[ When they're sitting, face to face, Claire doesn't do anything but look at him for a long time, not wanting to say anything, break the silence and the understanding between the two of them right now. Instead, after a long while, she reaches out again, cupping his bottom jaw, not holding in any way, a finger stroking along the jawbone.
If he wants to change back, she'll take it. If he wants to stay like this longer, she'll also take it. She genuinely doesn't have words, right now, and all she can think of doing if he does change back is lean in, hold and touch him as a human as she did when he was a wolf. ]
[ For a little longer, Derek just looks back at her, leaning into the way she holds his muzzle. It's a nice feeling, he hardly wants to lose it. But then, he really can't stay like this forever, especially since he can't really talk to her.
So he takes a couple of steps back and transitions back out, getting to his feet at the end of the transition by reflex only to lower himself back down after snatching up a towel to wrap around his waist, clearing his throat as he moves to kneel in front of her. ]
Thank you for not being afraid. I think most people would've been afraid.
[ Claire's heart is beating a mile a second when Derek changes back, kneels in front of her. Her eyes are wide, and the smile that blooms over her face is a little hesitant at first, but she allows it to grow, reaching right back out to cup his jaw. ]
That was... amazing. Honestly. I'm -
[ She knows he can hear her heartbeat but she still reaches for his hand, pressing it to her chest, cradling it between her own hands. ]
I know we're. Exploring what this is, and taking things slow and all, but this? This is how I constantly feel around you.
[ It's a rush, basically. So different from everything she's always known. Fascinating, and terrifying, and amazing. Her words are soft, honest, an edge of embarrassment to them, but he deserves the truth. ]
[ Derek's eyes flicker to his hand as she places it on her chest, before returning to her face. He can already hear her heart racing, but it's interesting to additionally feel it beneath his fingertips when she does that.
His own heart is picking up speed, adrenaline coursing through his veins because he hasn't ever shown someone this side of himself on purpose when he wasn't about to maul them — and, in his defense, Kate deserved that; he should have killed her for burning his family alive, it's just that he doesn't have the heart of a murderer and he couldn't do it. It's strange and exciting to be intentionally showing someone the part of himself he typically holds so close to his chest and for her not to be frightened or disgusted, but to be awestruck hits Derek hard.
Her words surprise him a little. He's taken aback by her admission that this is par for the course for her when they're together. Mostly, he's surprised that he never noticed it before, because he probably should have.
And, because he has no words; no clue where to even begin to respond, in spite of the fact that they're both only clad in towels and she's probably freezing in this weather, still all wet, Derek takes that as another sign and he's not going to miss his window this time. Instead, he gives in to impulse, leans loser, and kisses her. ]
[ It's been a night of surprises, for Claire, and turns out, getting to see Derek as a wolf isn't the last one. She truly doesn't expect him to lean in, and even less to kiss her. She moves both hands still holding onto his to her knee, cradling his fingers and not looking to make him touch her. She barely moves, waiting a second before returning the kiss, just wanting to make sure he's not about to change his mind, but when he doesn't she pushes back, eyes sliding closed.
It's still chaste, in most ways, and Claire smiles, feeling warmth in her stomach, forgetting entirely that she's still damp, and it's not exactly summer, too busy enjoying the company, in a completely simple, uncomplicated way. ]
[ Derek chooses to do things the way he does them because he wants to make sure that he isn't going to set himself up for failure or heartbreak...or worse. Claire has been more than patient with him and he can feel her continuing to be just that, when she waits to return the kiss.
He finds himself smiling into it a little, when he deepens their kiss just slightly. The last thing he wants is to go overboard, because he doesn't mean to lead this somewhere he's not really ready for it to go just because they both happen to be pretty damn near naked still, but he can't help kissing her a little more deeply; it's been a long time coming, by now, anyway. ]
[ Even in their current undressed state, Claire would never think that this moment would lead to sex. Not with someone like Derek, who has been way too slow, careful, protecting himself all the way through every single interaction. He's been opening up, too, bit by bit, piece and piece, and Claire is immensely grateful for it, but she's not naive. He's not going to switch on a dime, just because of a kiss.
And that is fine by her, too. She reaches up with one hand, fingers curling through his stubble gently, letting the warmth of the kiss reach all the way down to her toes. There's no rush, right now, like the two of them are caught in a bubble on this beach, just a moment in time that doesn't have to change the rest of their lives.
Claire's the one that pulls back first, laying a couple of brief kisses over his lips before she presses her forehead to Derek's, humming out a content sigh. Then, she chuckles, soft, as he hand moves to curl around the back of his neck. ]
[ Claire is the one to break the kiss and Derek opens his eyes slowly to look back at her, a little grin tugging up the corners of his mouth with amusement at her comment. Her fingertips feel nice against his skin; he's always secretly been a very tactile person.
She's earning trust slowly but surely. Claire would have his full trust by now if Derek wasn't such a broken, wounded man at this point in his life. But she's getting there and her patience is always appreciated. ]
I gotta give you a reason to want to keep spending time with me, don't I?
