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Stiles was backed up against a wall, three extremely ugly forms had backed him up. They were all teeth and slobber.
Stiles being Stiles was still talking, quoting Xander Harris from Buffy, ‘Alleviate my guilt by getting really, really, really, really killed. Well done Stiles!’
Stiles guilt was due to him leaving Scott stranded a week ago when Roscoe had broken down for the second time that week. Scott had been attacked by a rogue omega and had been injured but had also not dealt with the omega. Stiles had added insult to injury by arriving eventually and berating Scott for leaving an omega for Chris to deal with, again.
Scott was still sulking about it so when an opportunity arose, to help Scott with another supernatural, Stiles went along out of guilt.
Now Scott was unconscious, having been thrown through a brick wall by one of the mutant, otter beasts.
Stiles dodged and hoped Scott would get up. Scott didn’t and Stiles sighed and tried to make a dash around the monsters, it didn’t work and one of the beasts grabbed his wrist, twisting it in a way a human wrist shouldn’t twist, Stiles screamed in pain and found himself flung towards a broken window from the second storey. He landed and the swirl of excruciating pain turned black.
The black, the black was all he could think as he surfaced. He was conscious. Was he conscious? He could hear sounds but it felt like his body was asleep but his mind was working. Weird, he couldn’t feel any pain just discomfort like an itch he couldn’t scratch.
Machines were beeping, he drifted again but was alerted to voices. He listened.
‘The brain swelling has gone down completely, we have ended he sedation and we are going to take him off the ventilator now.’
‘What will that mean?’ that was his dad.
‘He should breath on his own and come around in a few hours.’
‘Thank you.’ Such relief from his dad.
‘Go get some rest.’
‘Can his friends come in, just for a few minutes?’
‘Yeah sure, five minutes while we do out shift change.’
The voices left and Stiles was left with machines beeping and the urge to pee. Well that was a strange sensation. He wanted to open his eyes but they were having none of it.
‘I can’t believe it’s been a week,’ Scott was there, ‘anyways it’s good news, right. No more brain swelling, no more ventilator.’
‘Really good news,’ Lydia sounded like she was forcing herself to be positive.
‘Ok, we need to give the staff some space. They are going to move him into a private room after they remove the ventilator. You’ll be able to visit all you want when he is awake.’
Stiles sighed, Derek was looking after them all. Stiles heard the sound of the kiss in his head rather than felt it, knew it was Lydia .
‘C'mon Scott,’ Derek again, ‘let’s go tell everyone else the good news.’
The next few hours were very unpleasant, medical staff talking, describing what they were doing, his body being moved, tubes taken out and wires ripped off and a different location. He was glad he couldn’t see it.
When they finally left him in peace all he wanted to do was turn over and go to sleep. He couldn’t physically make his body do it but his mind could and he drifted into unconsciousness.
He woke up gradually, time had no meaning and he was reliant on others for any kind of time frame. It was another hand over of staff.
‘It does happen, of course, his vitals are stable, breathing unassisted, kidneys working, abrasions healing – he’s just not awake.’
‘It’s been twenty four hours,’
‘Yeah, let’s do an EEG and let him have some visitors.’
So he was physically on the mend, he could hear what was going on around him but he couldn’t connect his mind to his body.
Stiles was not a fan on medicine and hospital- he figured this was costing his dad a fortune. He needed to wake up. What was stopping him?
He was bright enough to realise that however clever he was he didn’t know the answer to this one.
‘Hi Sheriff, how you doing?’ one of the nurses.
‘Trying to get my head around why he didn’t just wake up.’
‘He’s been through a lot of trauma, his body is still healing, we’ve got to figure that his brain is still healing too, on a level we can’t understand yet.’
Noah sighed, ‘Will the EEG tell you more?’
‘Yes, a lot more, we'll take him down in a while.’
‘Thank you,’
‘How is he?’ Scott.
‘Not awake. They are going to do a brain scan'
‘Will that tell them why he is not waking up?’ Lydia.
