Chapter Text
It was a freezing cold night when Derek Hale first approached him. He was sat on the edge of the sidewalk, hunched over his knees in the pouring rain. He was shivering, traumatised, trying not to think about the events that had led to him running away from home. As Derek approached slowly, Isaac had felt sure he was going to beat him up - Isaac didn’t look up further than his heavy black boots and jeans covering muscled legs - afraid that if he did, a fight would ensue. But then the man sat next to him, on the cold, wet ground and spoke to him instead. The hope he offered him on that dark night saved his life, and when he offered him the bite - Isaac grabbed the opportunity desperately. The opportunity to not feel weak anymore; to not be terrified of everyone, of his father. The opportunity to be part of a pack, to not be bullied by anyone in school - or be able to handle himself if they tried. It was too tempting an offer to refuse, and Derek was nothing but supportive and kind throughout. Isaac finally felt like he’d found his family.
It was for that reason, the feeling that Derek had been his saviour, that he couldn’t understand why Scott refused to join the pack, to follow and obey Derek as the alpha he now was. He admired Derek so much; his complete loyalty, his utter selflessness, bravery, kindness, sharp wit, total control over his wolf instincts, his skills in combat and his utter ferocity. It therefore made complete sense when he realised he’d fallen deeply in love with him. However, he knew he wouldn’t be able to hide it, so he began avoiding his alpha - something which caused him physical pain; symptoms akin to an illness, and caused Derek to feel concerned about the security of his small wolf pack.
“Isaac! You ok?” Scott’s voice pulled Isaac back to the present and he realised he was next up to take a shot in lacrosse practise. His stomach cramped up and he was sweating profusely. He ran to the side of the field, vomiting hard. While the others mocked him, Scott rushed over and helped him back into the locker room where Derek was waiting for them.
“What’s wrong with him?!” Scott asked, terrified. Derek removed the sick teen’s helmet and Isaac flinched away from him weakly. He’d never done that, even on the first night they met and Derek frowned - he looked hurt - that just made Isaac feel even worse, and he refused to look at him.
“Isaac - look at me.” Isaac ignored him.
“ISAAC! LOOK. AT. ME!” Derek roared, eyes flashing red, fangs protruding aggressively. Isaac couldn’t resist the command of his alpha and he flinched back harder, his eyes snapping up to meet Derek’s of their own volition.
“What’s wrong? Talk to me. You’ve been avoiding me for weeks- I haven’t seen you since the last full moon.” Isaac’s face crumpled and he leant forwards into his hands, utterly defeated.
“I can’t...tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s...humiliating.” He admitted quietly.
“I’ll leave you alone, let you have some privacy.” Isaac was beyond grateful to his peer who returned to the field. But now he was left alone with Derek, and that was somehow worse.
“Isaac please talk to me, I’m concerned.”
“I’ve been avoiding you because I didn’t want you to find out...I didn’t want you to realise.”
“Realise what?”
“That I....have a...stupid thing for you...and it’s...really difficult to be around you.” Derek was surprised at the admission - why it was a surprise, Isaac could not fathom.
“Oh. I’m - I’m sorry, I had no idea.” Isaac couldn’t tell if he felt awkward or disappointed by Derek’s surprised but unshaken demeanour. Had he hoped it would cause earthquakes between them? He didn’t know.
“Really?”
“I mean...I noticed your pulse generally raced a bit, but I thought you were still afraid of me. I thought you’d been avoiding me because you found another pack, Isaac. I had no idea. Look...you know it doesn’t change anything, right? It’s ok.” Isaac nodded sadly, it was like a punch to the gut.
“Thanks.” Derek swallowed.
“Ok. Just....don’t avoid me ok? It’s not healthy...I don’t want you getting sick again. You feeling better?” He put his hand on Isaac’s neck, the touch almost made him whimper, it was so pleasant after so long without him. Derek saw him suppress it, saw the colour return to the teen’s face as the contact went on.
“I’m ok now. Thanks.” Isaac shrugged him off gently.
“Ok...I’ll see you after school - I...I want to talk to you.” Isaac sighed but nodded, returning to the field before he did anything else embarrassing.
Scott was amazed by how much better Isaac suddenly looked. He’d have to find out what was happening from Derek, or some other way.
Derek paced in his apartment that he now shared with Isaac and his uncle. The situation had suddenly become a lot more complex, living together suddenly felt awkward, not appropriate like it had done when he’d first moved in. When he returned from school, Derek had no idea what he was going to say until he said it. ‘Go with your gut, Derek, go with your gut, don’t overthink it.’ He kept telling himself. Isaac was looking at him with anxiously wide eyes and his jaw and fingers twitched nervously.
