Derek was awake when Peter came in, knew he was there, standing in the doorway. He can hear his breathing, his heartbeat, and he can smell him, cool and earthy, leaves and juniper. He doesn't move, just listens, knows that Peter is watching him.
He lets him.
He knows that Peter is strange, but he's more like Derek than the others are. They were both born wolves, and there's a bond in that, in this being blood rather than the gift or curse it is for the others, for those who get the Bite. He makes sure the betas know not to hurt him, because he's not quite the same, not as strong as they are, didn't grow up using the wolf as a weapon, didn't grow up fighting. There's a kind of serenity in that, a wild silence that runs deep that Derek never got a chance to know, and he likes that about Peter.
Derek shifts as Peter climbs into the bed and curls up against his side. His warmth feels good against Derek's bare skin, and he inhales as Peter nuzzles against his shoulder, turning his head to look at him, brown hair a windswept mess as he presses his nose against Derek's shoulder.
Something is wrong. He can tell without even asking, and the fact that he can is telling. It suggests that the bond between them is more than just an affinity because they're both born wolves. It's deeper than that, it's more intimate, the kind of connection mates are said to share. Derek never thought he'd find his, and though he knows there's something here, some connection, he's hesitant to call it what it is because he doesn't want to risk losing it.
"What's wrong?" Derek asks, voice soft and low as he brings his arm up around Peter's shoulders, curling him in a little closer so that Derek can press his nose against the top of Peter's head, inhaling the scent of the forest he was just running through.
no subject
He lets him.
He knows that Peter is strange, but he's more like Derek than the others are. They were both born wolves, and there's a bond in that, in this being blood rather than the gift or curse it is for the others, for those who get the Bite. He makes sure the betas know not to hurt him, because he's not quite the same, not as strong as they are, didn't grow up using the wolf as a weapon, didn't grow up fighting. There's a kind of serenity in that, a wild silence that runs deep that Derek never got a chance to know, and he likes that about Peter.
Derek shifts as Peter climbs into the bed and curls up against his side. His warmth feels good against Derek's bare skin, and he inhales as Peter nuzzles against his shoulder, turning his head to look at him, brown hair a windswept mess as he presses his nose against Derek's shoulder.
Something is wrong. He can tell without even asking, and the fact that he can is telling. It suggests that the bond between them is more than just an affinity because they're both born wolves. It's deeper than that, it's more intimate, the kind of connection mates are said to share. Derek never thought he'd find his, and though he knows there's something here, some connection, he's hesitant to call it what it is because he doesn't want to risk losing it.
"What's wrong?" Derek asks, voice soft and low as he brings his arm up around Peter's shoulders, curling him in a little closer so that Derek can press his nose against the top of Peter's head, inhaling the scent of the forest he was just running through.