‘Uh, listen guys, I need a break. Can you sit with him for a while, talk to him, keep him company?’
God the fatigue and sorrow in his dad’s voice. His dad thought he had brain damage, Stiles wished he could communicate with his dad.
‘What do you think it all means?’ Scott asked, concerned.
‘They are worried that the area of his brain that affects consciousness and conscious thought are damaged,’ Lydia sounded distraught, ‘that he won’t wake up.’
‘Guys, coma patients wake up all the time. Some of them after weeks as if nothing had happened.’ Derek being optimistic?
‘If the EEG shows his brain is damaged, can we do anything?’ Scott asking Derek a ‘big' question.
‘We’re a long way from that Scott.’ Derek calm and soft, ‘Now let’s tell Stiles what we’ve been doing, let him know what he’s missing.’
Stiles was comforted by the voices of the people he loved. Scott and Lydia told him about school, teachers, topics and then gossip from Lydia, lacrosse from Scott. They talked across him, which was fine because it was great to listen to them.
‘Ok, you two. Go home, get some dinner and sleep. I’ll stay for a while.’
Derek had been there the whole time, just quietly listening?
‘Shit, Stiles, if you can hear me, come back to us. There are a lot of frightened people out here and they miss you. I miss you.'
Derek’s voice, very soft and close to his ear, then a kiss. Derek missed him. Stiles drifted again as if his concentration had reached a limit.
‘Interesting results,’ the doctor was speaking.
‘What does it mean?’ Noah asked exacerbated.
‘The very good news is there is no sign of brain damage from the trauma. Also he is not in a persistent coma state. The scan shows his brain is active, shows changes in brain waves that suggest he is waking and sleeping, dreaming even.’
‘So why isn’t he conscious?’ Noah sighed heavily.
‘Short answer, we don’t know. I am sending the scan and his file to a neurologist friend of mine at John’s Hopkins who specialises in this type of coma. See what she makes of it.’
‘So he just stays unconscious?’ Noah was nonplussed, ‘There is nothing we can do?’
‘He is comfortable Noah,’ Melissa, ‘he is in no danger. He’s just not ready to come back to us yet. Give take a break – get some dinner. I’m going to sit with him for a while.’
‘Thanks Melissa.’
‘No worries.’
Silence.
‘Well young man I hope you can hear me, there are plenty of studies where coma patients have clearly heard all that has been said around them, even if you can’t it’s therapeutic for the rest of us to talk to you and about you. Scott, Scott feels guilty and he misses you, I know you two don’t always see eye to eye on things these days, you are all too young to take on the world the way you do. I wonder how many mothers have said that over the centuries as they watched their teenagers go to war. Too many I guess.’
‘How is he doing? Chris Argent.
‘EEG shows largely normal brain waves, rhythms, sleeping, dreaming, awake, except he's not.’
‘You OK?’
‘Yeah, I’ve sat at his bedside too many times is all. What about you?’
‘Me? I’m very fond of Stiles and he's alive Mel. Looks like he’s just not ready to leave the safety of his own mind. Kind of envy him that.’
‘Oh sweetheart!’
Sweetheart? When did that happen? How dId you miss it? Chris and Melissa? Did Scott know?
‘Let’s go and get some rest. Stiles is probably asleep. Anyway he usually has company at night.’
He did? He wasn’t aware of the company at night. God he hoped his dad wasn’t sitting up in a hospital chair all night.
Was Chris right? Was he protecting himself? He thought he wanted to wake up to stop them worrying. There must be a part of his mind that he can’t consciously access and it was keeping him in a coma.
In his dream he was naked lying on a bed face down. He wasn’t alone. Strong, slightly rough hands needed the bones of his spine all the way down to his tail bone. Hands played with buttocks and in between his thighs. Then the hands moved to his ankles parting his legs, they were kneeling between them. He was hard and then the hands slipped around to touch him as they put their tongue .... oh god that was good and it felt better and better until he came relentlessly and then fell into a deep sleep.
