While Derek waited for Stiles to change, he checked his phone for updates from the pack. Scott had told his mom, but Melissa was on shift at the hospital. She reached out to Derek directly, saying she would stop by on her way home. Derek let her know that they would be at the Stilinski house for the evening with no current plans, and he was sure Stiles would be happy to see her. Peter had responded to Derek's earlier text, promising to retrieve Stiles things without laying a finger on Kyle. There was no word yet from Malia or Kira, but the two were often traveling and didn't always have cell service. The click of the doorknob alerted Derek, and he looked up, smiling at Stiles as he stepped into the hall.
"How are you feeling?" Derek asked.
"Hungry," Stiles admitted. "I'm not positive when I ate last."
"Let's make food then," Derek said easily, watching for Stiles reaction. The Beta was calm now, but Derek instinctively scanned for any distress, ready to soothe, to help, to be the alpha, if Stiles needed him to.
"Hopefully there's food to make," Stiles' mouth quirked up into an almost smile. "Dad isn't great about grocery shopping without reminders."
"I'm sure Scott or Melissa kept him on track," Derek assured as the two wolves headed down the stairs.
"Hopefully," Stiles sighed.
Derek glanced over and saw Stiles fidgeting with his fingers. Silently, Derek reached out and took Stiles' hand, smoothing the younger man's fingers. Stiles took a breath and leaned forward slightly. Derek tugged lightly on Stiles' hand, and the young beta followed him to the kitchen.
Stiles watched Derek go through the fridge and cupboards, pulling out ingredients and dishes.
"How's breakfast sound?" Derek asked. "There are eggs and some bacon, and I think there are potatoes."
"Sure," Stiles smiled. "Can I help?"
"Of course," Derek gestured for Stiles to join him.
Derek set Stiles to cleaning and cutting the potatoes while he began cooking the eggs and bacon. It didn't take long for Stiles' stomach to growl, making them both laugh. Once the food was done, Derek generously filled a plate for Stiles, and the two sat to eat.
Stiles ate slowly, enjoying the flavors and having food in his stomach again. Derek watched every bite Stiles took. There was a need, a drive wired into the instincts of an alpha, to protect and care for the newest addition to his pack. Derek was aware it came out in odd ways sometimes, and he was doing his best not to overdo it. Stiles noticed anyway.
"Something on my face, sourwolf?" Stiles asked, mouth full of egg.
Derek rolled his eyes and dropped his gaze to his plate.
"You were staring," Stiles challenged.
"Alpha thing," Derek shrugged. "Just keeping an eye on you."
"Worried I'm going to vanish?" Stiles raised an eyebrow.
"Something like that," Derek's tone was noncommittal, and he stood, gesturing to Stiles' empty plate. "All done? Or do you need more?"
"I'm done," Stiles pushed the plate towards Derek. "So when am I going to get bombarded with visits from the pack?"
"Not until you want them."
"What does that mean?" Stiles asked with a frown.
"It's a lot, at first, especially with a pack the size of ours. You already know them, so that will help, but the pack bond can be intense when it first snaps into place. Not to mention the sensory factors of integrating into the pack," Derek came back to lean against the doorframe. "They're waiting until you give the word. Though I'm sure they would be happy to come one at a time, if you wanted to see them sooner."
Stiles was silent for a moment, and Derek let that moment stretch, knowing Stiles well enough to recognize when he was thinking.
"I don't think I'm ready," Stiles admitted, the slightest quiver in his voice.
"And that is okay," Derek reassured, coming over to rest a hand on Stiles' shoulder. "The pack can wait. You are home, and safe, and uninjured. That will be enough for them."
Stiles nodded, eyes down. Derek knelt next to Stiles' chair and tilted Stiles' chin up to meet his eyes. He could smell waves of worry and anxiety radiating from Stiles and could hear the thunder of Stiles' heart.
"I just don't want to hurt anyone," Stiles admitted.
"Luckily, most of your friends heal almost instantly now," Derek smiled slightly, waiting for Stiles to smile in return. When the younger man did, Derek continued. "And the ones who don't are pretty familiar with handling werewolves."
"And I heal now, too," Stiles said quietly. "So if they need to stop me..."
"They won't need to stop you." Derek's voice was firm. "Come on, let's go watch a movie."
"A movie?" Stiles blinked, confusion spreading across his face.
"You've had a long day," Derek stood, and Stiles followed. "Not to mention the last few weeks. So yes, we are going to watch a movie, and you are going to relax."
Stiles still looked confused but didn't protest. He sat on the couch when Derek nodded to it and watched as the alpha pulled out some movies, flipping through until he found what he was looking for. Once it was ready to play, Derek joined Stiles on the couch. He adjusted the volume to a level so low that Stiles didn't think he would be able to hear it. When the movie started, Stiles was almost startled by how clear it was.
"You'll get used to filtering the sounds," Derek promised, leaning so their shoulders were pressed together.
Stiles leaned into the pressure, but didn't respond. They watched the movie in comfortable silence, and when it was finished, Derek put in another. They continued watching movies until Stiles was nodding against Derek's shoulder. Derek didn't mind, knowing Stiles must be exhausted, but when the last movie finished, Stiles jerked awake, heart racing.
"What was that?" He asked, eyes flashing gold.
"It was just the TV," Derek ran a hand over Stiles' hair, before pulling the beta closer. "Do you want to go to bed?"
"No, I'm awake," Stiles settled against Derek's side, insisting. "I'm fine."
"You sure?" Derek asked when Stiles yawned widely.
"Yeah, I'm good." Stiles crossed his arms, but his head was against Derek's shoulder, eyes already drifting closed again.
"Stiles," Derek rumbled softly. "You can sleep if you need to."
"I don't want to be alone," Stiles admitted.
"You won't be alone," Derek promised.
"You'll stay?" Stiles looked up at the alpha.
"If you want me to," Derek nodded.
"Okay," Stiles said softly. "Please stay."
Part 5 here: https://www.tumblr.com/writerjayne/809864307252871168/pt-5-stiles-was-quiet-on-the-drive-doing-his-best?source=share