[ Derek gives her a facial shrug at that, coupled with a matching shrug of his shoulders. It's a good question, he's just never really given it much thought. ]

I mean, I guess not. Technically, I absolutely could be a wolf all the time, if I wanted, and I just haven't yet, so...yeah, I don't know. I never thought about it, but I guess not. Maybe it wouldn't feel as liberating if I didn't come back to human form once in a while, I don't know...

[ But her next question makes him smile. ]

Oh yeah, absolutely. You mean, like, would I take your arm off if you tried to pet me? I'd probably end up on my back. Shockingly, there's a reason dogs like their bellies rubbed and wolves are no different if they trust you enough. I ran into Kara once, accidentally, when I was in that form. She just took it upon herself to pet me thinking I was some random wolf. Turns out, it feels kind of nice being petted, actually, so...yeah. For sure, I'd let you.

[ It's a long-winded and semi-awkward way to admit that Derek feels a lot more open and comfortable with affection when he's in a form where he's confident that affection won't slide into the realm of sexualization. Sex has Consequences, in Derek's experience. That's the part that's scary, not the affection. It's where the affection always eventually naturally leads that scares the hell out of him. ]