He could hear surprised amusement in a voice, ‘Ok, where there’s life there’s hope. Make sure you record it in the diary. You seen this in coma patients before?’
Only Stiles could cause himself this much embarrassment in a coma.
‘Well I do think it’s an idea, maybe not a great idea, but something to try.’ Lydia being petulant.
‘Lydia, you know I love you and support you but you need to run these things past Noah. He may not be happy with it.’ Jordan, placating Lydia. Good luck with that!
‘I can’t sit and do nothing anymore. It’s been two weeks Jordan, nothing has changed. He is not waking up.’
‘What did Deaton say?’
‘He said, he is not a medical doctor, he is a vet. The brain is complex beyond belief and all the signs are that Stiles could wake up at any moment!’ Lydia, scornful and cross.
‘Isn’t he right,’ Jordan calm, ‘this isn’t supernatural.’
‘I know that. I just want to try to reach him.’
‘I know you do, Lydia, and if he can hear you, he knows too. I know you don’t want to hear this Lydia, but you could make things worse.’
Oh, oh!!!
‘Worse?!!’ Lydia – Stiles could picture her face, lips in a scowl, wide eyed, ‘worse than standing by and watching your bbf die!!’
‘Lydia, he’s not dying.’
‘Maybe not today, but you see that drip, that feeding tube, the physio to stop his muscles deteriorating. How long Jordan? How long before he withers away....’ she stopped, wracked with sobs, then muffled sobs, Jordan must be holding her tight.
Fuck! Lydia- was she right? Would his body be in that bad shape if he didn’t wake up soon?
‘Talk to Noah, talk to Derek , see what they say.’ Jordan, still calm. It was wonderful how the fiery hellhound was the calm one in the couple with the beautiful banshee.
‘Scott wants to bite him?’ Lydia sniffed.
‘I know.’ Jordan sighed.
Jesus – this was news! Shit, would his dad let Scott bite him? Would it come to that?
Stiles had become used to the different nurses and doctors voices, shift changes, when they discussed him. Physically, at the moment, it seemed he was good. They were turning him regularly, he was on a special mattress and he was tolerating the liquid diet.
When it was quiet at night, he slept not aware of his surroundings until one night an alarm went off and there was a lot of noise around him. Stiles woke and tried to figure out if something had happened to him.
A gentle hand soothed his brow, he could feel it!
‘It’s ok Stiles, another patient was having difficulties, you are fine. I wish I could be sure you can hear me. I’m reading your history books, I’ll be able to help you study for finals when you wake up.’ A pause, ‘Please wake up, I can’t imagine my life without you. Can’t bear to have you miss out on your own life -'
Silence.
Stiles woke again and heard the nurses doing their early morning rounds. He wondered where Derek was. Derek who he'd dreamed of touching him, Derek who had been sitting in his room at night reading his Stiles’ school text books.
‘Derek’s gone to get some breakfast.’ The nurse said, ‘I am so glad the hospital has turned a blind eye to him sitting with Stiles at night. He certainly is handsome.’
‘He is, poor Stiles, I’d wake up if I had Derek as my boyfriend. Gorgeous and so loyal.’ The other nurse chipped in.
‘Morning ladies, how is he today?’ Dad was there.
‘Same, I’m afraid, stable but not conscious.’
‘Ok, I’ll stay a while if that’s ok?’
‘Sure Sheriff, we’re done. Enjoy your visit and your breakfast.’
‘Breakfast?’ Noah enquired.
‘Yes, Derek said he would get extra. He knew you would be here early.’
‘He did? Great.’
‘Yeah, he'll make a great son in law.’
Silence, the doors clanged and the nurses left.
This should be interesting- poor dad, poor Derek. Stiles waited.
‘Morning Noah, breakfast burritos and strong coffee. I remembered which shift you were on.’
Derek was back.
Silence.
‘Something wrong Sheriff?’ Derek, obviously worried.
‘When were you planning on telling me?’ Noah was a little agitated.
‘Telling you what?’ Derek puzzled and concerned.
