#dydia drabbles

He was used to hearing people before they arrived at his door. Their hands sliding up the banister, the quiet pitter patter of their shoes against the metallic floor--or in this particular case, the sharp click clack of heels climbing up the stairs. But like with most things, he was new to having human senses and hoping he wouldn't have to adjust for long. After all, when Lydia Martin is coming over, you would like to be prepared.

It had only been a few weeks since the pair started spending real time together which meant Derek was mildly unclear on where they stood. Nothing had happened between the two of them, not for lack of interest from either party, but purely because it's difficult to find the time to get frisky when death is always knocking at your door. Regardless, up until recently his exposure to the auburn-haired girl had been limited to group settings and brainstorms to save his life. All important things, and it's not that he had never thought about her in that way--because he had, may times, a fact he would never admit to anyone out loud--but everything changed when she discovered his name as the third cypher key. Packmates became allies, allies became friends, and that's where Derek's head got fuzzy. He could talk a good game, but he knew deep down he didn't have the best track record with relationships. Lydia was different. 

Three knocks on the door and Derek was brought back down to Earth. He jumped up from the couch and in a few large strides pulled the door open with full force to reveal the small but strong girl standing behind it, hair swept up in a loose but intentional braided bun with a ribbon that perfectly matched the light blue color of her skirt. He was so busy looking her up and down he almost didn't notice the slight redness to her eyes--the paleness to her cheeks. She had been crying. His heart sank.

"Lyd?" He reached one arm out hesitantly towards her and she grabbed just above his wrist with one hand as she entered the loft, swinging passed him and pulling him behind her. He broke away quickly to shut the door and swiftly joined her on the edge of his bed, resting one arm behind her back and the other comfortably in his own lap.

"I'm s-sorry," Her tears returned as soon as she began to speak, causing her voice to crack and her shoulders to shake.

Derek's eyes widened. For a long time, he had been alone and for even longer, he had tried not to feel anything at all. The social norms of comforting someone--anyone, but especially someone with whom he isn't sure of his current status--wasn't exactly listed as one of his best or most practiced skills. That being said, he knew he at least had to try to cheer up the girl who had managed to bring light into his otherwise dark existence. He hesitantly took his free hand and placed it on her right leg, lifting gently so her legs laid over his and her head was cradled by his neck and shoulder. He shushed her quietly and rocked back and forth. Shit. Was that just for babies crying? The motion soothed him, so he hoped she felt the same. After a great moment of silence, he finally spoke.

"Lydia, please tell me why you're crying."

She sighed and rested her right hand on his shoulder, pulling herself up into his lap completely. "My d-dad..." She stumbled over the words once more, but Derek could feel her breathing steadying against his neck and hoped whatever he was doing was working. "He's not really around much since my parents divorced. I mean he is sometimes, at least physically, but I was supposed to be staying with him all weekend while my mom is out of town and I just can't stand him. He thinks--" She stopped short and sighed. " He thinks I'm just a silly little girl." She laughed a little as the words came out, out of embarrassment he presumed. She had nothing to be embarrassed about, but he knew from experience that Lydia was not one to show any form of weakness easily. It was a quality of his own that he saw reflected in her eyes. 

"Well you're a lot of things," he smiled down at her despite the fact that her face was buried in his chest and rested his chin down on the top of her head, breathing in the strawberry scent of her hair. "Silly isn't one of the words I would use."

"What words would you use?" The words were muffled against his now damp white shirt and when he laughed it shook through them both. 

"Well," Derek shifted so that Lydia's legs remained over his but they were facing each other, and placed his arms over her legs. "I would use beautiful, obviously. I mean, look at you. It's rude, really. And brilliant, probably first and foremost. Strong. Physically and emotionally. And normally I would say 'giant pain in my ass' is a pretty good general description, but you're crying so I'll leave that out for now."

She laughed now, kicking at him. "Oh, how kind of you."