Noah. Calling Derek after one of Stiles’ nightmares.
It’s worse than usual. Stiles’ eyes still round and glazed over and wild. He’s trembling on the bed, arms wrapped around himself and muttering under his breath. Noah tries to reach for him, tries to comfort him but Stiles flinches back from his touch. Tears sliding down his face and fingernails clawing into his own arm hard enough to draw blood.
It takes a moment for Noah to be able to make out the words but he can hear Derek’s name on his son’s lips . A quiet, desperate plea. And Noah doesn’t understand. Because it’s Scott who’s his alpha. Scott who should be the first one Stiles asks for but he doesn’t bother with facts right now.
Stiles is scared and crying and bleeding. He hasn’t been this bad for a few years but something terrible must of happened to trigger it.
Derek picks up on the first ring, his voice muffled from sleep. “Noah? What—” But he doesn’t need to ask. Doesn’t need any more explanation when Stiles’ cries can be heard through the phone.
Noah hangs up when he hears a flurry of movement from the other side and he doesn’t have to wait long before there’s a loud knock on his son’s window a few moments later.
Noah lets Derek in and watches as the alpha looks Stiles over. He doesn’t comment, doesn’t say anything before he’s crossing the room and kneeling at Stiles’ side. It’s when he slowly raises his hand to lay on Stiles’ arm that he finally speaks. Voice low and soothing and gentle. “Stiles? Hey, it’s okay. I’m here.”
Stiles blinks at him, his eyes struggling to focus. Flickering across his face as if trying to decide if he’s a hallucination or not. But then Derek lifts his hands up, palms flat and fingers out for Stiles to count and then the human beta is crumbling against him. Sobs wracking his body and face pressed into the hollow of his shoulder.
“Im sorry!” Stiles cries, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry—”
Derek nuzzles against his cheek, one hand cradling the back of his head and the other running soothing circles down his shoulders as he whispers into his ear.
Noah doesn’t hear what’s being said but it has Stiles nodding. His son’s body sagging against the werewolf like a puppet with its string cut. It’s probably the most relaxed he’s seen Stiles in weeks, all the tension bleeding out of him.
Somehow it isn’t a surprise when Derek presses a kiss into his son’s temple. Nor does it feel awkward when the alpha sits up on the mattress, pulling Stiles to his chest and rocking him gently. Noah isn’t stupid enough to think this is the first time this has happened, nor is he blind enough to assume it’s nothing more than the pack bonds that has the two holding onto one another.
Maybe he should be more upset, seeing the 24 year old holding his 19 year old son. Maybe he should demand answers and ask how long it’s been going on but he feels nothing but relief as he looks over the two. Nothing but gratefulness that Stiles has this and gratitude towards the man who’s put his entire being on the line for the both of them more times than he can count. Maybe he didn’t know much about their relationship but if there was anyone he’d entrust with the protection of his son it’s Derek Hale.
Moving as quietly as he can Noah backs out of the room. Stopping in the doorway to meet the alphas apologetic eyes. Derek is looking at him sadly but there is also a mixture of defiance and resignation. Like he’s afraid Noah is about to demand he leave. Like he’s preparing himself for a fight. Daring the sheriff to make him let go of Stiles.
Noah suddenly understands. He knows by now, the look of a wolf protecting his mate. And it’s not even a surprise. Not really. Fate has thrown these two boys together so many times…so hard and unforgiving it’s almost laughable to think it could be anything but this. “Thanks for coming Derek.” He says instead, offering a knowing smile and Derek’s whole body uncoils. The alpha nods as Noah gently closes the door behind him. And Noah knows that Stiles will finally be able to sleep peacefully tonight.