[ He laughs a little, eyes shifting down sheepishly before he looks back at her and shrugs impishly. ]
[ She laughs, dropping her head, the tips of her hair wet and hanging around her face. ]
It sure is an adventure.
[ Because she never knows what to expect. She never knows how far she can push or if she shouldn't on this particular day. But at least, she knows that he likes her, and that this isn't either of them forcing themselves through awkward moments because they don't know how to say no. This is more than that, and Claire appreciates it a lot.
Taking a deep breath, Claire looks back up with a crooked grin, before a shiver runs through her body, obvious, leading to goosebumps all over her arms. ]
[ Derek laughs, too, and looks back up at her, the laughter giving way to sympathy when he sees her shiver. Derek gets to his feet and holds a hand out to her to help her up. ]
Yeah, you'll freeze. And I'm wet, so I'm not even much help, probably.
[ Typically, his temperature runs warm and he's been playfully called a walking furnace a time or two, but when his skin is wet and cool from the air, even if he's comfortable, he would probably be little use warming another person. ]
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no subject
If he wants to change back, she'll take it. If he wants to stay like this longer, she'll also take it. She genuinely doesn't have words, right now, and all she can think of doing if he does change back is lean in, hold and touch him as a human as she did when he was a wolf. ]
no subject
So he takes a couple of steps back and transitions back out, getting to his feet at the end of the transition by reflex only to lower himself back down after snatching up a towel to wrap around his waist, clearing his throat as he moves to kneel in front of her. ]
Thank you for not being afraid. I think most people would've been afraid.
no subject
That was... amazing. Honestly. I'm -
[ She knows he can hear her heartbeat but she still reaches for his hand, pressing it to her chest, cradling it between her own hands. ]
I know we're. Exploring what this is, and taking things slow and all, but this? This is how I constantly feel around you.
[ It's a rush, basically. So different from everything she's always known. Fascinating, and terrifying, and amazing. Her words are soft, honest, an edge of embarrassment to them, but he deserves the truth. ]
no subject
His own heart is picking up speed, adrenaline coursing through his veins because he hasn't ever shown someone this side of himself on purpose when he wasn't about to maul them — and, in his defense, Kate deserved that; he should have killed her for burning his family alive, it's just that he doesn't have the heart of a murderer and he couldn't do it. It's strange and exciting to be intentionally showing someone the part of himself he typically holds so close to his chest and for her not to be frightened or disgusted, but to be awestruck hits Derek hard.
Her words surprise him a little. He's taken aback by her admission that this is par for the course for her when they're together. Mostly, he's surprised that he never noticed it before, because he probably should have.
And, because he has no words; no clue where to even begin to respond, in spite of the fact that they're both only clad in towels and she's probably freezing in this weather, still all wet, Derek takes that as another sign and he's not going to miss his window this time. Instead, he gives in to impulse, leans loser, and kisses her. ]
no subject
It's still chaste, in most ways, and Claire smiles, feeling warmth in her stomach, forgetting entirely that she's still damp, and it's not exactly summer, too busy enjoying the company, in a completely simple, uncomplicated way. ]
no subject
He finds himself smiling into it a little, when he deepens their kiss just slightly. The last thing he wants is to go overboard, because he doesn't mean to lead this somewhere he's not really ready for it to go just because they both happen to be pretty damn near naked still, but he can't help kissing her a little more deeply; it's been a long time coming, by now, anyway. ]
no subject
And that is fine by her, too. She reaches up with one hand, fingers curling through his stubble gently, letting the warmth of the kiss reach all the way down to her toes. There's no rush, right now, like the two of them are caught in a bubble on this beach, just a moment in time that doesn't have to change the rest of their lives.
Claire's the one that pulls back first, laying a couple of brief kisses over his lips before she presses her forehead to Derek's, humming out a content sigh. Then, she chuckles, soft, as he hand moves to curl around the back of his neck. ]
Always keeping me on my toes.
no subject
She's earning trust slowly but surely. Claire would have his full trust by now if Derek wasn't such a broken, wounded man at this point in his life. But she's getting there and her patience is always appreciated. ]
I gotta give you a reason to want to keep spending time with me, don't I?
[ He laughs a little, eyes shifting down sheepishly before he looks back at her and shrugs impishly. ]
no subject
It sure is an adventure.
[ Because she never knows what to expect. She never knows how far she can push or if she shouldn't on this particular day. But at least, she knows that he likes her, and that this isn't either of them forcing themselves through awkward moments because they don't know how to say no. This is more than that, and Claire appreciates it a lot.
Taking a deep breath, Claire looks back up with a crooked grin, before a shiver runs through her body, obvious, leading to goosebumps all over her arms. ]
I should probably - get dry and warm.
no subject
Yeah, you'll freeze. And I'm wet, so I'm not even much help, probably.
[ Typically, his temperature runs warm and he's been playfully called a walking furnace a time or two, but when his skin is wet and cool from the air, even if he's comfortable, he would probably be little use warming another person. ]