Sterek Library (a03 Edition)

No Looking Back Or Down (Part 2)

By; thewolfwiththeredroses

Walking into the motel reception, all Derek can think about is finding a safe, warm room to take Stiles, so they can actually sleep for the first time in days. The motel looks just as grim inside as Derek had predicted, the cracked paint on the walls is yellowed from nicotine stains and the stale smell of cigarette smoke permeates the room. When he looks towards the check-in desk, the woman behind it assesses them both with a considering eye before her lips stretch into a terrifying grin. Immediately, Derek’s hackles rise.

“Hey there, boys, what can I do ya’ for?” she says, her voice saccharine in a way that puts Derek further on edge.

“Twin room for one night, please,” Derek says, aware that his voice has dropped low and that his words are clipped. He can feel Stiles’ gaze on him, likely confused at his impoliteness and at the scowl twisting his features that had not been there a minute ago. The woman’s smile drops briefly before she smirks, eyes flicking between the two men in front of her.

“Sure you don’t want two rooms?” she replies, eyes settling on Derek and batting her eyelashes, “I could drop by for a nightcap in a little while, if you’d like?”

“No, thanks,” Stiles says, voice hard. Derek turns to see the carefully blank look on his face, and wonders briefly what has made Stiles put his defences up, before his train of thought is abruptly derailed.

“Wasn’t talkin’ to you, spaz,” she hisses, a harsh tone to her voice as her eyes flick to Stiles in blatant distain, before turning back to Derek with a grin, saying sweetly, “what do you say, tall, dark and handsome?”

“Twin room for one night. Please.” Derek reiterates, top lip curling to show his sharp teeth in an animalistic display of aggravation. With an annoyed huff, the woman rolls her eyes before ringing them up and walking in to the back to fetch their room key.

He is aware that he should know better, that he shouldn’t let himself snarl like this at humans, but for some reason his wolf is on edge. Derek doesn’t know what it is, whether it’s the cloying scent of her lust in the air, how she dared to speak to Stiles like he was shit on her shoe, or that he’s so tired he’s become cranky, but whatever it is, his wolf has been feeling defensive ever since they stepped through the door. He can feel it within him, hackles raised and growling harshly.

Derek hadn’t realised that he had clenched his fists until he felt Stiles’ shoulder knock in to his own, followed by a phantom pass of fingertips over his knuckles. He looks down to his hand as he slowly unclenches, the itching of his claws under his fingernails lessening as Stiles’ touch has its usual relaxing effect, but when he looks up again, Stiles’ eyes are scanning his face, searching, a questioning look drawing his brows together. Derek simply shakes his head once, before turning back to the desk, taking their key from the sour-faced woman, and going to find their room.

***

When they reach their room, Derek ushers Stiles inside silently, before following himself and locking the door. The moment he does so, he feels much less on edge, his muscles begin to relax as his exhaustion hits him at full force. The room is just as grim as the reception, smelling like cheap aerosol air freshener and cigarettes, however, thankfully the sheets smell clean. Derek throws his bag on the closest of the two beds before going to use their tiny en-suite bathroom. When he returns, it is to see Stiles sat on the far bed, staring blankly at his hands.

“Stiles?” Derek says, to no response, “Stiles?” he repeats, and caramel eyes flick up to meet green before dropping sharply.

“You know, you don’t have to keep eyes on me all the time, I already told you I’m not a flight risk,” Stiles says harshly, eyes fixed on his hands clasped between his knees, “I get that you wanted to help me because my pack didn’t, or whatever, but you are allowed to leave me alone, Derek. I’m a big boy, I can take it.”