‘You and Stiles.’
Oops!
‘Stiles and I are friends.’ Derek defensive.
‘Derek, look where we are? We are three weeks into this, you’ve spent most nights in that chair. I guess I just never put two and two together.’
Dad being reasonable.
‘I....,’ Derek hesitant, ‘I love these kids. I would gladly die for any one of them. They are like my brothers and sisters – family.’ He spoke softly and sincerely.
‘I know that Derek and you certainly deserve that but what about Stiles?’
‘That’s different, it always has been. As to what it is? I hope we get a chance to find out.’
‘Your loyalty does you proud Derek, and your support for my son. Are you sure he feels the same?’
Derek must have nodded because he didn’t say anything.
‘Well alright then. Let’s have some breakfast. Tell me what different means and how you two became more than friends.’
Poor Derek, Stiles thought – explaining to his dad what Stiles meant to him.
He stole himself to listen.
‘I’m an idiot,’ Derek said flatly and Noah laughed. Derek continued, ‘Believe it or not I’m not good at expressing my emotions clearly.’
‘You didn’t have anything easy Derek. If Stiles loves you then I’d say you communicated your emotions quite clearly.’
Dad sounded amused.
‘Yeah, by being aggressive- he calls me sourwolf. It’s kinda grown on me. He’s always trying to make more human, more sociable and patient.’
Derek sounded happy!
‘He certainly tries everyone’s patience, go on.’ Noah urged.
‘It worked, I pushed him away so hard that I physically bruised him but he didn’t back down. I started to miss him when he wasn’t bugging me. I underestimated him and I soon regretted it. I started to see how the pack revolved around him, around us together. I cared about him so much that I wanted him safe, so I kept my distance. He wasn’t having that either. This time he pushed and I didn’t need to push back, he had chosen the supernatural for himself. I let him get closer than I have let anyone in years and then this...’
‘He chose this life because of Scott and then for himself and now for you. We all tried to keep him safe. I don’t think any of us need to feel guilty that we didn’t. He chose and if he has chosen you then I wish you better luck, both of you.’
Silence.
Then voices, ‘Hi Scott, hi Malia. I was just leaving for work.’
‘Sheriff, can we all talk before you go?’
‘Sure Scott. Go ahead.’
‘Scott!!’ Derek growling a warning.
Stiles knew what was coming.
‘Do you think I should bite Stiles before he physically gets any worse?’ Scott babbled it out clearly fearful.
Another silence then Derek, ‘Are we there yet? Think Scott, what was Stiles view on being bitten in a situation like this?’
Stiles mentally sighed.
‘We haven’t discussed it since I said I would bite him if he was diagnosed with dementia. He never agreed to it even then but I would have done it.’
‘Noah?’ Derek asked.
Noah sighed, ‘I’ll talk to his doctor. Find out more about the physical debilitation. See how much time we have.’
Dad was not saying no to the bite.
‘I’m going to talk to Deaton again.’ Derek worried, ‘You can’t be a fox and a wolf. If there is anything left from the Nogitsune the bite could kill him.’
Derek, the voice of reason. Protecting Stiles, always protecting.
‘I’ve loved him for years. He loves me and I am in a coma.’ Stiles swore.
Goodbyes were said and Derek and Noah left.
‘That went better than I expected.’ Scott relieved.
‘They know you are trying to do what is right for Stiles.’ Malia.
‘I know. I think Stiles and I have been trying to out guilt each other for a long time now. I hope he can hear me. Stiles, I do understand your point of view, even if I don’t agree. I love you man. Can you find your way back before the bite becomes the only option?’ Scott edged by despair.
‘Stiles, everyone misses you. You need to wake up and live your life. We all need to live our lives with you in them.’ Malia direct and sincere.
Malia left for school and Scott sat reading aloud to Stiles from their economics text book then he swapped to ‘Do androids dream of electric sheep?’ finding some obvious humorous connection between the fiction and life in the 21st century.
Stiles grew tired of listening and drifted. Scott seemed to sense this and stopped reading aloud.
