How You See Me...

I Promise You This.

Derek POV

My wolf is howling.

"Shut up!" I growl.

My head feels like it is splitting in two. I am anxious and depressed at the same time. I am not having a good day. I hear my phone chime; I am hesitant to look at it not really wanting to deal with anyone.

It's Isaac and he wants to come over. I tell him it isn't a good time. I know that the pack are super in tuned to my emotions so they all are probably worrying about me. Isaac is the only one not afraid to push me. I tell him I am having a bad day and I will get up with him tomorrow.

An hour later I have abandoned cleaning the kitchen and I am curled up on the couch. The TV is on, but I am not watching it. I feel the hole inside me, it's swallowing me up. I am in pain physically and mentally. I feel the tears edging toward the surface. I hate crying. I try pushing them back in but it doesn't work this time they begin to flow. I cry myself to sleep.

Stiles POV

I'm sitting on a park bench trying to get my breathing to normal. Probably over worked myself today, but I had a lot on my mind. I was starting to feel really bad about the Derek situation. I felt like a jerk. I know it was an innocent thing to say and I hadn't really thought giving someone a compliment would cause pain. I didn't know Derek; I didn't know what he was dealing with I should have been more sensitive.

I close my eyes in frustration. I punch the bench, possibly bruising my knuckles. Me being me I could not, would not leave this the way it is. Not expect a response I decided to text Derek my apologizes.

S: Hey Derek I just want you to know that I didn't mean to cause any issues this morning and that I really had a wonderful time with you and if you want to talk or whatever I am here.

I hit send.

Now they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach so I headed home to work on my super stealth mission called operation dinner for Derek.

Derek POV

I slowly wake up realizing I had fallen asleep on the couch. I look out the window to see the sun setting.

Shit, I slept the day away. I guess I needed it.

My phone chimes.

It's Stiles, my heart is in my throat. He's apologizing for giving me a compliment. I do not deserve this sweetness. I set my phone back on the table and stretch.

I start to fold the blanket on the couch and stop when I hear my doorbell ring.

I open the door but no one is there. I look on the floor of the porch and I see a basket.

Slightly surprised I take the basket inside.

I place it on the bar. There is a note.

Hey Der,

I know things we not the greatest this morning and I am sorry if I caused any issues but I wanted

to do something nice for you so I made you dinner. I hope you like it.

Call me or text me if you feel up to it. I'll be here if you need me.

Your friend, Stiles

I open the basket. There's a bottle of wine, a perfectly cooked steak dinner with an arugula apple salad and garlic bread.

I am touched and amazed.

This is such a sweet gesture. I do not deserve this, but he worked so hard. I decide to take a bite.

The food is amazing. I was not sure how but I definitely needed to find a way to repay Stiles.

I finish the food feeling full and satisfied, but decide to skip the wine considering my mood. I decided to text Stiles.

D: Hey, thank you so so much for the dinner. You really did not have to do that and you have absolutely nothing to apologies for. I am just a bit fucked up. Lol. I guess it's hard for me to take a compliment. I owe you big time for this though it was really amazing. Again, thank you!!

Stiles POV

I hear my phone chime as I finish loading the dishwasher. I decided to just make everyone dinner tonight seeing as Peter was still here. He walks into the kitchen eyeing my phone.

"Can I help you?" I say snatching my phone with mock hurt.

"Is that my nephew?' He asks.

"Possibly." I reply

Suddenly things get serious for a minute and Peter looks me right in the eyes.

"Will you be gentle with him? I can sense the possibilities between you to, but he is fragile. He has been through a lot. Can you be patient?" He asks.

"First of all, this is the most serious I've ever seen you, DO NOT LIKE, and secondly I will not let anything hurt Derek. I promise you this." I say those last words sincerely.

Peter smiles, ruffles my hair and as he heads to the living room he says "I knew you two would be good for each other."

I read Derek's text smiling. He is cute.

S: Derek I am so glad you enjoyed it. And yes you do owe me big time, so would you like to finish our Harry Potter marathon sometime as a thank you?

I hit send.

As long as I got to see him again even if it's just as friends that would make me happy.