How You See Me...

My Alpha, My Friend

Stiles POV

It's been two weeks since the incident with Derek. He is doing so much better. Today is my first day at the police station, I was beyond excited.

Derek is still lying in bed, how he gets anything done I will never understand.

"So, what do you think honey bun?" I say striking a pose.

Derek grins at me and pulls me onto the bed kissing all over my face.

"I like a man in uniform," he growls.

I slap his arm playfully as I move to get up. He grabs me again and continues to kiss me all over.

"Derek, I am going to be late on my first day," I say laughing.

"I know...but...I can't help...it." He says kissing me every time he pauses.

I finally break free and say "You are a mess, Hale"

He laughs as he walks me to the door.

"I love you babe I hope you have a great day. Derek says as he leans in for a goodbye kiss which I gladly accept.

"You too and try to get out of your pajamas today," I say as I snap his waistband.

And with that, I am off to the police station.

Derek POV

I watch Stiles leave and my heart swells. I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished.

Meanwhile here I am being a complete lazy ass. I walk to the bathroom and look at myself.

Stiles does have a point though; I have not done much for myself recently. Every time I try to clean up or do anything I just get flooded with emotions.

Today will be the day I shave my face and pull myself together.

Thirty minutes later I am on the couch eating ice cream.

Look it's a process, maybe I just need help getting there so I decide to text Isaac.

D: Issyyyyyyyyyy I am a mess come help me.

I: Derek what is wrong?

D: I can't pull myself together. I want to clean the house, shave be presentable and make dinner for Stiles, but every time I go to do something I just give up.

I: Derek, hon I am coming over with the pack we will help you.

D: You are the best!

Thirty minutes later there was my pack to save the day.

Scott and Erica start cleaning the kitchen and talk about what food they want to cook Stiles. Boyd starts to clean the living room and Isaac heads into the bathroom with me.

"Dang, Der you really have let yourself go," Isaac says.

I look down at myself. I've gained a few pounds, I wouldn't say I am fat, but certainly not as toned as I was. My hair is sticking up in all directions and I am starting to have a beard. I look at Isaac and I am starting to tear up.

He hugs me.

"it's ok Derek, let's just start with something small. I'll brush your hair and give you a shave." Isaac says.

I pull a chair from the kitchen into the bathroom and let Isaac go to work.

Isaac POV

I'm heading to Derek's house. It's been so long since we've seen him. We have talked but we haven't been together in a while. As he is our alpha, we miss him and want to be around him. I was delighted that he texted me and I want to help him be better. I walk into Derek's house and the house is really a wreck. I do not know how Stiles was letting him get away with it, but here we are.

Piles of dishes were in the sink, trash, pizza boxes were in the living room, and don't get me started on their bedroom.

I had to see past all that because Derek had asked for help and that takes a lot for him to do.

He's gained weight, looks tired, and his hair is a mess. I hate that he is so broken, we can see it and feel it.

I hope that this is a step towards recovery.

Derek gets me a chair from the kitchen and I go to work. I brush the knots out of his hair.

He smiles up at me. It warms my heart.

We small talk about the weather, what Erica and Scott could possibly make for dinner.

I start working on shaving his face.

We sit in silence as I get the last part of his face, I wipe off the excess shaving cream and hand him the towel.

He smiles at me and says thank you.

I am about to leave when he stops me, his hand on my wrist.

"Do you think I could have changed it?" He asks water welling up in his eyes.

I know he's referring to Jackson.

I sit on the edge of the tub, putting my hand on his.

"Derek, sometimes things happen and there is nothing we can do to change those things. Unfortunately, you have had a lot of bad things happen in your life and you let them sit inside you until it makes you crumble. I know it's really hard, but at some point, you will have to learn to survive with these choices and things that have come your way. I know that that is hard to hear and it's going to be even harder to do, but I love you and Stiles loves you and the pack loves you. And I know that you are on your way to being better because you asked me to come to help you and I know that, that was an extremely hard thing to do and you will never know the honor and pride I feel to know that you can come to me when you are in trouble and need help." I say.

Derek starts to cry and pulls me into a hug.

"Thank you so much." He says.

After we compose ourselves, I leave Derek to take a shower.

Derek is my alpha, but he is also my friend.