[i truly do love thinking about a softer more open Derek]
where Cora comes back home and decides to stay for good. it gives Derek a chance to be the goofy, annoying older brother that he missed out on. but he’s also so sappy and lovey-dovey about Cora too, gassing her up at any available opportunity. bragging about her to anyone who will listen and she’ll blush and groan at him, telling him to stop but she loves it because this is the brother she’s missed all this time.
where Derek has very dry and sarcastic humor but the pack is still always so surprised when Derek tells a joke. Isaac and scott are usually prone to saying something slightly stupid or obvious and Derek is quick witted in response. he earns a few laughs, chuckles, dropped jaws. Stiles, who’d always been considered the funny one of the pack just happy to see Derek do or say something silly.
where Derek’s no longer afraid of being affectionate not just to Stiles but his whole pack. where he gently grabs the back of isaac’s neck and tells him he’s done a good job, giving Boyd a squeeze on his shoulder and kind words when he doubts himself, checking in and hugging Erica after one of their training sessions goes a little too hard. where maybe at the start of their relationship, Derek was a little cautious or hesitant about PDA with Stiles. he didn’t kiss Stiles in front of the pack, rarely held hands with him walking down the street, their interactions coming off friendly more than loving. Stiles knew it would take a lot of time and patience; giving himself kudos for not getting frustrated or giving up on Derek. “they should really crown me boyfriend of the year,” Stiles would always joke. now Derek doesn’t care who’s watching, he’ll kiss Stiles in front of whoever, hold Stiles close wherever they go, a smug grin on his face after sucking a mark into Stiles’ neck for all to see.
he’d still have his moments where he goes quiet, his facial expression a little pensive, maybe brewing in negative thoughts that still come up from time to time. it just reminds him that there’s a part of him that’s human. it’s human to go through waves of emotion, it’s human to think of lost loved ones, it’s human to feel pain and not just the physical kind. and he remembers he doesn’t just have to sit and wallow in it all the time. he can count on his fingers how many trusted people he can talk to and Stiles being the main one. where Stiles’ voice alone can talk him down from heightened emotions, Stiles’ gentle touch anchors him to reality, where they count their fingers together and Stiles says, “tell me what you’re feeling, big guy.” and Derek lays it all out knowing Stiles wouldn’t use his emotions against him, wouldn’t judge; he listens and assures him.
it’s in those moments, Derek’s glad that he allows himself to be vulnerable with the people that matter. he’s got so much support behind him, a pack, a family.
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