‘You up for some company?’ Chris Argent.
‘Yes, I think I probably bored him by now, I was beginning to bore myself!’
Chris laughed, ‘Your mom said everyone is looking into you biting Stiles.’
‘I don’t want to do it but if it saves him.’ Scott sad and brave.
‘I know Scott, believe me I know. No one has tried harder to save everyone than you have. The world is just too dangerous.'
The silence was palpable as they all, Stiles included, thought about Allison.
‘There is enough guilt for us all to share among us.’ Scott sounding mature and serious.
‘I agree, so focus on Stiles. Once he is up and about we can discuss and agree what each of us wants should this happen.’
Silence.
‘I loved your daughter.’
‘I know and she loved you.’
Silence.
‘Do you think Stiles would want the bite?’ Scott asking the opinion of someone he and Scott trusted.
‘Yes I do. If he can hear any of the conversations around him he will understand that, even with the brain activity, if he doesn’t wake up he has no future. If he is gone – the connection between his brain and his body gone for good then what harm could it do to try. If it works it will be amazing – if it doesn’t he is no worse off but we will know – you will know that we tried everything to save him. That would be so much comfort if he doesn’t make it. ‘ Chris the voice of reason.
‘He wouldn’t want to spend the rest of his life in this bed.’ Scott sounding happier.
‘No, he wouldn’t. I never once saw him completely still.’ Chris laughed.
‘Yeah,’ Scott laughed a little too, ‘thanks Chris.’
‘And Scott,’ a more serious tone from Chris, ‘Noah will agree with us. He’s just putting it off but Derek, Derek is terrified of letting him go of taking the chance.’
The thought of Derek terrified clearly shocked Scott and he sounded it when he said, ‘I’ll talk to him. I need to go hand some work in but I’ll come back after dinner. He’ll be here by then.’ He hesitated, ‘I know taking over the past does no good but we’ve all been robbed of so much – losing Stiles will break Derek, it will pull at all the edges of our healing wounds. We all need to be honest before we make this decision, agree how to support each other and Derek if it all goes wrong.’
‘You two, or should I say three, ok in here?’ Melissa coming in.
‘Yeah mom, I’m just going. I’ll be back later. Thanks Chris. Goodbye Stiles.’
‘I don’t need to be a wolf to know what you were talking about.’ Melissa – matter of fact with a soft edge.
‘Yeah, he just needed to talk about it.’
‘What about Lydia? Is she still planning her séance?’
‘No, Deaton convinced her it was too dangerous. We don’t know where Stiles consciousness is. If he is somewhere in between then the door needs to be firmly shut this end. He needs to be drawn to us, stay this side. Biting him could bring him back.’
Stiles was amazed by how much sense Chris made, he shouldn’t be really. Chris was pragmatic but had to live with a world that was anything but.
Stiles felt around and tried to push out with his thoughts. If there was a way out, he couldn’t see or feel it.
He fell asleep listening to Chris and Melissa talking about domestic things and what to cook everyone for a pack meal on Friday. Seems Friday was decision day.
Stiles had no idea what day it was.
When he surfaced again it was to Scott talking, ‘We are going to make a decision at pack dinner Friday. I hope you will be there. You are a huge part of Stiles' life and I need your input.’
Silence.
‘I’m going Derek. Think about it.’
‘I think about nothing else,’ Derek growled but to Stiles he sounded forlorn, ‘but you are right. I will show respect and come to the dinner. I don’t think we will ever agree.’
‘I know but at least this is something we can do. Goodnight Derek, goodnight Stiles.’
‘You certainly took a dramatic step to make sure you were the centre of attention. God I hope you are ok with this when you wake up. I’m going to kiss you, hold you. I’m sick of the chair and the distance between us so budge over.’
Derek’s voice was in Stiles’ ear. Stiles had little idea what he was doing until he heard the kiss rather than felt it. Derek was obviously lying with him, he hoped he was holding him tight.
