A Traveling Love

Chapter Ten

Stiles was sitting on a bench outside of his father's office when Derek arrived at the sheriff's station. His head was in his hands when the sheriff patted Stiles' back. Stiles looked up at Derek and slowly stood.

"Derek," he said uneasily. Derek nodded, staring Stiles down. "Hey," Stiles said, tears welling up in his eyes. It reminded Derek of how they had met. If only things were still that simple.

-

(Past tense)

Stiles and Scott were searching the woods for Scott's stupid inhaler. Stiles knew it was the third one that Ms. McCall had bought Scott and that she would kill him if he lost another. Stiles also knew that it was his fault that Scott lost it.

Him and his curiosity had them following an imaginary trail to a body. But hey! Before you judge, Stiles had never seen a body and the ones in Assassins Creed weren't realistic enough. Totally not his fault.

"Hey!" Scott jumped. "Looking for this?" an ominous voice asks from above there heads. Stiles looked up to see a boy. Man, by the looks of it actually. He jumped down from his tree branch and landed right in front of the boys, holding the lost inhaler. "Don't you know this is private property?" he asked, looking at the two like they were idiots.

"Sorry," Scott mumbled, looking down.

All Stiles could say was, "Hey," to the gorgeous man.

-

(Present tense)

Stiles and Derek went into one of the investigation rooms and sat across from each other at the metal table. "I'm sorry," Stiles tried feebly to apologize. Derek only nodded. "I shouldn't have done that, Derek. I knew better not to but, my mom, she's... well, you know. And you weren't talking and I was so frustrated already. But that's not an excuse. I know that your getting help Derek, but sometimes it doesn't feel like enough."

Derek was only looking at the table. He refused to meet Stiles' eyes. If he did, he would break and tell Stiles that it was his own fault. But it wasn't his fault. It was Stiles'. And he knew that.

"I'm trying to get better... but I'm not there yet," was all Derek said.

"Oh, God. I know, Derek. And I was totally unfair when I kicked you out. I know tha-"

Derek interrupted before he was pulled under by Stiles' influence. "I need some time. To myself."

Stiles' eyes went large and he nodded. "Okay," he whispered. "I can get dad to set something up." Derek nodded to that and Stiles left the cramped room. Derek felt guilty for speaking his mind, but it really wasn't his fault. It was Stiles'.

-

Derek went home with a deputy that night. His name was Jordan Parish and he told the sheriff that he had an extra room. It only made sense.

That night, Derek was plagued by nightmares. One after another, they didn't stop. Even sleeping on the couch at home had brought more rest than this comfortable bed. Derek had woken up to Jordan shaking him a few times.

He hated that he was keeping him awake. So one time he just didn't go back to sleep. It was easy. Staying awake was easy. So he just didn't sleep.

-

Three days into his stay with Jordan, the sheriff paid a visit. "This isn't about Stiles if your thinking that. But Son, Parish tells me that you haven't slept since Tuesday. You've got to sleep Derek. And eat. If your going to stay here then those are the rules. No more refusing food or sleep. Or else I'll send you to the hospital, Derek. They'll hook you up to a feeding tube and forcefully put you to sleep. Is that what you rally want, Derek?"

Derek shook his head. He didn't want to be in the hospital. It was bad enough the last time and all that was holding him together was Stiles.

"Stiles?" Derek asked.

The sheriff shook his head. "Not too good, Son. But don't worry about him. Worry about you. We'll be sure to take care of Stiles as long as you take care of yourself. Think you can do that Derek?"

Derek nodded. He would do anything for Stiles.