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Derek watched Stiles across the examination table while trying not to be obvious about it. He kept one ear focused on what Scott was saying about the Anuk-ite that was killing in Beacon Hills and the crazy human Monroe, who had a vendetta against everything supernatural. Scott mentioned that the Anuk-ite used their worst fears against them, and Derek knew he needed to stay away from manipulative older women, and he’d be fine.
“And now it can kill you just by looking at you,” Lydia said.
Derek snapped to Stiles as his breath caught. “Okay, so you’re telling me that we’ve gotta go up against this thing blind and face our deepest fear?” Stiles asked, looking around the table, his gaze lingering on Derek just a moment longer than the rest. Fear glowed out of Stiles’ eyes, and Derek longed to pull him into a hug.
“Yeah…” Scott said, studying Stiles before continuing. “Why, what do you fear most?”
Derek almost snorted. Scott was Stiles’ lifelong friend, and he didn’t know Stiles’ greatest fear. Derek had only known him for a few years, and he knew his greatest fear-
“Blindness,” Stiles responded.
-not that. Derek's lips twisted strangely before he forced them into what he hoped was a convincing stab at amusement. From Stiles’ frown, he might have succeeded. “Becoming blind”? Derek could have sworn on his own life that Stiles’ biggest fear was losing someone he loved, but he’d already done that and come out the other side. When he thought about it, blindness actually made a lot of sense.
Stiles straightened, sounding annoyed, but Derek smelled fear. “Yeah, terrified of it. Always have been.” It made Derek feel better to see that everyone looked as lost as he did at that. “This just seems to be a situation of unfortunate overlap.”
They all stare at him for a moment before Scott moves on as if Stiles hadn’t spoken at all. The room reeked of fear, and Derek thought the Anuk-ite could have a feast right there, but they devised a plan. Derek didn’t like it; it put Stiles at too much risk, but he also knew Stiles was the only one who could do it.
Finally, they fell into silence, preparing themselves for what could be the last night of their lives. Derek watched them all, but his gaze kept returning to Stiles, who was fidgeting with the front of his flannel shirt while Scott discussed strategy.
When Scott made to leave, Lydia behind him, Derek reached out for Stiles. He gripped Stiles’ arm and pulled him into a hug, burying his face in the side of his neck and breathing deeply. Stiles’ fear overwhelmed him, and he had to pull back to sneeze.
“Gesundheit,” Stiles said, forcing a smile that trembled at the edges.
“Losing your sight is really your biggest fear?” Derek asked, running a finger down the edge of Stiles’ face, staring into his eyes and trying not to imagine them unable to look back at him.
“Right up there with losing you, but I couldn’t say that without giving everything away, could I?” Stiles asked.
“Would you care if they knew? If they found out about our trip?”
Stiles grinned. Derek could tell where his mind went, and the smell of fear retreated slightly. “I want to tell them, but I don’t think Scott needs the distraction right now.”
Derek chuckled. “That is true. I’m going to get a hell of a shovel speech when this is all over, aren’t I?”
“You might just get a shovel to the head and wake up underground,” Stiles admitted, laughing. Derek could hear Scott asking Lydia what was going on. He imagined the knowing smirk on her face and started to laugh as well.
“I’ll dig myself out to get back to you.” Derek pressed his lips to Stiles. “I will always come back to you.”
“You better,” Stiles whispered against his lips, and Derek could smell Stiles’ tears before he tasted them. “Same goes for you.”
“I know.” Derek pressed their foreheads together. “No matter what, we will get through this and whatever comes next.”
“Even if I lose my sight?” Stiles whispered, his fear flaring back up until Derek sneezed again.
“Then I’ll stand by your side to guide you.” Derek kissed each of Stiles’ eyelids.
He pulled back and looked down at Stiles’ face, groaning when he recognized the look on his face. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at Derek, his smile growing. “You gonna be my seeing eye dog, Der?” he asked.
Derek knew he shouldn’t encourage it, but if this would be his last moments with Stiles, he wanted to spend them in laughter. He tipped his head back and roared out a laugh, not caring about the shocked sound Scott made in the other room. He couldn’t explain how or when he fell so hard for this man, but he’d fight to his death to ensure he got to spend the rest of his life with him.