‘I love you Stiles- in two days Scott will bite you. There are too many variables to know what will happen. Being selfish I want you to know that I wanted to leave you in peace. After all we’ve been through, all the hurt and fear, peace is what you deserve. Scott is worried about losing you. I know I will never lose you – you wriggled and tapped and flailed yourself into my soul. Holding you is like coming home to rest.’
Jesus, Derek, great speech. I need to be awake to see you say things like that!
Stiles had been drifting listening to Derek breathe, wanting to touch him.
He heard and felt Derek’s sudden movement off the bed.
Next he heard, ‘Shit , Stiles!’ then, ‘Nurse, nurse,’ shouted, ‘he spoke. He mumbled some words and my name!!’
Did I speak aloud? How did I speak aloud? Yeah go figure that Derbear would have the magics to wake him but he didn’t feel any more awake than before.
‘What happened?’ a calm nurse.
‘I was talking to him, he mumbled something and called me Derbear – nickname he has for me.’ Derek hopeful and slightly embarrassed.
‘Ok, go sit Derek. We’ll do some checks and see if there are any changes in response to other stimuli.’
Stiles listened, it didn’t sound very positive – reaction to this and that until he felt his leg jerk.
‘That’s encouraging. Repeat it.,’
He guessed they were touching the bottom of his foot because he felt his leg move again. He could move.
He could also feel himself drifting despite the talking around him. Staying conscious was tiring and he fell asleep.
‘What exactly does this mean?’ his dad nervous, excited – no apprehensive.
‘Noah please sit down.’ Stiles doctor, ‘I’ll explain what we know.’
His dad must have sat down.
‘Last night Stiles spoke aloud in response to Derek. We did a series of tests to check Stiles’ response to various stimuli. We hooked him up to the EEG and the difference from two weeks ago is marked. Physically he responded to pin pricks and strokes on his fingers and the bottom of both feet. The new scans show activity in different areas of his brain.’
‘Is he waking up?’ Noah puzzled.
‘Gradually, conscious of touch certainly but not awake. I’ll leave you to talk to him. He can hear what is going on around him. I’m going to consult with my colleagues.’
‘Stiles, the doc says you can hear me and you know what is going on around you. I need you to wake up. Please don’t leave me with this decision. Derek and Scott will never agree and I will be left making the choice for you.’
His dad was so anxious and stroking his hair like he was four again. He could feel his dad stroking his hair, feel the warmth and the wedding ring he still wore.
Stiles sighed, he wanted to raise his hand and swat his dad's hand away to tell him not to worry – wait – he could feel his hand!
He could move his hand! He could feel his lips moving but his mouth was too dry to talk.
He was frightened to open his eyes in case it wasn’t true but the incredible noise his dad made told him it was.
He opened his eyes. Noah hugged him hard then pressed for the nurses to come. He then stood back as they worked.
They irrigated Stiles mouth and bathed his eyes. He kept as still as he could as his eyes adjusted and he felt, felt the air on his exposed skin. The nasal feeding tube felt horrible and his throat felt raw but he could move, blink, see his dad grinning and shaking his head.
The nurses put another blanket over him as he shivered and they raised the end of the bed slowly. Stiles stared at the plaster cast on his wrist and took in how thin he was. He sighed.
The nurses – he could put faces to voices – said to take it slowly and not to talk too much.
They left saying the doctor was on his way.
He and his dad hugged for ages, no words just hugs.
Then Melissa appeared, all smiles and hugs for them both. Chris had picked up Scott and Malia from school and Melissa said they were there when he was up to visitors. Lydia was on her way too.
The doctor came in and spoke to Stiles, ‘Nice to meet you Stiles, welcome back.’
Stiles nodded, ‘Thank you,’ he managed through dry lips, ‘you all took such good care of me. I could hear it all.’
The doctor nodded, ‘That must have been weird. I’ve been documenting your case for the journal of medicine. I would very much like to interview you when you are up to it.’
Stiles nodded. The doctor carried out neurological tests but Stiles' alertness and awareness told him more than the tests. Stiles was awake- it had taken a while but he was awake!
