hold, the panic and fear had dissipated from his mind after Derek had revealed himself and he was incredibly gratefully.