My Quarterback

Ch. 8

The speakers beside the car boomed in volume as Frankenstein played on the screen ahead. Derek had pulled me into his embrace long before the movie had begun and had been holding me from then on out. I could feel his gaze as he stared down at my head, and gently kissed it ever so often. I became a bit more suspicious when his heart would pick up every time I made even the slightest of movements. Like he was anticipating and waiting for me to sit up and admit something to him. The confusing part, was that I didn't know what it was. I grew tired of the guessing game I was playing with myself inside my head and tried to return back to the film. Feeling a low grumble grow in my stomach I leaned forward from Derek's chest and grabbed a handful of popcorn. In hopes of returning to my previous position I moved to lower myself back into Derek's arms when I seen his chest expand and collapse from several deep breaths. He knew I seen it and stuck his hand out to turn the dial silencing the movie. Like he had done for so long I sat there waiting for him to speak.

"I'm really sorry Stiles"

"What did you do?"

"I didn't protect you, it was my fault" The arm he had sprawled across the seat of the jeep met his other one placed firmly in his lap. He hung his head in shame "He was hurting you, and I froze. Like a coward I froze and let it happen. All because I'm too afraid of what people think"

"Der, I'm fine I promise. You didn't do anything wrong, you don't see me blaming you do you?" I took his hands holding them in mine. For some reason Derek being so broken up, about what seemed to me to be a small incident, made me feel closer to him. Made me feel so safe, and so warm all because he wanted to protect me "I get why you couldn't do anything really, babe, I do. And I've been dealing with this for a long time so It's not like anything he said hurt to bad"

"What exactly have you been dealing with?" he asked finally meeting my eyes, and that was when I decided I was done being so chatty laying my head back on his chest and turning up the volume. He reached back over turning the knob once more "Let's talk. And maybe this time you can tell me the truth" he said.

Being my sarcastic self I began to talk, but not about what he wanted me to "Okay. You really should have showered after practice because you, Sourwolf, are not smelling so hot right now" he huffed at the comment and I proceeded to laugh until he released my hand clearly as a sign of frustration. I didn't like when he was sad so I tried another approach "Derek, the truth isn't nice and I don't think you need to hear so I won't tell you"

He huffed out a sigh, and squeezed me tighter into his embrace " Tell me a lie then"

"You smell nice" my ear was pressed against his chest and I could hear the rumble of his laugh, and feel his shaking rib cage against mine.

"Tell me a better lie" he proposed still laughing under his breath.

"I don't love you" I spoke it as a whisper. In hopes that if he didn't hear it I would still have time to take it back just in case I thought he didn't feel the same. But his super hearing-which I always forget about-ensured that he had heard exactly what I said.

"I love you too" and we both sat there like it was the most natural and normal thing we ever said to each other "Since you love me, will you do something for me?"

"Anything"

"Tell me the truth"

Maybe it was our sudden confessions of love, or the safe feeling in his arms but I gave in.

And before I realized I didn't have the heart to tell him my lips were moving confessing all the things I swore to myself would always stay bottled up. And at the end I just sat there waiting for him to hate me. For being weak, for letting it go on for so long but he never does.

"I'm gonna kill him" he growled, just about shaking the car.

"No you're not. You're gonna shut up and let me finish the movie"

"Stiles this isn't a joke"

"I never said it was, but It's been going on for so long and alot of people have tried to help but nothing is going to change. I know I shouldn't be, but for now I'm content with being a punching bag until I graduate"

"So that's it? You're giving up?"

"I gave up a long time ago" I admitted in a whisper. Playing with the remaining popcorn kernels resting in the center of my palm. Once again Derek just sat there, and once again I could feel his hazel eyes land on me. They bored holes in the back of my head, peering past all the layers and straight through to my soul trying to figure out what was wrong with me, why I had become so untroubled by this inhumane way of life.

"I guess that means it's time" he spoke refocusing to the movie, and grabbing a handful of my popcorn.

"Time for what?"

"I'm coming out"

It had been a few weeks since the drive in conversation, and the incident at Derek's house. Since then Derek had pretty much been avoiding any contact with Jackson. Partly because he never wanted to be his friend, and partly because he told me repeatedly that if he got him alone he didn't trust himself not to kick his ass. He said something about his inner wolf working itself into a frenzy rage whenever Jackson was around. So naturally I stayed close just for safe measure.

When we were alone in private Derek would bring up his coming out that was supposed to be happening soon. I didn't talk much during those conversations. Mainly because I didn't want him too. It felt too much like he was doing it all for me, and on top of that I was aware of the damage that could be done once the school found out; for a year and a half I had witnessed it first hand. The entire situation made me worried and scared, mainly for Derek. Which is why I enjoyed moments like this. Currently Derek and I sat in his bedroom laying on his bed. I smiled down at Derek whose head was in my lap. I knew he was planning something, but I couldn't figure out what it pertained to. So I sat back waiting the explanation I knew that was coming soon.

"I got it" his moment of eureka had finally come prompting him to sit up quickly and face me "After the championship game, which we will win by the way, when everyone rushes the field" he spoke in a soothing and somewhat seductive voice as he moved to straddle me. Holding his body up on his forearms to ensure he didn't crush me "I'll find you in the crowd, scoop you up in my arms where you belong, and I'll kiss you right then and there in front of everyone" at the last part he swooped down connecting out mouths into a fiery heated kiss of passion. One that, for only a few moments, made me forget the problems that were stirring. The young quarterback had a hand on either side of my head as he deepened the kiss. He caught my bottom lip between his sucking slightly and I couldn't help but smile as I kneaded my hands through his hair. He smiled into our dancing lips, swiping at my bottom lip. I opened my mouth open to which he gladly entered smiling harder. For a few seconds everything was at ease, the world as we knew it ceased to exist and I could stay forever in that moment with him.

Finally he pulled away sporting his signature cocky grin "That was good practice" and there he went bringing it up again. I unconsciously scrunched up my nose causing Derek to move from on top of me and back to my side "You don't like the idea?"

"I-It's a nice idea Derek, but I hate to think you're doing this all because I have a couple bullies. It's my problem, and you're turning it into yours. If people find out they'll trea-"

"Hey hey hey, stop it okay. It became my problem when I found out about it, when I started to care about you, when we fell in love" he played with my fingers kneading them with his. Lightly kissing my knuckles "I messed up that day not protecting you, I'm not gonna let it happen again" This time he pulled me into his lap for a hug letting me bury my head into his neck. I still wasn't so sure about the plan, Derek getting treated like me was not an option. But for the time being I didn't want to argue.