[ see, this is only getting worse. the amusement, the tiny laugh, the overall happiness derek could smell on him a mile away. stiles is fucking killing him, and derek's embarrassing himself because of it. acting out, being dumb. there's so much energy in him. he wants to go for a run, maybe burn some of it out. it's going to be so much better when they're closer to the woods.

but stiles is concerned. stiles is concerned, suddenly, and that makes derek feel like a bit of an asshole, because he's just - being shy, he's not actually mad, of course he's not actually mad. he shakes his head, guilty, trying to just shut down everything stiles is worried about, but then he realize that must look like he's saying no, he's not okay, so he nods, instead. and then that just makes him think he looks fucking indecisive and stupid, so he looks more pissed off, and it's all just - a mess.

words. okay. words. ]

Yes. I'm okay. Obviously I'm okay. I'm--

[ okay, hold on. derek swats at the bat pressed against his chest like a cat getting ticked off by an egregiously persistent fly. he slaps at it until it's gone, and it - kind of hurt his hand, actually, so he shakes his hand out a little, feels like he's being even more stupid, and starts from the beginning. ]

I'm okay. You're just cute. You're being cute. I want to kiss you again. I want to kiss you so much. It's...

[ he frowns, shakes his head. he's making this out to be something - negative, but it's not, of course it's not. it's just a lot, and stiles has to realize that the quirks of his brows and the soft little smiles and even this, the genuine, immediate concern, it's all just - hard-hitting. derek looks at stiles, more pouty than actually angry, now that he's up close, and he thinks of the barracks, he thinks of the first time they touched each other.

it's funny, how long ago that feels. it's barely been a month. ]

Annoying. You're annoying me.