“I want you to be comfortable in my pack, Isaac. I...I was going to try something but I can’t - you live with me now, you’re seventeen, I’m responsible for you.” Isaac swallowed.
“Uh...what were you going to try?” Derek sighed.
“I was going to kiss you. Just to see how it went.”
“Meaning...you’re not totally...one hundred percent repulsed by the idea?” He asked hopefully, nervously, eyes wide. Derek chuckled at him.
“No. I’m not.” Isaac smiled a little and exhaled a shaky laugh in spite of himself.
“But I can’t do that, Isaac - you’re my responsibility, you’re in my pack and you’re not 18.”
“No, I’m seventeen - to be eighteen in like two months - how does that mean anything?” Derek sighed.
“I don’t know, I just feel that it should.”
“Wolves in the same pack have...whatever, ‘relations,’ all the time, no?” Derek couldn’t argue that point and tilted his head in a reluctant nod. Isaac approached him slowly.
“So that’s not a problem either...so...why don’t you just...try it? Like you said...see what happens?” Derek couldn’t fight his smile. When he wanted to, once he’d overcome his nerves, Isaac Lahey was a very accomplished seducer. His voice softened and lowered, he lowered his head submissively and his eyes dragged all over Derek from head to toe.
“And what if I don’t feel anything for you? I haven’t kissed a man before, what if I’m not interested in you?” Isaac sighed, head tilting back a little in the way that it so often did - a small gesture which Derek found irritatingly attractive.
“I’d rather know you’re not than be unsure for the rest of the time I’m in your pack.” Derek sighed as he stepped closer, officially in his personal space now. He was surprise by the beta’s boldness - he’d been so timid of so many things, so sensitive in so many ways, and yet since he’d been turned he fought almost without fear, and he clearly wasn’t afraid to do this either. That reassured Derek and he reached out for the space between Isaac’s shoulder and neck, tracing the soft skin on his collarbone with his thumb. He heard the teen’s breath hitch and he smirked.
“I’m not as delicate as you think I am.” Isaac murmured quietly. Derek met his eyes.
“I know that.” He leant in slowly, watching Isaac’s eyes flutter shut and his lips part slightly, watching the blood rush to his cheeks. He was beautiful, not in the same way women were - but Derek was starting to think that wasn’t a bad thing. When he caught Isaac’s lips with his own the teen slid his hands up Derek’s back. The sensation nearly made Derek’s claws spring out - he hadn’t been with anyone in a long time; the only contact he was accustomed to was fighting, pain - soft touches like that felt almost alien to him. When they parted, Isaac looked like he’d taken a drug, and Derek could empathise completely.
“Well?” Isaac breathed a little shakily, dragging his bottom lip through his teeth.
“I...think one is a little hard to judge from.” A little smirk pulled at the teen’s lips.
“Oh yeah? Maybe a second one just to be sure?” Derek liked the cocky tone Isaac’s voice took and nodded.
“Mm-hmm.” Isaac looped his arms around Derek’s neck as they kissed the second time, tongues meeting and lips moving passionately. Derek pulled him against him by his narrow waist so hard that Isaac knew there would be bruises - he wanted to be bruised, it meant there would be evidence that it hadn’t been just another of his heated dreams.
They breathed heavily when they parted again, foreheads together. Derek leant back, holding the teen at arm’s length.
“What do we do now?” Isaac asked, unsure.
“Whatever we want.” The devilish glint in his eye wasn’t expected and Isaac laughed nervously.
“Whatever you want.” Derek said softer, kissing his neck. Isaac pushed him back by his hips gently.
“Sorry I- I have a sensitive neck you’re kinda....you know...” Derek chuckled at him and his inability to express how aroused he was becoming.
“That was kind of the point.” Isaac rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously as he laughed again.
“There’s no rush, for anything. Doesn’t have to happen at all.” Isaac swallowed.
“I don’t want you to be...waiting around for me.” Derek sighed and stepped forwards, rubbing his tense shoulders firmly.
“It’s not like I’ve got a queue in line, Isaac. I won’t rush you into anything. Now go on- I know you’ve got studying to do, and I’ve got to go see Scott again.” He slapped his ass as he walked away and the fierce red that spread across his cheeks was incredibly gratifying. Derek sat back on the table and was surprised by how hard he was himself; Isaac was going to be a very interesting new development in his life.