‘Enjoy your visitors but don’t talk, let them do the talking.
Stiles nodded. When the doctor left he had a chance to look at the room. Fuck – it must be costing a fortune. Also it had cards, balloons, soft toys and chocolates on every available surface.
His visitors were allowed in two at a time. Scott sat on the bed, hugging him and crying, saying he was sorry. Stiles frowned at him and held him tight.
Malia gave him a hug and a kiss saying he looked well rested. Stiles laughed painfully.
Lydia just sat and cried into his shoulder. She talked him through the cards and presents which she had photographed and written down for him so he could appreciate the love and thank people. He was so grateful for Lydia. She also owned up to having drawn the desert island scene on his plaster cast. She hugged him and said she had missed him.
Chris and Melissa stayed for a few minutes – checking if he needed anything.
Chris smiled and said, ‘ God, you gave us all a fright and a wake up call. You are the centre of some powerful love from some powerful souls. So glad you are back to keep the peace!’
Stiles rolled his eyes but was pleased at the same time. Melissa hugged Stiles and when she stood back Stiles gestured around the room and frowned. Melissa smiled, ‘Derek.’
Stiles sighed and nodded in relief, ‘Thank you.’ He mouthed.
When they left Noah came back, the doctor was keeping Stiles for now. Once the tube was removed they wanted to make sure he could eat ok and didn’t get an infection. Then he would have out patients appointments for physio and nutrition.
A nurse asked Stiles if he wanted sedation for the tube coming out. He said no but he might pass out anyway. He didn’t, but it was the grossest thing he had ever experienced and he threw up.
The nurses washed out his mouth and gave him a bland milkshake type drink to stop any stomach acid affecting his oesophagus. He managed to keep the drink down.
They let him rinse his mouth again and gave him ice chips which were wonderful.
It was getting late and Stiles told his dad to go home and rest. They weren’t getting Stiles up until the morning or removing the catheter. His dad hugged him and kissed his head.
‘You’ll be monitored all night.’
Stiles smiled, ‘I know dad, goodnight.’
Derek appeared after nine and sat in the chair.
‘How are you feeling?’ he asked.
Stiles thought he looked so young and vulnerable tonight.
Stiles smiled, ‘I’m better for seeing you.’
Derek nodded, ‘I was asleep then I figured I would let the others fuss over you.’
‘They did and then some. You ok?’
Derek nodded, ‘Yeah, I am now.’
Stiles frowned, ‘Why are you sat in the chair? Last night you were here.’ He patted the bed, ‘I heard every word you said in this room and last night when you kissed me I hoped you were holding me tight.’
Derek nodded, eyes soft, biting his lip. He took a breath and stood. At the side of the bed he paused.
‘I was.’
Stiles took his hand, ‘Thank you for watching over me. Thank you for the room and looking after my dad. I love you Derek, I have for a long time.’
Derek sat on the bed and pulled Stiles into his arms.
He held him for a long time, nuzzling into Stiles neck and thoroughly scenting him, driving Stiles nuts. When Derek raised his head Stiles grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him, long and slow.
Then they sat for ages foreheads touching, just being together in the silence. Derek stroked Stiles cheek, ‘I love you Stiles. I never knew how much until you didn’t wake up. I missed you.’
Stiles laughed, ‘See I told you I would grow on you.’
Derek smiled and Stiles heart melted, ‘Now, lie down and cuddle me, tell me everything I missed outside while I was sleeping.’
Derek lay on the bed spooning Stiles and whispering in his ear,
‘You heard everything said here?’
Stiles turned is head to face him,
‘Yes – you were all so strong but you were right. Thank you, I would have taken peace over being bitten.’
Derek looked him with tears in his eyes and nodded.
Stiles turned back,
‘Ok, so start with when Melissa and Chris got together.’
Derek laughed and snuggled in more, he talked until he fell asleep, wrapped around Stiles like a limpet.
Stiles was wide awake!