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Stiles paces his room, running his hands through his hair. He can feel the panic attack building. With a shuddering breath, he pulls his phone out of his pocket and scrolls to the familiar contact. It rings twice before the familiar, impatient, voice answers.
“What is it Stiles?” He can’t find his voice enough to answer. “Stiles? Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Derek’s voice grows more concerned as the rapid heartbeat carries through the phone. “I’m on my way, Stiles. It’s gonna be okay.” The call ends, leaving Stiles to himself again. He doesn’t wait long, however, because Derek climbs through his window barely five minutes later. By this time, Stiles’ breathing has sped up and tears are in his eyes. Derek makes sure to stay out of his path while he paces the room. “Stiles.” His voice is soft but Stiles can’t hear it over the sound of his own heartbeat. “Stiles, how about we go outside. Somewhere you won’t wear a hole in the floor.” Stiles nods absentmindedly, Derek’s voice having gotten through. “Is your dad home?” Stiles shakes his head.
“No.” He whispers. Derek carefully grabs Stiles’ arm and helps walk him out of the house. They manage to get to the woods and Derek lets Stiles go. The younger man continues his pacing. Derek watches him, looking for any sign of him calming down even just a little.
“Stiles, babe, what’s wrong?”
“Virgins.” He mutters. Derek furrows his eyebrows.
“Virgins? What’s wrong with virgins?” He asks slowly. Stiles shakes his head, still walking.
“No, nothing's wrong with virgins. It-it’s what all the victims have in common. They were all virgins.” His heart rate begins slowing down, much to Derek’s relief.
“Okay, then, what’s wrong?” Stiles stops and looks at Derek.
“I’m a virgin. And asexual.” Tears well up in his eyes again. Realization dawns on Derek’s face. He steps closer to Stiles, opening his arms slightly in offering. Stiles steps into the arms and nuzzles into the chest when they tighten around him.
“Stiles, nothing’s going to happen to you.” Derek says, sincerity lacing his words.
“How do you know that?” He asks, voice muffled by the Alpha’s shirt.
“Because I won’t let it. I swear, Stiles, I’ll protect you. I’ll keep you safe. No matter what.” Stiles sniffs as the first tear falls.
“That’s a pretty important promise to make, Derek.”
“You’re a pretty important person, Stiles.” Stiles tightens his arms around his boyfriend and shoves his face into Derek’s neck. Derek kisses the top of his head, pulling him impossibly closer. “I love you.” He says against the brown hair.
“I love you, too.” Stiles sighs. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll always be here, Stiles. I’ll always protect you. You know that right?” Stiles nods, sniffing again. “Good.” They stay like that, in an embrace in the forest for a few minutes, simply taking the other in. After a while of silence, save for their heartbeats, Derek breaks it. “Do you want to stay with me tonight?” Stiles pulls away, just enough to look at Derek’s face.
“Did you miss the part where I said I’m ace?” Derek rolls his eyes, looking mildly unimpressed.
“Not to have sex. Just, so I can keep an eye on you.”
“Aww, are you worried about me?”
“Of course I am. I care about you, Stiles. I always have.” Stiles smiles fondly.
“Even before we were dating?”
“Especially before we were dating. At least now I have an excuse to look after you, but back then, I couldn’t be around for more than a few minutes without Scott getting suspicious.” Stiles looks at him in awe. Derek rolls his eyes playfully and pulls Stiles’ head back into his chest.
“Yes.” Stiles’ muffled voice says. Derek furrows his eyebrows. “I’ll stay with you tonight.” The werewolf smiles softly and kisses the messy brown hair in front of his face.
Later that night, Derek pulls the comforter back and slides in. Once he’s settled Stiles curls up against him. Derek holds him tight. In his boyfriend’s arms, Stiles falls asleep, feeling safer than ever.