Ghost ↬ Derek Hale

35 ; the cutest alpha around

35 ∞ the cutest alpha around

To say that their plans never worked out was an understatement. Lily couldn't help but to sigh as she stared at Scott's unconscious form, her mind racing. The strength still hadn't returned to her, even after driving all the way to the clinic. Allison's mom had tried to kill Scott – Derek had managed to save him but not before he was hurt considerably. They'd lost Jackson and he'd managed to kill someone in the confusion. The person controlling him had gotten away along with him and Lily – still traumatised from what she'd seen – hadn't seen anything that could really help. Stiles had been seen by their father and sent home while she'd managed to sneak away, taking the car ride to Deaton's with Scott and Derek. To make a long story short – nothing had worked out.

Now she was sat on the bench, looking at her friend and trying to stay focused on the now and not what she'd seen. Derek was talking with Deaton but eventually came to sit next to Lily, his shoulder brushing against her own. The body heat he gave off comforted her but she still felt on edge. "How are you feeling?" Derek asked, voice cautious.

Lily swallowed, rubbing her throat slightly, "I still feel like I'm drowning. I-I know it wasn't me in that pool but-but I can remember the way my lungs were burning so clearly that it-it's..."

"It's okay," Derek spoke when she trailed off, unable to continue, "You don't have to talk about it."

"But I need to," she frowned, "This is the biggest clue we've had to figuring out who's controlling Jackson and I can't even talk about it without choking up."

"Give it some time, Lily. You don't need to talk about it right now."

Heart beating quickly, she tried to settle down, trying to breathe. She closed her eyes tightly, releasing a breath. Her voice was quiet as she blurted, "Can I hold your hand please?" Derek tensed next to her, his stance suddenly becoming rigid. Lily's cheeks flushed as she tried her best to explain, "I know that we're not together and you don't owe me anything but I'm kind of panicking right now and usually my-" She stopped as she felt his fingers interlock with her own, warming her hand up. It was easier to calm down then, his contact keeping her grounded.

They were both silent for a moment before Derek spoke, "You don't have to ask."

"But I-"

"-just let me do this in silence," Derek sighed.

Silence passed again before Lily replied, "Okay. I'll do that. I won't say anything. I won't mention the fact that ex's probably don't do this kind of thing. Or mention how-"

"-I hate to interrupt you but this isn't exactly what I'd call silence."

"Oh. Oh right," she nodded, "Sorry..."

He released a deep breath, turning to raise an exasperated eyebrow at her. Despite his seeming annoyance, there was a spark of amusement behind his eyes. "Well, now I feel bad," he frowned slightly, "Talk all you want – just know, things are only awkward if you make them."

She laughed nervously, "Oh, were you feeling awkward? I wasn't feeling awkward about this at all."

"Then why are you holding my hand so tightly?" Derek smirked.

Lily raised her eyebrows in question, quickly realising that she was gripping onto his hand like a vice. Blushing slightly, she relaxed her hold on it, sending him an apologetic squeeze. Even so, she didn't feel like she was clutching his hand that tightly because of discomfort – in fact, she felt oddly comfortable with his hand in hers, something that probably wasn't good. But he wasn't the villain that he had been a few weeks ago; earlier, he had risked his life to save Scott. She still wasn't sure if she could trust him fully or if he even trusted her but she felt less required to hate him.